An Affordable Shortcut To Designing Your Dream Home

You have likely been making mental notes for years. Every book or magazine that you read and each home that you visit has become a source for pieces to the puzzle that can become your new home. You don't know a thing about architecture, designing or drafting but that shouldn't stop you from taking the dream house that you have pictured in your head and making it a reality.

There are two ways that you can approach the creation of new house plans from which a builder can work:

1. Hire an architect

2. Make alterations to an existing house plan

There are many benefits to working directly with an architect. You will be able to sit down with an experienced designer and review, very specifically, all of the ideas and requirements for the home that you have in mind. The architect can give suggestions and help you to avoid problems that you may not have anticipated. However, be prepared to pay handsomely for this service. A good architect does not come cheap.

An economical compromise is to modify existing new house plans. There are hundreds of publications and websites that specialize in developing house plans that are available for purchase. These packaged plans are designed by professional architects and are available in a variety of styles, sizes and price-ranges. In many cases, you can visit a website and enter the various criteria for the home that you desire and an internal search engine will match your specs with plans in inventory.

You should be looking for companies that will allow you to modify existing house plans. Not all of them will. When you find one that has a large enough inventory of plans, take the specifications that you have developed for the house that you want to build and use the site's search engine to find compatible designs. You will likely be indicating basics such as:

- Style of home (Colonial, Ranch, Mediterranean, Cape Cod, etc.)

- Square footage

- Number of bedrooms

- Number of bathrooms

- Garage

- Type of foundation

While it is unlikely that a plan will be just what you were looking for (though you never know), you may find one that is generally suitable if some modifications can be made to match your specific requirements. For an additional fee, the company will allow you to present written alterations to the existing plan. These changes will then be presented to a staff architect who will incorporate the modifications as requested.

Common modifications include:

- Changing the foundation

- Adding or enlarging a garage

- Reconfiguring a bathroom or kitchen

- Adding to or reducing the size of rooms

Typically, you can make the changes right on the house plan. Written explanations are requested along with the design to insure accuracy. The altered plans are then submitted and an estimate is prepared by the design firm and returned to the customer. Once satisfied, the customer will receive a complete set of blueprints to forward to the builder.

While you may not be able to claim that you personally designed your own home, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that the finished product has your personal touch. And you will be able to afford a few more amenities with the money you saved on an expensive architect.

About the author: J. Terrence McDermott is administrator and webmaster for House Plans Central a site featuring recommendations and resources for those seeking information about house plans and home designs. He can be reached at info@house-plans-central.com

---

The Different Roofing Materials Used for Flatroofs, Their Advantages and Disadvantages

The roof has had many different innovations in regards to... Read More

Unfinished Furniture - Finish It Yourself!

Unfinished furniture has started to become extremely popular in the... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - What To Show And What Not To Show On Your application Drawings

Many successful business deals are the result of being a... Read More

Poster, Print or Painting - Where Are You Going To Put It?

If you are redesigning or decorating a room, or house,... Read More

How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes

Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailbox for... Read More

A Fabric Hammock is Comfortable Casual Chic

If you are looking for unique seating inside or out,... Read More

Mistakes?

MISTAKES.Don't worry about making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Why should... Read More

Ridding Your Home of Geopathic Stress

Just as there are solar magnetic stresses that come from... Read More

Home Office: Identifying Your Needs

Not many years ago, the thought of working from home... Read More

Buying The Right Bed Sheets For Your Bed

You spend a lot of your life in your bed... Read More

10 Common Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great household cleaner. Here are ten... Read More

Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online and Save - Worry Free?

Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted... Read More

Log Home Mistakes Ebook Review

Ok, you are ready to build a log home. If... Read More

Here Comes The Sun: Solar Energy is Becoming More Attractive for Mainstream Consumers

The price of a barrel of oil has never been... Read More

The Right Shower Curtain For Your Bathroom!

A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any... Read More

Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future?

Many people dream about a log home in their future... Read More

The Dangers of Pesticides and the EPAs Harrowing Plan to Test Them on Kids

Pesticides are a ubiquitous toxin in our environment. We spray... Read More

Georgian And Victorian Style Conservatories

Georgian Conservatories Georgian architecture was the style of the 18th... Read More

Stair Railings Styles

The stair railing at home is more than a simple... Read More

Whats So Special About My Front Door?

"The doors we open and close each day decide the... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Pre-application Enquiries to the Council - Is the Delay Worthwhile?

The holiday season is now in full swing & for... Read More

Refining Your Area Rug Choice

As a Managing Partner of www.exquisiterugs.com, the question... Read More

Using Colors in Your Room

Colors play an important part in your Home Decor process.... Read More

Expansion for Heat Absorption

In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant must undergo a change... Read More

Chester Conservatory Build Process

1. The site of the proposed conservatory.2. Construction work begins.... Read More

Tuscan Style Decorating For The Kitchen

A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm... Read More

Geothermal Heat Pumps 101

It seems like about three million of you have asked... Read More

Vintage Labels on Marble Tiles

It's refreshing to note that gone are the days that... Read More

Research Concerning Color in Homes and Workplaces

Over the years, many studies have been done in countries... Read More

Maintaining Your Hot Tub

Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one... Read More

Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway

The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway... Read More

What To Look For In Persian Rugs

Selecting a Persian rug can be a daunting task for... Read More

Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix

You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some... Read More