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Articles Related to 'Custom vs Stock House Plans'

Working with clients designing homeplans.

Throughout the years I have worked with a lot of people designing home plans to suit their needs. I often get clients that I spend time with designing a home in one direction and then after hours of work they change their mind and want a totally different design style. This is fine, and I really am here to help people get a home design that they are happy with and eventually that is how things end up. The mind changing and throwing out ideas is part of the design process. However, this is exactly why stock house plans are a great deal for most people. The cost that is involved designing and redesigning is far greater than just buying a plan that is already completed. Why do I mention this? I have recently been working with two couples. The first had me come

Designing or Finding a Plan. Where to Start.

Designing a home plan or finding a stock home plan is pretty much like buying anything else. Lets take purchasing a car for example. Probably the first consideration for most of us is the cost. Then we analyze our needs and wants and try to figure out what car will be the best bang for the buck. - is it roomy enough?- is it attractive? can you see yourself driving the car?- does it have the features we need/want?- is it energy efficient? or do we make enough money that it isn't an issue? The list can go on. Unfortunately you can't test drive a home, but if you buy a home from a home builder that has several projects under way, it's likely you would be able to preview some of his work to make sure it is what you expect. Cars are a little different because they are designed to meet the

Plan ahead.

So my neighbor asked me to come over and help him out with a home plan that he has been thinking of building. They just built a house a couple of years ago, but I guess they are gluttons for punishment. They are looking at another lot up the hill and are starting over. We took a ride across town to a home he liked. It had some great curb appeal, and you could tell the home owner [who had the home custom designed] had really thought things through. Turns out the homeowner is related to a well known interior designer in the area. You can really tell when a home is well thought out. I have been in homes that are around 1400-1500 sq. ft. that feel like they are 1800 sq. ft. just because of the way they are planned. Its really important to take time when designing a new home and think

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Articles Related to 'Custom vs Stock House Plans'

Working with clients designing homeplans.

Designing or Finding a Plan. Where to Start.

Plan ahead.