Category: House Plans


Building Your Dream Beach Home

Filed Under: House Plans
Dec.24, 2009

Do you love to swim in the cool waters of the sea which helps to relax and revive your energy? Then the best thing is to build a beach home. This way you can at least have time to enjoy and spend time with yourself free form the worries living in the carefree environment of the beach home. Plus owning a home at the beach is becoming a luxury that people enjoy and the beach property is becoming scarcer with each passing day.

But before you start to build a beach house there are many essential facts that you need to consider and then only you can plan the perfect dream home. Constructing homes on the shore need careful planning as sand is pretty weak foundation. And if things are not planned and constructed in an organized way the action of water and other elements on the foundation of your beach home can really create havoc and collapse. Building a durable beach home requires a specific design that prevents it from being washed away.

Due to technological advancement all these problems are sorted out but you should always use the services of a professional house constructor who know their job thoroughly as these are the people who will pull you out of the rubble and build a perfect dream home on the beach for you.

Wind plays an important role in planning of your home because a cool breeze in then open is the best thing that people can experience but heavy winds can be a biggest irritation for people living in a beach home. The effect of heavy winds and sand will certainly end up in a sand storm that will create disaster wherever it goes.

Materials that are strong enough to withstand the hurricanes are used to build your beach homes. Plus the design of the beach home is planned according to aerodynamics as this helps the wind to blow easily with very little resistance and this way there is no damage.

You also need design outdoor space, observation decks and patio in your home from where you can enjoy the cool sea breeze and beautiful view. Most of the beach homes are designed in a way that they help to enhance the feeling of openness and the vaulted ceilings plus the large entryways.

A good sized kitchen and the bathroom are two essential parts of all homes and you also need a decent sized bedroom for your guests when they pop in for a day at the beach. And you also need to decorate your beach home with the necessary amenities plus in undoubtedly times you desire climate controlled comfort and yearn for the modern amenities so these things should be added for your comfort.

There are two ways you can handle the construction of your house one is by hiring an architect to design your beach home and the other is by hiring the full services of a home building company that also has an in house architect and both ways you end up with good people you can trust.

Building a beach house using strong material and an aerodynamic design will make it withstand the strongest hurricane without damaging its structure.

Henry has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. His newest interest is in table lamps. So check out his latest website that discusses chandelier table lamp deals and stained glass lamp info so you can give your beach home a special focal point that the whole family can enjoy.

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An Effective Home Plan

Filed Under: House Plans
Dec.23, 2009

Everybody wants to build a sweet home. But despite having sufficient amount to have a new home, we often fail to reach our goal due to poor planning. Moreover, an apartment may look beautiful from outside, but after living in it sometimes we may face troubles due to faulty shapes. So, a full-proof house plan is the key to open the door of a long lasting house. Having effective architectural plans are the staircase to reach the rooms of a dream home.

In an age when retail business is booming, construction firms have been witnessing rapid growth. With strength of highly qualified civil engineers and architectural professionals these firms come up state-of-the-art house plans. There is a mushrooming of promoters around the world. They offer readymade home plans to millions of helpless persons who have little time to build new homes for themselves. There is no headache in these housing plans. Just pay the money and receive the key of your home.

However, there is one problem in opting for readymade home plans. Suppose you have purchased an apartment, which has 3 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 dining room, 1 washroom and a drawing room. But you have desire to possess an additional balcony. So, in that case you your dream will not be fulfilled completely. On the other hand if you go for custom home plans, the related architectural plan will be able to meet your requirements. You have to decide, which mode suits you best. If you are in a hurry to relocate to a new destination then pre-made plans are best for you.

But before you finalize any house plan, you have to check certain aspects like location and its vicinity like the distance of the main highway from the planned site, markets, community and health centers, police stations, airport and other main hubs. Check the noise level of the neighborhood. Ensure that the land is not in the midst of a legal proceeding and the site plan has not violated green rules. Any house plan needs elaborate preparations. So, you have to gain basic knowledge about the architectural plans of homes like flooring, using of pillars, thickness of the plaster, the advantage or disadvantage of underground basements and other key aspects. It is applicable for pre-made homes as well as custom home plans. In the age of cyber revolution, there is hardly any trouble to gain knowledge on any topic.

In the age of advanced science, modern technology has entered every aspect. Construction firms are no exceptions. Today, you can avail both 2D and 3D blueprints of your future home. You will get a firsthand experience about the real home, which is yet to take shape. Space is becoming dearer day-by-day. So, it is high time to book a space or a home plan right now.

Baresh Raymond is a architectural home design enthusiasts.He has traveled the world documenting designs from traditional to ultra-modern home designs. You can learn more about Raymond on his Home Plans blog.

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What Are Architectural House Plans? Basic Factors & Considerations

Filed Under: House Plans
Dec.22, 2009

Architectural House plans are general documents that include specifications a builder may require to guide the contractor in building construction. A house plan is generally developed by an architect or draftsmen and contains floor plans; framing and foundation details, electrical and plumbing layout and specific details for construction process.

For building contractors house plans work as a guide to assist them before, during and after construction of the building or home. Most such plans contains 2D (two-dimensional) drawings and specific instructions to describe in detail how to build the house. They also contain detailed instructions on the type of materials required to build the home. Once the plans are concluded, they are handed over to the contractor to find out cost-estimation. The standard size of such plans is 18 inches x 24 inches or 24 inches x 36 inches.

In order to generate realistic plans, the architect will need to know the dimensions of the house and measurement of landscape. This will help in deciding the type and quantity of materials that will be required. Architectural House plans are general documents that include specifications a builder may require to guide the contractor in building construction. This plan is generally developed by an architect or draftsmen and contains floor plans; framing and foundation details, electrical and plumbing layout and specific details for construction process.

For building contractors house plans work as a guide to assist them before, during and after construction of the building or home. Most house plans contains 2D (two-dimensional) drawings and specific instructions to describe in detail how to build the house. They also contain detailed instructions on the type of materials required to build the home. Once the house plans are concluded, they are handed over to the contractor to find out cost-estimation. The standard size of house plans is 18 inches x 24 inches or 24 inches x 36 inches.

In order to generate realistic house plans, the architect will need to know the dimensions of the house and measurement of landscape. This will help in deciding the type and quantity of materials that will be required. The architect will also require to find out what direction the sun shines on the property. With these details one can take informed decision on where certain rooms will be located such as drawing room, master bedroom and kitchen.

Size of the house plan is dependent on the on the number of people expected to live in the home. If extra rooms are desired, such as a guest room, the size will be much bigger. Before developing any plans, a builder must discuss with the neighbor homeowners association to check if there are any kind of restrictions on the shape, size and place where the building will be constructed. You may face some encounter restrictions regarding the size of the house or its location within the lot. When crafting such plans, every detail of the house must be incorporated. If details are skipped or local building codes are not considered, the contractor may be denied the required approvals and permissions.

To view some of the samples visit http://www.cadoutsourcingservices.com/portfolio.php

Email us at info@cadoutsourcingservices.com for professional house plans and drawings related queries.

Richard Bothom is member of Architectural CAD Production team at COS – an established offshore firm offering wide range of Architectural rendering/modeling/drafting and drawings services at affordable rates. To get answers of your queries email us at info@cadoutsourcingservices.com

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The History of American Ranch Style House Plans

Filed Under: House Plans
Dec.21, 2009

Ranch style homes originated in America, making them a unique domestic design. Throughout the country, the long, low, casual style of ranch style houses offers easy living on almost any budget.

Ranch homes originated during the 1920s to satisfy the need for more housing. These homes were inspired by Spanish colonial architecture from the 17th and 19th centuries with single story floor plans. During the 1940s to the 1970s, ranch style houses were in their heyday as suburbs erupted across America. Original ranch houses were usually a single story with a low, long roof. Simple, open ranch style house plans were typically in a rectangular, U-shape or L-shape design. Vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, large windows with shutters, overhanging eaves and an attached garage are all characteristics of original ranch homes. The interior and exterior of ranch homes was simple and uncluttered.

During the beginning of the 20th century, modern architecture and Spanish colonial ranch designs were fused to create California ranch style homes. Three basic concepts associated with California ranch homes are an unpretentious character, livability and flexibility. These affordable houses began to erupt throughout the Southwest. After World War II, 30 year mortgages were more readily available making it easier for people to become homeowners. As the number of home buyers increased, so did the need for affordable housing. Ranch homes became a top choice in suburban areas across the country because of their simplicity, flexibility and budget-conscious price.

By the 1950s, nine out of ten ranch homes were “ramblers”, the common name used for California ranches. During the 1940s and 1950s, ranch homes were more rustic with Swiss board edging on the trim and dovecotes. In the 1960s and 1970s, ranch homes became sleeker with a simpler design.

Modern ranch homes are more unique than their predecessors but are still are one room in depth with a long, low profile. Attached garages add additional storage and living space to updated ranches. Another feature often found in today’s ranch home plans are sliding glass doors leading out to a deck, patio or porch to extend gracious living to the outdoors. Many have separate living rooms, dining rooms and family rooms that can be used for a variety of purposes based on your constantly growing and changing needs.

Contemporary designs took over during the 1980s with ranch style homes enjoying a comeback during the 1990s. Both younger and older home buyers appreciated the affordable, single-story design of ranch homes. While ranches were often built in tracts during earlier days, today they are usually built individually based on ranch house plans chosen by the buyer. Home buyers looking for a larger home with the basic lines of a ranch often chose a raised ranch with two stories.

Whether you want a home with two or five bedrooms, there are beautiful and affordable ranch style house plans to accommodate families of all sizes. Your ranch home plans can be single story or two stories with one or more bathrooms. Shop around online for your ranch house plans so you can take time to review all your options.

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Start Your Home Design Using These Home Design Tools

Filed Under: House Plans
Dec.20, 2009

You’ve decided you want to build a new home. Where do you start? First, we suggest you purchase your land, as this will surely impact the design of your home. Second, start putting your ideas together before visiting your architect.

Start with a vision of your new home. Is there a certain architectural style you prefer? Colonial? Cape? Saltbox? Farmhouse? From there, start with the basics in home design. How many bedrooms will you need? Do you want a Master Bedroom with or without a Master Bathroom suite? Will it be located on the first or second floor? If this is a vacation home which will become your retirement home, you may prefer to have the main rooms located on the first floor for easy access in later years. Do you want a large, eat-in kitchen or a separate dining room?

Are you planning to entertain small or large groups of people in your home? Is a cathedral Great Room on your list of priorities? Will you need a living room or media room separate from your Great Room? Do you have a specific hobby or interest that requires a separate room or area?

Compare all of these areas with your current home. Does the space you have now fit your needs? Write down the measurements of your space and then mark whether or not the space is adequate. Wherever possible, look for areas to reduce the living space. For instance, if you have a large laundry room now and you only really use half of the space, mark it as a potential space saver. Anytime you reduce the square footage of your new home you will save money in initial material costs, but in energy costs over the life of the home as well.

A home fulfills many purposes, but it can also satisfy numerous personal, aesthetic, and emotional requirements that can be difficult to describe in words. In starting to imagine your home design, it will help your architect if you identify and communicate how you want each space to feel. How?

You may find it a challenge to explain how you want a room to feel. Start by doing some simple exercises. Pick up a home magazine or imagine a home you are familiar with. Find a room you like. What do you like about it? The way the afternoon sunlight casts shadows within the room? The room’s intimacy or its abundant space?

Think about other spaces you enjoy – the park, the library, your friend’s home. How does the space make you feel? What creates that feeling? Be specific, and write down what you like about it. For instance, you might write, “I like how the room’s color tones change as the sun sets” or “I love how the outdoors is brought inside”. These small realizations will help the home design to evolve from a floor plan to a custom home that is an extension of your life philosophy.

Do this for each room in your home design. It is also helpful to describe what you don’t like about certain floor plans, rooms, or space. For instance, if you are not fond of having to walk through your closet to enter your Master Bedroom, document this. Perhaps you like the great room in a magazine photo but you don’t like the television being the center of attention. Or, you may like the space but find it lacks the intimacy you’re looking for in your home – a cozy corner where you can chat with another couple, a well-lit reading area, or a secluded spot for your cell phone chargers, mail and telephone. Keep all of your notes together. Cut out full pages or small photos that describe your likes and dislikes. As you go through this process, you can update your thoughts with text and photos. Eventually, you will come to a good understanding of what you want your custom home to look and feel like. Bring your notebook to your first meeting with your architect. Starting with your vision in hand will expedite the design process while guaranteeing success.

Your custom home architect will spend time with you to guide you through this process and will translate your ideas into a preliminary design for your consideration and review. The result will be much more than a home with a standard floor plan – you will have a custom home design that matches your philosophy and lifestyle, a reflection of who you are, your dreams and aspirations.

About the Author: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates, is an award-winning green architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. With a special interest in sustainable design and green homes, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as timber frame construction, Jeremy incorporates renewable energy practices where possible, including geo-thermal, solar, radiant heat, and energy-efficient foundation systems.

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Custom House Plans – Finding a Good Designer

Filed Under: House Plans
Dec.19, 2009

The field of drawing custom house plans is a crowded and competitive one. There are many architectural and design firms out there vying for a “piece of the pie.” However, if you look closely at examples of their finished product, you will find huge differences among them. The better ones offer quality designs and highly detailed plans.

Drawing a good set of custom home plans involves integrating many different concepts and ideas into a solid and usable working plan. Many designers are able to come up with a unique or interesting preliminary design, but fail to deliver when its time to detail the house structure. They draw a pretty picture but have little or no understanding of how to translate that nice design into a working plan which the builder can understand.

Having been in the business for more than 30 years, we have seen a large number of house plans which looked good at first glance. However, upon closer examination, many of these plans were found to be lacking large amounts of needed information. If a house plan is not easy to navigate or is not thoroughly detailed, then the builder is left to guess at the designer’s intentions. This often means that he will “pad” his bid to make sure that he covers any unknown construction costs that may arise.

One item to look for when evaluating a house plans’ quality level is the number of structural sections which are shown on the plan. Highly detailed sets of plans will always cut lots of sectional views through the house to show every different roof framing situation. This might mean that 10 or 12 (or even more) sections need to be drawn for a large house plan. And even a small house plan should include 3 or 4 sections minimum. However, many home plans available today (especially plans purchased through inexpensive plan directories) cut corners in this department and only show one or two house section views. This means that the builder will have to guess at the rest of the house framing.

Another item which is often missing or lacking in a set of house plans is comprehensive and accurate dimensions. We have always strived to provide more than the minimum amount of house dimensions so that it is easy for the owner and builder to layout a home on its building site. We will even calculate point to point dimensions (using trigonometry) for homes which have lots of odd angles to them (as opposed to a simple rectangle layout). Not all architects or designers will go this “extra mile,” so it pays to check these things out beforehand.

Every set of custom house plans includes several items which need to be blown up and detailed for further clarification. If a set of plans does not provide additional close-up drawings (for things such as beam connections, deck railings, stairway construction, etc.), then it is not a complete set. It is very easy to cut corners during the planning process. But the end result will be higher costs for the home owner – and lots of frustration for the building contractor.

There are some architects and designers who seem to think that its the responsibility of the building department to check and catch any omissions. But the best of the breed takes it as a matter of pride to produce the very best plan and design they can. It is the only way to build up a loyal clientele and to get referrals for future work. And that vote of confidence from former clients makes all the difference in the world.

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5 Key Steps to Build Your Dream House

Filed Under: House Plans
Sep.28, 2009

So you want to build a new home! You can join the multitudes of those that already have built their dream house and now enjoy living in it. Your dream is not beyond reach. Here are 5 steps that now stand between you and a completed dream house for you and your family. Follow them and you will be able to see your dream home become a reality.

1. Plan how much money you are going to need for the project.

First, you need to set a budget and then stick with it if at all possible. You do not want too many surprising costs, so this is very important. You may want to include some kind of cost guarantees in your contract.

2. Find the property where you are going to build your dream house.

This will give you a piece of real estate to put your dream house on. A lender will also require it before you get any money for a construction loan. Find out if you can get a guarantee from the lender to have your construction loan converted to a mortgage later. This could save you a lot of money in closing costs later on.

3. Get a set of house plans drawn.

Sit down and sketch an idea of what the house plan is going to look like. Also write down some features you want to go into your dream house. Here is where you have a choice. You can either contact an architectural drafter, a home designer, or, you can even learn to draw your own house plans, which is by far the least expensive way to go.

4. Put your floor plans out for bids.

Once your house plans are completed, place an ad in a local newspaper or call different builders in your area to get a copy of your blueprints so that they can place bids on your new home. You will want to get at least three bids before you choose one, and be sure to check on the reputation of the builder, too, before you sign any agreements.

5. Get everything put in a contract.

If you make changes during construction, which is common, make sure there is one set of plans that is to be used as the master plan and that both you and the builder should note and initial each and every one of those changes. That way, at the end of the job, there should not be any surprises or hidden costs.

These 5 steps will definitely help you to get started in the right direction on getting your new dream home built. Take your time and do it right, and your custom dream home will give you joy for many years to come.

By Mike Valles, a freelance writer. Learn how to draw your own house plans from an architectural designer with 22+ years of experience. He has been a draftsman since 1975 who has completed over 600 residential drawings and teaches architectural drafting online at http://www.houseplandrafting101.net

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Do You Want to Draw Your Own House Plan?

Filed Under: House Plans
Sep.27, 2009

Great idea, it sure saves money. Also eliminates the middle man. Those architects and designers can get expensive. I’ve heard that some designers can charge up to ten dollars per square foot for simple drawings containing a floor plan and exterior elevations. Now that is a chunk of change. If you are going to do it for yourself, you’re going to need to know how. Below are just some of the things needed to know to draw a simple ranch style home.

So what do you need to know to draw your own house plan?

1. You need to know how to lay out your Floor Plan. The floor plan is the template for your entire set of drawings. From the floor plan show where we want our electrical, tell how big our rooms are, note our window and door sizes, etc., so this is where we have to begin. Sure you could start with the exterior views but that would limit our interior of the home to what the outside looks like. Not a good idea! The house needs to be functional first and look pretty second out of necessity.

2. You need to understand the mechanics of a well designed kitchen. A kitchen is a place where the homemaker spends a majority of their time. It needs to be comfortable but functional. This area consists of a Sink area, Cooking area, & Food storage area. The best layout for a kitchen is one in which the least steps are taken to reach each appliance. This is called the working area or working triangle. A good working triangle doesn’t exceed 12 to 14 feet all the way around.

3. The builder of the home would sure appreciate knowing where the walls, windows, & doors are located exactly. They would also like knowing door and window sizes, not to mention anything else special that is on the plan. That’s where the dimensions and notes come in handy. You need to be able to create a dimensional string and groups of notes that are not confusing.

4. The Electrical Plan is very important to you as it gives you the opportunity to customize the home to your power and comfort needs! On the other hand, it is not always needed. What I mean by this is that any electrician who has taken a test for his or her license knows what is required electrical service by code. Chances are that they have already wired quite a few residences and barring any special needs or preferences can do the job without this plan. Always be aware though! Certain states require that you be a licensed Architect or Electrical Engineer to do Electrical plans. Be sure to check with your local building inspector to see what your limitations are! This will definitely save you some headaches down the road.

5. In standard construction, at least in the South Eastern United States, houses are built on Masonry Foundations or Basements. A foundation is the part of the home that anchors it to or keeps it from settling into the ground. This knowledge is a must in completing your plans.

6. What about how the exterior is going to look? It is no small matter if you are wanting to convey the idea of how the finished product is going to look when construction is complete. What is it going look like when its built? How to determine the best roof pitch, do we use brick, siding or rock?

7. Folks, I defiantly don’t believe in mind reading! Neither does to typical contractor! If there is anything special you are wanting to build into your house, how is the builder to know unless you show them? You can make all the notes you want to on your plans and elevations but the message of how you want the house constructed may not always come across. That’s why you need to understand how to draw details.

8. Then there is the task of finishing your drawings and not letting goofs and slip-ups get out the door. You need to understand the most common mistakes made by people who draw house plans so you can look out for them!

9. Last but not least in drawing your house plans is to know how to print them out and in what format and size.

My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I know what I’m talking about. I teach others how to draw house plans in a virtual classroom on the internet called House Plan Drafting 101 at http://houseplandrafting101.com – I also teach Architectural Blueprint Reading at http://blueprints.8m.com

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Things To Consider When Choosing House Blueprints

Filed Under: House Plans, Uncategorized
Sep.26, 2009

When planning a house the size of the family and the size of your budget are two very important considerations to keep in mind.

Size of the family

The number and size of rooms needed in a house depend largely on the size of the family and the manner in which they are accustomed to living. In some parts of the world, a room 8′ square is considered adequate for most purposes, and two or three such rooms make a complete livable house. Much depends on one’s style of living-and what the neighbors have is sometimes a consideration.

The types of activity that are interesting to a family will determine to a large extent the size of the room needed. If your favorite indoor sport is to read the newspaper, you do not need a very large room. You need even less space in which to read a magazine or book. A real bibliophile, however, needs a lot of shelves in which to keep his voluminous library. If you like to entertain with large parties, you will need a large beautiful living room.

In this country every young couple wants a house that is exclusively its own. In many places of the world, a family is likely to include what we would call several families, including grandparents and several married children and their offspring. With a house for only two people, perhaps we can get along with a moderate amount of space.

It is a mistake to build a house with only one bedroom, even for a couple without children who seldom have overnight guests, as such a house is hard to finance and is often difficult to sell. Select a lot where all the houses are approximately in the price class as the house that you want. Sometimes it is all right to build a little below your neighborhood if you are sure to make the house especially attractive in appearance.

The Building Budget

Most of us have to be careful to keep the cost within a certain limited budget, and sometimes it seems very limited indeed. But that is not always the handicap that it may seem. If there were no limit to the cost, we might get such a monstrous house with so many rooms and so many fine things we could not half care for them and would be worn out with so much housework.

To keep the taxes as low as possible, do not let the house get too large, but do not on this account cramp your rooms too much. Have the living space you need and can use to advantage, but do not go too much beyond this just to impress the neighbors. What a person wants is happy and carefree living.

The budget limit requires us to do more careful planning, to use our space wisely. Of course, the actual number of square feet in a house is not a true measure of its cost. The things you put into a house are what actually determines the cost. You can keep a house warm with a $500 heating system or with one that costs $3,000. You can get a fireplace for $400, or you can spend $1,500 if you wish to do so. There are many qualities of nearly all building materials and furnishings. We have to balance the space we need with the quality we can afford. A smaller house of better quality is usually to be preferred to a large house built in the cheapest possible manner.

Houses are costing anywhere from $8 to $20 a square foot, depending on where they are and how they are built. I know of a good warehouse that was built recently for less than $3 a square foot, and it is a good substantial building. The cost is not so much for enclosing the space as it is for what is put into that space. Plan your house with your family size and your budget in mind and you will get the house which will suit you.

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