Milling through hundreds of
house plans may seem like a lot of fun – until you realize
how much work is involved and how frustrating the task can
become. How do you decide on the perfect house floor plan
for your family when all you have in front of you is a
two-dimensional architectural drawing?
 Size is the first decision you should make – it
will help you narrow down the field to a more manageable
number of potential candidates. Size is usually a reflection
of what you can afford to build, but not always. Not
everyone wants to contend with thousands of square feet of
living space, as it can be difficult to maintain. Choose a
size range based on your needs and budget.
 Make a priorities list that includes number of
bedrooms and baths, garage size, as well as features you
definitely need and those that would be icing on the cake,
such as a pool.
 Think ahead and decide what you will need the
house for as the years go by. Some families may need extra
room for older parents or adult children at a later time.
 The floor plan you choose also has to fit the lot
on which you will be building. Take into consideration
sloping, lot-line placement, and foundation options. If
you've already chosen a lot, your plan options may be
limited, whereas if you choose house plans first, you can
shop for a lot that will fit the plans.
 Look at the details of the plan. Analyze traffic
patterns and determine if space is used efficiently. Make
sure there is plenty of storage. If you need further
assistance, ask a contractor to give the blueprints a second
look.
 House plans cost between $400 and $1,300 depending
on the project. You'll have to buy at least 8
non-reproducible sets or one reproducible master set.
 An architect can also help you make a decision
when sifting through house plans.
 You can make slight changes to a house plan so
that it suits your family perfectly.
 You can find many great house plans in catalogs
and magazines in home stores and bookstores. You can also
find them online. |
