For anyone familiar with my writings, you know I’m a big supporter of the owner builder process. I’m also a huge supporter of getting professional help along the way. One element of home building or remodeling you can’t afford to slight is the design.

Good design precedes a good building process and getting what you want. Throughout my years coaching and advising home owners, I’ve learned that most people are simply not aware of the value that proper home design and blueprints provide. It has proven to be a big hurdle for people who don’t pay attention and gloss over this aspect. There are enough hurdles in the process of home building, don’t exacerbate the problem by starting with poor design.

Sources of House Plans and Home Designs

Quality design can come from various sources. Many people will be satisfied with well-developed and drawn stock house plans from plan books or online resources. For more custom type home designs an architect or residential designer is often preferred. Once you get into the higher end and uniquely customized homes an experienced architect is the choice for most.

Higher end custom home house plans will cost you. It is not unusual for these to cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, the majority of home builders and remodelers can find good plans or professional help in the range of several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on their project and the source of the plans.

Typically, you cannot buy stock plans for a remodel. It’s going to take a drafter, designer, contractor/builder, or an architect. The existing design and structure have to be analyzed and the additions have to dovetail nicely with them.

Let’s take a look at three specific benefits of good design.

These are three of the more important advantages of good design. We could come up with many more but these will, I hope, convince you of the need.

Building Materials Specification

The way to ensure that you get the type materials that you want is to get them specified in the design and blueprints. Whether you act as your own builder or hire a General Contractor, the way to convey to the workers what you want is to have your materials choices within the plans. This not only includes the lumber and structure, but continues on to windows, doors, siding, roofing, and finishing materials. Close work with your home designer is the way you get this.

The Feel of the Home

Most homes have a unique feel to them. Good designs create a feel that is very apparent. What you really want is the look and feel that really suits you. This doesn’t happen by accident. You’ll likely have to look at many homes before you know what you want. From the exterior to the interior, from the size of the home to the size of the room, from the location of spaces to the location of various rooms, many factors go into the feel that you get. Its all in the design.

The Ease and Speed of Construction

If your subcontractors are not given the proper instructions they will not know how to bid or build your home. You won’t know what you’re getting and you will endure delays and mistakes. The process could very well bog down in the process. Long, drawn out building projects, especially when remodeling, are the curse of home building.

CONCLUSION

Spend the extra time up front to get good plans. Do whatever homework you need to do to make your decisions about style and materials before you launch into building. Start with great plans if you want a great home. Now, go create the home of your dreams!

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* eCourse that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.