Before you start working with an architect or draftsman on your custom house plan, the first thing you should do is determine how to best take advantage of the property on which you’ll be building. Most sites have discernible features that you can highlight—this can be something as dramatic as designing the home around a fantastic view or as simple as maximizing the home’s curb appeal. Here are some other tips to consider before taking on a custom home project:
Do your homework first
California has numerous building regulations that dictate certain aspects of new homes, including height restrictions and finishing material requirements, and these regulations need to be carefully considered before you start designing your new home. For instance, most municipalities have minimum requirements for the setbacks of your property. This means you and your neighbors will have to keep permanent structures a certain distance from the property lines.
Get creative
Look at various houses and house plans to get inspiration for your own project. Drive around your favorite neighborhood or search online for photos of homes you like. You can take these photos to your designer and ask for a similar blueprint. You can also buy a drafting sketch pad (which has a grid pattern on every page), designate a certain number of feet per box on the grid and sketch some ideas for room layouts.
Reference points
Measure the room dimensions of your current home to gain some perspective on how your new house will look. Also, be sure to measure your furniture and refer to those measurements later in the process. You’ll want to avoid making design/plan changes during the construction process, so it’s vital to finalize all the details of your custom plan before construction begins. In the world of construction, changes equal cost—not to mention headaches for everyone involved.
Modern design processes allow homeowners to carefully plan out various dimensions and design characteristics in a fast and efficient manner. This type of give-and-take between the designer and homeowner means both parties can achieve their goals without wasting time or money.
