How House Plans Work

The Ins and Outs Of Choosing Online Custom Home Plans!

So you've decided to build your own home, congratulations! Now where do you go from here?

If you are a first timer, it is sometimes confusing figuring out how house plans work. House plans, sometimes referred to as home floor plans, are easily deciphered once you understand the basics. Let's discuss some of them so you know what to look for when looking at custom home plans for your dream house.

House Plans Options

There are many options available when it comes to house plans. Home plans usually come in "sets" which can be broken down as follows:

CAD Set - This is a complete set of house plans that is available in electronic file format. Usually this type of house plan is requested from professionals. A CAD set is useful if you are planning on making a lot of changes to the initial house plan purchased. This isn't usually something a novice would be interested in, unless they are working very closely with a designer.

Study Set - This type of home plan includes complete exterior views of your home to be plus floor plans of the upper and lower floors (for two story homes). A study set is useful in helping you determine if you can afford the home you are considering building. Usually excluded from a study set are items such as the roof, foundation and details of the home.

Construction Set - Construction house plans are complete and include everything you need to build your home. Exterior views, complete floor plans, roof and foundation plans and details that explain how to build your home are included in a construction set. You want to consider a construction set if you are interested in buying a basic home plan package from which you'll secure financing and settle all the other details necessary to have your home built.

Reproducible Set - You can buy a reproducible set if you think you may need minor changes made to your home plans. You can make copies from this type of home plan, but you are not allowed to build more than one home from these type of plans without a separate license.

Selecting a Style Home

Once you have figured out what type of plans you'll need, you next need to decide on the type of house plans you want to look at. Here are some examples of common house plans that can be purchased:

Cottage Plans

Beach House Plans

Log Home Plans

Modular Home Plans

Storage Shed Plans

Let's examine each of these more closely:

Cottage Plans

Cottage plans are usually crafted with warmth and cozy spacing in mind. Most cottage plans are not designed with the idea that the home will be very large. Cottage plans include characteristics such as cozy living spaces, wood siding and stone based porches among other things. Many also are designed to accommodate one and one half to two story homes with low pitched roofs. The exterior materials often used in cottage plans include brick or stucco.

Beach House Plans

Beach house plans usually result in homes that have a very distinct look. The architectural style that is the foundation for most beach house plans varies from Spanish to Mediterranean to Traditional styles. Beach house plans therefore, can reflect a wide range of interests. Some reflect the area where the house may be built. For example, many coastal home plans created for homes on the southern East coast (think Florida) are crafted with the idea that the home will be on stilts as a measure to help guard against hurricanes and other tropical storms. Stucco exterior styles or Mediterranean styles are not uncommon of coastal home plans fashioned for customers living on the West Coast. Many beach house plans also include special features such as large bay windows and outdoor living spaces.

Log Home Plans

Log home plans are often crafted with the romantic in mind. Most log home plans have a rustic feel, built on traditions. Log home plans will incorporate natural elements into the style including use of wood, stone and glass to create a home that reflects the spirit of the forest. Log home plans are popular because homes built with logs are great insulators against cold weather. Most log home plans are custom designed for homes in areas of the country that experience cold snaps during the winter months.

Modular Home Plans

Modular home plans are largely popular because they are inexpensive and result in homes that are easy to build and place just about anywhere. You can find modular home plans to meet just about any need. Most are one story homes or ranch style homes. Modular home plans are also popular because they can be built quickly and do not require extensive detailing. These plans are great for those wanting to build a starter home, but not wanting to break the bank while doing so. You can find many of the same features in a modular home as you can in a traditional one.

Storage Shed Plans

Storage shed plans are crafted with one thing in mind... space! Why look at storage shed plans unless you are looking to build a structure that will accommodate your need for more space? Most storage shed plans vary in size and structure, depending on what you are looking for. You can literally find a storage shed plan to match any specific requirement. Whether you are looking to store animals, hay, tools, supplies or excess household items, you can usually find a plan to accommodate your needs. Most storage shed plans are in essence "mini versions" of their full house plan cousins. They are small and usually one story, though some (particularly those built for farming considerations) may be two story.

Building your home is an exceptional adventure and can be quite rewarding if you go into it with an open mind and some fore thought.

Buying House Plans Online

The Benefits of Self Building

Investing in property had always been very popular - and for many very productive and lucrative. However, as the prices on property begin to soar, it is difficult for many to even get their foot on to the property ladder. The alternative is renting, which usually means paying extortionate sums of cash each month to a wealthy landlord - not something that many people particularly want to do, but something that they feel they have to do in order to enjoy their own living space and independence.

However, there is a cost effective alternative for those that really want to get on to the property ladder but feel that they can't afford it. Self-building with house plans has become an increasingly popular solution for prospective homeowners, enabling them to get the home of their dreams at a fraction of what it would cost to buy a ready built home of the same style and calibre.

How do house plans work?

House plans are designed by top professionals - architects and designers that know exactly what constitutes a high quality, desirable home. These house plans are designed to be as simple to follow as possible, enabling purchasers to see construct their homes with ease and speed.

House plans are available for a vast range of property types, so whether you live alone and want your own private little home, or whether you have a large family and need a home that will provide you with adequate space and facilities, you will find something that will suit your needs exactly, and for far less than you imagine.

Using house plans to construct your new home will also give you the benefit of being able to make it as unique as you dare. The construction of new homes by huge corporations has become a little like a factory production line, with entire estates full of identical houses springing up in the matter of a few weeks. There's nothing unique or special about these homes; you would simply be spending years living in a property that looks exactly the same as the one next door, and the one opposite, and the one down the road - you get the picture...

By using house plans to create your home, you can put your dreams in to action. Whatever style, size or type of home you want, there will be a top quality house plan that will suit your needs and budget perfectly. So you can get a house that is truly unique and special, and probably pay less than those that have opted for the "production line" houses.

Looking for unique house plans?

There are so many house plans to choose from that you can achieve just the look and style for your new home. You can even get custom house plans, so whatever your idea of the dream home you can still make it a reality.

Perhaps you are looking for a little hideaway near the lake; maybe you want a cottage in the countryside; perhaps a log cabin is your idea of the perfect home or holiday hideaway; or maybe you want to go for a sprawling, family home. Whatever your requirements and desires, these fabulous house plans can be a great help. With so many styles to choose from you can get a really unique home to suit your needs and your pocket, so why settle for less? Some of the excellent house plan choices include:

   

A frame cabin house plans

A frame home house plans

Country house plans

Log house plans

Luxury house plans

Small cottage house plans

Vacation house plans

Victorian house plans

Why use house plans?

One of the main reasons why so many people are keen on using house plans rather than buying pre-built properties these days is the cost. The rising costs associated with buying a pre-built home have made people realize that they can save a lot of money by simply opting for a self-build property, giving them the perfect home at a fraction of the price.

There are other things to consider as well. What are the chances of finding the perfect pre-built home - a home that suits every member of the family down to the ground? We all have different ideas when it comes to the perfect house. You may be more interested in a large lounge or bathroom, whereas your partner may want a huge kitchen and bedroom, The kids might be pestering you for a separate playroom, and you may be thinking how useful a large dining area could be.

When you use a house plan to construct your perfect home, you can incorporate everyone's design ideas in to the plan, thus giving you a home that is ideal for the whole family, and which you can all enjoy for as long as you live there. You can give your home a unique look, plenty of character and you can really stamp your personality on your new home.

Buying house plans online

If you are looking for widest choice and top quality when it comes to buying house plans, then the Internet is by far your best choice. You will find such a vast range of exceptional, stunning house plans online that you can't fail to find something that will match exactly what you are looking for - and at a price that you can afford.

The Internet will provide you with access to house plan by experience, qualified and very skilled designers and architects, so you can be sure of getting quality and durability as well as an impressive design and some really stunning features. And with such a wide range to choose from, there is something available for every budget.

You can browse online house plans from the comfort of your home or office, enabling you to find the right choice at your own pace and without any outside pressure. You can even sit down with the family, discuss your needs collectively and then look at the selection of house plans together to ensure that you get something that will suit everyone.

By going online to search for the ideal house plan you will enjoy many benefits, such as:

 

Affordability, with some incredible low prices available on house plans

Convenience, as you can browse house plans without even having to leave your home

Being able to discuss and compare house plans with your family

Speed and ease of browsing house plans

Unrivalled choice of house plans

Top quality house plans

With the convenience, ease and choice on offer when you go online to look for house plans, it makes sense to make things simple by harnessing the power of the Internet to take the first step towards the perfect home for you and your family.