| Once you have made the decision that you want to | | | | a "house ideas" file in the Favorites menu of your |
| live in a home that no one else has lived in before, | | | | browser and bookmark the webpages you like there. |
| then you must decide between building a house from | | | | 3.) Go to builders' open houses. This is really where |
| a set of floor plans that have been used perhaps | | | | you get the feel of things. Builders that have open |
| hundreds of times or from a set of plans that have | | | | houses are trying to sell in the current market and so |
| been designed specifically for your new home. Plans | | | | they know the latest trends and what other people |
| you would buy from a plan book or off the internet | | | | want in new homes. Don't be afraid to take a tape |
| are stock plans and there are thousands available. | | | | measure and camera. For all they know, you could |
| Since this is such a huge industry, I would assume | | | | hire them to build your new home once you have |
| that this route is one that many people choose to | | | | the plan. |
| take. With so many variations of floor plans it seems | | | | 4) Start tinkering with putting a floorplan together |
| quite possible to find just the right one, or at least | | | | yourself. If you are computer savvy, get a cheap |
| one that needs only a few modifications. If that is | | | | house plan designing program or download a free one |
| the case for you, find a builder and go. But there are | | | | from the Internet. They are usually simple and easy |
| many that want to create something that is a unique | | | | to learn. If you don't want to bother putting out that |
| expression of who they are as well as how they live. | | | | effort, then just get some graph paper and a ruler |
| The problem is that while they know who they are | | | | and start drawing. |
| and how they live, they don't know the first thing | | | | The truth is that you can design your own home, |
| about designing a new home and drafting floor plans. | | | | you just need to hire someone to draft a full set of |
| If you fit into this category then you need to get a | | | | house plans from the design that you came up with |
| set of house plans drawn by a professional before | | | | after doing your own homework. A big part of the |
| you and your builder can break ground. Here a few | | | | cost in having custom home plans drawn is in the |
| things to do to make that as economical and painless | | | | time it takes for the draftsman to figure out what |
| as possible. | | | | you want. A hand drawn or digital floor plan that you |
| 1.) Buy or borrow as many plan books and magazines | | | | bring in along with as many pictures as possible, |
| as possible. You probably already have a good idea | | | | should put your draftsman to work after one |
| of what you want, but have an open mind. Looking | | | | meeting. The more complete and thorough you are |
| at these books will get the creative juices flowing | | | | the less you should have to pay. Just make sure you |
| and give you ideas. | | | | find someone who will give you credit for doing your |
| 2.) Surf the net looking for plans and pictures. Set up | | | | homework. |