Many people have fallen in love with the idea of a European house. It just seems to be so sophisticated and, God forbid, luxurious to live in a European house. Here are some tips to help you look for great European house plans:
1. A blend of modern and historical
Many people are primarily attracted to European houses because of the historical feel to it. However, this look can be a bit tiring. When you get European house plans, you need to make sure that you have something that looks historical, but not out of date.
That is, you want European house plans which combine the old with the new. You want your house to show sophistication, not extinction. By getting European create home plans which blend history with the modern, you will be able to declare that you have something which is timeless. That is a very hard effect to achieve.
2. Form and function
Just as in the first tip, the key to this one is balance. You need to find some European house plans which blend both form and function. That is, the house should not just look good, it has to have purpose. Think about gargoyles in old European churches - they are made to be decorative and functional. By choosing European house plans which blend form and function, you will be able to truly make a sound investment.
Why? Well, the fact is that although people appreciate beauty, when it comes to investments, they really need to know whether something has a purpose or not. If you make use of European house plans which blend both function and style, you might actually be able to make sure that you'll get a great price if you decide to sell someday.
3. Land
When you get European house plans, be sure to examine them while keeping the lot in mind. This is because the beauty of the actual house often depends upon the place where it stands. When you look over the European house plans that you are choosing from, try to visualize the house as it would look like on the grounds.
Does the house fit the land? If not, is there anything you can do in order to alter the home plans or the grounds in order to fix the problem? The main reason why people get European house plans is because this allows them to make changes on paper -a process certainly much less expensive than reconstruction.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
How To Make Changes To Homebuilding Plans
The following are some tips for making changes to your home building plans:
Communicate with your contractor. Good communication about changes is essential. When there is clear communication and expectations are made known early on, changes to the building process, including the overall budget and the anticipated completion date, can be minimized.
Understand the costs. Change orders on floor plans always have a cost attached to it, whether for labor or the added materials required to adequately finish the job. And it's not only certain projects that affect the overall cost-the timing of your changes can also make a difference. As a general rule, however, the closer you are to your completion date, the more expensive the changes will be to make.
Have realistic expectations. While most contractors and builders will go out of their way to make sure your home building plans are satisfactory to you, some things are not realistic; for example, deciding you want a basement when the framing on the house is being done or adding a second story to a one story house after the roof has been put on.
Ask questions. Changing your home building plans can be costly, and even costlier to undo the changes if you decide you don't like them. Make sure you are familiar with and approve of everything that will go into the changes. Ask questions if you are unsure.
Make payment arrangements. Each builder will do it differently. Some may bill the changes separately, and some may add them to the total percentage to be paid out. Some ask for full payment upfront. Make sure you are aware of the payment arrangements before signing.
How to make changes to your home building plans
With that in mind, most contractors and builders should follow this process, or a similar one, when you decide you would like to put in a change order on your home building plans:
Make sure everything is documented. This includes the actual blueprints, as well as estimates and final bids for the changes in the home building plans. Having a paper trail will help in the event something goes amiss.
Confirm it in writing. In addition, you will also want to make sure you sign a new contract detailing costs and the new anticipated completion date. No changes in the plans or the building process should occur until the homeowner signs a new contract. The home owner will need to approve the costs and terms of the new contract, like the completion date, before signing the contract.
When building a home, there are times you might want to make changes to your home building plans. Make sure you talk to your contractor and builder, and get every thing in writing.
Communicate with your contractor. Good communication about changes is essential. When there is clear communication and expectations are made known early on, changes to the building process, including the overall budget and the anticipated completion date, can be minimized.
Understand the costs. Change orders on floor plans always have a cost attached to it, whether for labor or the added materials required to adequately finish the job. And it's not only certain projects that affect the overall cost-the timing of your changes can also make a difference. As a general rule, however, the closer you are to your completion date, the more expensive the changes will be to make.
Have realistic expectations. While most contractors and builders will go out of their way to make sure your home building plans are satisfactory to you, some things are not realistic; for example, deciding you want a basement when the framing on the house is being done or adding a second story to a one story house after the roof has been put on.
Ask questions. Changing your home building plans can be costly, and even costlier to undo the changes if you decide you don't like them. Make sure you are familiar with and approve of everything that will go into the changes. Ask questions if you are unsure.
Make payment arrangements. Each builder will do it differently. Some may bill the changes separately, and some may add them to the total percentage to be paid out. Some ask for full payment upfront. Make sure you are aware of the payment arrangements before signing.
How to make changes to your home building plans
With that in mind, most contractors and builders should follow this process, or a similar one, when you decide you would like to put in a change order on your home building plans:
Make sure everything is documented. This includes the actual blueprints, as well as estimates and final bids for the changes in the home building plans. Having a paper trail will help in the event something goes amiss.
Confirm it in writing. In addition, you will also want to make sure you sign a new contract detailing costs and the new anticipated completion date. No changes in the plans or the building process should occur until the homeowner signs a new contract. The home owner will need to approve the costs and terms of the new contract, like the completion date, before signing the contract.
When building a home, there are times you might want to make changes to your home building plans. Make sure you talk to your contractor and builder, and get every thing in writing.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Creating A Home Improvement Plan
You've got your eye on the out-dated kitchen or you think you might want to just tear up your carpeting and install hardwood floors, but before you start to rip out the cabinets or the carpet make sure to establish some guidelines for your home improvement plan. A good home improvement plan should take into account: budget, financing, scope of work, functionality and aesthetics, resale value.
Budget Considerations
One good way to find out what you can afford is to simply get three estimates from contractors. Discuss what you want with the contractor and if the estimate is high, ask them how you can reduce the costs. The estimate should be separated into cost of materials and cost of labor. By getting a professional opinion first, you may find that the bids are very similar and you have a good starting point for the high-end cost of your project.
Now, you can begin to factor in whether there is some work you can do yourself. This will improve the amount of cash outlay necessary to complete the work. Another way to get to meet your budget is to shop for a cheaper source of materials or change the type of material used. Either way, these are highly flexible items in your home improvement budget.
Sources of Financing
If one doesn't have the money, the inclination is not to do the home improvement. Cash, however, is not the only way to pay for a home improvement plan, you can also finance. If you find you don't have enough cash, you can use a home equity loan to finance the remodeling of your home. Try to identify additional forms of financing in case you need additional monies to complete the project. In the end, a home improvement project should add to the resale value of your home for it to be a sound purchase.
Scope of Work
This is where a good plan is essential. If you are planning a major remodel, you will want some basic plans drawn up, preferably by a professional. You don't want to find out later that the wall you envisioned removing for a more open space is a critical weight-bearing wall. Similarly, you don't want to plan for electronic appliances and devices in an area where there are no outlets. If you plan on revamping a kitchen, the dimensions of workspace and appliance real estate are very important. Don't try to eyeball it or you'll end up paying for it later in time, additional work, or wasted purchases. By trying to define the scope of the work on paper first, you can bypass many of the simple problems that arise from not having thought the improvement plan out thoroughly.
Functionality And Aesthetics
Obviously, we don't just want to substitute one thing for another, we want the new home improvement to outshine the old room. We want it to work better for us and we want that "ah" factor too. Have you done your research on the functionality of the appliances and space arrangements? How about the aesthetics and maintenance of the materials you chose? Does the improvement help to accommodate the growing needs of your family? Will it continue to be of service after 5 years? 10 years? These are all factors that should be considered and weighed against budget, scope, and resale value.
Resale Value
This is a tricky value that can't really be foreseen that much. We know that kitchen and bathroom remodels recoup the most on the sale of the house. No home improvement will recoup 100% of the price it took to remodel, however, if you are in a climbing real estate market that might not matter. What you don't want to do is to add a home improvement that detracts from the value of your property. Adding a fifth bedroom in a neighborhood of four bedroom homes would be detrimental to the value of your home. Adding a swimming pool in areas where houses with pools don't sell well would also be considered an investment that could not be recouped. Some people still do it anyways. The point is that most home improvements are done to meet the needs of a particular family and the desire for a more comfortable living space. While resale value is important, it is just one of the many considerations that have to be evaluated in a good home improvement plan.
Budget Considerations
One good way to find out what you can afford is to simply get three estimates from contractors. Discuss what you want with the contractor and if the estimate is high, ask them how you can reduce the costs. The estimate should be separated into cost of materials and cost of labor. By getting a professional opinion first, you may find that the bids are very similar and you have a good starting point for the high-end cost of your project.
Now, you can begin to factor in whether there is some work you can do yourself. This will improve the amount of cash outlay necessary to complete the work. Another way to get to meet your budget is to shop for a cheaper source of materials or change the type of material used. Either way, these are highly flexible items in your home improvement budget.
Sources of Financing
If one doesn't have the money, the inclination is not to do the home improvement. Cash, however, is not the only way to pay for a home improvement plan, you can also finance. If you find you don't have enough cash, you can use a home equity loan to finance the remodeling of your home. Try to identify additional forms of financing in case you need additional monies to complete the project. In the end, a home improvement project should add to the resale value of your home for it to be a sound purchase.
Scope of Work
This is where a good plan is essential. If you are planning a major remodel, you will want some basic plans drawn up, preferably by a professional. You don't want to find out later that the wall you envisioned removing for a more open space is a critical weight-bearing wall. Similarly, you don't want to plan for electronic appliances and devices in an area where there are no outlets. If you plan on revamping a kitchen, the dimensions of workspace and appliance real estate are very important. Don't try to eyeball it or you'll end up paying for it later in time, additional work, or wasted purchases. By trying to define the scope of the work on paper first, you can bypass many of the simple problems that arise from not having thought the improvement plan out thoroughly.
Functionality And Aesthetics
Obviously, we don't just want to substitute one thing for another, we want the new home improvement to outshine the old room. We want it to work better for us and we want that "ah" factor too. Have you done your research on the functionality of the appliances and space arrangements? How about the aesthetics and maintenance of the materials you chose? Does the improvement help to accommodate the growing needs of your family? Will it continue to be of service after 5 years? 10 years? These are all factors that should be considered and weighed against budget, scope, and resale value.
Resale Value
This is a tricky value that can't really be foreseen that much. We know that kitchen and bathroom remodels recoup the most on the sale of the house. No home improvement will recoup 100% of the price it took to remodel, however, if you are in a climbing real estate market that might not matter. What you don't want to do is to add a home improvement that detracts from the value of your property. Adding a fifth bedroom in a neighborhood of four bedroom homes would be detrimental to the value of your home. Adding a swimming pool in areas where houses with pools don't sell well would also be considered an investment that could not be recouped. Some people still do it anyways. The point is that most home improvements are done to meet the needs of a particular family and the desire for a more comfortable living space. While resale value is important, it is just one of the many considerations that have to be evaluated in a good home improvement plan.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Home Addition Planning
By building an addition, you can make your home more livable, while increasing its value. It also allows you to stay in a home and neighborhood you like without incurring the expenses and inconvenience of moving. But before you start, there are many things you should know.
Find out about building restrictions
While you are still in the thinking stage for your home addition, find out from city hall if there are any local zoning ordinances that could affect your project, such as lot setbacks (i.e. the minimum distance required from the adjacent property lines or public right of way to the outermost portion of the structure) and height restrictions. Also, check with the local building department to see if your home addition will require a building permit, and ensure that you or your contractor gets one prior to starting the project. You could be forced to tear down any work completed without a permit, which would be a major inconvenience and very costly.
Additions come in all shapes and sizes Home additions are becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. to accommodate aging parents (and, unfortunately, in-laws), or even as rental units to generate a monthly income. These additions can include a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and a private entrance, although the most popular home additions involve adding an extra room onto an exterior wall. Sunrooms, garages and extra bedrooms are common additions, as well as living rooms, dining rooms and home offices.
You may want to consider building up instead of losing lawn and garden space, or building a two-story addition that will accommodate an office or bedroom on top of the garage to maximize space. Other additions, such as carports, porches and decks often require less disruption of your home, yet will still increase its functionality and value. You can use the Cost Estimator to help you gauge the cost of certain types of home additions.
Continuity works best
Something to think about with a home addition is consistency - within your own home and with the neighborhood. First, you want your addition to "fit in" with the rest of the house, both inside and out. That is, you don't want the addition to look like an "add-on," either structurally or in terms of decor. Similarly, a huge addition to a house in a modest neighborhood will surely give you more space, but when it comes time to sell you may not get the return on your investment you were hoping for, as those who can afford a bigger house will likely look in a more expensive neighborhood.
Choose a contractor that's right for the job
When planning your addition, remember that the less impact there is on your present structure, the more cost-effective the addition will be. For example, moving plumbing walls, radically altering the floor plan and making changes to the roofline will all increase your costs significantly.
The complexity of your addition will often determine the type of contractor you need to hire. For example, if you're adding a simple sunroom, a remodeling contractor or a general contractor can do the job. But if the expansion will affect many parts of your home, or involve significant structural changes, you'll probably need an architect or structural engineer.
Assess impact for heating and air conditioning
Your head contractor will likely bring in affiliates or subcontractors for specialized jobs, like electrical and plumbing. If you're adding indoor space, make sure that a heating and air conditioning (HVAC) professional is brought in to assess the increased demand that the addition will place on the present system.
Find out about building restrictions
While you are still in the thinking stage for your home addition, find out from city hall if there are any local zoning ordinances that could affect your project, such as lot setbacks (i.e. the minimum distance required from the adjacent property lines or public right of way to the outermost portion of the structure) and height restrictions. Also, check with the local building department to see if your home addition will require a building permit, and ensure that you or your contractor gets one prior to starting the project. You could be forced to tear down any work completed without a permit, which would be a major inconvenience and very costly.
Additions come in all shapes and sizes Home additions are becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. to accommodate aging parents (and, unfortunately, in-laws), or even as rental units to generate a monthly income. These additions can include a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and a private entrance, although the most popular home additions involve adding an extra room onto an exterior wall. Sunrooms, garages and extra bedrooms are common additions, as well as living rooms, dining rooms and home offices.
You may want to consider building up instead of losing lawn and garden space, or building a two-story addition that will accommodate an office or bedroom on top of the garage to maximize space. Other additions, such as carports, porches and decks often require less disruption of your home, yet will still increase its functionality and value. You can use the Cost Estimator to help you gauge the cost of certain types of home additions.
Continuity works best
Something to think about with a home addition is consistency - within your own home and with the neighborhood. First, you want your addition to "fit in" with the rest of the house, both inside and out. That is, you don't want the addition to look like an "add-on," either structurally or in terms of decor. Similarly, a huge addition to a house in a modest neighborhood will surely give you more space, but when it comes time to sell you may not get the return on your investment you were hoping for, as those who can afford a bigger house will likely look in a more expensive neighborhood.
Choose a contractor that's right for the job
When planning your addition, remember that the less impact there is on your present structure, the more cost-effective the addition will be. For example, moving plumbing walls, radically altering the floor plan and making changes to the roofline will all increase your costs significantly.
The complexity of your addition will often determine the type of contractor you need to hire. For example, if you're adding a simple sunroom, a remodeling contractor or a general contractor can do the job. But if the expansion will affect many parts of your home, or involve significant structural changes, you'll probably need an architect or structural engineer.
Assess impact for heating and air conditioning
Your head contractor will likely bring in affiliates or subcontractors for specialized jobs, like electrical and plumbing. If you're adding indoor space, make sure that a heating and air conditioning (HVAC) professional is brought in to assess the increased demand that the addition will place on the present system.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Build Home Equity With a Simple Notebook
Keeping a detailed documentation of the maintenance done on your home has the same essential value as documenting the detailed record of your bills, tax reports, medical records and stuff similar to that. Remember, your home is the your important and essential investment. For that reason, it is best that you give your home "constant loving care", in order to maintain its importance. Not only that, if you keep a detailed home maintenance and renovation diary, you will also shelter your family from harsh elements and keep them safe from harm.
Keeping a detailed home maintenance and renovation diary will help things organize. This way you will know all the things there is to know in proper care of a home. Not only that, you will also be able to set up a convenient way of keeping precise and comprehensive records. However, added with a little imagination and creativity, it will make a overwhelming and frightening task into a simple and efficient one.
Remember, it is important to keep a manageable documentation of the maintenance of your home, whether you are purchasing a home or just setting some things up. Keeping a detailed home maintenance and renovation diary is essential in getting and staying organized. Start on taking information regarding the current condition of your home. Bear in mind that you must be very truthful in assessing its condition. It is recommended that you organize your diary into various sections of the house (e.g. kitchen, bedroom, basement, living room, etc.). Or you can categorize your diary into tasks such as painting, insulation, heating and cooling, landscaping, electrical and other kinds of tasks that you want to do. Do your initial assessments like a real estate agent or investor would do. Examine each and every corner, tiles, bricks, damages, defects and everything that needs to be repaired, fixed, or changed.
As you finish assessing your home, it is very important that you must not be overwhelmed or discouraged of the assessment that you have done. Work out a plan on how to get the rest of your household involve in doing all of the tasks that needs to be done. It is recommended that you devote one weekend on painting and doing the exterior part of the house while you focus on the interior the following weekend. And if there are some tasks that you are not capable of doing, do not hesitate to ask for professional help. Doing it yourself would probably do more damage.
Lastly, always have a separate section in your renovation diary for the tasks that you have completed. Make sure to write down the dates of when the tasks are completed. Also, it is important that you write down all of the important names, brands and equipments used on the tasks.
Keeping a detailed home maintenance and renovation diary will help things organize. This way you will know all the things there is to know in proper care of a home. Not only that, you will also be able to set up a convenient way of keeping precise and comprehensive records. However, added with a little imagination and creativity, it will make a overwhelming and frightening task into a simple and efficient one.
Remember, it is important to keep a manageable documentation of the maintenance of your home, whether you are purchasing a home or just setting some things up. Keeping a detailed home maintenance and renovation diary is essential in getting and staying organized. Start on taking information regarding the current condition of your home. Bear in mind that you must be very truthful in assessing its condition. It is recommended that you organize your diary into various sections of the house (e.g. kitchen, bedroom, basement, living room, etc.). Or you can categorize your diary into tasks such as painting, insulation, heating and cooling, landscaping, electrical and other kinds of tasks that you want to do. Do your initial assessments like a real estate agent or investor would do. Examine each and every corner, tiles, bricks, damages, defects and everything that needs to be repaired, fixed, or changed.
As you finish assessing your home, it is very important that you must not be overwhelmed or discouraged of the assessment that you have done. Work out a plan on how to get the rest of your household involve in doing all of the tasks that needs to be done. It is recommended that you devote one weekend on painting and doing the exterior part of the house while you focus on the interior the following weekend. And if there are some tasks that you are not capable of doing, do not hesitate to ask for professional help. Doing it yourself would probably do more damage.
Lastly, always have a separate section in your renovation diary for the tasks that you have completed. Make sure to write down the dates of when the tasks are completed. Also, it is important that you write down all of the important names, brands and equipments used on the tasks.
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