Christine Cooney
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Home page: http://www.thehousedesigners.com/
Posts by Christine Cooney
The House Designers Helps Families in Crisis with Discounted House Plans
0The House Designers’ Housing Relief Program is available to assist organizations and families trying to rebuilding communities left devastated by natural disasters. Families left homeless by some of the worst disasters on record like the recent twister that roared through the Oklahoma killing 24 people, damaging or destroying as many as 13,000 homes and leaving as much as $2 billion in damage, will now have an opportunity to rebuild their lives with a brand new home.
This small cottage house plan is one of hundreds of house plans to choose from in The House Designers’ collection of ENERGY STAR house plans.
According to NBC News, “The $2 billion damage figure was given by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and matched a preliminary estimate given by Oklahoma insurance officials to The Associated Press. That would make the tornado, which ravaged the city of Moore and parts of Oklahoma City, one of the most expensive in American history.”
The program offers a collection of over 6,000 house plans in a wide range of styles and styles at a substantial discount, including a unique selection of ENERGY STAR, eco-friendly house plans that can reduce monthly maintenance costs and utilities for families trying to rebuild their lives. This exclusive ENERGY STAR collection allows families to build a truly innovative new home with cutting-edge building techniques and products that allows them to cut their heating and cooling costs, improve their indoor air quality and create a healthy home after the stress and trauma a natural disaster puts on a family.
To find out how you can get involved with The House Designers’ Housing Relief Program, please call 866-214-2242 ext. 200 or email housingrelief@thehousedesigners.com.
The House Designers Design House Plans for America’s Baby Boomers
0Recent studies by the National Home Builders Association and AARP show that baby boomers are leading the push in new home construction trends, influencing how builders, designers and architects modify their floor plans to meet varied lifestyles and changing needs.
This affordable ranch house plan is one of our most popular designs from our Empty Nester Collection. It features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in an open floor plan that maximizes its small footprint of 1,380 square feet. An optional basement floor plan and 372 square foot bonus room allows you to add extra space.
Today’s 77 million Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 and represent 26 percent of the total US population. Boomers make up 45 percent of the national work force and hold the largest amount of discretionary income in history. For these reasons, home builders, designers and residential architects are continuously modifying their floor plans and home designs to meet the ever-changing needs and demands of a generation that is not yet ready to head to the retirement home.
A study done by seniors advocacy group AARP shows that a large percentage of boomers plan to move when they retire. This trend was one of the major factors behind the housing boom of the previous decade. And while some boomers have been able to accumulate substantial home equity to purchase or build smaller, more affordable homes, many find themselves struggling with their current home loans.
“Boomers in a position to sell their existing homes prefer building a new home to take advantage of new technology and energy efficiency than trying to maintain or remodel an older home,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers, America’s leading house plan provider. “Baby boomers now look for house plans that are small but luxurious, and practical for their needs and lifestyles.”
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) confirmed this trend during New Homes Month in April by conducting a study, which showed home buyers that they can afford new construction that’s higher-priced. Using data from the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2011 American Housing Survey, NAHB found that buyers could purchase or build a new home and achieve the same annual operating costs as an older, existing home.
“Home buyers need to look beyond the initial sales price when considering whether to buy new construction or an existing home,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. “They will find that with the higher costs of operating an older home, they can often afford to spend a bit more to buy a new home and still have annual operating costs that fit their budget.”
Whether boomers are remodeling or building new homes, this generation is more active than generations past, has a more sophisticated style and wants lots of options and choices in their home designs.
“This impressive generation has had a major influence on shaping the way society has grown and changed, including influencing new housing trends,” said Crosby. “Boomers have their own ideas about the features and types of homes they want to live in after retirement.”
Here are some popular home design features that designers, architects, homebuilders and remodelers report are in demand as they continue to cater to the boomer generation:
Designed Accordingly
Baby boomers are sophisticated, savvy and active, which means they are looking for comfort and convenience, multi-functionality and spaces for relaxation and entertainment. They want a home that caters to their lifestyle and features plenty of high-end amenities. Downsizing or ‘rightsizing’ doesn’t have to mean sacrificing features in a well designed home.
Flex Living Spaces
Multi-purpose flex rooms are high on the list for active boomers who love to entertain, exercise and relax. These spaces can easily be converted to a guest room, home office, or an exercise or media room. Today every space needs to have a purpose; gone are the days of rarely used rooms like formal dining rooms.
Pampering Master Suites
Another hot trend in home design is having a large master suite with comfortable sitting areas, large his-and-hers walk-in closets, master baths with garden tubs, dual sinks and if space permits, a small patio or terrace.
One-Story Designs
Most Baby Boomers favor single-story homes over split-levels. They also like an open floor plan where there are fewer walls to obstruct views and to give the feeling of a much larger space.
Designer Kitchens
Baby Boomers are very particular about their kitchens, as cooking and entertaining are typically at the top of the list for these active adults. They are seeking kitchens stocked with high-end amenities like professional grade appliances, granite countertops, hardwood flooring and custom cabinetry. Items like large pantries, center islands and cozy breakfast nooks are must-haves.
Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment Areas
Whether boomers are hosting an elegant dinner party or throwing a large cookout, they want an indoor/outdoor living space that can be used for both formal and informal occasions.
The House Designers has thousands of house plans that include the home design features boomers want. Some of these features include a collection of Empty Nester House Plans, Accessible House Plans, Small House Plans, Energy-Efficient Homes and many more which can be viewed at thehousedesigners.com
Floor Plans of Famous Television Show Homes
0Growing up, I was raised on television. Many evenings were spent watching characters such as Cliff Huxtable from The Cosby Show and I was captivated by the comical antics of The Brady Bunch. Today I still find myself drawn to television because it allows me to build a relationship with the characters. As I watch these shows I tend to note things like home furnishings, architectural styles and floor plan layouts.
Today you can easily find floor plans to build houses that look exactly like the ones you’ve seen in your favorite television shows and movies. Everything from the San Fernando Brady Bunch house to The Cosby Show’s Manhattan dwelling can be found online. Designers are even making sketches for layouts of modern shows like Two and a Half Men, The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother, classic suburban homes from I Love Lucy, Bewitched, Happy Days and The Golden Girls to sprawling mansions from Dallas and Dynasty.
4222 Clinton Way was the (fictitious) address of Bob and Carol Brady and their six children. Today the actual 2,500 square foot home is still standing in the San Fernando Valley and is a private residence. For similar homes view The House Designers collection of two-story house plans and split-level floor plans.
Located in the San Fernando Valley, this home is generally a quiet landmark, in part because its appearance has been altered from what appeared on TV. The split-level San Fernando Valley home was the home of The Brady Bunch. What might throw you off is the absence of a second floor. When they found the home they loved the middle class California feeling but the constructed set was that of a roomy two-story dwelling. Production designers came to the rescue by attaching a fake window to give the house the appearance of a second story.
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742 Evergreen Terrace was turned into a house in Henderson, Nevada. Though the house was originally pink it is now repainted white. A very similar house plan can be purchased from The House Designers, called The Simpson House Plan.
Animated series have a following all their own. For example, the immensely popular animated TV show The Simpsons has a house plan designed after it. In Henderson, Nevada there is a house that was designed to closely mimic that of The Simpsons. The designers viewed dozens of episodes but it became apparent that the cartoon house couldn’t actually be structurally sound. The finished house however, meets all building codes.
Spanish artist and interior designer Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde was interested enough in the layouts of famous TV show homes that he drew up very detailed floor plans, including the home furnishings. The collection includes the likes of The Simpsons, Dexter, Friends, Seinfeld, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and a handful others.
Lizarralde chose to draw the floor plan for Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s rural home set in Westport, CT in grayscale to stay true to the classic black-and-white television show.
Caption: Lizarralde chose to draw the floor plan for Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s rural home set in Westport, CT in grayscale to stay true to the classic black-and-white television show.
The homes our favorite fictional characters live in do exist, at least on the exterior level, but there could soon be a string of houses who’s exteriors also look just like the ones from your favorite movies or television shows. All that’s needed is a bit of architectural knowledge, a similar house plan and keen sense of interior design.
Learn About Home Efficiency on Earth Day | green house plans
0Earth Day is a day where many people plant a tree, recycle and try to make an effort to conserve energy, particularly when it comes to their home. This year the Department of Energy is giving citizens a chance to get some home efficiency questions answered by hosting a special Google+ hangout on Monday April 22nd at 3pm. The live discussions will be streamed on Google+, YouTube and energy.gov/live.
The average American family spends $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Unfortunately, most of this money is wasted on energy leaks and drafts. When you consider that the residential sector accounts for 22 percent of energy consumption upgrading your home to be more energy efficient is a great way to save money and minimize your impact on the planet. If you’re building a new home and energy-efficiency and sustainable home building products are on the top of your ‘must have’ features you’ll want to consider browsing through hundreds of stock green house plans to find your dream green home.
The Wilson Creek House Plan packs a lot of punch into 1,509 square feet. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms this one-story home has a modest footprint with plenty of amenities. With details like a cathedral ceiling and tapered columns, this house plan is sure to give the owners a nostalgic feeling.
The Earth Day Google+ hangout will not only give citizens the opportunity to learn about several new approached to home efficiency upgrades but will also be a platform to share your best energy saving tips with others.
According to recent posting on Energy.gov, “Whether you want tips on increasing the comfort of your home information on rebates and tax credits, or details on how to incorporate solar and other renewable-energy technologies into the home, our panelists are ready to share solutions and advice. Until then, we look forward to viewing your video questions and engaging with you in a lively discussion on energy-saving solutions to benefit both our home and our world.”
The Morrison house plan is the perfect house plan for families looking for just a little bit more space. The Morrison house plan takes the quaint cottage feel and naturally expands it to a two-story design. The end result is a comfortable bungalow style house plan with a home office and a kitchen with long kitchen countertops.
And after your attend the hangout take your newfound information and visit The House Designers collection of ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plans. These house plans are designed to be affordable and energy efficient without sacrificing style and amenities. Check out the collection here at The House Designers and you’ll be on your way to living green in no time.
The House Designers’ Design House Plans for New Home Market
0Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) April 12, 2013
Now that the demand for newly built homes is picking up, online companies like The House Designers are reporting an increase in plan sales, particularly smaller layouts with high-end amenities and green features.
As the housing market moves into recovery, the demand for newly built homes is increasing and online stock house plan companies like The House Designers are reporting an increase in home plan sales, particularly innovative small to mid-size floor plans with high-end amenities and green features.
“Our smaller house plans are becoming our best-selling as the demand from consumers for more affordable, energy efficient designs increases,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers, America’s leading house plan provider. “We’re selling more and more home plans averaging 2,200 to 2,500 square feet that feature the latest in high end amenities and details.”
One of the newest small house plans from The House Designers is the Pleasant Cove House Plan.
Customizing house plans is another popular trend as builders and homeowners look to add personal touches like garden tubs and spa showers, outdoor kitchens and living spaces, and finished basements with entertainment and media rooms. The House Designers offers free modification estimates on all their house plans. Almost everyone who builds from a stock house plan makes alterations to the floor plan to add their personal touches. Common changes include adding another garage bay, extending the kitchen, adding a bedroom or bathroom and changing the exterior elevation.
“Our home plan specialists are the best in the business and work diligently to find consumers and builders a house plan that is best suited for their needs, lifestyle and budget to minimize the amount of changes needed to customize a floor plan,” Crosby said.
Consumers who purchase a house plan with modifications work directly with the architect who designed the home to ensure 100% satisfaction. Depending on the size of the home and complexity of the design, a set of stock blueprints averages around $750. PDF house plan packages and CAD files, which are best suited for modification average around $1,000 to $3,500. Customizing a stock house plan can be thousands of dollars cheaper than hiring an architect to draw a new home design from scratch.
The Amber’s Place House Plan features an open/flexible floor plan.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a report titled The New Home In 2015, which is based on the results of a survey they conducted to assess what the common characteristics of an average, new single-family detached home will be in 2015.
Important findings from this report include:
- The average, new single-family home will be smaller and include more green features like low-e windows and engineered wood products.
- The living room will either vanish or merge with other spaces in the home and the great room will take center stage in an open floor plan.
- The kitchen will get more functional with a double sinks, recessed lighting and island spaces for eating and entertaining.
- Automation and smart home technology will become more common.
- Home plans will incorporate defined outdoor living spaces.
Here are three new innovative house plans from The House Designers collection of over 6,000 home plans that include these popular design features:
The Pleasant Cove House Plan features a universal design and plenty of curb appeal with a large columned porch, detailed roof trusses, plenty of windows and a perfect blend of stone and siding. Highlights of this 2,267 square foot home with three bedrooms and three baths include vaulted ceilings, an open kitchen and dining area with a bar top island. The large, amenity filled master suite occupies the right wing and has access to a small porch. There’s an outdoor living space that includes a lanai, grilling station, fireplace and pool surround with a stone patio. For extended living there’s a 439 square foot bonus space and an optional basement floor plan.
The Amber’s Place House Plan is a split bedroom European design with an arched covered front entry and two-car garage. Inside is a great room with vaulted ceiling and a fireplace that opens to the kitchen and breakfast room with a center island and dual sinks. An optional screened grilling porch with a corner fireplace can be accessed from the breakfast room. There are four bedrooms including a master suite with a corner shower, whirlpool tub and a large walk-in closet. Enjoy a flexible 400 square foot bonus room over the garage that’s perfect for a fifth bedroom, office or media/game room.
For a traditional, two-story design there’s the Concord House Plan. This flexible floor plan opens to the living and dining areas with only beams and columns to define their spaces creating a luxurious appeal. The entry off of the garage offers a command center, creating the perfect office space for parents, with a second floor computer station perfect for the children. A cozy breakfast room with large windows leads to a sundeck.
On The House Designers website, builders and consumers can browse the New House Plan collection, which receives new designs regularly. The company offers 21 architectural styles and 38 specialty collections including Best-Selling House Plans, Green House Plans and Fabulous Kitchens to ensure your dream home can become a reality.
Benefits of Using Pre-Drawn Green House Plans
0If you’re looking for an affordable way to build a sustainable home, than choosing off-the-shelf green house plans from The House Designers is a great option.
Once you’ve committed to building a new home, there are many questions you will need to ask yourself before you begin your search for the perfect house plan. Some are simple—what home styles appeal to you? How large a home do you wish to build? What design features are important to you? Do you prefer a one-story or two-story design and would you like the option to easily expand your living space with a basement floor plan or bonus room? Do you have plans to ‘age-in-place?’
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This new eco-friendly cottage house plan features cabinetry from KraftMaid® and ENERGY STAR® appliances from Whirlpool®.
If you answered yes, let The House Designers show you just how ‘green’ your new home can be. For the environmentalist in you they’ve got a huge selection of beautiful, certified green house plans.
You could hire an architect to draw up your house plans, but it’s costly and can take a considerable length of time. The more affordable and efficient choice is to select a stock house plan. There are literally thousands of green home plans available online in a wide range of styles, sizes, layouts and amenities. You can choose from THD’s exclusive selection of ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plans that are either ENERGY STAR® approved or LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). If you find a stock house plan that you really like but isn’t quite perfect, they’ll customize it for you to ensure that it fits all your needs and preferences.
This quaint cottage house plans features an open, eco-friendly living space with crown moulding from Fypon®, hardwood flooring from Lumber Liquidators® and a fireplace designed with Cultured Stone® from Boral®.
One significant benefit to choosing a stock green house plan is that it’s almost certainly been built somewhere, so any construction issues have already been discovered and ironed out. Of course you need to hire the right builder, preferably one who has experience in building sustainable homes similar to the one you plan to build.
A great stock green house plan like those offered by The House Designers will include many of the green features you are looking for, like solar heating, natural day-lighting, higher insulation levels, ENERGY STAR® products and energy efficient heating and cooling systems. If you like, you can add an ENERGY STAR® approved plan package to any of their house plans to provide detailed, complete blueprints for your builder to construct your new energy-efficient home.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “ENERGY STAR® certified new homes are designed and built to standards well above most other homes on the market today, delivering energy savings of up to 30 percent when compared to typical new homes. A new home that has earned the ENERGY STAR® label has undergone a rigorous process of inspections, testing, and verification to meet strict requirements set by the EPA, delivering better quality, comfort, and efficiency.
View our entire collection of exclusive ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plans and learn about all the benefits of building a green home in our Green Building Articles section.
Get Your House Plans Emailed in Minutes with PDF Now! Program
0Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) February 27, 2013
Gone are the days that a consumer or builder had to work with an architect or designer, sometimes for months or longer, to create and design a new home. Starting back in the early 1900s, home plan magazines began offering catalog house plans that could be ordered by phone or mail. The famed Sears, Roebuck and Company catalog sold more than 100,000 houses between 1908 and 1940 through their Modern Homes program.
Award-winning craftsman green house plan. This home won first place in The House Designers 2012 ENERGY STAR and Green House Plans Competition.
Times have definitely changed with technology, and if it’s not innovative enough to order house plans online and receive them in a few days, The House Designers now offers home designs that can literally be received within minutes of ordering.
“In today’s fast-past world of technology where consumers shop online to purchase products and get questions answered immediately, The House Designers make acquiring house plans a quick and easy process by offering a new service called PDFs Now!,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of America’s leading house plan provider. “Within minutes of ordering, consumers and builders can now receive electronic PDF files of construction-ready home plans.”
The house plans are complete working drawings from roof to foundation that includes everything a builder needs to construct a home. The House Designers has a fully trained, seasoned team of house plan specialists who can assist customers and builders with finding their dream home and then deliver it to them in minutes. PDFs are not only fast but they are earth-friendly conserving printing and shipping resources. Customers can print what they need and email the electronic PDF to contractors and supply houses for estimates and bidding.
Builders and consumers will be able to select from three unique packages:
PDF Bid Set: The PDF Bid Set is perfect for getting quick estimates and bids from the convenience of your computer, iPad or Smartphone. The bid set is stamped “Not for Construction” and is used to get estimates on supplies and contractors.
Construction PDF Set: The Construction PDF Set of house plans are complete construction working drawings sent electronically and ready to build.
5 Bond Sets + PDF Bid Set: This set is a printed set and PDF Bid set. It includes five printed sets and a PDF Bid Set for bidding and getting estimates. The PDF will be emailed in minutes and the bond sets will be mailed.
“We offer thousands of house plans in a wide variety of sizes and styles, as well as special collections like our award-winning ENERGY STAR house plans and our award-winning craftsman home plans,” Crosby said. “Our advanced search page allows consumers and builders to select lots of home details to make finding a home that meets their needs, lifestyle and budget easy and quick.”
Plant a Green Roof: Feed 70 Chickens and Lower Your Bills | green house plans
0Plant a Green Roof: Feed 70 Chickens and Lower Your Bills.
Source: The Movoto blog is a service of Movoto Real Estate
Don’t forget if you’re building a green home, it’s best to start with a stock ENERGY STAR and green house plan from The House Designers. Each home plan comes complete with all the guidelines a homeowner and builder needs to construct an energy-efficient and sustainable home that will meet the strict standards set forth by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR home program.
Nemo Covers the Northeast with Record-breaking snow | craftsman style home
0Parts of New England and the Northeast battled record-setting snowdrifts this weekend after winter storm Nemo left as much as 3 feet of snow including The House Designers’ head architect’s private Long Island craftsman style home. Nemo put most of the major cities in the Northeast on lockdown for the entire weekend as gale-force winds and coastal flooding left hundreds of thousands without power and motorist stranded on the Long Island Expressway.
Shown is a picture of the Tree Top Treasure House Plan from The House Designers the day after Winter Storm Nemo dumped 30″ of snow on residents of Long Island, NY.
Craftsman house plans
The above home, designed and owned by The House Designers’ best-selling architect, Jerry Axelrod, is one of the many craftsman style home plans available online at thehousedesigners.com. To check out the lavish floor plan of this beautiful home including lots of beautiful interior and exterior photographs click here.
According to reports from Weather.com, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and New York had accumulations of 30″ or more with Hamden, CT setting a record high of 40″.
After spending the weekend digging out, many Northeast residents are dealing with the aftermath of having their homes damaged from Nemo, particularly roof damage. If you find yourself needing a new roof, it’s a great time to consider the benefits of covering your home with energy-efficient roofing.
A neighborhood near New Haven, Conn., is buried in snow in the aftermath of a storm that hit Connecticut and much of New England. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Nemo blasts northeast
Before the next big storm hits the Northeast, homeowners should make sure their home is prepared for winter. The editors of The House Designers, who sell the best-selling, most popular online construction-ready house plans in the U.S. offer consumers great resources through their weekly e-newsletters and Product Ideas article section including an article on How to Weatherize Your Home for the Winter and Home Energy Saving Tips.
To start receiving these free publications simply click here to subscribe.
Finding the Right House Plans and Home Builder
0According to The House Designers, finding the right home builder is just as important as finding the perfect house plan, since it is the general contractor’s technical expertise that will be responsible for constructing the home. Before purchasing house plans it is best to consult with a builder to confirm the house plan is suitable for the lot, lifestyle and budget.
There are plenty of ways to find competent, qualified builders to guide consumers through the entire home building experience. Companies like The House Designers provide consumers with a free builder listing and tips to help consumers find local builders, as well as provide a marketplace for builders to offer their services.
The warmth of this classic two-story craftsman home starts at the front entry with wraparound porch and continues through the open living space to the rear covered patio and cozy breakfast nook. Curb appeal and efficiency is easily achieved with Therma-Tru® fiberglass doors and columns and trim from Fypon®.
“Although there are questionable professionals in every industry, rest assured that most professional residential builders are competent, qualified individuals who are more than capable of building your dream home,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers, who sell the best-selling, most popular online construction-ready house plans in the U.S. The website offers a free building directory making it easy to find local builders.
“Mostly we hear great comments about our customer’s general contractors, but occasionally customers share stories about costly delays, problems with roof and foundation construction, and other construction problems,” Crosby said. “The good news is that it’s not hard to find great builders and by doing a little homework, you can find quality builders that offer expert craftsmanship.”
This house plan took 1st Place in the annual ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plan Competition because of its energy efficient design and practical use of floor space to give its smaller footprint a spacious appeal.
Look for builders that specialize in building a similar home in the same price range. For example, a builder who specializes in constructing small ranch homes may not be the best choice for a luxury Mediterranean or craftsman home that requires lots of architectural detailing. Interest in building an ENERGY STAR® home will require a builder who understands the EPA’s guidelines and building techniques so the home will qualify once built.
For consumers looking to build their own home, here are some helpful tips to help choose the right home builder:
- First and most important, ask to see the potential contractor’s most recent work. If possible, speak with homeowners that have been in their homes for over a year. This will provide a real assessment on the quality of the home, number of problems and overall feedback about the builder. Be sure to ask the general contractor how many houses they build annually. Being in business for years, doesn’t necessarily mean they are credible.
- Looking for builders on the internet can save plenty of time and money. Most successful and reputable builders will have websites with testimonials, photographs of completed projects, pricing and information about the building process. Many will offer free online estimates of construction costs and some may offer flexible financing options.
- Contact the local home builders’ association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in that area. Local builders can be found at nahb.org/findanhba.
- Make sure that the builder is licensed in the building area so they can obtain the necessary permits and are familiar with the local building codes.
- Referrals are key, especially from family, friends and neighbors to allow for a tour of the home and an opportunity to ask questions about their home building experience. Running into costly surprises while building a home can easily put a homeowner over budget.
- Make sure that the contract is easy to read and that it’s easy to understand. A confusing contract should be a red flag. Also make sure the contractor offers a guarantee in writing for the work they perform.
A great place to start looking for a builder is The House Designers’ Preferred Builders listing which is also a great resource for quality builders to promote their business.
“Our free Preferred Builders Program is a great way for builders to market their companies and reach thousands of house plan purchasers looking for general contractors,” said Crosby. “We now offer house plans that builders can receive in minutes in our new PDFs Now! collection.”
The House Designers recently introduced this new collection of PDFs Now! to allow builders and consumers to receive their home plans in minutes in their inbox. A PDF version of the construction drawing makes it easy to print as many copies of the blueprints as needed, including smaller copies (8.5” x 11”) from a home or office printer. Quickly and easily email builders, sub-contractors, supply stores and more for budgeting and estimates making it convenient to shop around and receive competitive pricing on your new home building project!
For an added convenience most of the house plans on thehousedesigners.com are available in an electronic PDF format and can be emailed within 24 hours. View the PDFs Fast house plan collection to see what designs are available.
Consumers can also download free worksheets for building a new home and sign up for free weekly e-newsletters featuring the latest in home design and innovative, energy-efficient building products.
2012’s Best-Selling House Plans from The House Designers
0The editors of The House Designers present the 10 best-selling house plans of 2012 from a collection of over 6,000 home designs from America’s leading architects and designers. These popular home designs share many similarities, including size, energy-efficiency and open and flexible living spaces. Of the top 10 home plans, 9 were less than 2,500 sq. ft. When it came to architectural style, all of these homes were craftsman, cottage and ranch house plans with a preference for attached garages, basement foundations and bonus spaces. Each plan features an outdoor living space in its design from lanais to barbeque patios to in-ground pools. Nine were one-story homes – a trend that is expected to continue as Baby Boomers age and new homeowners look for floor plans to age in place.
“We found that these 10 house plans are representative of the new home design trends of 2012 which include outdoor living spaces, cost-effective designs, green design elements and building products, open floor plans and bonus spaces,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers. “Homeowners and builders are looking for smaller floor plans, but don’t want to sacrifice luxury amenities and aesthetics of homes with much larger footprints, which is why these house plans are so popular.”
Here is a list of the top 10 best-selling house plans of 2012 from The House Designers:
The House Designers’ best-selling house plan for the third year in a row.
1 – For the third year in a row, the L’Attesa di Vita House Plan remains The House Designers’ best-selling design. At 2,091 sq. ft. this versatile craftsman house plan features every amenity a homeowner could desire including a deluxe master suite, office, open kitchen and family room with a cozy breakfast nook and walk-in pantry. For outdoor living space there’s a lanai and barbeque porch with fireplace. It’s easy to extend your living space with a 349 sq. ft. bonus room above the two-car garage and optional basement floor plan with a spacious guest suite. View the floor plans and 25 images of this popular home design.
The La Meilleure Vie House Plan is 2,847 sq. ft. and features a three-car garage with a large 934 sq. ft. bonus room.
2 – Similar in design to the L’Attesa di Vita is the La Meilleure Vie House Plan with its gorgeous blend of stone and wood exterior. This home is 2,847 sq. ft. and features a three-car garage with a large 934 sq. ft. bonus room designed as a recreational space with a media, game and billiards room. Entertaining is made easy with a large family room and amenity-filled kitchen that opens to a covered lanai and barbeque porch. View this craftsman cottage house plan.
3 – The trend in ranch house plans with a craftsman, cottage styling continues with the third most popular home from The House Designers called the Montagna di Grazioso House Plan. This home was designed with great attention to detail to maximize its 2,106 square footage including a fabulous kitchen design for a small space featuring innovative storage solutions and plenty of workspace and seating. A walk-in pantry is essential for homeowners who like to stock up on supplies. View this craftsman house plan.
“You would think that these top three homes would be costly to build because of all the stone and wood, but the opposite is true thanks to companies like Fypon®, Therma-Tru®, Cultured Stone® by Boral® and Ply Gem®,” said Crosby. “These companies offer gorgeous veneer, fiberglass and polyurethane products that mimic the look of the real product without the high cost or maintenance. Because they are lightweight and easy to use they are favored among builders as well.”
Gorgeous two-story country craftsman house plan featuring plenty of room to grow.
4 – The Long Meadow is an elegant country house plan with a craftsman façade and flexible interior design. A three-car garage, screened porch, spacious country kitchen, a 1,535 sq. ft. bonus area and an optional 2,352 sq. ft. basement make this home irresistible! View the floor plans to this country cottage house plan, including the finished basement floor plan.
5 – The Vita Encantata House Plan joins the top three best-selling house plans in its flair for exterior appeal and love of entertaining with outdoor living spaces and an open kitchen and great room. There’s a 302 sq. ft. bonus space above the two-car garage and an optional finished basement to extend the home’s 1,838 sq. ft. to almost double its size. Take a tour of this popular craftsman cottage house plan with European styling by clicking here.
6 and 7 – While most homeowners expect a certain level of green elements in their home design, many are looking for a higher standard of green building, which is why interest in The House Designers exclusive collection of ENERGY STAR and Green House Plans continues to grow. The 1st place winner of the 2012 ENERGY STAR Home Design Competition is the sixth most popular house plan, followed by the popular Tres Le Fleur House Plan. These homes are extremely energy efficient, aesthetically appealing and well designed for their square footage.
8, 9 and 10 – The final three house plans are classic craftsman ranch house plans designed with room to grow. The Halstad House Plan is just under 3,000 sq. ft. and features a functional floor plan with two bedrooms and a 581 sq. ft. bonus space above the three-car garage. When it comes to curb appeal and room for indoor/outdoor entertaining this home is a solid ten. The Mountain Cottage with Optional Bonus Room comes with an enlarged master bath floor plan option and finished bonus suite. The Sturbridge II House Plan features a compact floor plan with four bedrooms, an office and a bonus space.
Consumers and builders looking to build a new home can browse through thousands of similar house plans by viewing the Architectural Styles and Specialty Collections section of the website.
House Plans: Tips for Shopping for House Plans
1Building a new home will probably be one of the biggest and most exciting projects of your lifetime and it all starts with finding the perfect house plans. Shopping for a house plan can be an overwhelming process if you don’t know what to look for, which is why The House Designers has created a user-friendly website to ensure your search is easy and enjoyable. You’ll want to look for a floor plan that is functional, comfortable and meets the needs and lifestyle of your growing family.
This award-winning green house plan features a gorgeous, open kitchen floor plan with island seating and food prep area. View the additional features of this 1,768 square foot cottage house plan.
Before starting your house plan search you should make a list of all essential features you want like how many walk-in closets, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, kitchen layout, number of garages and how much bonus space you’ll need. While it is easy to get carried away by aesthetics especially when you’re looking at thousands of beautiful homes and photographs, make sure that your floor plan is practical and affordable.
Equally helpful is writing a list of the things you DON’T want so you’ll be able to eliminate homes from your house plan search. If you know exactly what you want in your new home it is best to go right to the advanced search section, which will make finding your house plan easier.
If you already have the lot for your new home then you will need to find a house plan that will fit the lot. If your lot is on a slope you should consider a house plan with a walkout basement. If you have a narrow lot, the size of your house plan will be limited to a certain width so consider a two-story home for extra living space. The House Designers offers a wide selection of two-story house plans, narrow lot plans and sloping lots in a variety of sizes, shapes and architectural styles.
Of course, if you don’t have any lot limitations you can enjoy browsing a wide variety of house plan styles and specialty collections offered at thehousedesigners.com.
Here are some great tips to help you understand the many features and details available when looking at floor plans:
1 – Total Square Footage The total square footage of the home refers to the finished portion of your house plan. Areas like garages, porches, bonus spaces and attics are considered unfinished and are not calculated in the total square footage of the home plan. Be sure that when you purchase your house plan you have calculated the additional square footage into your budget if you plan on finishing them.
2 – Foundation Options You will need to select a foundation option based on your geographical area and needs. Options include basement, slab, crawl space or post and pier foundation. If you can have a basement this is a great way to increase your living space (it’s typically the same size as the main floor) and add value to your home. You may not be able to afford to complete your basement at the time of construction but down the road you’ll be glad to have the extra space.
3 – Kitchen Layout The kitchen is the key ingredient to any good home design so be sure that the kitchen layout is one that fits your needs and lifestyle. There are five common kitchen layouts depending on the size and style of the home: G (also known as the peninsula), L, U, single-wall and galley, which can easily be customized by adding the right cabinetry, appliances and accents. Check out this great article for selecting the right kitchen layout by clicking here.
4 – Bonus Spaces As you begin your search for a house plan you may want to look for a design that includes a bonus room or optional living space. A bonus room is an extra space in a home that has not been given a specific designation and can be built out at a later time. It offers homeowners the flexibility to create a unique space that fits their particular needs and lifestyle.
5 – Customizing Your Home All of the house plans on The House Designers website can easily be modified to create a custom home without the high costs associated with hiring a designer to draw your plans from scratch. Their home plan specialists are available to determine if your changes are simply redlining changes or structural changes that require plan modifications. The House Designers offers free modification quotes on all their house plans. Simply call 866-214-2242 or email admin@thehousedesigners.com for help finding the right house plans.
From now until midnight Monday November 26, 2012 save 15% off all House Plans from The House Designers
Dress Your Porch In Fall Decor | house plans
0We’ve selected some of our favorite house plans with large front porches to inspire you to add some decorative flair to your home for the fall and winter season.
Beyond the beauty of a new front porch, it provides extra living space and protection for your front entry from the weather. It can even help lower your summer energy bills by deflecting the sun from entering directly into your home. In the winter, it protects your windows and siding from the snow, wind and rain that can cause your home to age quicker.
This farm house plan features a wraparound porch with Fypon® decorative columns and a balustrade system featuring reinforced baluster rails, newels and porch posts to create a warm and inviting entry that is easy to decorate for the fall and holiday season.
A wraparound porch provides a great place to retreat from the sun, wind and rain. You can turn part of your porch into a cozy sitting area with comfortable seating like rocking chairs and Adirondack chairs painted in rich autumn-inspired colors. Accent this area with colorful seasonal flowers like mums, bright cushions and pillows and lanterns. Don’t forget to decorate your columns and railings. They are the perfect place for wrapping holiday lights, corn stalks and garland.
By adding ceiling fans, lights and furniture to your porch you can create a comfortable gathering space that’s great for entertaining and handling guest overflow.
You can add pops of fall color to your yard by placing small groups of pumpkins, bales of hale and seasonal plants placed in rustic pots and baskets along the front of your porch and walkway.
For inspiring porch designs visit our collection of farm house plans, country house plans, craftsman house plans and cottage house plans.
We’d love to see pictures of your autumn and Halloween porches so we can post them on Pinterest.
The House Designers Unveil Three New Innovative House Plans
0Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) September 30, 2012
The House Designers, which is comprised of the leading residential architects and designers in the United States, is pleased to announce the addition of three new house plans to its collection of best-selling, builder preferred house plans. These wonderful new designs offer the very best in flexible living spaces, and showcase the ever-popular Craftsman and cottage styles giving these newly-inked designs a timeless appeal.
“Our designers and architects are committed to designing the most innovative, affordable and energy efficient house plans for consumers and builders interested in building a new home,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers. “These new home plans feature all the amenities that consumers demand like outdoor living areas, private master suites, bonus rooms and basement options.”
The House Designers offers an easy-to-navigate website, with a newly redesigned plan page which provides detailed information about the floor plans including foundation options, all with high quality color renderings and photographs of actual built homes.
“One of the most common questions we get from consumers and builders looking at our house plans is, “How much will it cost to build?,” said Crosby, who has a partnership with the home building experts at StartBuild. “This information is extremely important in helping consumers and builders accurately determine how much a home will cost to build. Our interactive Cost-to-Build Estimator is based on current costs for customized product selections and labor specific to a location.”
For a nominal charge of $24.95, visitors can use the interactive program for 30 days exchanging products for planning and budgeting. Consumers who purchase this program also receive a $50 discount for any house plan purchase. There is also a free cost estimator for those looking for a simple rough estimate based on their region. According to The House Designers, builders looking to offer their clients a selection of affordable plans to choose from have found the Cost-To-Build Estimator to be especially useful and accurate, and appreciate the free modification quotes on all house plans.
All 6,000 plus construction drawings on thehousedesigners.com are builder-friendly and include detailed, dimensioned floor plans, basic electrical layouts, cabinet layouts, structural information, cross sections, roof plans and elevations, as well as general specifications. To encourage builders to use stock house plans, The House Designers created the Preferred Builder Program, which is free to all members of the National Home Building Association (NAHB).
Membership in The House Designers’ Preferred Builder Program includes 15% off all house plan purchases with every eighth plan(up to $1000), free. Additional benefits include:
- A directory listing where consumers may search for local contractors
- Custom marketing materials
- Free modifications quotes
- Immediate delivery of digital PDF house plan packages.
Here are three new home designs fresh from the drawing board of America’s leading architects and designers, which can be previewed by visiting thehousedesigners.com:
The Cherry Creek House Plan was created due to popular demand for a slightly larger footprint of an already popular plan. This new home design features 2,495 square feet of living space, a three-car garage and a 625 square foot bonus room. Highlights of this floor plan include the increased bedroom sizes and the addition of walk-in closets and new open living spaces. An oversized island with plenty of seating and a cozy breakfast nook overlooking the porch highlight the kitchen. Access to the basement level is conveniently located just down the hall from the foyer. A larger bonus room is still an option for this plan. View all additional highlights of this new plan by clicking here.
The Cedar Crest House Plan is a two-story Craftsman home featuring a lovely facade with a large wrap-around front porch, custom windows, finished with a warm mix of earth shingles and stone. A side-entry garage with bonus space above and decorative shop bay enhance its award-winning curb appeal. A spacious informal family area with a covered patio, ideal for outdoor entertainment complements a vaulted formal living and dining room off the large foyer. Relax in the indulgent master suite with private sitting room and grand bath. The open kitchen floor plan features plenty of workspace and includes a large center island with cooktop and seating, cabinetry by Kitchen Craft® and solid hardwood flooring from Lumber Liquidators.® Take a photo tour of this 4,100 square foot home by clicking here.
This French Country Cottage house plan features the perfect layout for a growing family. The main floor has a spacious living area with kitchen center island and cozy breakfast room, both perfect spots for casual family dining. For outdoor dining and relaxation, there’s a screened porch and sundeck. The second floor features four bedrooms, including a luxury master suite with sitting area and fireplace. The additional bedrooms are perfect for children or guests, and have unique features like built-ins, balconies, attic access, a playhouse and much more. To view additional photographs and the floor plan for this innovative new home design, click here.
Consumers and builders alike may view all house plans by The House Designers by visiting thehousedesigners.com.
The House Designers, Fypon® and Therma-Tru® Make New Home Construction Affordable
1Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) September 26, 2012
A recent press release by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) states that new home construction rose 2.3 percent nationally to an adjusted annual rate of 750,000 units in August. New figures released from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau confirm this increase was fueled entirely by gains in the single-family sector, where new construction accelerated in every region for a combined 5.5 percent gain to 535,000 units, the fastest growth in two years.
“Builders across the country have been reporting noticeable improvement in the number of serious buyers who are in the market for a new home, and today’s report shows that this is translating to some welcome gains in construction activity,” said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in a recent press release. “While there is still plenty of room for improvement, it’s encouraging to see this continuing trend that is spurring much-needed job growth.”
The Fypon PVC Trellis System, which offers a low-maintenance solution for accenting garage doors was a recent winner in the “101 Best New Products” competition by Professional Builder.
According to The House Designers, a leading provider of online stock house plans, house plan sales continued to increase by 10% each month over 2011. The top 5 states for house plan sales in 2012 are the same as in 2011 and include Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
“The pace of overall housing production has been edging gradually upward all year as consumers become more confident in their local housing markets, and the latest data are further evidence that the housing recovery is here to stay,” added NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “That said, the pace of this recovery continues to be constrained by various hurdles, including a tough lending environment, inaccurate appraisals and more recently, rising prices on key building materials.”
The House Designers reports that many of their house plans customers originally considered purchasing an existing home, but were often surprised to find that building a new home was more affordable.TheHouseDesigners.com offers over 6,000 house plans in a wide variety of sizes and architectural styles, which can all be customized at a fraction of the cost of having an architect create a custom home design.
“While the average size of a home is now 2,100-2,500 square feet, consumers still demand an open/flexible floor plan with all the same amenities of a much larger home plan,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers. “With the cost to operate and maintain at the top of consumers concerns, we’ve found a big increase in sales in our exclusive Green/ENERGY STAR® house plan collection and growing interest in green building products from leading manufacturers like Therma-Tru® and Fypon®.”
Therma-Tru's Fiber-Classic Mahogany 3-Panel Style Door was named winner in the “101 Best New Products” competition for 2012 by Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler magazines.
The Therma-Tru® Fiber-Classic® Mahogany Collection™ 3-Panel Style Door and the Fypon® PVC Trellis System were among the new residential construction products selected from the 101 Best New Products 2012 competition by the editors of Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler.
Each year, the editors explore the new home construction building products market in search of the most innovative new materials, finishes, and systems geared toward the residential construction market. Products are selected across 16 product categories and are scrutinized for their energy-efficiency, performance and cost. You can view reviews of all 101 product winners on their website at HousingZone.com.
According to Patrick O’Toole, publisher and editorial director for Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler, “These two specific products offer builders and remodelers extra-value ideas for their clients. The trellis system and fiberglass door each add low maintenance and aesthetic appeal to the home, which make them true winners.”
The ENERGY STAR® qualified Fiber-Classic® Mahogany Collection™ 3-Panel Style Door features rich, premium hardwood graining, 17 different decorative glass options, four privacy options, and clear Low-E glass. Solid door styles can also be ordered in fire- and impact-rated versions.
The Sogno di Campagne House Plan is one of the newest ENERGY STAR house plans from The House Designers.
“We’ve matched up the best of two worlds with this product,” said Derek Fielding, senior product manager of doors at Therma-Tru® in a recent press release. “Hardwood grains, like mahogany, continue to hold popularity with homeowners. At the same time, 3-panel doors are some of the top sellers at Therma-Tru®, showcasing the homeowners’ preference for this simplistic and elegant style. This door definitely embodies the elegance of a rich, premium hardwood grain in a low-maintenance fiberglass door that meets the needs of value-driven consumers.”
Fypon® PVC Trellis Systems provide builders, remodelers and homeowners with a unique, affordable way to accent a garage door. It comes as a complete kit including durable outlookers, attractive beams, lattice and hardware, which can be painted.
ABOUT THE HOUSE DESIGNERS HOUSE PLANS: The House Designers are the leading residential architects and designers in the U.S., and offer the largest collection of pre-drawn plans in the country. The House Designers has the best-selling, most popular house plan portfolio in America, owned and operated directly by the designers. Their clients have built homes in every state in the U.S. and in 56 countries around the globe.
For more information, visit http://www.thehousedesigners.com or call 866-214-2242.
About Therma-Tru®
Therma-Tru® is the nation’s leading manufacturer and most preferred brand of entryway doors. Founded in 1962, Therma-Tru® pioneered the fiberglass entry door industry, and today offers a complete portfolio of entry and patio door system solutions, including decorative glass doorlites, sidelites and transoms, and door components. The company also offers low-maintenance Fypon urethane and PVC products. Headquartered in Maumee, Ohio, Therma-Tru® is part of Fortune Brands Home & Security (NYSE: FBHS). For more information, visithttp://www.thermatru.com, http://www.fypon.com or call (800) 537-8827.
About Fypon®
Fypon® LLC offers thousands of decorative millwork elements in a variety of architectural styles to enhance the interior and exterior of America’s homes. Each piece is crafted from tough, weatherproof, high-performance materials that are impervious to decay, insect infestation and water damage for long-lasting beauty and low maintenance. Part of consumer products company Fortune Brands Home & Security (NYSE: FBHS), Fypon® LLC is owned by Therma-Tru® Corp. For additional information, call 1-800-446-3040 or visit http://www.fypon.com.
