Choosing a house plan to meet your needs, lot and budget may seem time consuming or overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can help you find the perfect house design!
When choosing your house plan it's important to choose one that not only meets your individual needs but also considers your building lot, natural landscape and whether it will be marketable to future buyers in the event that you choose to sell your house at some point in the future.
It's also important to understand that the total square footage of your new home refers to the finished portion of your house plan. Finished living areas can be defined by the heated areas in your home. Areas like garages, porches and attics are considered unfinished and are not calculated in the total square footage of your home plan. Remember this when calculating building costs.
Living and lifestyle considerations:
Lifestyles and floor plan needs differ from individuals and families depending on their cycles, stages and future plans. Features that new families look for in a house plan can be different than what empty nesters may need.
Consider these questions as you begin your search for your ideal home plan:
What's the ideal square footage for your new home to accommodate your family? Is there adequate space for expansion if you plan on growing your family?
Will you need guest rooms to accommodate family and friends? What about additional living space to possibly care for aging parents or grandchildren?
Do you plan on entertaining or gathering friends and family on a regular basis? Do you need a formal dining and living room or do you prefer open concept living spaces?
Study your house plan and building lot to see if it's possible to expand the living space in the future if space may be needed.
Think about the room you spend the most time in your current home. Some families prefer the kitchen to be the focal point for family gatherings and desire a spacious eat-in kitchen with large center island while others prefer a den or family room to gather in.
A popular floor plan is called a split bedroom design with the primary bedroom on the opposite side of the home separate from other bedrooms for privacy.
Now with so many professionals working from home, private home offices are becoming very popular. Sometimes an extra bedroom or bonus space can serve as a home office if the floor plan doesn't specifically designate a home office in the home design.
Take into consideration outdoor living space and the placement of decks, patios, and porches on your home plan. Most of these can easily be added or modified by your builder but be specific about the location and placement of your home to maximize privacy for outdoor living and entertaining.
House plan workspace considerations:
Where do you prefer your laundry room and will you need extra storage or a large laundry sink?
Will you need a large workroom for hobbies or projects? If you like gardening, you may want to expand the mud room with a utility sink or half-bath.
Furnishings and aesthetics:
Will the floor plan of your new home plan accommodate your existing or new furniture you plan to purchase? When selecting your floor plan, consider the seating areas and how furniture placement will affect the usability of the space.
Measure your current furniture to determine if there is adequate space of at least 36 inches around furniture and clearance for doors to open and close. Will the height of your furniture block windows? Does it provide enough wall space, nooks and areas for art and other decor?
Choosing a building lot for your house plan:
House plans for flat building lots can be easier and less expensive to build on, although sloping lots can offer great views and allow you to place the garage under the home to possibly accommodate a daylight basement if you're planning on having a basement.
Narrow lots generally require a house design that has two or more stories instead of a ranch style homes that usually have a bigger footprint.
Another important factor to consider when planning on buying a new house plan is how large of a garage you'll need and the ideal location of the garage entrance meaning a front entry, side entry or rear entry garage.
Once you've prepared a thorough list of the most important items to accommodate your lifestyle and living space needs, you'll be ready to select your house plan and find the ideal building lot. If you need help with finding your home plan, live chat, email or call us and we'll be happy to help in any way that we can!