Floor plan is the fundamental drawing which tells us the method in which a room or any part of a structure can be built. This plan consists of several accessories that go into making a room such as wardrobes, doors, windows, walls, electrical gadgets and more.
As various parts of a structure like living rooms, rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, make a full structure, so do the various floor plans of these parts decide the total structure of a building. This makes sure that the load distribution is equal on the walls for the fine reinforcement of the building.
An attic or a basement area can be included in a floor plan. The main idea is accommodating pipe outlets for plumbing and electrical outlets for wiring as the task of meeting the requirements of the future occupants is effortlessly done.
The task of designing a floor plan is tedious. The desire to pace up with modern trends that are changing, the concept, the time, knowledge of art and architecture, the designing skills and more. On the contrary, there are aspirations of the property owner, his wants, his interests and more. So, the match between these two should be perfect. It is possible only for a professional to strike a match between the two.
So, it is better to have professional guidance in this matter. This access to professional service is available on the net.
After the completion of the building project, the floor plans and the blue prints are saved in a file. The architect keeps one copy in his file and so does the owner of the property. In different countries, the city department approaches the municipalities within its jurisdiction to obtain the files of the floor plans and stores with it. This method is adopted for public and private buildings as well.
Who can do this job ?
It is everybody’s dream to build a good, strong house that withstands nature’s vagaries by hiring a reputable contractor. Do a research before making a decision.
Home building business has both the good face and bad face of it. It is like any other business. A lot of time and money can be saved by making an assessment of the contractor and the situation by allowing a little time for it.
Calling bids for the project:
Getting best bids for the project is the next task. Provide each contractor who bids on the project with a copy of your home plan design along with a form to bid. The information in the form that you provide each contractor should be the same and the forms should also appear same to avoid any communication lapse.
Later, review the forms thoroughly. One thing that you note here is that lowest bid is not always the best. Also, find out if the contractor has his own license, bond and insurance to carry out your work. In case of any injury to the worker the contractor’s insurance should cover it. That incident should not become a liability to you. Reputed contractor usually has an insurance of his own.
Be careful on low bids :
You should consider the value for your dollar and not the value of the bid even if it is lower or higher. The value for your dollar is derived when the experience, the materials, the service are at their best, and there is a balance in the overall time taken to complete the home. The good side of a reliable contractor is this.
When it is a low bid, chances are that the contractor may use sub-standard materials for construction. Or it can also be that he is not equipped with the right staff to undertake larger projects. In some cases the contractor takes fifty percent of the money in advance and never turns up.
A few more steps to be taken:
It is a good idea to take a couple of additional steps before you make a decision. Enquire in the Better Business Bureau near by to find out more information regarding the contractor. If the contractor asks for fifty percent in advance, or if you find he has only PO box address, or if he demands that you obtain the building permits yourself, then you can smell a rat as these are all unprofessional practices that are bad in the business. Be careful!
If you find there are a couple of complaints against a contractor, then it would be better for you to take note of that fact. No need to be buckled under pressure to decide quickly; conduct a research as lowest bids are not always the best bids.
How can you stay within your budget?
The onerous task as far as emotions and budgets are concerned is constructing a home of your dreams. Mentioned under are a few ideas to help you overcome the worry and how to stay within the budget that is required for the task.
1. Before you make a decision you have to chalk out the ‘must have’ features and those that are ‘nice to have’. The floor plan that you choose must match closely with your preferences as dream homes are not just homes but homes that are an extension of your lifestyle and personality. Do not change orders like changing your floor plans while construction as they are very costly.
2. Do not go for cheap bids because this may prove costlier in the future. Do not hesitate to ask the builder questions regarding construction; visit the sites where the builder is building or has built homes and seek the opinion of the home owners about the builder and the quality of his work. Better if the builder is a member of association of home builders and check on the references. Find out from Better Business Bureau and browse the websites on the net for more information.
3. Location is another important factor to be considered. Clearing the land from trees or rocks can prove costly. Also consider other levies such as property taxes and other fees when you make your own budget. The cost of installing meters vary to a great extent from one area to another.
4. It would be a good idea to know the ideal time to purchase the materials and whether it is possible to return the materials that are unused. Decide what materials make your counter tops, cabinets, and your flooring. The type of kitchen you want is your decision. Lower or higher-end ? Planning from the start would be better, as, tearing off tile floors, wood cabinets and counter tops in the future can prove to be a costly affair.
5. You can be a general contractor yourself and save a little money. The job of hiring sub-contractors, obtaining funds and materials can be a matter of risk and high-stress, if you are a fresher in home construction. If you want to stay within your budget and time, hire a builder. The extent of future savings vis-a-vis the stress and time involved is a matter to be considered.
A very good floor plan that’s tailor made for you and your family is one of the wisest investments you might ever make. In order to see about floor plan software , take a look at A1 Designer Flooring .
categories: floor plans,floorplans,floor,interior design,home interiors,home improvement,home
Nov 27 2009