Ask The Builder - Home Building, Remodeling and Improvement Information Page

Updated: Wed, 31 May 2006 15:19:59

Planning - Blueprints
When to Pay for Remodeling Plans
Never pay all of the money due for remodeling plans before the plans are complete. Once you give cash in advance for incomplete work, you lose all of your leverage. Upfront payment has left tens of thousands of people disappointed when the person never finished the job after being paid.

Planning - Blueprints
Architect Fees and Services

Architectural services are not all the same. Some architects are full service and offer all sorts of assistance while others just like to pump out plans. If you are building for the first time, the extra services a good architect offers may be worth their weight in gold.

Planning - Blueprints
Hire an Expert to Review House Plans
Hire an expert to review house plans before building. An expert eye may detect flaws in house floor plans that could save years of woe.

Planning - Blueprints
Special Lots Need a Superb Architect

Special lots need an architect with vision. The right professional to design your new home views is the one chance you have to do it right. Good architects will make the most of your lot or land to showcase your home.

Planning - Blueprints
Blueprints and Specifications
House plans with detailed blueprints and exact specifications of all home items and features are essential. Be specific with house floor plans and make your blueprints reflect your desired building plans exactly. Avoid problems by drawing up precise home plans before your new home construction begins.

Planning - Blueprints
Smart First Time Buyers Plan Ahead
First time new home buyers should plan needs, amenities and budget before starting your venture. Ample space and storage are top needs in new home plans. Consider, too, garage, closets, yard space and your favored orientation of the sun. Your new home will be a joy if you plan well upfront.

Planning - Blueprints
New Construction Change Orders - Costly
New construction blues for builder and homeowner can be avoided if you select all features of your new home first and nix change orders. New home construction can suffer cost overruns, time delays and price gouging by a contractor when you decide to change some aspect of your job while work is in progress.

Planning - Blueprints
Construction - Get Organized
Construction requires you to get organized in advance to avoid costly changes and assure that your chosen amenities are the ones actually delivered. Keep your multiple decisions organized in a three ring binder with sections for each room that store all details for that room so that contractors and you can check back. Getting organized will eliminate very costly change orders as long as you stick to your decisions. Make changes during building and be prepared to pay the price!

Planning - Blueprints
Building a New Home - Get Organized

Building a new home requires hundreds of choices. Get organized by keeping all of your choices and plans for your new home building project in a binder so no decisions fall through the cracks. Blueprints and specifications along with this binder will keep track of the entire project. Select amenities for your new home at the start so that workmen can plan openings and utility adaptations to stay on schedule.

Planning - Blueprints
Modifying a Model Home Plan to Save Money

When a model home plan is modified, money may be saved initially by not choosing upgrades, but it will cost you time later. Try to save money on things that you can change easily, such as flooring. Be careful when substituting inferior products.

Planning - Blueprints
Sources of Great House Plans, Books and Blueprints
Excellent house plans are published in books, CD's and online. Check these sources to find your perfect home plans and blueprints.

Planning - Blueprints
Communication, Contractors, and Records
Good communication with your contractor is vital. Keep a written record of any verbal exchanges. Communicate effectively with your contractors to maintain a good working relationship, and keep a paper trail of records to assist resolution should any problems arise.

Planning - Blueprints
Detailed Plans and Specifications Minimize Mistakes

Detailed blueprints, plans and specifications will help you avoid being sued by a contractor. Keeping a detailed account of work each day, along with photos, will arm you with data should a problem with your contractor arise.

Planning - Blueprints
Tips on House Plans, Blueprints, & Architects
House plans or blueprints for home construction work are essential to avoid problems with your home project. Avoid budget overruns and costly change orders by giving your contractor quality blueprints to work from. Read on to learn a little known technique to find architects of great repute and how to select the right one.

Planning - Blueprints
Home Design Software
Use some great home design software to help you visualize your desires for your home construction or additions. You can even "see" what your design would look like with some of the 3D home design software. Not intended to replace the expertise and services of architects, these house plan software programs can help you decide what you really want.

Planning - Blueprints
House Plans, Blueprints & Architects
House plans and quality construction blueprints by architects will save you money and heartache in the long run. Gather photos and ideas and organize them to show and help your architect design exactly what you desire at less cost through clear communication and less time expended.

Planning - Blueprints
Computer-Aided Blueprints
You can develop your own blueprints and 3D design with the help of software. Builders, architects and designers make blueprints from 3D software that allows them to not only draw the plans, but simulate the final product.

Planning - Blueprints
Construction Bids
Get accurate construction bids by pre selecting all materials to eliminate allowances. Get itemized quotes and liability certificates to compare all builders.

Planning - Blueprints
Finding a Good Architect
Finding a good architect may take some research. Architects receive little residential training. To locate a good residential architect, follow this little known technique.

Planning - Blueprints
Construction Estimates and Bids
Getting accurate estimates for new construction can be frustrating and heartbreaking. A workable construction bid is possible with some estimate homework upfront. Preliminary construction estimates can be provided by builders from your description and historical data, or check book references to help with building cost estimates.

Planning - Blueprints
Avoid Over Budget Plans
Architects know how much a project will cost based on the square footage of previous, comparable projects. Ask him or her to calculate your project's cost. This simple, up-to-date estimate will help you avoid budget overruns and disappointment.

Planning - Blueprints
Quality Blueprints
Detailed blueprints are essential for home construction. High quality house blueprints are concerned with content and include exact specifications and extensive labeling with general conditions and specific multipage details. Nothing should be left to assumption in a blueprint.

Planning - Blueprints
Use 3 Ring Binders - Get Organized
3 ring binders will help you get organized and keep your construction on target. Contractors and subcontractors can refer to the binder at the jobsite. Three ring binders are a simple, inexpensive way of getting organized in your project, and these binders can save money, mistakes, delays and conflict.

Planning - Blueprints
Change Orders
Avoid costly change orders whenever possible by selecting all materials before work begins. If your plans must change, get all specifications and details in writing from contractors on the change order. Leave nothing to question!

Planning - Blueprints
Change Orders - What's Fair / What's Not
Change orders are the silent killer of most projects. Homeowners can change their minds and contractors may charge extra for work not detailed in plans or specifications. Plan carefully before work begins to avoid costly change orders.

Planning - Blueprints
Specifications - Important Details
Plans require detailed written specifications to convey to the contractor and subcontractor exactly what's desired and how it is to be done.

Planning - Blueprints
Specific Building Plans Help Avoid Delays
Prepare detailed building plans with all specifications to minimize or avoid project delays and costly change orders. Ask your contractor for a timeline, preselect all materials, and monitor project progress to make your project go forward without delays.

Planning - Blueprints
A Simple Project Timeline
Create an accurate, realistic timeline to minimize or eliminate project delays. Timelines list all major tasks and key materials needed to complete your project.

Planning - Blueprints
Blueprints or Plan Essential
Before you start a kitchen remodeling project, prepare your plan. Blueprints or written instructions with sketches can be provided to contractors to convey your ideas. Clear kitchen plans are essential for communicating with your contractor and are the crux of your contract.

FREE Newsletter

Advertise Now on AsktheBuilder.com

RSS

New Columns

Tim Carter Blog

Ebooks

Bid Sheets

Everyone wants to have a real pro do their work. But how do you cut through all of the slick sales talk and promises? How do you know if the contractor is going to do the job the right way? My Bid Sheets solve all of these problems and more.

Click Here to get a FREE sample Bid Sheet and to learn more about these wonderful Instant Download documents!