I found an article by Deborah Gaskil that I thought would be helpful to anyone thinking about building a home - be it a small house plan, a cabin plan or a garage apartment plan.
Deborah's 8 steps are:
1. Make a list of all your priorities.
2. Select three different plans to make your final decision from.
3. Include the possibility of future expansions to your home. Whether it may be adding on to your home or utilizing the attic space above a garage or in the attic space.
4. Make sure your furnishings (either furniture you already own or plan to own) will fit well and you have enough space to move about your rooms easily. Pay special attention to your dining room(s) so that there is enough space for your chairs to be pulled out to sit comfortably down at your table. If there will be a staircase/hallway, make sure that there is adequate space (width and height) to move furniture in and out.
5. Kitchen plans should flow well from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator and have enough counter space to work easily without the traffic ways being cramped. Always plan a nice closet-type pantry area in your kitchen. It saves a bundle on cabinet expense and helps keep things at an easy reach.
6. Bathrooms are more spa-like nowadays. Consider if you would like that over sized shower, a separate tub and even a spot for a television. Walk-in showers are a hit today. Ahhhhhxhilarating!
7. Consider having a laundry room on more than one floor of your home. It only makes sense to not have to carry loads of laundry up and down the stairs.
8. If you like to sew, paint, craft and such it is a great idea to plan your own “play” room. This room should be organized from the start so that you can work without having obstacles preventing your creativeness from flowing.
Okay, did I get your thoughts flowing? Think of all the little things that are important to your everyday life as well as the things that are special to you and your loved ones. If you love to sit on a chaise lounge and read a spicy thriller, make sure you pick your spot (that it will fit) before your build your home. If you love to entertain, make sure you pick a home building plan that will allow your guests the comfort of your hospitality. As you can see, choosing a plan takes thought and time. So don’t rush. You’ll be much better off by taking your time and thinking through all the little stuff.
Deborah and her husband purchased land to build their dream home and in 1997 they moved in. With the astonishment of the Gaskill’s home planning skills and the ease of their building experience, their construction loan officer inspired Deborah to write BuildWisely’s Home Planning Guide and, ultimately, http://www.buildwisely.com/
Is there such a thing as a free house?
Can you build your own small house and get it free?
I didn't think so until I ran into this ebook titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Crafstman-style houses - a classic small house plan
If your idea of a wonderful house is something all boxy and contemporary looking, a Craftsman-style house wouldn't be for you. But if you appreciate a timeless look and a house that shows great attention to detail, you'll love a Craftsman house.
What does a Craftman look like? Here's a good example:
As you see, a Craftsman house has a timeless look. While this is a fairly new Craftsman, it could just as easily have been built in 1935.
I'll have more on Craftsman houses in the next few days. In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about this American classic design, you can hop over to my Squidoo lens, http://www.squidoo.com/craftsman-house-plans for more information.
Can you build a Craftsman house free?
I didn't think you could build a house free until I ran into this book titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that the new Craftsman house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
What does a Craftman look like? Here's a good example:
As you see, a Craftsman house has a timeless look. While this is a fairly new Craftsman, it could just as easily have been built in 1935.
I'll have more on Craftsman houses in the next few days. In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about this American classic design, you can hop over to my Squidoo lens, http://www.squidoo.com/craftsman-house-plans for more information.
Can you build a Craftsman house free?
I didn't think you could build a house free until I ran into this book titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that the new Craftsman house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
More about garage apartment plans
A few more things you should know about garage apartment plans:
First, most, if not all, of the plans I've been able to find require you to build both the garage and the apartment. In other words, if you already have a nice, two-car garage, these plans won't help. Your best bet will be to find an architect or contractor who can draw up custom plans for a "pop top" to your existing garage.
If you're wondering what garage apartment plans cost
There are several companies that sell garage apartment plans. Two of my favorites are www.coolhouseplans.com, which has plans for apartments over one-, two- and three-car garages and Archway Home Plans (www.archwaypress.com).
As an example of costs, Archway has a plan for a garage loft for $115 for a three-set package and $21 for what is known as reproducible masters. As an example of a garage floor plan that’s more on the upscale side, Archway offers for a three set package of plans for a garage apartment that both extends the back of the garage and adds a second story. The cost of this package is $165 or $265 for a reproducible master.
Coolhouseplans.com has, for example, plans for a two-car garage apartment of 1426 sq. ft. for $175 for four sets of blueprints or $275 for a reproducible master. Or you can order five sets of blueprints for a 960 sq. ft. garage apartment for $200 or a reproducible set for $300.
Could you build that garage apartment free?
I didn't think there was any such thing as a free garage - or house - until I ran into this book titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free garage apartment or house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
First, most, if not all, of the plans I've been able to find require you to build both the garage and the apartment. In other words, if you already have a nice, two-car garage, these plans won't help. Your best bet will be to find an architect or contractor who can draw up custom plans for a "pop top" to your existing garage.
If you're wondering what garage apartment plans cost
There are several companies that sell garage apartment plans. Two of my favorites are www.coolhouseplans.com, which has plans for apartments over one-, two- and three-car garages and Archway Home Plans (www.archwaypress.com).
As an example of costs, Archway has a plan for a garage loft for $115 for a three-set package and $21 for what is known as reproducible masters. As an example of a garage floor plan that’s more on the upscale side, Archway offers for a three set package of plans for a garage apartment that both extends the back of the garage and adds a second story. The cost of this package is $165 or $265 for a reproducible master.
Coolhouseplans.com has, for example, plans for a two-car garage apartment of 1426 sq. ft. for $175 for four sets of blueprints or $275 for a reproducible master. Or you can order five sets of blueprints for a 960 sq. ft. garage apartment for $200 or a reproducible set for $300.
Could you build that garage apartment free?
I didn't think there was any such thing as a free garage - or house - until I ran into this book titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free garage apartment or house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Garage Apartments Plans Add Value To Your Home and Generate Cash.
While this is not exactly about a small house plan, I was reminded the other day that a garage apartment can make a great guest house, home office or space for an elderly relative.
Garage apartments plans provide space for storage and add value to your home. You can also generate extra income from your garage apartment! Making a living space over your apartment is a great idea for extra income, or you can use it for a home office. Having the office over your garage will keep your home office completely away from you house. Suddenly your new garage apartment becomes a tax write off.
Students are always on the lookout for housing that is affordable and garage apartments fit he bill perfectly. The potential for this extra income can add value to your home if and when you decide to sell.
For parents who need extra room
Garage apartments can add a new master bedroom for parents of large families who need an extra room. If your garage is attached to your house, a garage apartment can serve as a very large and airy extra bedroom for privacy starved parents.
Before you start building your garage apartment or purchase new garage apartments plans, check your local building permits and requirements. If you plan on using the apartment as a rental unit, you might need to supply an extra parking space for the renter. You may also need to think of adding stairs to the exterior of the building for security reasons. Be sure to check the insurance requirements as well.
Where to find garage apartment plans
Two sources I like for garage apartment plans are a site called coolhouseplans and one titled archwaypress. Coolhouseplans can be found at www.coolhouseplans.com and Archway can be found at www.archwaypress.com.
Could you get that new garage apartment ... free?
I didn't think it would be possible to build a house or garage apartment free until I ran into this book titled "How To Build Your House Free."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that this new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
Garage apartments plans provide space for storage and add value to your home. You can also generate extra income from your garage apartment! Making a living space over your apartment is a great idea for extra income, or you can use it for a home office. Having the office over your garage will keep your home office completely away from you house. Suddenly your new garage apartment becomes a tax write off.
Students are always on the lookout for housing that is affordable and garage apartments fit he bill perfectly. The potential for this extra income can add value to your home if and when you decide to sell.
For parents who need extra room
Garage apartments can add a new master bedroom for parents of large families who need an extra room. If your garage is attached to your house, a garage apartment can serve as a very large and airy extra bedroom for privacy starved parents.
Before you start building your garage apartment or purchase new garage apartments plans, check your local building permits and requirements. If you plan on using the apartment as a rental unit, you might need to supply an extra parking space for the renter. You may also need to think of adding stairs to the exterior of the building for security reasons. Be sure to check the insurance requirements as well.
Where to find garage apartment plans
Two sources I like for garage apartment plans are a site called coolhouseplans and one titled archwaypress. Coolhouseplans can be found at www.coolhouseplans.com and Archway can be found at www.archwaypress.com.
Could you get that new garage apartment ... free?
I didn't think it would be possible to build a house or garage apartment free until I ran into this book titled "How To Build Your House Free."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that this new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
What does a small house plan cost?
How much would you expect to pay for a small house plan?
I've found them to be more affordable than I would have imagined.
For example, one web site I found offers small house plans, including a plan for this 950 sq. ft. home.
In this case, you can buy a single set of blueprints for $435, five sets of blueprints for $535 or complete CAD files for $915. And there is a complete bill of materials for $85.
The site has a bunch of other small house plans ranging in size from 600 to 953 sq. ft. at about the same prices.
I've found another site that has some really imaginative designs, including this 614 sq.ft. house ...
but imagination clearly costs more as the plans for this "Lisette Cottage" cost $950.
Naturally, there are a variety of other small house plans available from a number of different companies so there really is something for every taste and budget.
Could you build that small house ... free?
I didn't think you could build anything for free until I ran into this book titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of building that small house for free interests you, Click Here! for more information.
I've found them to be more affordable than I would have imagined.
For example, one web site I found offers small house plans, including a plan for this 950 sq. ft. home.
In this case, you can buy a single set of blueprints for $435, five sets of blueprints for $535 or complete CAD files for $915. And there is a complete bill of materials for $85.
The site has a bunch of other small house plans ranging in size from 600 to 953 sq. ft. at about the same prices.
I've found another site that has some really imaginative designs, including this 614 sq.ft. house ...
but imagination clearly costs more as the plans for this "Lisette Cottage" cost $950.
Naturally, there are a variety of other small house plans available from a number of different companies so there really is something for every taste and budget.
Could you build that small house ... free?
I didn't think you could build anything for free until I ran into this book titled "How to Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of building that small house for free interests you, Click Here! for more information.
A small house as a second or vacation home
If you're thinking of a second or vacation home, you should definitely be looking at small house plans as many of these plans work exceedingly well for a mountain or lake retreat.
I was looking checking out some small house plans earlier today and found several in the 600-800 sq. ft. category that I thought would make really fun second homes.
For example, one small house plan was for a house of 800 sq. ft. with two bedrooms and one bath and a footprint of just 30'x36' (see illustration, below). It seems to me that a house this size would make for an excellent vacation home as it could be built in a very small space .
This particular plan even calls for a porch in front and a screened porch in back - great for sitting out in the evening and enjoying the night air without having to enjoy mosquito attacks.
Could you build that vacation or second home without spending a dime?
I didn't think it was possible to build a doghouse, let alone a real house, for free until I ran into this book titled "How To Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that this new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
I was looking checking out some small house plans earlier today and found several in the 600-800 sq. ft. category that I thought would make really fun second homes.
For example, one small house plan was for a house of 800 sq. ft. with two bedrooms and one bath and a footprint of just 30'x36' (see illustration, below). It seems to me that a house this size would make for an excellent vacation home as it could be built in a very small space .
This particular plan even calls for a porch in front and a screened porch in back - great for sitting out in the evening and enjoying the night air without having to enjoy mosquito attacks.
Could you build that vacation or second home without spending a dime?
I didn't think it was possible to build a doghouse, let alone a real house, for free until I ran into this book titled "How To Build Your Free House."
The guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that this new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
The new urbanization and the small house
I have been reading more and more about the "new urbanization."
The online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, defines the new urbanization as New Urbanism believes in shifting design focus from the car-centric development of suburbia and the business park to concentrated pedestrian and transit-centric, walkable, mixed-use communities. New Urbanism is an amalgamation of old-world design patterns, merged with present day demands. It is a backlash to the age of suburban sprawl, which splintered communities, and isolated people from each other, as well as had severe environmental impacts. Concepts for New Urbanism include people and destinations into dense, vibrant communities, and decreasing dependency on vehicular transportation as the primary mode of transit."
Whew! That's some definition.
IMHO, a small house plan fits into the new urbanization because in many cites and towns you can still build a small house close to shopping, theaters and parks. This is because there are often still small lots available - lots that would never support one of those 3,000 sq. ft. houses that builders so love.
If you're into "green," you should especially consider a small house and a small house plan because a small house requires so much less energy to heat and cool.
We're currently looking for a lot in our town on which we could build a small house. In the meantime, I actually found a book that guarantees you can build your house free.
Is this for real?
Well, the guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
The online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, defines the new urbanization as New Urbanism believes in shifting design focus from the car-centric development of suburbia and the business park to concentrated pedestrian and transit-centric, walkable, mixed-use communities. New Urbanism is an amalgamation of old-world design patterns, merged with present day demands. It is a backlash to the age of suburban sprawl, which splintered communities, and isolated people from each other, as well as had severe environmental impacts. Concepts for New Urbanism include people and destinations into dense, vibrant communities, and decreasing dependency on vehicular transportation as the primary mode of transit."
Whew! That's some definition.
IMHO, a small house plan fits into the new urbanization because in many cites and towns you can still build a small house close to shopping, theaters and parks. This is because there are often still small lots available - lots that would never support one of those 3,000 sq. ft. houses that builders so love.
If you're into "green," you should especially consider a small house and a small house plan because a small house requires so much less energy to heat and cool.
We're currently looking for a lot in our town on which we could build a small house. In the meantime, I actually found a book that guarantees you can build your house free.
Is this for real?
Well, the guy who wrote the book, E.S. McArthur, says he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that you can own that new house for just 58% of the price you could immediately refinance or sell it for ... or even better, that new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
What exactly is a small house?
I read one definition of a small house recently that suggested any house smaller than 2,000 sq. ft. is a small house.
Boy! Has that definition changed over the years.
Twenty years ago I lived in a house that was less than 1,000 sq. ft., and yet it was big enough for me and two of my nearly-grown children.
Now, that was a small house.
I suppose my definition of a small house must also change but I would still set the bar at 1,500 sq. ft. or less a I just cannot accept the idea that a house with 1,900 sq. ft. is small.
If your area is like mine, it probably has a lot of "McMansions" - homes with 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 sq. ft. and more. I can't figure out for the life of me why any regulation-sized family (two adults, two or three kids) would need 5,000 sq. ft.
Even conventional-sized houses have increased in size to 3,000 to 3,500 sq. ft. because that's what builders want to build and what many families want to buy.
But that's for another time and another post.
The good news - or at least good from my perspective - is that there is a move back to small houses which means small house plans.
I think the reasons for this are twofold: First, I am seeing a lot of urban infill as more and more home buyers want to return to the city. And, let's face it, there are not a lots available in most cities where you could fit one of those 3,500 sq. ft. behemoths.
Second, a small house fits with many people's idea of living "green." A small house leaves a smaller footprint and requires less energy.
Finally, construction costs are growing almost exponentially. Not long ago, you could build your dream home for as little as $75 to $100 100 a sq. ft. Today, at least where I live, you'd be lucky to hold those costs to $150 a sq. ft. Multiply this by 1,500 sq. ft. and you can begin to see why more and more people are electing to build a small house.
Can you build that small house free?
Do you believe you could build that small house free? Well, one guy, E.S. McArthur says he has a system that can help you do just that. In fact, he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that the new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
Boy! Has that definition changed over the years.
Twenty years ago I lived in a house that was less than 1,000 sq. ft., and yet it was big enough for me and two of my nearly-grown children.
Now, that was a small house.
I suppose my definition of a small house must also change but I would still set the bar at 1,500 sq. ft. or less a I just cannot accept the idea that a house with 1,900 sq. ft. is small.
If your area is like mine, it probably has a lot of "McMansions" - homes with 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 sq. ft. and more. I can't figure out for the life of me why any regulation-sized family (two adults, two or three kids) would need 5,000 sq. ft.
Even conventional-sized houses have increased in size to 3,000 to 3,500 sq. ft. because that's what builders want to build and what many families want to buy.
But that's for another time and another post.
The good news - or at least good from my perspective - is that there is a move back to small houses which means small house plans.
I think the reasons for this are twofold: First, I am seeing a lot of urban infill as more and more home buyers want to return to the city. And, let's face it, there are not a lots available in most cities where you could fit one of those 3,500 sq. ft. behemoths.
Second, a small house fits with many people's idea of living "green." A small house leaves a smaller footprint and requires less energy.
Finally, construction costs are growing almost exponentially. Not long ago, you could build your dream home for as little as $75 to $100 100 a sq. ft. Today, at least where I live, you'd be lucky to hold those costs to $150 a sq. ft. Multiply this by 1,500 sq. ft. and you can begin to see why more and more people are electing to build a small house.
Can you build that small house free?
Do you believe you could build that small house free? Well, one guy, E.S. McArthur says he has a system that can help you do just that. In fact, he will guarantee you can own a brand new, high-quality, custom-built dream home in just a few months. He also says that the new house could cost you nothing.
Is this too good to be true? I would think so except for the fact that he guarantees his system. So, if the idea of a free house interests you, Click Here! for more information.
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