Building a New Home

Building a New Home - Architectural Styles

Throughout history, nearly limitless amounts of architectural styles have evolved from various cultures around the world. These variations of construction technique provide their own distinct structural and aesthetic benefits and add a level of uniqueness and flare to a home.

Perhaps the most common type of residential architecture is the ranch style home. Making its debut in the 1930's, the ranch style home is very conservative and efficient. Small in size and usually single story, they usually follow an L-shape or U-shape design and are known for the use of natural materials: oak floors and wooden exteriors (although modernized materials are used these days as well). A general trend with this type of home is that the number of interior walls is insignificant, as an emphasis on open floor plans is used. However, unlike many modern-day homes, the ranch style house lacks flare and style. It was designed to be an easily constructed, economically friendly house, not something to show off to the family. Because of this, they are often used as "starter homes," meant for new couples in search of their first place of residence.

A medieval style of home that has survived through the ages is the English Tudor. Like the ranch style house, the English Tudor is known for its simplicity and functionality, although it does have a few recognizable distinctions. As was the accepted standard in medieval times, the roof pitch on these homes is significantly steeper than modern homes. The Tudor arch is also a feature that has found its place in modern architecture. Unlike the Greek arches which are the more common style, the Tudor arch is pointed at its apex rather than rounded the entire way. Often times this style is implemented on churches, which stems directly back into history. Many older areas of the United States, such as Massachusetts, retain this architectural style from the early days of the Thirteen Colonies.

A more foreign influence, the Spanish Colonial style, is present in many areas of the country with a warmer climate (which is why it is now sometimes referred to as the California style). This style of architecture is famous for its use of stucco, which is similar in composition to plaster, as an exterior material. The roofing material is rather unique as well, for instead of wooden or fiberglass composite shingles or shakes, the Spanish Colonial style house uses Terracotta tiles, which are essentially hard, rounded clay. These tiles are usually a shade of red in color, accompanied by a lighter, tan colored stucco. A common theme amongst this style of home is the use of earth tones in the external materials. For warmer areas of the world that get less rain, this style of house works well, but Terracotta tiles do not handle precipitation well, thus it is not recommended for wetter climates.

Similar to the Spanish Colonial style is Mediterranean style architecture. Conceived in a similar climate, stucco and Terracotta tiles are predominately used, which once again maintain the earth tones. However, in some ways, Mediterranean architecture is a bit more elaborate than its Spanish counterpart. Rounded corners are a common structure, as are arches (usually similar in style as the Tudor arch with a pointed apex as opposed to the completely rounded Greek arch). Domed roofs are also popular in this style of construction, although not as common for residential buildings. Similar to the Spanish Colonial style in this regard as well, Mediterranean architecture is primarily found in warmer climates.

While there are countless other architectural styles, the aforementioned three have influenced architecture today the most and are still the dominant styles. Many of the lesser styles are simply offshoots or adaptations of the primary types. With an inconceivable number of variations possible, today's homes offer a unique experience, regardless of the architecture style that it boasts.

Building vs. Buying a Home

At some point when looking for a new home, the decision whether or not to buy or build a home will arise. While, ultimately only the prospective homeowner is able to know what is best for them, there are some guidelines to aid in the quest for an answer.

Building a home from the ground up gives the owner a great deal of freedom in terms of customization. Barring restrictive construction codes or policies in the area, there are virtually limitless possibilities. Location, lot size, house size, materials, landscaping, and many other features have yet to be established, thus the homeowners retain the ability to develop these plans to fit their needs and desires. Many features in prebuilt homes are not included in an attempt to keep the price down. For example, some homes do not come stock with air conditioning systems, while others are given bare minimums in terms of landscaping. These features, while succeeding in reducing the cost, will be a much greater hassle--and more expensive--to be added on after the house is already built. Building a home avoids these delayed conflicts through its incredible customization.

However, freedom of choice comes at a steep price. While the only expense of a prebuilt home is the cost of the house, property, and real estate agent, building a home requires much more; architects, landscapers, and construction crews must all be employed in addition to the aforementioned expenses. The economic burden worsens even further if the purchased land requires any amount of extra preparation before the construction of the house begins. Digging, leveling, draining, etcetera will all add to the total price of the project, even more so than one might expect. Homeowners may be required by the city to purchase a permit in order to build on a property as well, although this is not the norm.

Also, building a home takes much more time, upwards to about eight months to a year in total. The only time concerns with buying a house is waiting for the seller of the house to relocate, as well as the time it takes for the homeowner's house to sell. This leads to another potential conflict with building a home: if a home is being built, the homeowners are in the process of selling their current house. Especially if the real estate industry is struggling at the moment, selling a home can be very difficult and time consuming. What would happen if the home did not sell in time, and the new home was completed? Regardless of whether or not anyone lives in the new home, payments must be made on it, thus the homeowner is forced to make payments on both homes until the original home is sold. This can be detrimental, since building a new home is economically debilitating as it is.

Like any decision, there are pros and cons for both courses of action. Depending on the customization desires of the homeowner, building a new home may or may not be the best decision. If a prebuilt home satisfies their needs, it is an excellent option. Building a new home is expensive and time consuming, but its rewards grossly outweigh the trials and tribulations involved in the process.

Choosing a One or Two Story Home

While many people don't put a whole lot of thought into whether or not they want a one or two story house, there are many pro's and con's that come with both and they both should be considered for anyone who is serious about building their own home. Many factors play a part in the decision, such as pets, children, and physical ability along with personal presence.

To start with the pros of a one story house. They are very easy to clean, both inside and out. Everything is generally at an arm's length away and vacuuming is a breeze. One of the main advantages of having a one story house is that the windows are very easy to clean. You won't need a ladder or long wash pole to reach any of them. One story houses are also generally easier to heat. They have a lot fewer windows which is the number one source for heat transfer in houses. It will also generally take less heating power since the volume of the house is much smaller than a two story house and the heat will not rise to the upper story but instead stay on ground level and keep you and your family warm. One story houses also add another level of safety for you and your children. Small and even grown children may fall down the stairs for whatever reason. Whether it is dark in the hallway or they are just too little to know better the stairwell is one of the number one causes for injury in the home.

The cons of a one story house are often the benefits of a two story house. Those cons would be that ultimately one story houses tend to be smaller and less efficient when it comes to space. If you absolutely need the most room possible you may want to opt for a two story house. One story houses tend to be more closed off. While that is closely linked to the fact it is smaller the space is usually wasted more often and the floor plans are much tighter than usual. If you are claustrophobic or like a nice airy floor plan you may want to look into a two story house also.

Moving on to two story houses, there are many unique features and benefits to owning a two story house. Two story houses usually have a much larger variety of architectural styles. The added surface area on the outside of the house really adds a lot of potential for decoration and architectural design possibilities. Not only that but a two story house adds much more wall space and floor space on the inside for those who are identify themselves as decorators.

The few downside's to two story houses have been mentioned above as the one story houses pros. That is that they are hard to head properly due to the fact the hot air usually raises to the top of the house. This can be compensated for by moving the living area or lounge upstairs or not installing heating vents near the stair well. You can also install heavy wood doors and keep them closed to keep the heat from escaping. Two story houses also tend to be more dangerous for animals and children but with the proper precautions this can be avoided, and if you are willing to take on the endeavor of cleaning a two story house it might just be for you.

Both styles have a lot of give and while they both have problems to be deal with it's important that you look at the benefits of the houses and make your decision based on that since most all of the problems associated with two or one story houses can be easily overcome.

Dealing With Contractors

One of the major processes of building your own house is dealing with all the contractors. This can not only be one of the hardest and most trying processes of the whole ordeal but it may very well be the most expensive and time consuming if not handled properly. There are some tricks and tips to dealing with contractors which will make the building period move much more quickly and smooth.

The first step to dealing with a contractor is simply picking out the right one. The whole process may be set up to fail from the beginning if a lousy contractor was selected for the job. There are a number of ways to see if the contractor you've selected is any good. The first would be contact the Better Business Bureaus and see if any complaints have been filed again the company in which your contractor belongs to. Most if not all of the major disputes that occur in a company that should be well avoided are filed with the Better Business Bureaus, this is also why you yourself should file any complaints you have with your contractors, so that any customers that come after you have the ability and resources to know exactly what happened. The next strategy for sniffing out a bad contractor would be references. Simply ask the person at the desk if you may have contacts for various references they have. Most all companies will have listed references ready to hand to you seeing as this request is very common. Although most of these references have been hand selected by the firm themselves for people who have had the absolute best experience with them, whether or not that is the average service they provide. So a little trick that may get you better and more accurate information is simply stand in the parking lot of the agency and ask customers that are walking in and out what their experience has been with the contractors and company themselves. You may get a few strange looks but many will be obliged to give you an answer and most often than not that answer is far more accurate that anything you will get from their hand selected references.

Once you have found a decent contractor the next step is coming to an agreement. This is not simply a verbal one but everything needs to be on paper. The contract is your main communication and verification if anything happens to go wrong. If anything is changed at all that change should also be included in a newly drafted contract. Even if you have a very clear verbal agreement with the contractor he may not always remember due to his high number of jobs are being overseen and if anything goes wrong your amended contract will keep the contractor honest and keep you protected.

The day to day grind is where most of the problems arise. Miscommunication is a daily occurrence and cause headaches for both parties involved.. The best way to avoid this is to get your contractors business card and keep a close eye on him. This does not mean call him whenever you wish but if anything goes wrong and something is not right give him a call and explain this situation. The quicker it is stopped the easier it is to reverse. I the end if you have selected a good contractor and keep the lines of communication open, working with them should be rather pleasant and hopefully both parties will be satisfied.

Finding The Perfect Location

When it comes to deciding on a location for a house it can seem like a daunting task. With the world at your fingertips it can be hard to even begin finding out where you would like to build your home. Naturally the first step should be finding the country you would like to live in. For most people this is not hard but for some who are multi-lingual or have the need to explore it may be tough. Some suggestions would be to first look at your option linguistically. Will you be able to communicate in this new country? If not are you willing to learn? If either of those are yes the next step is to decide if you can afford to live there. If you have the income already and have researched the living expenses then you are ready to make your decision. If not then you must look at what type of job you are able to get there and what it's average pay is. It's also important to look at the unemployment rate of the area incase anything comes up, and while it may seem like common sense you should generally have a job lined up by the time you actually move, or at least a large sum of money to live off of until you can get a job. Nothing would be worse than being stuck in the middle of a foreign country, with no money and a half built house.

The next part of the selection is to narrow down what city you would like to live in. Usually it is helpful to divide the cities into three categories. They will be rated on a scale of one two or three with three being the absolute most you can afford and one being rather comfortable to live in. Take into account the cost of living of all of these different cities and sort them into the three categories. The next step is rather large and for the sake of space it will be condensed here. All of the absolute necessities should be listed and researched about each city. This includes the quality of schools around the area, the opportunity for careers and career advancement and anything else that might be vital to your living situation such as medical care or other facilities that are needed. Depending on how each city rates they should either be thrown out completely or rated on a scale of your choice.

The next step is to rate amenities available in the city. These will incorporate just about anything you can thing of from the culture of the city to the things there are to do. An important thing to take into consideration is which of these costs money and how much? Many places around the world have an endless amount of events to attend and participate in but a large amount of them costs a large amount of money. While one city may have the most things to do in terms of quantity you should be looking for the cost to enjoyment ratio, which means you take into account how fun something is to you and how much it will cost you. Once again mark down a rating on the chart for each city.

The next and final step is to go through all the cities on your new chart and pick up all the best ones from the ratings and even a few that aren't rated the best but you may still be interested in. Once you have sorted through these take the ones you have chosen and research them much deeper. If possible even take a trip to that city and see what it's like. At the end you should have researched each city thoroughly and should be able to determine which would be the most fitting for you and your new home.

Framing a House

Once the foundation of a house is complete, framing begins. This is perhaps the most exciting part of the construction process, because the owners can witness their new home transforming from a distant possibility to a vivid reality.

Contrary to popular belief, a home is only about one third of the way built upon the conclusion of framing. The amount of material used for this portion of the process can be misleading when considering the project's overall level of completion. Another noteworthy addition: certain building codes are adhered to while framing is commencing. These regulations standardize home construction and provide an accepted frame of reference for style, dimensions, materials, and other specific facets of construction.

Wooden beams, studs, and floor joists are typically used for home framing. Primarily assembled on site, the frame is erected one wall at a time. Wall frames are laid on the ground with the bottom edge aligned in place, then lifted upwards into position. Floor framing is done first, then exterior walls, are generally set into place, followed by interior walls. Great care is taken during this segment of the construction of a home, for the framework is the primary structural support for the entire house. Warped wood, uneven cuts, or misalignment can lead to dangerous and expensive structural malfunctions later on. Once all wall frames are assembled and put into place, a thick insulting foam pad is added in each of the exterior walls. These pads act as a barrier from both weather and sound. Windows and doors are not yet added. The front door and garage door, as well as all windows, are added after framing is complete. Interior doors are brought in much later. Ceiling joists are then placed on top of the top floor's framework, running parallel to each other in the same direction as the floor framing, usually left to right as opposed to front to back.

Some terms used may be unfamiliar to many. Load-bearing walls, the walls provide the greatest amount of support, are set perpendicular to the floor framing and ceiling joists. By doing this, the load-bearing walls press down directly on top of the foundation and footing, pressing it into the ground, which gives the house better support and stability. Most exterior walls, load-bearing and not, are thicker than interior walls (the accepted standard is six inches). This is not only for stability, but also to allow room for cables, wiring, and insulation within the walls. Because of the extreme importance of load-bearing walls, it is imperative to consult a number of experienced professionals before attempting a do-it-yourself remodeling involving the removal or manipulation of the walls. Failure to do so could result in tragic events.

Internal walls, however, are more for the division of the house than for support (although the latter is an effect as well), so they may run either parallel or perpendicular to the floor framing and ceiling joists. Some interior walls, especially with today's modern trends, are placed at various angles for aesthetic flare as well as functionality. As previously stated, interior walls are thinner than exterior walls, measuring four inches in depth. All walls, regardless of position, range from eight to twelve feet in height (of course, vaulted ceilings add a wrinkle to these dimensions). Although less crucial to the home's structure, interior walls are another piece of the house that should be researched before attempting any remodeling or removal.

Once the framing is complete, the house begins to become increasingly vibrant every day. Dry wood, exposed nails and wires, and an abundance of dust is replaced by hardwood floors, cabinets, carpet, and drywall. The home is erected, now is the time to clean it up and make it livable.

Heating and Cooling Options

Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind while building a new home, heating and cooling systems are an important part of the construction process. Since these systems are fairly difficult and expensive to alter once installed, it is even more imperative to make the correct decision the first time upon the home's initial construction, lest both time and money be consumed far faster than one would anticipate.

In terms of heating a home, fireplaces are always a popular route to take. There are various types of fireplaces to consider. Wood fireplaces with chimneys are generally larger and found in older and rustic style homes. Many people who live out of town prefer this kind of fireplace, as it provides an inexpensive source of natural heat that requires only manual labor. However, the wood fireplace is not necessarily a reasonable option in cities, specifically within newer subdivisions. As an alternative, many city dwellers opt for a gas fireplace. Many people view this as an attractive option because this type of fireplace is much smaller (often times fitting flush with a wall), more elegant in style, and requires only the flip of a switch to activate. However, as a result of using gas for heat, it is much more expensive than a wood fireplace.

In addition to a fireplace--or multiple fireplaces--a thermostat is almost always the primary source of both heating and cooling. Most thermostats are controlled through a wall-mounted box and can allow for customization of the temperature within a house. A specific temperature or a range of temperatures for the system to maintain can be entered. The specified temperature or temperature range is then attained by controlling cool and warm air through a series of vents stationed throughout the house. However, despite the fact that it seems like a flawless system, that is not the case. Since the temperature sensor resides on the thermostat itself, it gauges how much warm and cold air to emit based on the temperature in the surrounding area. Anyone who has taken a basic science class knows that heat rises, so upstairs is always warmer than downstairs. Therefore, while the thermostat is content with the temperature within its vicinity, anyone upstairs is most likely uncomfortable and forced to open a window or use a fan small fan. So if considering a thermostat--which is highly recommended--definitely consider putting in a thermostat both upstairs and downstairs. It will cost a bit extra, but it is undoubtedly worth it. Another facet of the thermostat to consider is the price. Since it pumps out artificial air, it requires electricity. Because of this, families who use the thermostat in excess will find themselves appalled when the electric bill comes.

Although a bit more primitive, the furnace is another method of home heating that is still used in many instances today. Furnaces are permanent fixtures--usually found in a garage or basement--that attach to ventilation ducts in the ceiling. These ducts run through various parts of the house, branch off towards various rooms and attach to air vents. Furnaces are usually fueled by natural gas or petroleum, thus making it slightly more cost effective than a thermostat. However, a furnace has a much more limited range of functions than its high tech counterpart. First of all, a furnace only provides heat, so temperature control is not possible, only temperature increase. Also, a furnace is manually operated and requires a constant supply of fuel as opposed to an infinite supply of electrical power. However, for a simple, lower cost heating system, the furnace has its place.

After expending time, money, and patience building a home, one would at least prefer to be comfortable all year long. This is made possible by the various types of heating systems. Choose carefully, for it is easy to become engrossed in the latest and greatest (which in turn leads to the highest price), and not all homes require such quality. There is an ideal temperature control system for every situation.

Hiring Special Services

While special services such as electricians and plumbers may be part of the company you hired with your contractor there are times where you must seek out these professionals on your own and hire them. This selection of specialized craftsmen can pose a difficulty for you when constructing your new house. Following a few procedures carefully should help you avoid any friction and trouble in the building and hiring process.

There are many different reasons why you would need to hire a specialized contractor. Whether it is because they were not included in the contract that was drafted for the company building your house or if you need specialized work that was not included in the contract.

The first step to hiring the right man or woman for the job is to outline what exactly you need done. List everything you are going to be needing done and in what time period. The next step is to find a list of every specialized contractor in the surrounding area and find the numbers for them all. Give their local office a call and describe the job you need done and make sure to include the time frame in which it needs to be completed.

After you have called every office you can possibly find and found which companies can complete the job you need done in the required time frame, it's time to research. There are various different research methods from online communities to the Better Business Bureaus. Although one of the best ways to find out which company would be best is through references. Since by now you most likely have a lengthy list of candidates it is best to use the conventional methods of research to first narrow down which contractor you are looking to hire. After that call up their office of even better go to their office and ask for references. Don't forget to ask people in the parking lot or anyone you know who has used them to comment on their experience. These seemingly random interviews with people will most likely reveal a much more accurate description of the specialized contractor than what their provided references will say. The other option for finding a contractor is to simply ask one you have used in the past that was good. Even if they are not able to do the job themselves they will be able to suggest a quality one to do the job for you. Most specialized, licenses contractors do not associate themselves with others who do poor work so you can with some confidence believe the company that was suggest is good, but that does not mean you don't have to research them.

After the specialized contractor is hired it is important to do two things. Draft up a separate contract outlining his responsibilities and all your needs for the project and secondly have him meet with the construction manager for the house. It is important that the two meet and discuss anything they may need to such a logistics and time lines. This will help reduce any problems or mishaps on the job. During construction there are times their jobs may rely on the other to have theirs done, which is why this step is crucial. Besides any unforeseeable problems the construction of the house and specialized services should go rather smoothly.

How To Build a Low Cost House

While many focus and dream about building the perfect house for them. With hot-tubs and saunas and a 6 car garage many others dream about owning their own home that they build from the ground up. Unfortunately even though building your own house can be less expensive than buying an already made one, not everyone can afford this sort of project, but a lot don't know they can. This article will outline how you can build your very own customized house for as cheap as possible.

While there are many financial tricks and investing and loan strategies to make the process easier, many are not aware of the simple things that can be done to drive down planning and construction costs for their new home. The first step is to find cheap land. While it may not be the land of your dreams it will be perfect for your house to sit upon. Find land that is not in a prime location and that is not surrounded by developments. This will not only keep the price of the land down since developers will not want to purchase it now or in the near future, it will also keep the taxes on your land down since the value of the plot will not increase.

After the perfect land has been selected make sure to get is appraised and inspected. While it may increase initial costs the fee for a professional inspection is only a couple hundred dollars and it will save you money in the long run if any problems are found. Poor soil and erosion can cause serious damage to homes that not only cost a lot to repair but drive insurance rates through the roof.

When drafting up your houses design there is one major tip to save money. Find an architect that deals with pre-constructed homes or has a catalog of pre-designed homes (much like those that developers use) and simply have him modify them. While you may not get a completely custom home you are usually able to get most of the features you want at a fraction of the price. Since the architect already has a large base to work off of and is only making minor changes, his fee's will be much cheaper than opposed to having him draft a whole new house. The other bonus to this is most pre-designed homes use common measurements and are designed to be as cost effective when building as possible. This translates to money saved for you since that homes is the basis for your new custom home.

Contracting all of the work from one contractor can not only save a lot of headaches when figuring out logistics, but it can save a lot of money too. Contractors will usually provide a discount for repeating customers or for customers that are hiring the firm to do everything, from building the foundation to wiring the house and installing windows. You may also save money if you are willing to let the project take an extended period of time. Letting the house sit and the contractors move on to other project during the busy weeks and seasons can save you money in the long run.

The last step to saving money on your house is in the products you buy for it. Look for discounted appliances and energy efficient utilities. Good windows and an efficient heater will save a lot of money in the long run and a lot even offer tax breaks upon purchasing them. Using a couple of the tips provided anyone can build a cheap, cost effective home.

How to Buy Land

While many may consider land to be a universal piece of property with no distinction between various lots, that is not the case. A number of factors influence the value of the property and the ability to be built upon.

Of course, location is the primary indicator of the property's value. A beachfront piece of land will grossly outweigh a lot on the outskirts of town in terms of price. More specifically, lots in close proximity to certain structures, such as schools, theaters, etcetera, will fetch a higher premium. Also keep in mind that a home built on a piece of property in a remote area will have additional charges; a septic tank costs a great deal to install, and utility lines must be run to the property. Since the location of the home is the greatest influence on the purchase of land, it is important to keep these factors in mind at all times.

Also, the condition and topography of the land will heavily influence its usability and value. Wet or rocky soil and steep terrain will increase the necessary labor and the overall cost of improving it. Even after the extra expenses are paid, soil trends are permanent, so even an improved lot with wet soil will present some complications later on. Sewage lines and access to public roads are another feature that need to be taken into account. Unless utility vehicles can access a home, the homeowner is alone in the care of the property.

But who can land be bought from? Unless a property is owned by an individual, the most likely scenario is that the city or a company owns the land. In this case, purchasing is simple, for the transaction takes place through an organization. If, however, in individual is selling the land, some precautions must be taken. First of all, one should find out why the owner is selling the land; it may be a simple change of scenery, or it could be because there are some problems with the land that were recently noticed. Just like buying a used car, do some research on the land before purchasing to make sure everything checks out. Also, inquire as to what type of deed will be included with the purchase. Unless the buyer obtains a deed, they do not own the property, so this is a critical step. Insurance is another topic to ask about. Is insurance included? Can it be purchased separately? Most likely, land insurance will be an extra expense. Finally, are there any land or neighborhood codes to abide by? Certain locations, due to historical significance or wildlife protection, will be prohibited from major renovations or change. Violators of these policies may incur a hefty fine. Many subdivisions have their own standards as well. Outlandish home colors, unkempt landscape, or other such offenses may result in fines as well, so be aware of the individual policies of the area. To avoid hassle and deceit, it is advised to purchase land from the city or company. Should the situation arise, however, be wary when conducting transactions with individuals.

As angst and anticipation of a new home begin to take hold, make certain that the purchase of land is not done in haste. Major complications my appear later on, even if they are not apparent at the present time.

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