Home Design Software Tips – Before You Build

The benefits of using home design software can be unbelievable. Whether you have experience with home-building design or not, home design software can give you a pretty clear picture of what the new house is actually going to look like and this is wonderful.

1. Make sure that you understand how the software works. Take some time to read the instructions and practice using the software until you become comfortable with all of the tools and other options that are available in the program.

2. Get a couple of books on house design, to make sure that you are designing everything so that it will function and flow properly in the new house. In other words, don’t make your hallways to big and your bedrooms too small.

3. Don’t design a house with engineering problems. Your home could look marvelous on your computer, but have engineering problems. Don’t get too excited, before you actually try to figure out if the home can be built.

4. Once you have a pretty good design, you’re going to need to make sure that all of the electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems will actually work and function well with the home design.

5. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to understand how homes are actually constructed, before you design one. I can’t tell you how many architects I have worked with, who don’t understand how homes are actually built.

If you have the house design software, design a couple of different buildings, before … Read More

Home Improvement Plumbing Projects For Under $500

In many cases, people think that they can do a lot of projects around the house themselves, but they get nervous when it comes to home improvement plumbing. Plumbing projects can get expensive but, many times, that is because of the cost of labor. There are many simple plumbing projects that can be completed without a professional for less than $500.

One thing that someone can do to update their bathroom is change the faucets. The faucet itself can be found for less than one hundred dollars and, if someone is confident that they can install it on their own, that will be the extent of the expense. Replacing old faucets with new ones is a quick and easy way to change the entire look of a bathroom.

Another renovation that is equally simple is replacing the shower head. It is easy to find a new shower head for as little as twenty dollars and installing it only takes a few minutes. Not only will this make the shower look nicer, but it can greatly improve the water pressure, resulting in showers that leave everyone feeling cleaner and more relaxed. There is also the benefit of saving water, which will decrease both the water bill and the electric bill, as the hot water heater will not have to have to fill as often or as much after the family takes a shower.

While some plumbing projects are purely cosmetic, others are incredibly important. Having a hot water heater that is … Read More

Start Your Home Design Using These Home Design Tools

You’ve decided you want to build a new home. Where do you start? First, we suggest you purchase your land, as this will surely impact the design of your home. Second, start putting your ideas together before visiting your architect.

Start with a vision of your new home. Is there a certain architectural style you prefer? Colonial? Capes? Saltbox? Farmhouse? From there, start with the basics in home design. How many bedrooms will you need? Do you want a Master Bedroom with or without a Master Bathroom suite? Will it be located on the first or second floor? If this is a vacation home which will become your retirement home, you may prefer to have the main rooms located on the first floor for easy access in later years. Do you want a large, eat-in kitchen or a separate dining room?

Are you planning to entertain small or large groups of people in your home? Is a cathedral Great Room on your list of priorities? Will you need a living room or media room separate from your Great Room? Do you have a specific hobby or interest that requires a separate room or area?

Compare all of these areas with your current home. Does the space you have now fit your needs? Write down the measurements of your space and then mark whether or not the space is adequate. Wherever possible, look for areas to reduce the living space. For instance, if you have a large laundry room now and … Read More