Excerpts from Prologue through Chapter Five
Prologue: Planning with a Purpose
Every endeavor has a purpose. The purpose of home planning is the goal of enjoying a new or existing home, whether buying a new or existing home, building a new home, remodeling, building an addition or working with a historic landmark that you plan on purchasing or restoring. The planning of your new home may change direction, but the goal—the purpose—always remains the same. Your goal is to have a home that is functional, economical, sturdy, aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic, but you may need to alter the plans along the way in order to achieve the goal.
The purpose of this book is to help save time, aggravation and money in your pursuit. Many people become frustrated because they do not understand the procedure involved in planning a new home. They may ask legitimate questions, and the answers may take considerable time. Many times those answers lead to more questions, so I decided that a lot of time could be saved by putting those questions and answers in book form for all who need assistance, providing as much information as possible before proceeding.
Every endeavor has a purpose. The purpose of home planning is the goal of enjoying a new or existing home, whether buying a new or existing home, building a new home, remodeling, building an addition or working with a historic landmark that you plan on purchasing or restoring. The planning of your new home may change direction, but the goal—the purpose—always remains the same. Your goal is to have a home that is functional, economical, sturdy, aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic, but you may need to alter the plans along the way in order to achieve the goal.
The purpose of this book is to help save time, aggravation and money in your pursuit. Many people become frustrated because they do not understand the procedure involved in planning a new home. They may ask legitimate questions, and the answers may take considerable time. Many times those answers lead to more questions, so I decided that a lot of time could be saved by putting those questions and answers in book form for all who need assistance, providing as much information as possible before proceeding.
Chapter One
The Decision to Buy, Build New or Remodel
ONCE upon a time, people and families built their homes one after another, painstakingly over long periods of time, with crude tools, from locally available materials as shelters and protection from the elements. Having suitable shelter is a basic human necessity; therefore home ownership is the American dream, even the world’s dream.
The reasons for building have changed considerably over the course of many generations and cultures. Marcos Pollio Vetruvius, considered by many to be the grandfather of organized architecture, described the three components of architecture as commodity, firmness and delight. Translated into twenty-first century vernacular, they are:
1. Purpose (functionality; a reason for its existence, such as a place to reside);
2. Sustainability (long lasting; cost effective)
3. Beauty (attractive; appealing)
For most people, they simply want the most home for the least amount of cost. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees.
The reasons for building have changed considerably over the course of many generations and cultures. Marcos Pollio Vetruvius, considered by many to be the grandfather of organized architecture, described the three components of architecture as commodity, firmness and delight. Translated into twenty-first century vernacular, they are:
1. Purpose (functionality; a reason for its existence, such as a place to reside);
2. Sustainability (long lasting; cost effective)
3. Beauty (attractive; appealing)
For most people, they simply want the most home for the least amount of cost. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees.
Chapter Two
The Design Process
There are many decisions to be made and it may seem like a long and cumbersome process, but the effort taken is worth the wait. Don’t try to hurry the process or believe that you are an expert if you have gone through this process before. It will only frustrate you, leave you disappointed, allow for avoidable mistakes to be made and leave you with doubts as to whether you made proper decisions along the way.
When starting the design process, you will have the opportunity to select a registered architect, a certified building designer or a draftsperson. For the sake of the discussion throughout this book, we will simply use the term design professional to designate any of those people.
The first thing to do is to establish a budget for your new home. If money is no object, call me right now! What did you say? Money is an object? Of course it is. Buying or building a new home is the most expensive investment most people make in their lifetimes. It is not a decision to be made lightly, hastily or rashly. Establish a budget; assemble a team that includes a qualified financial planner, real estate professional, design professional and a builder. Remember that this is an investment, not merely expenditure. You need to know what you can afford to build and how the investment will pay off in the future.
The Permit Process
Once the building plans are completed and paid for, the next step is to apply for a building permit. In some localities, it is a rather simple process of filing the application with the plans attached, paying the fee, waiting for plans review and beginning construction. In other areas, it is not quite that simple. The plans need to be reviewed by more than one plans examiner, and if anything is missing, incorrect or out of compliance with new regulations, they return the plans to the applicant with attached written comments for correction. Once approved, the permit can be issued immediately upon the payment of the necessary permit fees, impact fees and any other fees they may have implemented.
There are many decisions to be made and it may seem like a long and cumbersome process, but the effort taken is worth the wait. Don’t try to hurry the process or believe that you are an expert if you have gone through this process before. It will only frustrate you, leave you disappointed, allow for avoidable mistakes to be made and leave you with doubts as to whether you made proper decisions along the way.
When starting the design process, you will have the opportunity to select a registered architect, a certified building designer or a draftsperson. For the sake of the discussion throughout this book, we will simply use the term design professional to designate any of those people.
The first thing to do is to establish a budget for your new home. If money is no object, call me right now! What did you say? Money is an object? Of course it is. Buying or building a new home is the most expensive investment most people make in their lifetimes. It is not a decision to be made lightly, hastily or rashly. Establish a budget; assemble a team that includes a qualified financial planner, real estate professional, design professional and a builder. Remember that this is an investment, not merely expenditure. You need to know what you can afford to build and how the investment will pay off in the future.
The Permit Process
Once the building plans are completed and paid for, the next step is to apply for a building permit. In some localities, it is a rather simple process of filing the application with the plans attached, paying the fee, waiting for plans review and beginning construction. In other areas, it is not quite that simple. The plans need to be reviewed by more than one plans examiner, and if anything is missing, incorrect or out of compliance with new regulations, they return the plans to the applicant with attached written comments for correction. Once approved, the permit can be issued immediately upon the payment of the necessary permit fees, impact fees and any other fees they may have implemented.
Chapter Three
Selecting a Design Professional
There are several facets to the design process that make residential building design a unique profession. Selecting a design professional can be a cumbersome task if you are not acquainted with the procedure and are not prepared to ask the right questions. This chapter is designed to prepare you for shopping, interviewing and hiring the individual or team that will design your home.
Many people begin the task of seeking out a designer without a clue as to how or where to begin. So they pick up the phone book and start calling architects, building designers and drafting services with one simple question: “How much do you charge?” There is nothing wrong with starting the procedure by making random phone calls. However, price shopping is not a good idea when looking for a designer. Price does not necessarily equate with quality. Your home is the most expensive investment you will likely make in your lifetime. You don’t want to hire someone based solely on price.
“DO-IT-YOURSELF”
Why should you even consider commissioning someone to design your home? You have a pretty good idea of what you want, so why not just design your own home? Well, are you qualified to design your home? Many prospective clients call and say that they took some drafting classes in high school and know exactly what they want. So, why should they even consider hiring a design professional at all? They could do it all themselves. In most states, a designer is not even required, so designing your own home is legal and all that is needed is knowledge of the building code to prepare plans that will be legal for a building permit.
Chapter Four
Where to Build
When considering a building site, consider every aspect of that site. Your design professional may suggest that a geotechnical, civil or structural engineer preview the site and render an opinion as to what will be required for it to be buildable. That is another reason for hiring the design professional early in the thought process.
We have become a society that is addicted to the automobile. However, as the cost of owning, operating and maintaining those vehicles continues to increase, there is a correspondingly increased need to minimize their use. There is still a need for the Interstate Highway for long distance travel, especially for the transport of goods and services, but for general transportation needs, people will not need to drive miles to the grocery store or other places for goods and services. Businesses, schools, parks and other recreational facilities can all be located within easy walking or bicycling distance.
When entire communities are designed for practical living, then the homes in them can be designed for practical living. We can take a lesson from the old towns, villages and hamlets in Europe and emulate them within our urban and suburban settings.
The decision as to where to live is easy for some people. For others it may be more difficult or it may be decided by circumstances beyond their control, such as work, school, health or other issues. Whatever determines your location of domicile, make it yours, make it home and live happily ever after.
When considering a building site, consider every aspect of that site. Your design professional may suggest that a geotechnical, civil or structural engineer preview the site and render an opinion as to what will be required for it to be buildable. That is another reason for hiring the design professional early in the thought process.
We have become a society that is addicted to the automobile. However, as the cost of owning, operating and maintaining those vehicles continues to increase, there is a correspondingly increased need to minimize their use. There is still a need for the Interstate Highway for long distance travel, especially for the transport of goods and services, but for general transportation needs, people will not need to drive miles to the grocery store or other places for goods and services. Businesses, schools, parks and other recreational facilities can all be located within easy walking or bicycling distance.
When entire communities are designed for practical living, then the homes in them can be designed for practical living. We can take a lesson from the old towns, villages and hamlets in Europe and emulate them within our urban and suburban settings.
The decision as to where to live is easy for some people. For others it may be more difficult or it may be decided by circumstances beyond their control, such as work, school, health or other issues. Whatever determines your location of domicile, make it yours, make it home and live happily ever after.
Chapter Five
Planning for Your Lifestyle and Resale
“FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”
This is an old axiom of architecture that was coined by architect Louis Sullivan. The phrase essentially means that the function of the home takes precedence over the looks or style. However, there is no reason why the form of the structure cannot be a part of its function, giving it a sense of being, grace, beauty and identity. That’s what style does for a home.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLING
Some people mistakenly think that only expensive homes should be styled according to the common styles prevalent throughout architectural history. But that is not true. Every home, no matter how large or small, how lavish or modest, how expensive or affordable, can have style, character and beauty.
How should you style your home? Is it simply a matter of thumbing through plan books and magazines, seeing something that you think you like and trying to fit it into your neighborhood? If you are building in a run-of-the-mill neighborhood developed many years ago that has no defined style or image associated with it, you might get away with it. However, it is always best to do the job correctly.
These are excerpts from Practical Home Planning for the Twenty-First Century--Expanded Edition. To read more, click here.
“FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”
This is an old axiom of architecture that was coined by architect Louis Sullivan. The phrase essentially means that the function of the home takes precedence over the looks or style. However, there is no reason why the form of the structure cannot be a part of its function, giving it a sense of being, grace, beauty and identity. That’s what style does for a home.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLING
Some people mistakenly think that only expensive homes should be styled according to the common styles prevalent throughout architectural history. But that is not true. Every home, no matter how large or small, how lavish or modest, how expensive or affordable, can have style, character and beauty.
How should you style your home? Is it simply a matter of thumbing through plan books and magazines, seeing something that you think you like and trying to fit it into your neighborhood? If you are building in a run-of-the-mill neighborhood developed many years ago that has no defined style or image associated with it, you might get away with it. However, it is always best to do the job correctly.
These are excerpts from Practical Home Planning for the Twenty-First Century--Expanded Edition. To read more, click here.
