subject: Nc Retirement Communities-building A Custom Home, Part 2 Of 3 [print this page] Gathering Information Gathering Information
Like most families beginning the process of building a custom home, they have a whirl wind of ideas going through your mind of what would make the perfect home. Your important task is to organize those thoughts and write them down so that you can convey those needs and desires to your designer. Here are some helpful tips for organizing your information gathering efforts:
Scrapbook
One technique that has proven very helpful is to begin a scrape book. Each time you come across a news articles, magazine articles or web sites which demonstrate desirable features, put them into a scrapbook. Designers can take the scrap book and generate a precipitate of those ideas into a design that encompasses all your wishes.
Existing Designs
Another method is to simply find a design that you liked, perhaps in a model home that you visited or from online. From this the designer can evaluate how they can adjust this to exploit the features of the homesite and the architectural requirements of the review committee. While the final product may be different, it will help get the designer moving in the right direction.
Wish List
Spend some time and write down all you wishes and desires for you new home. This wish list can be as specific as you like, ranging from number of baths to brand of appliances. This list will be very helpful for the designer and is a great reference point that your builder can use to generate a building quote.
Home Design
Designer Versus Architect
Once you have selected a homesite it is time to have a home designed. There will be many area home designers and architects that can provide you with home plans, however it is important to note that those designers and architects experienced with designing homes in a specific community may be a better choice.
Many communities featured here maintain the highest design standards and designers and architects not familiar with the standards may find that there is a relatively steep learning curb to understand the requirements of the architectural review committee. This learning period may result in repeated submissions to the review committee, resulting in wasted time and money. There is a fee each time plans are submitted to the committee and these can become significant after several submissions.
What is the difference between a home designer and an architect?
Architects are licensed by the State to practice architecture. Although some specialize in designing custom residences, many architects in North Carolina specialize in larger projects including multi-residential and commercial buildings.
Designers are not licensed by the state, but are limited by law in North Carolina to designing single-family residential buildings; multifamily residential buildings , agricultural buildings; and in some cases, non-structural tenant improvements and facade renovations to commercial buildings.
Overall both are qualified to design your home, however a home designer will have the home plan sent to another company to have the engineering work performed and certified. Generally, a home designer will be more cost effective than an architect.
Builder-Designer
Some builders provide a comprehensive design and building services. Often, using a designer-builder will save you money for plans and allows for better cost control because as the home is being designed the designer-builder understands the cost implications associated with different home features. Also, with a designer-builder there is less chance for miscommunication with the designer and builder because they are under one roof.
The benefit of using a just a designer is that once you have a plan you are satisfied with, they can send it out to area builders, of your choosing, and you can scrutinize multiple offers. Typically, a designer-builder that designs your home wants to do the build and won"t design the home if they aren"t building the home.
Ultimately, your decision will boil down to who you feel most comfortable with regards to experience, reputation, and ability to execute your wishes.
Homesite Evaluation
Once you have selected a designer or designer-builder, they will visit the homesite and evaluate the property from all aspects to ensure that during the design process they are exploiting the nature features of the property. This is often done during the initial meetings with the designer, as well as with the builder. Many times the designer likes to visit the property in order to understand the canvas that they are working with, including elevations, exposure, tree coverage, location, and views.
Contracting and Fees
It is at this point that a designer will ask for you to sign a service contract. Fees vary greatly from one company to the next, but you can expect $3,000 to $17,000 for completed and engineered drawings. The lower price reflects changes to an existing plan, while the high price reflects plans created by a board certified architect. Beginning from a blank piece of paper to a completed design by a home designer you can anticipate plans beginning at $10,000, depending on the size and sophistication of the home.
The builder-designers will ask you to commit to a building contract at this point. Depending on the organization, home design fees billed up front and maybe credited toward the cost of the home at closing. In essence you receive you plans for free. If the home design fees is to credited at closing, this should be discussed prior to signing the building contract and provided in writing.
Conceptual Design
The conceptual design is provided after you have expressed your needs and desires to the designer and allows them to assemble their notes and conversation into a cohesive design. After completed, they will provide this design to you as a starting point.
Design Revision
After you have communicated changes with the designer the designer will develop another design based on your feedback. Assuming that the designer has hit the mark with you feedback, you are ready to choose a builder for your new home.
