While finding or designing the perfect home plan for your family may seem like an easy first step, we can assure you, it’s not. Many building or remodeling projects are over budget and behind schedule before they ever begin simply because too many people assume that developing a home plan is easy.

When you discover and implement the “5 Secrets to Designing Home Plans that Fit Your Family”, you will:

1. Customize a home to your family’s needs
2. Create a healthy, happy home
3. Balance your home and budget goals
4. Save money
5. Streamline your time

One family, already thousands over budget and months behind schedule, recently discovered these 5 secrets,

“If we had followed these steps to begin with we would have money in the bank and our project would be done. We didn’t understand how important it was to plan for our home plan. Now that we know we tell everyone to stop and follow the steps.”

Secret #1 – Defining Space Customizes Your Home for Your Family
When you want plans for your building or remodeling project, traditional advice tells you to start looking at home plan books and collecting pictures. While this approach will show you what you like, it really won’t show you what you need. It’s time to stop and think about the kind of spaces you and your family need and want. By defining your space needs, you can pre-customize your home. Start a journal and record your discoveries.

Where you are now?

• What works about your space? What functions well? Which rooms do you love?
• What doesn’t work about your space? What space is missing or which space is unused?
• Are there rooms that are too small or too big? If you have a room that is comfortable, measure it so you have a point of reference when looking at plans.

Who will live in the space?

• Have a family meeting and ask everyone to define what’s important to them. Do they need more room to play or have friends over?
• Does anyone need more storage?
• How about another bathroom for getting ready in the morning?
• Do you plan to retire from this home? Should the master suite and laundry be on the main level?

Track your living patterns.

• Watch how your family lives for the next ten days. Record what rooms you spend the most time in.
• Where are the traffic jams getting out the door in the morning?
• How has your family adapted to live in the space and what would make it better?
• What rooms need to be next to one another and which should NOT?

Secret #2 – Deciding Your Style Creates a Healthy, Happy Home
Amazing design and beautiful decor don’t automatically provide you with functionality and efficiency. It’s important to think about your family’s interests, the company you keep, and your various needs in relation to hobbies, storage, and workspace.

Compliment your family’s lifestyle.

• Where will you build? Waterfront, country setting, a family-packed neighborhood?
• Will your home be formal and detailed or casual and comfortable?
• Do you need a room for special hobbies?

Create places for life to happen.

• Will you be entertaining family and friends? Is it informal or formal entertaining?
• Do you need room for indoor recreation?
• Do you want your home to be a haven for relaxation?
• Do you have frequent house guests?
• Will someone be conducting a business out of the home

Know where you’ll put your things.

• Maximize your space by thinking about hobbies and work spaces
• Will you need extra storage?
• Will it need to be easily accessible?

Secret #3 – Determining Your Budget Balances Your Goals
A critical step in the plan development process is matching your dream home plans to your budget. One of the most common mistakes in creating a customized home plan is simply overlooking the available budget. Plan ahead so you don’t find yourself having to cut corners when it’s too late and too expensive.

Consider your financial goals.

• Is this home an investment stepping stone?
• Will you live in this home long enough for it to be part of your retirement portfolio?

Compute your monthly payments.

• Know what your end costs will be in regards to mortgage, insurance, property taxes, homeowner association dues, etc.
• Get a general idea on the potential cost of various utilities – power, heat, garbage, cable and Internet etc.

Control your project costs.

• Know in advance where your budget limits are and stick to them.

Secret #4 – Directing Your Design Professional Saves You Money
Once you start identifying your family’s needs and your ideas begin to develop, you’ll need to look to a professional designer, architect, or other various custom home design resources. All custom homes require engineering and this step will help you convert your dreams into a hard copy, paper reality.

Partner with a design professional.

• Will you use a Designer or an Architect? Do you know the difference?
• What about choosing between stock plans, and modified or custom design resources?

Prepare for clear communication.

• How will you communicate with your design professional or design resource? Phone, email, fax, in person?

Plan together.

• Make sure that all the parties involved are on the same page.
• Keep communication lines open and speak up when necessary.

Secret #5 – Partnering with a Construction Consultant Streamlines Your Time
Control your plan selection and design process.

• Using the expertise of a construction consultant, you control the how your home is designed through a detailed review of the plans at every stage of their design.

Connect with qualified, competitive plan resources and professionals.

• Get referrals for stock plans, designers and architects.
• These design professionals can help you turn your plans and dreams into the reality of your new home.

Capitalize on having an expert on your team.

• Retaining a professional construction consultant will advise you through the process, giving you the control and confidence to make smart decisions that will allow you to avoid costly mistakes and build more home for your money.

Only you and your family will know what is right for you in your dream home. Taking the time to follow these steps and partnering with a construction consultant will give you the guidance you need to plan and build the home you want and need, on time and on budget.