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Understanding Local Building Code

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Building your dream home begins with finding the ideal piece of property. Even if you haven’t decided on a floor plan, investigate how local residential building codes limit the use of the property. Residential building codes establish energy and building guidelines, intended to protect the safety and health of the occupants.

Do you have to comply with the building code? The answer is a definite, “Yes.” Do not try to avoid compliance.  Not only is the building code the law, complying with it will ensure that your house is safe. If there was an accident in your house and someone gets injured or you have a house fire and it was learned that the accident was the result of a building code violation, you would be liable and your homeowners insurance would not cover the injury or loses.

It’s also hard to avoid complying with the building code. When you get your building permit for your house plan, it triggers a series of inspections that must be performed at critical points in the construction. Foundations, framing, plumbing, wiring, insulation, and many more items must be inspected by the inspector for the jurisdiction before they can be covered up with subsequent construction.

Your new house’s floor plan must meet the residential building code in your jurisdiction not just to be legal and complying, but to be safe and healthy. Please never consider the requirements of the residential building code to be onerous, silly requirements. Each provision serves a purpose or addresses a problem that occurred in the past.

Before you even begin to design your house or addition, check with your local building department and find out what building or residential code they use and which edition is in force. You can either purchase a copy of the code or, if it’s available, view it on-line. It is particularly important to be sure you review the local, county, and state pages that amend the standard residential building code in your area. There could be some critical provisions that only apply to where you are building.

If you want to be sure your home building project complies with the residential building code, hire an architect. Architects must pass a rigorous exam to ensure they are knowledgeable and understand how to design a house safely, beautifully, and in compliance with the building code.  Also, always remember, we at The Plan Collection are available to guide you in the right direction.

Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Picking a House Plan

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108-1328 Floor Plan with Guest Quarters
House design includes separate guest cottage by the pool.

Building your own home is quite possibly the most exciting and rewarding endeavor for anyone to undertake. With the right decisions and choices, undoubtedly your home will not only exude comfort and happiness, but also financial security in the future.  And it all starts with the perfect home design. But before arriving on tough decisions, you’ve got to be really truthful with yourself in answering these questions.

1. Is your spouse in 100% agreement to build?

You and your partner will be faced in making decisions when choosing house plans and building your new home, and the stress of the big choices can put considerable strain on your marriage. It is a must that you are in this endeavor together.

2. How large is the house do you really need?

Size is a huge consideration for you if you are going to choose a house plan. An ideal house plan should be big enough to house a growing family, but small enough that there wouldn’t be too much space should you decide that you don’t want to add children to the mix.

3. When do you want to move in?

The time it takes to construct the home plan varies depending on the size of the house and the builder, but in general, new home construction takes between three to six months.

4. Where do you want to live and is land available?

Choose your target place to live in and take into consideration the restrictions in home designs. Along with size requirements, some developers require certain roof pitches, certain exterior finish materials, and so on. You also should know the topography of the lot.

5. What is the budget for possible design changes, financing fees, land, construction, appliances, and cost overruns?

Look at your budget which will equate to the size of the home. If it doesn’t fit budget-wise, you’re at an impasse. Talk to your home designer for budget does not merely mean the size of your home but also what you want to put in it.

6. Do you have enough money in savings?

You should not entirely rely on lending companies with your house construction. You have to make sure that you have enough money on the bag to finance other expenses that might occur during the process.

7.  Can you qualify for a construction loan?

Long before choosing a lender to work with, make sure your credit is in order. Remember also your changing financial circumstances over the life of the loan.

8. Do you plan to be the general contractor?

This depends on your budget, capability and know-how with the ins and outs of the housing business.

9. What are the local building code requirements?

It is extremely important to make your local codes department aware of your construction intentions. This is not only to protect you but also your neighbors, visitors, subdivision, and local government as well.

10. How many sets of prints will you need?

If you are going to work with the bank, contractor, any local officials in the construction of your dream house, they should be furnished with copies of your blueprints.

Modern House Design

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Retro Ranch Style Living

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Smaller home design.

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