HOME Design: A STEP – BY-STEP GUIDE TO CREATING YOUR DREAM HOME SERIES.
Each self builder has specific expectations and goals about the final result of his/her Self Build project. It’s a difficult and time-consuming process that will make your home a reality.
This series is called “Home Design: A step-by -step guide to building your dream home” It was based on a talk Allan Corfield delivered at the 2018 Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine events. The series will cover the three major steps in developing an abandoned plot into a well organized construction site with experts who could build your dream residence.
Before you create your project description, think about “Why?” Why build your home rather than buying it from an established mass home builder. Every self builder may have their own reasons. Some people want to create a happy, safe environment for the children they love. Others may be interested in building a house to later sell, for maximum profit.
It is important to stay focused on your ‘why’ throughout the entire process. You will be able to overcome the most difficult moments. There will be many.
To begin, we must answer the following question: what is a short and why is it important? The brief outlines the essential requirements for your project. It should be prepared before you begin to work with your design group. The brief will help to obtain accurate fees from your design group and will remain a working document throughout the duration of the project.
It is important to provide basic information and sizes in your brief. You can use the current measurements of your rooms to help you plan. The second aspect that you must consider is your building flow. This refers to the layout/structure for the internal rooms.
It is important to ensure it fits your and your family’s lifestyle. An example: A kitchen open to the living room and dining room should be available so you can enjoy cooking while you spend time with your family or entertaining guests. Another option is to have a protected area outdoors with a grill and gas fire pit so you can host barbecues with your friends.
The next thing to consider in your Self Build brief should be its architectural style. Do you prefer a traditional or contemporary home? Is there a unique element in the landscape nearby that you would like to see from your bedroom’s window? Or perhaps you simply want to position the home to
The heating strategy of your home and its energy efficiency are both important components of your Self Build plan. Do you plan to build low-energy homes and focus on renewable heating or are these not priorities for your Self-Build?
Your budget is an essential element of your brief. However, it is often kept secret from everyone except you. The amount you are willing to spend on your project is a major factor in the design. It is therefore important to plan the budget carefully. It is important to plan how you will manage your cash flow through the various stages of the project. However, we will discuss this in more detail later on.
