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Old 09-04-2014, 08:54 AM
 
Location: Minneapolis / St Paul
327 posts, read 524,410 times
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This forum and the Architecture one are the most likely candidates for my questions, but neither seem exactly the thing. Is this a good spot for such discussion, or is there a better forum on another site?
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Old 09-04-2014, 09:00 AM
 
8,076 posts, read 10,026,963 times
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Start with Architect; progress to builder.

What is your question?
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Old 09-04-2014, 09:52 AM
 
Location: Minneapolis / St Paul
327 posts, read 524,410 times
Reputation: 150
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Bear View Post
Start with Architect; progress to builder.
And that sums up about as much as we know! ;-)

What else can we do to make the process go as smoothly and quickly as possible from our side. I understand that the Architect (since they come first in time) will need turnaround time to do their thing. We've had a preliminary meeting where we went through our current home and commented on configuration and functionality pretty thoroughly. We showed them a list of rooms and room sizes preferred, and a bunch of notes we've made in thinking about a new home; they seemed quite interested and asked for a copy.

So, for starters, what, if anything are they going to ask us along the way, esp. if it's something we can be a bit prepared for?
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Old 09-04-2014, 03:38 PM
 
8,076 posts, read 10,026,963 times
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Your best bet is to assemble a well organized 'pile' of everything thing you might want in your new home. Pictures, articles, existing designs, advertisements, notes--anything which helps to define what it is you are looking for.

During an early meeting with the architect you sort of "spill" it all out: we like this style, we need these features, we would prefer these design elements....anything and everything which will allow the architect to come back to you with a rough sketch for your comments.

It is an iterative process until you come up with something which meets your needs/wants. That gets turned into a set of plans. Then you turn to a builder, and trust me, the refinement process still continues even as you start to build.
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Old 09-04-2014, 09:58 PM
 
Location: Texas
5,717 posts, read 18,837,283 times
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Doesn't sound like you are ready for a designer or an architect. Frankly, it doesn't sound like you know what you want....and that's a common thing for most folks. You need to go to builders model homes and take pics of what you like in their designs and put that all together. Otherwise, they're not going to have any clue what it is that you want and you'll be stuck in the never ending revision after revision after revision thing. You can use graph paper to draw a bath you liked or a living area or possibly a living and kitchen area. Take a tape measure with you. Most model homes are open for you to walk thru on your own so don't be shy. Try to fit your furniture in rooms along with window and door placements. You can make 1/4 scale cutouts of the furniture along with a 1/4" scale room drawn on graph paper. Once you have a plan, I would strongly suggest sitting down at the internet and going thru Building Science Corporation. They can guide you thru energy savings construction and materials that can save you a ton of money over time. My personal advice, have a good idea of what you want, get a designer to draw the plans, find a builder that uses panel wall construction and use as many energy savings products as you can afford. If you are building slab on grade (no basement), have an engineer design the foundation using cables instead of steel rods. Look into Pex water piping and use their manifold. It allows you to turn off each fixture in the house individually instead of having the entire water shut off during a leak or a repair. Look at the different insulations in your area. The bigger the R factor the better. Chat with your A/C installer about a fresh air return on the system. Todays houses can be so tight that the air inside becomes stale and unhealthy. Fresh air return cures the issue not to mention lowers the humidity during the cold winter months which means the windows won't be sweating water. But start with touring builders model homes and listen to the different construction methodologys. You'll pick up on it pretty quick and by the time you've seen a dozen or so houses, you'll have a much better idea of what you want in your home.
Building Science Information Home Page — Building Science Information

Pex manifold. The wall will covered with drywall and have a door for access to turn off/on each fixture- hot or cold
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Old 09-04-2014, 10:45 PM
 
Location: Johns Creek, GA
17,444 posts, read 65,760,986 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yakimono View Post
So, for starters, what, if anything are they going to ask us along the way, esp. if it's something we can be a bit prepared for?

As much as most people get caught-up in the "cosmetic appeal" of "designing my dream home"- back burner that and concentrate on the things at will be "permanent" in the building process-

Materials- foundation, framing, cladding, roofing, etc.
Systems- the usual plumbing, HVAC, electrical; but also foundation drains, gutters/piping, windows&doors (thermal aspects)... Impervious surfaces- patios, drives, etc.

Energy Efficiency- can effect systems, but it can also BE affected by design- compass bearing/direction, radiant barrier, lowE glass, deep overhangs, subterraneal living areas, roof pitch, etc. etc.

Not all systems or designs will work efficiently in all parts of the country- some work better than others, some don't work well at all; i.e., low pitched roof in snow country, and heat pumps north of the Mason-Dixson. Even landscaping can fall under this-

So, as you're starting to see its not "a walk in the park". There are A Lot of components/decisions that go into building "a house"- now multiple that 5-fold when you're doing it for yourself for that "dream home".


One other note-
I mention this because I've seen it often and it becomes the straw that "broke the camel's back".
Don't get too carry away with those "special things" that you think YOU absolutely cannot live without- the ones that most other people would shake their head about. In otherwords, don't make it so gaudy that it not marketable when your gone.
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Old 09-05-2014, 03:06 AM
 
Location: Moku Nui, Hawaii
11,048 posts, read 23,933,180 times
Reputation: 10901
Well, it's good to get a reputable architect and builder. You need a good team to build a house. Get references on them from other folks who have used their services. Did their previous projects turn out like they were supposed to? Were they within budget and on time? Does the architect and builder listen to your ideas? Do you work well with them?

K'ledgeBldr has a great point about how livable your home will be afterwards. An energy efficient home won't eat you out of house and home with fuel costs after it's built.

You might try reading Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big House" books as well as Ortho Press' "Basic Home Building" book. One is on home design as a general subject and the other is the nuts and bolts of how to put it together.
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Old 09-05-2014, 06:55 AM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,691 posts, read 29,669,877 times
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Plan to spend 12-18 months in the planning phase with architect and builder.
Make sure you specify everything in writing.
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Old 09-05-2014, 08:39 AM
 
Location: Over yonder a piece
4,268 posts, read 6,272,910 times
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When we did our kitchen addition/remodel in 2012 I provided the architect with my own ideas, our desires for space layout, as well as many pictures that showed things we liked. In the end he gave us three different plans to choose from. None had EVERYTHING we wanted because we were asking the impossible, but we fell in love with one compromise and went with that plan. Between our first meeting (we had three total) and our receipt of four sets of working plans and final payment, it took about 6 weeks. We broke ground less than a month later.

We LOVE our kitchen - and give main credit to the architect for figuring out a way to make the new space as functional as possible.
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Old 09-11-2014, 06:58 PM
 
Location: In a happy place
3,968 posts, read 8,479,425 times
Reputation: 7935
As you are considering building methods and energy efficiency, here is something to consider.

What Are SIPs | SIPs
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