Common Building Plan Keys

Location

• There are important things that you need to understand about your location before getting any building plans. Consider the weather first; the exterior design and the materials for your building plans should be able to withstand even the harshest weather that occurs in your area. Weather should be considered, including the average snowfall and rainfall. Knowing these things and basing your building plan according to this thinking will greatly help you out in the future cost of maintaining your home. If you're in an area where tornadoes are common, better consider a building plan that uses concrete on its walls and foundation.

Foundation

• The type of foundation you may use in your building depends on where you live; there are some states that do not allow basements, while there are some that only allow a crawlspace foundation. Since the overall strength and durability of the building depends on the foundation used, you have to understand the type of foundation that you can build on top of your building.

Exterior Finish

• Since the outside of the house will experience the battery of weather, you have to ensure that all your materials will be able to withstand it. This is one of the keys for minimal maintenance. For example, concrete and stucco are usually the best materials to use if you live near an ocean because of the humidity in the air. Wood sidings can be used, but they stand up to the elements less well than concrete or stucco.

Tenents

• If you already have a specified lot and are just looking for a building plan, you must consider the size of your building and the people who will either live or use that building. This includes the number of tenants, kids, and room for guests, which will all dictate the number of rooms, as well as the space within rooms. If it's a house, not only do the number of tenants affect the structure, but the exterior desires do as well, including whether or not the occupants desire a lawn and other structures, such as garages.