House Plans and Customer Service

So, it's been forever since I've posted anything. I'm sorry about that. I don't really know what to say; I'm just lame like that... Anyway, here's an article that I really like -- it's from The Plan Collection and it really tells what they're all about

Check it out!

http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plan-related-articles/House-Plans-Made-Easy

Home Design & The Emerging Market

EMERGING MARKET HOUSE PLANS

We have seen major changes in the economy of the United States in recent years; finances have become very tight for many families and in many businesses and governments. These changes in our economy have resulted in major changes in the residential construction industry, many construction companies are out of business, and many homeowners can no longer afford the level of home they enjoyed in previous years.

There is an emerging market for construction that will require many changes to be successful. Our goal in construction is to once again be a vibrant part of the thriving economy found in the United States. This residential construction market that is emerging out of the depression will need to address the new requirements and goals of homeowners who are looking for the right home for the right time, for a home that will meet their families needs in livability, and in affordability. These homeowners may be downsizing to meet new financial goals and to live in a home that realistically works in their budget, now and in the future.

I believe that there will be a need for a new breed of house plans to meet the new emerging market in construction, these emerging market house plans will need to be designed and built to meet the new requirements of the family, new requirements based on family livability and upon realistic budgets. I have listed below the new goals and requirements that can meet the needs of the emerging market.

1. Smaller homes with similar amenities.
2. Cost-effective and simplified construction, yet maintaining architectural integrity.
3. Home design with minimum wasted space.
4. Open concept plans, resulting larger living homes.
5. Home design that looks and lives larger than its actual square footage.
6. Architectural impact resources spent more on the front of the home.
7. Simplified rooflines that still provide optimum architectural style and impact.

I have spent the last two years designing a series of new house plans that will meet the needs of this new emerging market. These new plans will meet the seven requirements listed above. These emerging market house plans can be found on my website, they are listed under the “browse design types” on the home page of www.WLMartinHomes.com. I believe these new house plans will be successful in meeting our needs and goals for the future of residential construction and in the future requirements of our families.

-- Bill Martin

Tips for working with Builders and Subcontractors

Back in January, I wrote an article about building your own house. There are hundreds of different factors to consider, but like I said before, "if you start off on the right foot, hire the right professionals, and take it one step at a time, building your own home can still be a fun and invigorating experience." (Click Here to view the full article)

The best way to "start off on the right foot" is to start with a great design. Although finding the right plan can be pretty difficult, each of us at The Plan Collection is committed to helping you find your dream house plan -- so let's just assume you've found "the one."

I know that many of you are probably thinking about general contracting your own home. In my humble opinion, being your own general contractor is borderline masochistic; but some people are just made for that sort of thing. For those of you who actually like that kind of stress, let me give you a few hints when it comes to finding and working with subcontractors (but remember, these tips can also be applied to working with a hired general contractor too).

First of all, you have to find the right sub-contractor -- but how?

• *Ask your friends and acquaintances for references (be sure to ask about the sub-contractor and inspect the work).


• *Check the Internet as well as local newspapers.


• *NEVER hire a relative, even distance relatives.
  

Once you have found a sub-contractor, be sure to follow these simple tips:

• *NEVER pay any sub-contractor up-front.


• *When the job is finished, DO NOT just accepts the sub-contractors word "I'm finished" INSPECT IT (twice) to make sure it is finished, and then pay them.


• *VERY IMPORTANT: Require ALL Sub-contractors to sign a Mechanic Lien Release (or lien waiver) form, showing that you have paid them in full. Your local title company probably has a pre-written form.
  

Good communication is an important key when it comes to building a home, and working with sub-contractors is no different. Before hiring a sub-contractor let them know up-front that you expect and require quality workmanship. Be firm on this. Also let them know that the home will be inspected by the mortgage company, and the home must meet codes. Hold back a retaining fee until after their work has been inspected.

General contractors can be a little more loose with their subcontractors, because they usually have several projects going at one time, and it is always easy to withhold payment on another project. As a homeowner builder you do not have this luxury. Your payment is your only power. This should help you to eliminate "fly by night" sub-contractors -- and be careful, there are a lot of them out there.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Good Luck!

Surprisingly Contemporary Craftsman Home Plans

This is VH-TS3309, and it has one of the craziest designs I've ever seen. It offers everything you could expect from a home: open living areas, plenty of garage space, a modern kitchen -- all fit into a very smart and thoughtful floor plan.

But the thing that really makes VH-TS3309 stand out is its fresh sense of style. One look is all it takes to recognize that this is no ordinary house plan. It combines the rustic, yet sturdy quality of a craftsman home and turns it on its head! Seriously, this house plan is amazing. Check it out!

Warm Tuscan Hospitality

There's just something comfortable and inviting about Tuscan Style Home Design. It's like they say in the Olive Garden commercials: "When you're here, you're family!" That philosophy is demonstrated perfectly in House Plan NDG-1142. You're sure to feel at home with it's open great room and vaulted dining, but let's not forget about the huge master bedroom and its personal study. You aren't going to run out of space any time soon in this Mediterranean marvel.

Not quite what you're looking for? Well then you should have a look at our entire Tuscan collection. There's sure to be something that will catch your fancy -- check it out!

Garage Plans and More!

Y'know, there are some days when I absolutely love working at The Plan Collection. I really enjoy coming across new and exciting house plans, but then again, I've always been able to get a kick out of weird things.

Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know about our new line of garage/storage shed plans. Now you can purchase a complete set of blueprints for some pretty amazing detached garages, workshops, storage sheds, etc.

Need a place to hang your garden tools? Does the lawn mower always seem to be in your way? Would you like a private workshop? You should check out our entire collection -- Click Here!

House Plans: My Favorite Style

I love Tudor Style homes. When designed well, they are definitely my favorite. I just really enjoy that style, and let me tell you why.

When I was probably 2 or 3 years old, my grandpa built my older sister and me a playhouse. It wasn't much bigger than 10' x10', but it was the funnest place in the world! My sister set up her Fisher-Price kitchen set -- complete with oven, stove, telephone, and fold-out table -- and my parents even kept some of our family's food storage out there in our play house. We would play out there for hours, having tea parties (probably not the most manly activity I've ever participated in), making mud pies, and playing house. My grandma would even come out and play with us. Sometimes she'd pretend to be the Big Bad Wolf, and my sister and I would be the little piggies.

I didn't realize it at the time, but that little old play house was a Tudor-Styled cottage. My grandpa had built it using brown 4x4s, 2x6s, and OSB, and when it came time to paint it, he used dark brown paint for the exposed beams, and white paint for the OSB, giving the our play house a very "Fairy Tale" quality -- like something out of Sleeping Beauty or Snow White.

I wish I had some photos to show you, but unfortunately, as we grew up, our play house fell into disrepair. During my early teenage years I used the play house as a workshop, where I whittled my first bow and arrow and cleaned my first carburetor. But after I moved away from home, my parents just used it for storage, and then they let the dog sleep in it.

That play house was my first experience with Tudor Style, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. We also had some good friends growing up who lived in the little town of Mantua (pronounced "Man-uh-way"), Utah. We would visit them at their approx. 2,000 square foot Tudor Home for BBQ's and other get-togethers. It was always a good time. To a 7 year old boy, their home felt like a grand European estate. I absolutely loved going over there and exploring every nook and cranny! There was just something adventurous, yet comfortable and "down-home" about their home (the colored drawing shown at the top of this post is a very accurate portrayal of their home.)

Tudor Style has always been a part of my life, and now I'm just saving and waiting for my chance; someday I really want a Tudor House of my own. In the meantime, a guy can dream, can't he? Luckily, The Plan Collection has 165 amazing Tudor House Plans. You should Check Them Out!

Not what your looking for? Give me a call at (866) 787-2023 or email me at sales@theplancollection.com and let me know what you like. I'll do my best to help you find your Dream Home and I'll even give you a 10% DISCOUNT.

We're here to help!

Wicked-Awesome Modern House Plans

Don't judge me for what I'm about to say....

I... I watched the movie Twilight.

I'm not proud of that; I was more or less blackmailed into it, but that's beside the point. I'd like to consider myself a manly man, and let's face it -- there is nothing extremely manly about the Twilight series!

I'm sure that many of you Twilight fans would beg to differ -- especially those of you on Team Jacob, but I'm just calling it like I see it. I didn't enjoy the movie, and I'm not going to watch New Moon or any of the other movies that come out. (Although I would be willing to hear some of your arguments as to why I should change my mind).

My point in writing today is to show you this: The Skiatook

The Skiatook is an amazing modern-style house plan that really reminds my of the house from Twilight. I may not have enjoyed the storyline, but the house in the trees was pretty sweet!

I'll let you make your own judgements (and I'd love to hear about them), but you should really Check it out!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Houseplans

So I recently wrote a post on our homepage about a house plan that was featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (CLICK HERE to view the article).

M-3981 Extreme is pretty amazing. I've never been a huge fan of the "prairie style," but there's something about this home that really catches my attention (in a good way).

To tell you the truth, I'm not a huge fan of the fireplace that seems to have been "plopped" right in the middle of the home -- I'd prefer to have it on one of the walls -- but that isn't a big deal. Bedroom #4 is kinda funky. I don't like the way that the bathroom distorts the shape, but that's not a big deal either.

The only real problem that I have with M-3981 Extreme is the fact that the garage entry is so far away from the kitchen. What happens when you have to carry groceries in from the car? You have to walk all the way from the garage, through the hallway, past the foyer, skirting the great room, and finally you reach the kitchen! What if you have to bring in 2 or 3 loads? You get my point.

I'm also not a sold on the idea that the master bedroom has to share a bath with bedroom #2.

One of the biggest redeeming features, however, is the fact that this home is wheelchair accessible. And just because I don't particularly care for this home doesn't mean anything. I'm just really picky. You should really take some time to Check it out for yourself. You might like it!

If you want to see this home as it was being built, check out the Oklahoma episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (aired April 17,2007) -- it really is pretty interesting!

A Quick New Cabin

So, I just added this house plan to The Plan Collection. Check it out!

This is the Altamont, one of the newest Log Cabin plans from Associated Designs -- the design firm who brought you classics like the Eddinger and the Aspen.

The Altamont isn't huge, but every square foot is used wisely to provide you with a rustic and relaxing experience. The Altamont isn't just a house plan, it's a way of life!

Building a House? -- Start with a Plan!

Are you thinking about building a house?

Conceptually, the idea of building a home seems so exciting! You are starting totally fresh; You get to watch an empty piece of property literally transform into your own personal kingdom! You are in charge of every major decision from start to finish! It is so exciting and empowering!

Over my time at The Plan Collection, I’ve talked with hundreds of people who are at this stage. Even though most of them are calling from across the country — even across the world — I can practically see the stars in their eyes and the smiles on their faces. They have the idea that — “I am in control of my destiny, and my first order of business is building my dream home!” The only problem is that with great power comes great responsibility (Sorry, Uncle Ben).

Sure, you get to make every major decision from start to finish, but that sweet thought can quickly turn sour. You have to worry about getting permits, hiring a builder, deciding every little detail: shingles, bricks, siding, stucco, flagstone, mortar, paint colors, ceiling texture, flooring, light fixtures, cabinets, appliances, tile work, windows, insulation, landscaping, and so forth — even electrical outlet covers! And that list doesn’t even scratch the surface! You have to decide what your budget is going to be. You have to pick and choose between which is more important: size or luxury. You might end up having to choose between having a nice refrigerator or spa tub. — And then there’s the whole worry that comes when you and your spouse don’t agree! Just thinking about it all can make you want to crawl back into bed and forget about the whole thing! It can be terribly overwhelming.

But remember, building your own home is not, and should not be a scary process. Sure there are a lot of factors, but if you start off on the right foot, hire the right professionals, and take it one step at a time, building your own home can still be a fun and invigorating experience. The most important thing to remember when building a house is that you need to start off on the right foot. It is absolutely essential to start with the right house plan — and I’m not just saying that because I work for a house plan company. Nothing will blow your budget (and your enthusiasm) faster than starting out with the wrong plan. Your life can easily become a living nightmare. All of those horror stories you’ve heard about building your own home could easily be dwarfed. At best, you’ll end up uncomfortable your new home (and nobody likes that — just look at this post from Houseplans.info).

You’ll never find a plan that is 100% perfect, but that’s a discussion for another day (Remember the 90% RULE. If you need help finding the house plan that’s right for you — check out The Plan Collection. Sure, I’m a little biased, but I know how much work those guys put into helping people find their dream home. Really, you should Check it out!

Unique Craftsman Style

Hey yall! Check out this plan I just stumbled upon. It's called the Aberdeen, and it's pretty amazing!

First of all, there's the unique shape. The main portion of the home is a very thoughtful and innovative hexagon, but just in case that isn't spacious enough for you, the Aberdeen also includes nifty wings on each side. I love the Craftsman Style with its heavy use of flagstone. The metal roof is a very practical move as well.

The Aberdeen provides plenty of living space, a very luxurious master bed/bath, and a nice home office. What's not to love? You should really Check it out!