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Archive for the 'News and Ideas' Category
| Cost of New Single Family Home |
Cost of Constructing a New Single-Family Home in 2011
NAHB recently published the latest construction cost survey. This survey data shows that while the average
price of a single family home has dropped over the last two years,
the share of that price which goes to construction cost and finished lot cost has not changed significantly.
The average price of a new single-family home in NAHB’s 2011 survey was $310,619, down from
$377,624 in 2009. In 2011, the cost of construction accounted for nearly 60%
of the final sales price of an average home , while the cost of the finished lot accounted for 22%.
This was similar to results from our last survey in 2009. Please keep in mind
that the average price of a new single-family home is a national number and
varies significantly by region.
Although the share of the price going towards the cost of construction has remained s
table over the last two years, the actual cost of constructing a new single-family home in 2011
is significantly less than in 2009. The average construction cost of homes in the new survey is
$184,125, while the 2009 cost was $221,511. This is likely a result of the smaller
square footage of homes built in 2011. The average finished area of a single-family home
declined from 2,716 square feet in 2009 to 2,311 square feet in 2011. When we divide
the average cost by the average square footage, we see that the cost per square foot of
constructing a home among surveyed NAHB members has remained around $80/sq ft
for both 2009 and 2011.
In addition to declines in the size of a home, profit accounted for an all-time low of just
6.8% of the final sales price in 2011. This is down from 8.9% in 2009.
We also asked survey participants to further breakdown the cost of constructing a new single-family home. As usual, framing and trusses accounted for the largest share
of construction cost in 2011 homes (13.5%). This was followed by excavation, foundation and backfill (9.3%), plumbing (6.0%) and cabinets and countertops (5.6%).
HVAC, siding, tiles and carpet, electrical wiring, and drywall each accounted for between 4% and 5% of total construction costs.
Below is a table detailing the single-family price and cost breakdown.
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| Area Rugs |
By Alice Wynn
DALLASDESIGNGROUP.COM
09-09-2012
Area rugs in luxury home plans can add style, and these rugs play an important role in the overall decor of a home.
In history, the first area rugs were the fur pelts of hunted animals and this trend has
continued throughout the centuries and into our present day interior design. When meeting with your
Architect/Designer it is best to discuss the areas where you will desire area rugs to be placed.
When placed with a designer's flair, they will bring warmth, comfort, and personality to a space.
Area rugs when used properly can help define an area and give an air of sophistication in your luxury home plans.
Since these rugs can be used in almost any room, a bedroom, living room, or dining room for example,
some people choose rugs just slightly smaller than the room. Others go with much smaller rugs to
perform a specific function, such as to warm cold flooring or even add acoustics to a large room.
If you choose to use an area rug in an entrance hall or foyer, it is recommended that the rugs have a dense
print or pattern and perhaps dark coloring. Oftentimes a seating area can be anchored with an oversized
area rug or by placing a rug underneath a dining table, Accenting with a unique rug, for example,
can help the new homeowner create a special corner within a larger room. A freeform rug placed
at an angle distinguishes the arrangement of a room and may define a special reading area.
Area rugs are like works of art and help beautify a home and enhance the owner's enjoyment.
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| custom home plans |
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Custom home plans
by: Alice Wynn
DALLASDESIGNGROUP.COM
10-26-2011
Consider children's schools when building a new home. There are lots of things to consider when meeting with a designer about your new custom home plans. One of the most important if you have children or plan to have children is neighborhood schools. Couples who plan to have children or parents who already have them need to consider the school system especially if they are concerned about a good education. Even though living areas, number of bedrooms, backyards and special countertops may seem a priority, schools are a big factor in planning. Buyers oftentimes are willing to pay more for their custom home plans and property or for a lot to build on if it is in a good school district, knowing that that alone may help the home retain its value. Most of the research about school systems will be done by the individual buying the lot, but sometimes a realtor can help. There are websites that can help in the school search. GreatSchools.net is one example. Another factor to consider in planning your dream home and your custom home plans is proximity to the schools in the area, whether children must ride a school bus or be driven to school by the parents. Some towns may even have rules about walking to nearby schools. Zoning laws dictate where a child will attend school, therefore the closest school may not be the one your child will attend. Private schools are another consideration. Tuition costs and acceptance requirements will need to be researched if a private school is the parent's choice for their children. Nearby access to colleges or junior colleges is also a factor to consider when planning your new house. Some children prefer to stay close to their home for college while others want to experience dorm life or even out of state colleges. Priceless memories are made during daily walks and bike rides to and from school. Ideally, your custom home plans will allow you to build in an area situated within biking or walking distance to schools. Allowing children to walk or ride their bike to school may still be part of The American Dream.
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| Luxury House Plans |
Luxury house plans
by: Alice Wynn
DALLASDESIGNGROUP.COM
Home plans online and more!
12-27-2011
For those about to knock fabulous front doors are a sign of luxury house plans. Fabulous front doors draw attention like a magnet. Attractive front doors provide dazzling style for the facade, whetting the appetite for what lies behind those closed doors. In your luxury house plans, the front doors zero in on the owner's personality and serve as the first line of defense for home security. Your front doors must withstand the elements and deter intruders, so the choice of materials is important. There are many options for your luxury house plans including solid wood, glass, steel, fiberglass or a combination thereof. The fun part of choosing your front door is choosing the look. Whether your Architect/Designer creates a double door or a single door entry, you can choose fancy, or single panel. Many homeowners gravitate toward the double-door style for its elegance, which pairs exceptionally well with a large entryway. Whether your luxury house plans are traditional, contemporary, or rustic, the front door should match the style of the home. Because the front door is the very first thing people notice when approaching a home, great care is often taken to make it something to behold. Some homeowners choose to have their doors match their surroundings in color or tone, while others may choose to contrast. Some of the newer front doors have double-pane tempered rain glass and polyurethane foam insulation throughout the door and frame providing both energy efficiency and security. Homeowners building their luxury house plans have an extensive range of custom-made front door designs to choose from. Many incorporate glazed central or side panels with leading and beveled or colored glass and concealed multi-bolt locking systems. Dramatic doors can be placed on any house design.
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| Custom home plans |
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"Custom home plans"
by: Alice Wynn
09-13-2011
DALLASDESIGNGROUP.COM
When you decide to begin the process of designing your custom home plans be sure to provide the Architect/Designer with as much pertinent information about your family and how they live as possible. Some families like to entertain formally while others prefer the informal style of entertaining. Arranging and sizing your living areas is affected by this decision. Likewise, bedroom arrangements, may be affected. Do you have little children or are you expecting them in the future? Are your children teenagers? Are you empty nesters? Are you single? These are all important questions to answer and the answer will affect the planning process for your custom home plans. Do you need or want a formal dining room or would you prefer a dining area in the family room? In designing the master bath area do you want separate closets? Some people prefer one big open closet dressing area while other choose to have their own individual walk-in closets. Have you considered whether you need a game room or do you put priority on a media,home theater room? How many baths do you want? Are your custom home plans to be one story or two story or possibly a split level? Is a basement needed for your particular situation? How about outdoor areas? Will you want to entertain outdoors? If so, do you need a full outdoor kitchen or perhaps just a built-in grill and serving counter. Want an outdoor fireplace planned in your custom home plans? All of these questions are just a few that you will need to think about and discuss when you schedule your meeting. Come prepared and let the Architect/Designer work with you to create your Dream vision, making it a reality you will enjoy for many years to come.
info@dallasdesigngroup.com
1-972-907-0080
"Architectural house plans for the way you live!"
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| 2012 house plans |
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Dallas design Group plan Dallas design group plan Dallas design group plan
“Albeggiare” “Capri” “Los Rios”
2012 house plans
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by: Alice Wynn
DALLASDESIGNGROUP.COM
11-05-2011
Times are changing! Parents may be moving in with their adult children, college grads are coming home to Mom and Dad and siblings may be moving in with one another . In 2012 house plans all of the above mentioned reasons make it even more important to meet with your Architect/Designer when planning your 2012 house plans. All across the land , the need for home design that supports multi-generational living is on the rise. Statistics show that in 2008 16% of the total US. population lived in a family household that contained at least two adult generations or a grandparent and at least one other generation. Families scheduling meetings to have their 2012 house plans designed are finding relatives at both ends of the spectrum living together under one roof. It's important to take each generations ideas and needs into consideration, especially when it comes to home design. For instance, different tasks and generations require various levels of lighting, a combination of recessed, pendant, and under-cabinet lighting provides both aesthetics and functionality. Adding dimmer switches is a way to add even more flexibility. In your 2012 house plans you need to consider the fact that while monochromatic color schemes have been popular in recent years, older generations may prefer contrast between countertops and cabinets in order to maximize visual acuity. Consider too that in 2012 house plans lowered counters will create a workspace for small children, wheelchair users and those who prefer to sit while preparing meals. Homeowners can also use the varied heights for different tasks, such as lower counters for bread-making and higher counters for preparing vegetables. Remember older or smaller hands may have trouble grasping or pulling certain types of kitchen hardware. Consider large drawer and cabinet handles that are easier to grasp and more ergonomically friendly. The latest studies for 2012 house plans indicate a common theme when it comes to kitchen cabinet accessories -more storage in a clean design style. Creative storage solutions like a wall appliance garage and pullout cabinets create easily accessible storage places for "must-have" items. Different spaces can be made for different paces in your 2012 house plans.
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| 2012 house plans |
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Dallas design Group plan Dallas design group plan Dallas design group plan
“Albeggiare” “Capri” “Los Rios”
2012 house plans
.
by: Alice Wynn
DALLASDESIGNGROUP.COM
11-05-2011
Times are changing! Parents may be moving in with their adult children, college grads are coming home to Mom and Dad and siblings may be moving in with one another . In 2012 house plans all of the above mentioned reasons make it even more important to meet with your Architect/Designer when planning your 2012 house plans. All across the land , the need for home design that supports multi-generational living is on the rise. Statistics show that in 2008 16% of the total US. population lived in a family household that contained at least two adult generations or a grandparent and at least one other generation. Families scheduling meetings to have their 2012 house plans designed are finding relatives at both ends of the spectrum living together under one roof. It's important to take each generations ideas and needs into consideration, especially when it comes to home design. For instance, different tasks and generations require various levels of lighting, a combination of recessed, pendant, and under-cabinet lighting provides both aesthetics and functionality. Adding dimmer switches is a way to add even more flexibility. In your 2012 house plans you need to consider the fact that while monochromatic color schemes have been popular in recent years, older generations may prefer contrast between countertops and cabinets in order to maximize visual acuity. Consider too that in 2012 house plans lowered counters will create a workspace for small children, wheelchair users and those who prefer to sit while preparing meals. Homeowners can also use the varied heights for different tasks, such as lower counters for bread-making and higher counters for preparing vegetables. Remember older or smaller hands may have trouble grasping or pulling certain types of kitchen hardware. Consider large drawer and cabinet handles that are easier to grasp and more ergonomically friendly. The latest studies for 2012 house plans indicate a common theme when it comes to kitchen cabinet accessories -more storage in a clean design style. Creative storage solutions like a wall appliance garage and pullout cabinets create easily accessible storage places for "must-have" items. Different spaces can be made for different paces in your 2012 house plans.
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| “House Plan” of the week-Dallas design Group |
"Sebonack"
From DallasDesignGroup.com
House Plan of the week...."Sebonak"
http://dallasdesigngroup.com/plandetails.php?planid=328
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| Building design |
Building Design
by Erich Wynn
Dallas Design Group Architecture
04/20/2011
What are some of the elements that go into building design? That depends on who the building is for and how it is going to be used. It it going to be a medical office building? Or maybe a free standing warehouse type building like the types of buildings found in most shopping centers? Maybe a government building like a courthouse or a public recreation center? The fact is that there are many different applications of building design and it all starts with a trained architect or building designer. These professionals have the experience and the talent needed to design a building that not only will be functional but also meet your design objectives. Some of your objectives might be ADA requirements, or maybe budgetary constraints are involved. Possibly you need a creative talent to design something that will be a great investment and appreciate over time. From the design of the building, to the layout of the site, to the flow of the rooms, to the materials used, architects and designers are masters at laying out a building design plan. Typically an architect or building designer will charge by the square foot to design the building or they may charge a percentage of the overall construction costs. A complete set of architectural plans will be needed before you can submit your building design to your local city officials for a building permit. Then your builder will begin the costing out process and define the costs of construction. Once those budgets have been agreed upon, and your city permits are in place and your land or lot has been secured, then you are ready to apply for interim financing. Interim financing is used to finance the costs of construction, and then usually when you close on the building after is it constructed, your interim financing will be converted to a permanent loan. At Dallas Design Group Architecture, we have been designing luxury homes, office buildings, medical buildings, condominiums, apartment buildings, town-homes, multifamily buildings and much more for almost 40 years. Contact us @ info@dallasdesigngroup.com and we will provide you with an estimate to design your home or building.
Dallas Design Group
Building design for almost 40 years
www.DallasDesignGroup.com
"Architecture for the way you live!"
1-972-907-0080
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