House Design |
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Part of the enjoyment
of building your own home is the opportunity to have some
input in the design. We all have our own ideas of how we would
like our home to look and feel, but only a few of us will
enjoy the chance to actually participate in having a say in
the layout, the size and shape of the rooms and be able to
suggest personal preferences to suit our lifestyle. |
| Potton
offers a flexible design service on all of their homes
You have various choices as to who will assist you with the
design of your house and prepare your plans. Factors to be
considered will include the cost of this assistance, the extent
of the involvement of the party concerned and what style of
completed home you envisage.
Designers offer a range of services from strictly design only,
to design and build, and something in between the two.
You must consider carefully what assistance you will require
with the preparation of the plans for your house, as a good
rapport between the self builder and the designer usually
makes for a successful project. You should seek advice on
a suitable designer and look at examples of their designs.
Many who have built their own homes will be glad to give personal
recommendations. |
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There are many Designers whose
designs will appeal and you should shop around to see whose
ideas appear attractive and obtain testimonials from previous
clients.
Your Designer may simply provide the drawings, or he may
involve himself in the project and oversee certain aspects
of the build as it progresses, or he may be asked to provide
a complete service, supervising every aspect of the build.
The costs of his architectural services will vary according
to the level involvement, and you should negotiate a fee at
the very beginning and have the fee and what it covers confirmed
in writing. Some Architects are members of the Royal Institute
of British Architects (R.I.B.A.) or Royal Institution of Architects
in Scotland, but all working in the UK must be registered
with the Architects’ Registration Board.
Qualified Architectural Technologists (MCIAT) also provide
services in helping with design. Contact C.I.A.T. for further
details. |
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Further assistance with design
may be taken from the In-house designers employed by most
of the timer frame package companies and they can provide
standard designs from their Company's range of house styles,
or adapt these to suit your own personal requirements.
Design is one of the most crucial elements in building your
home and care and deliberation should be taken to learn the
various options that you have in terms of style, materials,
heating, insulation etc. in order that you can incorporate
as many of your own ideas into the plans as possible, bearing
in mind your budget, the feasibility of your ideas and the
wishes of the local planning authority. |
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