Planning Your Project
Homeowners planning a remodeling or addition project can avoid critical and often-costly design mistakes if you spend ample time considering the floor plan that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Finalizing your floor plan is one of the most important aspects of planning any project.
Sketch a preliminary plan.
Even if you're not an artist, draw a preliminary layout that will provide your contractor and Simonson Lumber’s drafting department with an idea of your home remodeling or addition project preferences.
- Lay out all your furniture in proper proportion on paper to see how it will fit in each room.
- Learn to read electrical plans to avoid common mistakes and oversights and make sure all your family's needs for lighting, appliances, and computers will be met.
- Be sure you plan adequate storage space and closet space.
- Does the design take best advantage of your exterior views, maximize the natural light and offer privacy?
Ask the Experts.
Your contractor and a Simonson Lumber remodeling expert will help you decide whether it makes more sense to remodel existing space or build an addition to meet your needs. He or she will tell you whether your house can structurally support an addition or the other remodeling changes you have in mind.
Review preliminary designs prepared by Simonson Lumber’ drafting department.
To prepare the preliminary designs, your contractor will measure your existing residence, research local building and zoning requirements, and work with Simonson Lumber’s drafting department to prepare floor plans and elevations in 1/4-inch scale. Typically, this phase requires several meetings with you to modify the designs as you transfer your dreams on paper. The goal is to create a functional design that meets your needs and that enhances the look and style of your home.
Establish a construction budget.
Construction budgets are prepared to determine if the wants of your project is in line with the amount of money you can spend. It is recommended that scale design drawings be produced to determine accurate material and labor estimates from which a usable construction budget is created. If necessary, designs and material selections can be changed to fit the budget. For example, changes to the roofline, radical alteration of the floor plan, and moving plumbing walls will increase costs.
Allow time for the working drawings to be prepared.
Working drawings are technical drawings and calculations necessary to acquire building permits and to receive subcontractors' bids. The drawings typically consist of a site plan, floor plan, foundation plan, elevation section, general notes, and details. In most cases, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical symbols appear on the floor plan. Simonson Lumber’s drafting department will draw and transfer your plan to a computerized blueprint where you can make as many major or minor changes as you wish.
Many of our customers work with an interior design specialist to help them organize the look and style of their project.