CA for future home builder/owner

[gawdzira]

Hello Preston,

You are in the right forum to ask this great question.

Yes, I believe that in the next 3 years you could work with Chief part time and become proficient enough to produce some drawings and then move on to the final stages.

Also, yes to your question regarding involving a professional Architect or Designer from the beginning. This will pay off both financially, psychologically and could save your marriage. No joke on the marriage. Building or remodeling a home is often one of the biggest challenges a relationship will face. I have done remodeling for a couple who were both therapists and they concurred.

Have you ever walked into a home and felt like you had just walked into a box with windows and moved from one box to the next? That was designed by a builder. Have you ever walked into a home and felt like your eye was guided where to look and the space welcomed you before exposing you to one surprise after the other as you flowed through the space? That was designed by an Architect.

This is not to say that you may not be a great designer and come up with a beautiful design with wonderful spaces. But, it is important to be honest with yourself. What is your design experience? Do you see well in 3d (without a computer aided model)? Is this a true passion or a cost savings (possibly a false notion) path?

I feel like these are the most important questions. Not whether you choose a $500 program or the legalities of stamping your drawings. And bear in mind, this is only my (rarely) humble opinion.

I wish you success with your project,
Alan

[JJohnson]

....

Hello Preston,
Have you ever walked into a home and felt like you had just walked into a box with windows and moved from one box to the next? That was designed by a builder. Have you ever walked into a home and felt like your eye was guided where to look and the space welcomed you before exposing you to one surprise after the other as you flowed through the space? That was designed by an Architect.

This is not to say that you may not be a great designer and come up with a beautiful design with wonderful spaces. But, it is important to be honest with yourself. What is your design experience? Do you see well in 3d (without a computer aided model)? Is this a true passion or a cost savings (possibly a false notion) path?

Alan

....

Pretty much says it ..

Thanks !

[java tom]

It is rare to meet someone that DOESN'T think they are capable of designing a house. Builders with the napkin plan mentality usually create the worst plans of all. It will result in a plan that is easy to build but not easy to live in. If someone has some cad experience, the way to same money on the plans is to do the construction docs as instructed by the professional designer. Most designers would probably admit that the docs are their least favorite part of a project.

[William H Lynch]

Builders with the napkin plan mentality usually create the worst plans of all. It will result in a plan that is easy to build but not easy to live in.

I beg to disagree, many of my plans start on the 'napkin' so to speak. One of my 'napkin' plans has been built and sold well over a hundred times. A simple, well designed plan that is easy for the builder to understand is what I strive for..., And it sells big time. I can't tell you the number of contractors who asked me to redraw their plans because they are so full of sh**as* details that make the plan unreadable.

Note: I always respect the rights of the original copyright holder in this process, and never reproduce anything without their approval, amazingly I have never had a rejection....

Bill

[java tom]

Thank you for proving my point. You have sold the same plan a hundred times. I'll bet it is the builder and not the homeowner that thinks that is a good idea. Your selling it over and over because it is cheaper for them to do it that way. Ask your self an honest question. Have you ever had a home owner walk in your office and say "I'm interested in the plan that builders have decided works the best for their interests". A plan like that has its place in production houses but not for custom homes. By the way, congratulations on success with that plan. It must indeed be very easy to build.

[Rickt1962]

LOL All my homes are custom.. period... Actually I have had many customers come to me because they want to build a new custom home that fits them and ther budget after they got sticker shock from an Architect. So i really wouldnt want to open that subject. After 30 plus years of building custom homes and have been published. Very happy with Chief and since pretty much been with them since the beginning. Has been a very valuable tool just like my Cat 953 moves alot of dirt fast and Chief can draw a plan in hours.

[lbuttery]

I love the Kohler commercial where the couple enters the "high-end" architects office
while he is touting all his awards etc

He then asks with a smirk "what can I do for YOU ???"

the lady hands him the Kohler faucet and says "can you build a house around this ?"

Lew