Is the site flat? Sloped? How steep? Is there a view? Is there limited access? Are there existing obstacles such as trees, rocks, other buildings or water? Sure, most developed sites have been established in flat areas with pre established roadways and driveways entry points and even a place to put your mail box. But if you are one of the lucky few to have obtained a more “interesting” site, then these are all things for your consideration. The majority of the house plans you find online are designed for flat sites, with a few trees and no water, view optional. Some house plan websites will offer plans that are designed for specific types of sites, such as “lakeside” plans or “golf course” plans. Take special not of anything on your site that is out of the ordinary and make sure when shopping online for plans that you look to see how large the home is. It is doubtful that your neighbor will be thrilled with part of your new Game Room poking into his Koi Pond…

With house planning software, you can select a variety of different style homes to construct. For instance, you can sample Colonial, Country, European, Farmhouse, French, Ranch, Recreation, Vacation, Spanish, Specialty, and Victorian style homes. Also, interior-wise, there are a variety of different templates to choose from. If you are considering redesigning your kitchen, you can utilize U-shaped, island-shaped, galley-shaped, peninsula-shaped, or L-shaped templates to begin your kitchen design and help you visualize what your future kitchen will look like.

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand: “A house built to western standard will cost between 160 to 300 Euros / m2″ (At 45 Euros/Baht (Jan 2010) that works out at 7,200 to 13,500 Thai Baht per m2).

You may want a dishwasher or an island in the center of your kitchen but sometimes you have to do a trade off. For example, if you want a dishwasher but will have to lose some cabinet space you must decide which is more important cabinet space or the dishwasher. The colors inside the house are most definitely important. If you want each room to have its own color the best plan for you would be a closed plan which would create separate individual rooms. If you are going to have a solid color throughout an open floor plan might work for you.

Before buying a plan, get into contact with your local Planning and Building Department and find out what kind of restrictions might be hovering around your land.

Bangkok: “As of March 2006, buyers had to pay 81,975 baht/m2 in average to acquire a condominium unit in central area of Bangkok compared to 72,596 baht/m2 in the last twelve months”.

A builder may provide a ballpark estimate of construction costs from a study plan, but he or she should consult the working drawings to give a more accurate figure. Many variables can affect the bottom line, including the choice and availability of materials, labor costs, choice of finishes and degree of detail. Ask several contractors for competing bids.

Be sure to allot a portion of your budget to landscaping and finish details. Architects and interior designers recommend that you don’t skimp on the seemingly small stuff. Higher-quality trim and building materials may trump extra square footage. “Good, insulated windows may be costly initially,” Martin says, “but over the long run, they’re going to save you money on your power bill.” Crown moulding and custom cabinetry can make a stock plan feel like it was designed specifically for your family. After all, it’s the personal touches that make a house feel like a home.

When choosing a house plan you will want to keep your privacy needs in mind. If you work from home, you will want privacy, space away from the main activity of the home so that you can work effectively. You could have a workroom or a hobby room where you and your family can gather together. The placement of your windows could also affect your privacy. You certainly don’t want your neighbors to be able to peer in at you. Window treatments and privacy hedges or fences if appropriate will alleviate some those concerns.

Beach house plans usually result in homes that have a very distinct look. The architectural style that is the foundation for most beach house plans varies from Spanish to Mediterranean to Traditional styles. Beach house plans therefore, can reflect a wide range of interests. Some reflect the area where the house may be built. For example, many coastal home plans created for homes on the southern East coast (think Florida) are crafted with the idea that the home will be on stilts as a measure to help guard against hurricanes and other tropical storms. Stucco exterior styles or Mediterranean styles are not uncommon of coastal home plans fashioned for customers living on the West Coast. Many beach house plans also include special features such as large bay windows and outdoor living spaces.