Any wannabe house designers or draftsmen BP members?

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Any wannabe house designers or draftsmen BP members?

Rich Weese
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes

Are there any house designers or wannabes here on BP? I'm getting ready to start a couple more homes in my subdivision in South Texas. I have a plan I really like for one of the lots but I want to build on one of my other lots that has an extra utility easement down the side, which limits the width.

Here is what I want. I need a four bedroom, two bath, two car garage (minimum 20' wide) with entry from the front in approximately 1400 to 1600 ft.². The key is the width of the house may be no more than 46.5 feet wide. The depth of the house has no concern. I would like the kitchen, Nook, and family room with views to the rear. A covered patio would be a nice extra.

If I select your design to build, I will pay you $500. You do not need to do foundation, framing, electrical, or roof drawings. Simply a one sheet floor plan with individual dimensions will suffice.

You don't have to be a draftsman or architect and hopefully someone will enjoy this practice. It might be something you will use for yourself somewhere down the line!

Imagine the braggings rights, having designed a house for Rich Weese, tic.

Rich

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Uwe S.
Property Manager · Dublin, OH · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 291 votes
14y

Karen M.,
thanks for the insight. My design was not for Germany but with german edgy :).
Biggest problem was for me the garage and the closets, in Germany we don't have a garage in front of the house mostly on left or right side and not connected with house. I'm unfamiliar with closets, in Germany we use real cupboards for it.
So we have big differences in design but was an good experience for me.

-Uwe

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Just a bump in post from the weekend. Rich

    0Reply
  • James Vermillion
    Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    Rich, I am finishing something up...should have it to you in the next day or so.

    0Reply
  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Thanks James!

    0Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Rich, our college aged son, that partners with us in business, taught himself Revit. He drew the plans for a house we're building; and then we passed off to the engineeer, etc., but it saved us thousands. Anyway, he's interested in trying to design your house.

    Do you want one story or two? If he does the exterior, what do you want, stucco or ? Any specific style?

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Thanks Karen-
    Single level. The house can be 46.5' wide. I'll send a packet of pics showing the subdivision and existing homes. This is ENTRY level homenot like your monster you have in Big Bear area. Rich

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  • Mark D.
    Architect · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2011 · 17 posts · 3 votes
    14y

    Rich,

    Are you going to hire one person to do the plan? Or are you asking for everyone to submit plans to you then you will select a 'winner'?

    (I hope for all interested parties, yours included, it is the former.)

    Also, do not underestimate the power of a well designed home. The subtleties that most architects are aware of that contractors and other 'wannabe house designers' overlook are usually the difference between a fine home and a great home.

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Perfect timing Rich. Michael was teaching himself some stuff on Revit today, and it's always better when you have a specific project you're working on. And the size limitations gives him a challenge. We'll be waiting to get pics. Email address is on my signature.

    P.S. Do you need an indoor laundry room?

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Mark – thank you for your reply. I should have been more clear on what I was requesting. I'm simply asking for a one-page floor plan with dimensions. I have a draftsman that will finish up the other schedules. I feel that his designs have become a little stale and that is my reason for trying someone from out of area or out-of-state.

    I realize you are fairly new here on bigger pockets. I do understand the importance of having a well designed home as I have probably built over 100 spec homes now. I also understand how overpaid many architects are. I thought this would just be a fun project for someone to try their hand at.

    Karen – a packet has been sent to OC
    rich

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    rich, didn't get it. Can you double check?

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  • Mark D.
    Architect · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2011 · 17 posts · 3 votes
    14y

    Karen - Revit is a VERY powerful tool. Keep encouraging your son to learn it. When he gets a handle on advanced components/families and scheduling he will be an even more important asset to your business and will have no problem finding work to do for others as well.

    Rich - I think you missed the point of my post. I understand what you are asking for. I am trying to clarify how and when you are asking for it.

    Are you hosting a floor plan 'competition' where all interested draftsmen will submit their plans to you and you select your favorite? Or are people submitting their interest/qualifications to you then you hire one of them for a fee of $500 to draw a floor plan?

    The floor plans are a commodity. I would compare this to asking each flooring sub-contractor to install a 10x10 finish sample in your project before you decide which one to hire. They would not do it. They would be willing to show you completed work samples - but they won't install a sample for free. So my question for you Rich, and the BP community as whole, why should production of a floor plan be any different? It requires knowledge, skill and training to produce just like any other product.

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  • Eric L.
    Rehabber · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 21 posts · 0 votes
    14y

    Mark D. - I don't think Rich is looking for a professional blueprint, just an idea quickly noted on a piece of paper with some dimensions, or, in the case of Karen's son, a professional draft only in order to help him better his skills.

    I agree what you say about a well designed home, and I wouldn't expect (nor I doubt Rich would) a draftsmen to come up with a design just to submit into a pool of other designs for $500.

    I like this idea Rich Weese, something fun for those interested to tinker with, while you get some fresh ideas on floorplans. You should upload the floorplan you decide to go with!

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    OOPS! Sorry Rich, it's [REMOVED] not ocbuilders

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  • Mark D.
    Architect · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2011 · 17 posts · 3 votes
    14y

    Eric - We are one the same page. I know he is not asking for a professional blueprint. My point is that even Karen's son (and anyone capable of completing this task) has invested a lot of time to learn Revit or a similar program.

    Your second paragraph is what I am thinking (and hoping) as well. I am asking for clarification so everyone is on the same page as it is not clear at this point. I don't mean to play devil's advocate, but I want to make sure this is fair for little guys as well. Maybe this gig can inspire whomever Rich hires to become an architect! You never know.

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Karen- I sent it again. Any luck? 32 pics and it says they all went.

    Mark – I'm ready to take this drawing to my engineer/draftsman and have him get started immediately. The funds are there and ready to go. I don't need any qualifications from the person doing the drawing. Back in 1988 my wife and I would buy a lot that had some personality or character and then design a home ourselves, turn it over to a draftsman for a complete set of plans and then build it as a spec home. We had great fun doing it is a couple and designed 44 homes which we built as specs from 1988 to 2000.

    I really don't expect an architect who charges $10 per square foot to be interested in this little project. I just wanted to give the opportunity to one of the draftsman as I listed at the top of the thread. Nothing serious, no tremendous competition, and not a big deal. I don't disagree with you that a floor plan is a commodity and I have certainly paid for many in my lifetime. This is something I consider completely different.

    If someone is not interested on this basis they certainly should not waste their time. I hope I do receive a floor plan that I like and that is different than what I already have built before. I will pay the fee, and I will build this house if I like it. I will send periodic photos of the construction process for everyone on BP to see what someone on BP helped to design.

    Eric – thank you for trying to explain this. You are right on with your thoughts. I was just trying to make a fun little project for interested parties on BP. Actually, the last home I built here in St. George I obtained the engineering and the drafting of the plans in full for $.50 per square foot. This is not a project I am trying to do to save money. I will actually pay more with this process once I pay the $500 fee and then pay my draftsman to put it in actual blueprint form.

    Again, just trying to offer something fun.

    Let me add an additional enticement. If I received 10 different floor plans, in addition to the $500 fee I will also offer a one-week usage free of charge of my condo in Cancun Mexico.

    Let's have some fun. Rich

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Karen- sent a 3rd time- to

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  • Uwe S.
    Property Manager · Dublin, OH · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 291 votes
    14y

    Rich Weese,
    you interested on european design?
    If you only want a floorplan there should be not a problem.

    -Uwe

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Thanks Uwe. Not this time. Hope all is well. Rich

    0Reply
  • Steve K
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2012 · 431 posts · 106 votes
    14y

    Single story only or is two story ok?

    0Reply
  • Raymond B.
    FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 357 votes
    14y

    Steve K,
    Rich posted this up above in one of his replys:

    Raymond

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Rich Weese WE GOT IT! I will say it's a challenge to get 4 bedrooms on one story with a double garage and width of 46.5 feet. It's so funny because we're waiting on plans to go through plan check on the house we're building, so Michael has some time. He was just sitting down to do some stuff on Revit, when I told him about your challenge. It was perfect. He is happy to have something that is specific to do, and requires some creativity.

    Mark D. I passed along the enocouragement to Michael. He's picked it up really fast, and in fact was able to do the plans that are shown on my website. We then gave it to our structural engineer that finished them for our submittal. It saved us a considerable amount having him do the plans. In case you're an architect, nobody has anything against architects, but sometimes projects just can't support that high of a level of design. Then there are times not using one can cost you! It's all balance.

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Rich Weese In looking at your pics, we are curious as to the construction on the houses there. Those in the pics have some huge roofs, what is the roof pitch on most houses? Are they so steep because of snow, or is that just the style that is popular there? Also, 9' walls are pretty much standard here anymore, what do you do there? Is there some reason they use so much brick for exteriors? Is it just alot cheaper or ? Does anyone do stucco exteriors?

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  • Rich Weese
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    We use several different pitches on the roofs to mix it up. 5/12 6/12 and even a couple 8/12. Standard 8' walls with some vaulted ceilings in Great room area. I have 1 stucco exterior home. 99% have rock or brick decor on front only. Our labor is very inexpensive! These homes are being built for UNDER $60 sq ft including full fencing and landscaping! Rich

    0Reply
  • Jim D.
    Real Estate Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2011 · 11 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    REVIT is changing the industry big time.. amazing tool when used correctly.

    0Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    OK, Michael sent you the design. Hope it works. Only so many ways to put 4 Bdrms 2 Baths in a box with width of 46.5 feet and keep it around 1600 sq ft.! I'll be curious to see if they resemble each other!

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    14y

    Rich Weese I think I'm moving to South Dakota! Those prices are unbelievable.

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