Newbie: What do Flippers use for design modeling?

Question

Jeff West · Answer

Some home modeling software like Punch or Chief Architect are a lot easier to use and cheaper then CAD and probably all you will need. Leave the engineering and architecture to the engineers and architects! They will intuitively size walls and windows and even lay out the materials list you will need while you are designing. I used Chief Architect when I first started at it was great.

Michael Delpier · Answer

you could use a CAD program, but it is not worth learning unless you already know it.

Better would be to use images from the web to build a "mood board" This is just images of inspiration placed on to one board and a quick hand sketch of what goes where in the room.

A good place to find inspirational images is Houzz

Ikea has a easy to use room layout tool. It can be used online or in the store.

After a few houses you will have a feel for what goes where.

Bill Hinshaw · Answer

Homestyler floor planner is online, free, and easy to figure out. Has some bugs and quirks, but I would still recommend for quickly playing around with potential layout changes.

Rodney Marcantel · Answer

Floor Plans for iPAD is a great tool and only $14.95. Great for basic flat layout plans. It's what Hilary uses on HGTV's show "Love it or List it".

Clint Weir · Answer

I received some good recommendations at a similar post I made here:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/80/topics/201949-architecture-software?page=1#p1435555

Ashley Harris · Answer

Although I haven't done my 1st deal yet I have the program Home Designer by Chief Architect that my husband and I have used to create our dream home floor plans. As mentioned above Houzz does have great inspiration.

Kedrick Thornton · Answer

Using Houzz or Pinterest to create mood boards and collect material info is great! I do this too. However, it is always best to solve any design problem with good ol' pencil and paper. Measure the space and sketch it out (preferably to scale). Then sketch out your design ideas within the space. Make sure you visualize how the future inhabitants will use the space. You don't want to design a bedroom that won't hold anything much more than a full sized bed... I've seen this happen before.

As far as modeling goes... If you you don't have the necessary skill to do this, employ the skill of some local architecture, interior design, or design students at a local university or college. You get a discount on the design and they get real world experience that they can highlight when they start interviewing for jobs.

Gilbert Dominguez · Answer

I am an architectural designer with many years of design work. I might suggest looking for a local draft man and pay him a small amount to give you some ideas and actually draw up some plans for you. It should be cheap enough, a few hundred dollars for their experience in space planning. If you just do not have the knack for it then you just don't. It takes a certain creative type without over doing it. Remember its only a flip for you not a work of art. You need to remain practical and rehab or remodel to fit your market, nothing more and nothing less or maybe just little extra if it won't cost you much.

However, it will be your property so if you want to play around with it  then do so just make sure you advise your local building department so you won't get red flagged for doing construction without a permit. When you are ready for building out a final product then create the plans you will submit to the building department for permit approval.

Enjoy !

Scott Beck · Answer

@Easton Enge

Before investing in CAD software first determine if the property requires rehabbing or remodeling. This can be done by looking at a website like realtor.com to see what comparable properties in the area look like, or get an investor friendly realtor to give you an idea of if recently sold houses near your property of interest have been totally remodeled or rehabbed with simple fixes (paint, flooring, etc.) . You can also use Houzz.com to find local architects (and see some of their work). Some of these can give you reasonably priced designs saving you time and headaches.

Easton Enge · Answer

Thanks again everyone for all the info!

Newbie: What do Flippers use for design modeling?

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