Timber Home Planning Ideas | 5 Questions to Help Plan a Timber HomePlanning a Timber Home: 5 Questions to Ask (and Answer!) Before you build the timber home of your dreams, there are many things to consider. Get your timber home planning started with these 5 questions. Creating an amazing home is much like crafting the perfect game plan. It’s all about strategy and following through. So get your strategizing started with these 5 questions - and make sure to answer them (that's all part of the follow-through!) 1. Where will I build? This is the first critical question you need to address, because it can affect all your other choices. And once you know the answer, your timber-producer options will narrow significantly, since most prefer to build relatively close to their shops. Also, shipping costs can add up when distance is involved. It’s smart to buy your land and evaluate its contour before you begin designing your home (click here for a land-buying checklist). Knowing your property’s characteristics will help you make decisions, such as where and how to install your driveway, septic system, plumbing and foundation. (Get your search started for the perfect piece of land for sale by clicking here.) 2. What style of home do I want? Read timber-home books and magazines to evaluate your options. Compile a notebook of ideas, including clippings, that demonstrate the layouts, styles, color combinations, furnishings, appliances and finishes that appeal to you. Gather catalogs and plansbooks from timber producers. Surf the Internet for information about timber-home techniques. Visit open houses and attend home shows, and talk to homeowners and representatives of the timber companies you’re considering. 3. What kind of floor plan do I need? Decide what features are important to your family’s present and future needs. Are there rooms in your current home that are essential, like a first-floor master bedroom or an office? Do you no longer need four bedrooms? Consider a floorplan that supports your family’s activities and will help your home remain functional and enjoyable through the years. 4. How much can I afford? If you don’t have a solid budget in place, you’ll be unable to evaluate designs or compare timber companies and contractors. A budget for the actual structure, in addition to other expenses, such as land and well systems, allows you to set priorities and direct your energies toward a realistic plan. Decide which amenities you need now and, if money’s an issue, which items you can postpone until you can afford them. Then figure out how much you can mortgage, what the taxes are and what types of insurance you’ll have to carry. 5. How will I choose a timber company? Since each timber-home producer offers a variety of plans, services and wood species, know the options before you settle on one company. Begin by calling the producers in the region where you’re planning to build. Review their literature. Call their client references in your area. Visit their web sites for photos of their homes. Look for a company that you feel is trustworthy and can produce a quality home within your budget. Find: Timber Home Plans Browse: Timber Homes
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