Designing a New House
Essential Checklists
There are several factors that can significantly impact the final exterior volumetric design of our project.
So you have finally made the important decision to design and build your own house? Here are a few basic steps to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible:
- The size of the lot to determine the available space for habitable and outdoor areas.
- The location of the lot, including whether it’s between existing buildings or a corner lot.
- The steepness of the grading. The location of trees and shrubs.
- The noise level of the area and where the heavy noises come from.
- The direction of the prevailing wind. Where and when the sun rises and sets.
- The best and worst views from the site.
A schematic site plan analysis is crucial to understand your property’s unique features—like topography, sunlight, access points, and existing structures.
Contact your local city zoning department by phone or online to find out about the zoning regulations that apply to your lot. Keep in mind that every city is different and has its own regulations. Ask about the following:
- Required setback distances, which refer to the minimum distance you need to provide from your front, side, and rear property lines.
- The maximum lot coverage, which refers to the percentage of your lot that you are allowed to cover with your house.
- The maximum height allowed.
- Any restrictions on the architectural style of your future house, as some cities want to preserve the same architectural style in the neighborhood where your house is going to be built.
This includes both outdoor and indoor spaces. First, discuss your general needs:
- How Many bedrooms and bathrooms?
- Open floor plan with a large kitchen or a formal dining?
- How many cars my garage needs to accommodate?
- Do I want a front porch?
- What about a large deck?
- What about a swimming pool with a BBQ area?
After that, create a list of your needs for each household member and their specific requirements.
