opportunity to buy a plot of land

HU-984772052

2 years ago

A new ‘village’ is going to be developed locally. It will cater for nursery children right thru to retired. I like the idea of inclusive housing for older residents, rather than shutting them away in sheltered or isolated accommodation.
We may be offered a plot and the use of an architect to build a house suited to our needs. This is both exciting and daunting to me as I’ve never planned a house from scratch.
Can you advise me as to the most important factors I should be considering eg layout, flooring, energy.
Thanks

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Comments (3)

Jonathan
2 years ago
Most home builders have budget issues….. so my advice would be to think carefully about what you need and plan that….. if you plan everything that you want there is a danger you have to reign in your plans which just leads to disappointment.
hedgehog99
2 years ago
Establish your budget first and foremost. Make sure you keep a large contingency fund separate from the budget you quote to the architect. Don’t worry about flooring, that’s a detail for waaaay down the road. Instead write out a clear and well thought through brief about:
1. what you need from the house (number of bedrooms and bathrooms etc)
2. how you like (or dream of!) living (eg do you want to spend a lot of time outdoors, do you love to spend time together as a family or do more separate things). What gives you energy- big light airy spaces or cosy cocoons?
3. What do you want from the house in terms of its eco credentials
4. What styles of architecture are you drawn to (maybe make a Pinterest or Houzz board with notes about what you’re drawn to). You may be limited with architectural styles though.
  It is daunting but could be a chance of a lifetime. If it were me and I had the money, I’d eagerly pursue it!
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hedgehog99
2 years ago
Ps resist the temptation to “plan” the house. What an architect needs is a good brief. The last thing they need is for you to draw a plan which they then have to coax you out of. That’s their job and you will get a much better result if you allow them the space and scope to come up with something that you wouldn’t think of yourself.

opportunity to buy a plot of land

Comments (3)

Jonathan

hedgehog99

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