The Harmony Mountain Cottage home plan is based on the presence of a splendid view in a natural setting. There may be two options available, namely buying a vacant lot or buying an existing farmhouse, tearing it down and rebuilding it. The advantage of going down the demolition route is the existing conveniences, such as access to roads, power and water lines, and perhaps even a septic system. And it’s often possible to rebuild on the old foundation, allowing for economies in construction (and sometimes bypassing newer zoning restrictions). However, vacant lots are often cheaper to buy. Prospective buyers should check for year-round road access; existing electrical, water and telephone lines; and if not, how much would it cost to bring these services. Take a look at the view from potential construction sites Check that if the land is on or near the coast, it is suitable for swimming or for building a dock. Check local zoning requirements and restrictions on new construction.
When you are ready to design your dream craftsman bungalow house plan, you can choose one of the many cabin design plans available online at low cost from internet house plan providers. These come with free software that allows you to easily enter the features you want and then calculate an estimate of how much that design would cost to build in your area. The advantage of buying existing home plans over building your farmhouse from scratch is that many of the decisions – such as what materials to use, what bathroom fixtures, roof, siding, and flooring to use – are already taken into account, and its estimated cost is calculated automatically.
Online home plan providers can recommend reputable contractors in your area. Before deciding on a general contractor to build your bungalow house plans, you should solicit bids from at least three builders. You should ask them for a detailed breakdown of all costs so that you can accurately compare them. You should also request and verify their references. When deciding on materials, consider some of the newer energy-saving materials available, such as structurally insulated panels, which are like a sandwich of factory-laminated fibreboard with a foam padding. These panels rise faster than traditional wooden frames, and create a building that is three times stronger, while using a third of the energy needed to heat a wooden house. Another technological innovation is fiber cement siding, which is made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This siding is insect and rot-free, and can be cut effectively with an electric wood saw.