Private house project: how to make and where to order?

A house project is a kind of roadmap. On the one hand, it greatly facilitates the work of contractors, on the other hand, it gives a very clear idea of ​​the future home, including the structure, performance and appearance. Building a house without a project can be compared to sewing without a pattern. In conditions of total uncertainty, it is difficult to predict the result. How to order a project and not miscalculate with the result? Let's look at three main ways.

Many believe that the project is the first step towards realizing the idea of ​​your own home. But in fact, the first thing to do is decide on the purchase of a plot, and then choose a building site on it. So you can plan the location of the future house in terms of orientation to the cardinal points, and this, in turn, will greatly help you choose a suitable foundation structure and waterproofing for the roof. For example, in southern regions in the open sun, it is recommended to choose light-colored waterproofing so that the roof does not overheat on hot days. Having decided on the location, it will be useful to study the styles of architecture, choose the options that are most interesting for you, in order to further contact the architect.

Next step - geological surveys. They will be needed to calculate the necessary foundation indicators, since they give an idea of ​​the soils in the building zone, their bearing capacity, and the level of groundwater. The landscape of the site also matters. For example, for one of the most energy-efficient foundations - the Insulated Swedish Slab - the difference in height across the building spot should not exceed 50 cm. At higher values, additional earthwork will be required to level it.

A house project is not only an architectural plan that describes the design of the facade, the shape of the roof, glazing and the interior layout. The project documentation contains information about all technical solutions, units and other important nuances that must be taken into account at the very beginning of the development of the project so that the house will serve for a long time and not cause annoying problems with repairs during long-term operation. How to develop such a project and where to find ready-made options? Let's talk about this further.

One of the most affordable ways to choose your future home is online databases of typical projects. They usually offer a variety of options for every taste and wallet. Another advantage of this method is the ability to immediately understand the final cost. This is very convenient, especially in conditions of a strictly limited budget, since it allows you to focus on individual needs.

Why are ready-made projects not always suitable, because there are plenty of them on the Internet? On the one hand, they will help to form a general idea of ​​what the house should be like, to determine the style and design solutions. But it is worthwhile to understand that typical projects will not always be able to take into account the characteristics of a particular site, region, climate or soil.In this case, you will have to immerse yourself in the process on your own, evaluate the documentation and understand how the project meets specific conditions.

Applying for a project to a specialized organization is one of the most reliable solutions when building a house. In this case, the chances are multiplied that the house will take into account all the wishes and requirements of the owners. It will be designed taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular family. The only caveat to this option is the high cost. There is a risk to go beyond the construction budget.

It is important that the execution at the construction stage is within the power of the contractor. It's good when the team and the designers work in tandem. Most often, large construction companies have a base of ready-made projects, among which you can choose a suitable option. They usually contain solutions that the organization has confidence in. This means that the team can guarantee compliance with all technologies. But most likely the choice of typical ideas will be small.

In this case, difficulties with their implementation may arise. Most likely, the team will begin to persistently suggest making changes, as they say, "for themselves." And this additional time, possibly costs. Changes may also affect the quality of structural elements in general. Developers can offer lower prices. In order to reduce cost, the project may simply abandon critical elements. For example, neglect the thermal insulation of the foundation and basement, do not take into account the device of the insulated blind area, do not turn on the device of the drainage system.

These savings during construction will translate into operational costs. Heat will go through the cold foundation. Freezing and the impact of frost heaving forces will have a detrimental effect on the concrete base. And this can already lead to the appearance of cracks on the blind area and basement and cause a loss of bearing capacity. Lack of drainage will result in a damaged facade. It will be much more expensive to restore the foundation and insulate it with XPS plates during operation. It is much easier to provide for thermal insulation during the construction process, make an insulated blind area with a plinth and enjoy the comfortable microclimate of your home.

Building your own home is a complex engineering process that requires serious consideration. The well-known proverb “measure seven times, cut once” is the best reflection of a truly competent approach to realizing the dream of your home. By following these simple guidelines, you can greatly simplify the work on a project and achieve a truly high-quality result.