6 Primary Residential Design Considerations Chapter

6Primary Residential

Design Considerations

Chapter

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Objectives• Explain key site planning considerations.• Evaluate the costs and requirements for building

a residential home.• Describe the working drawings used to build a

structure.


Site Considerations

• Site location• Topography• Cost and restrictions

– Deed – Title – Title search

• Zoning and building codes• The community


Site Considerations

• A typical property deed includes a legal description of the site.


Site Considerations

• Building permits must be obtained before construction can begin.


Architecture

• Working with nature – Ask what effect building a home on the site will

have on the environment– Choose plants that are native to the area to support

local wildlife and to reduce the need to water plants– Avoid installing large expanses of concrete or

paved areas

Green


Housing Considerations

• A functional house represents the lifestyle of those who occupy it.

• Family size is a major consideration in house design.

• The structure should provide space for family activities.


Budgeting for Housing

• Consider income, other expenses and obligations, housing needs, and expected future income.

• Calculate housing costs of no more than one-third of take-home pay.

• Housing costs include mortgage, utilities, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance.


Budgeting for Housing• Calculate all monthly nonhousing expenses and

monthly income.• Subtract monthly nonhousing expenses from total

monthly income.– This is maximum amount you can spend.– Allow room for unexpected expenses.

• Rule of thumb: spend no more than 2-1/2 times gross annual income on a house.


Budgeting for Housing

• Mortgage lenders usually limit loan payment to no more than 28% of gross monthly income

• May pay personal mortgage insurance if equity in home is less than 20%


Employability

• Completing a job application– Highlights information an employer needs to know

about you, your education, and your prior work experience

– Fill out form accurately, completely, and neatly– Use key terms that an employer may search for

when completing online applications – Save application in proper file format– Complete all fields of online applications


Working Drawings

• Working drawings include:– Plot plan– Foundation plan– Floor plan– Elevations– Electrical plan– Construction details– Building sections– Specifications


Plot Plan

• Plot plan shows location of house on site and other features.


Foundation Plan

• Foundation plans specify foundation size and materials used.


Floor Plan

• Floor plans are the basis for other plans in a set of working drawings.


Elevations

• Elevations show placement of windows and doors, exterior materials, and other details.


Electrical Plan

• Electrical plans show switches, outlets, fixtures, jacks, and panel box.


Building Sections

• Building sections illustrate unique or different construction techniques.


Other Plans

• Other drawings sometimes incorporated into set of residential working drawings:– Roof plan– Roof framing plan– Floor framing plan– HVAC plan– Plumbing plan– Landscaping plan– Pictorial presentation

Documents

6 Primary Residential Design Considerations Chapter