You may have found yourself searching through online stock plans before, daydreaming about what it would be like to live in one of those houses. But maybe they needed to add a bedroom here or a bathroom there, or flip-flop the entire plan....overall, maybe required some minor changes.
I’ve done the same thing, however each time I find a plan, it needs many changes. While the websites often say there are architects willing to help support modifications, the answer to "are we using a stock plan or designing custom?" is simple to me.
We need a custom home to do our property the justice.
Not only that, but to me I’ve always wanted a custom home, even since I was little. It wasn’t just about "building a home" as many people desire. My vision has always been custom. A true creative outlet for me - to design a home that suits our needs, and accomplishes the exact design goals I'm after.
Part of the issue is I don't follow trends. I see many things on stock plans that I would do differently. Maybe that makes me picky. Or weird. But I'd rather be different and happy, than follow the crowd and get sick of my house in 5-10 years (like many people, may I add).
This house is to be a true reflection of the way I intend to live - in my forever home.
So not only are stock plans ruled out in my brain, but so are floor plans that local builders have. The quote on quote "cookie cutter" neighborhoods. While those have a more appealing design in other areas of the country and even some places in Michigan, my local selection for those are...ugly....yuck lol. Zero percent chance I would ever build one of those haha sorry.
Lastly, it would just not be fair to the beautiful property we live on to use a stock plan. Those houses are absolutely great for people that have a flat 1 acre parcel perhaps, but when you have views on unique sides of the property and heavy topography like we do, it lends itself to require a talented and meticulous eye of a creative architect to take our needs and wants, and tailor them to the beauty of our natural landscape.
Custom isn’t for everybody. You may choose a stock plan with modifications, a local design/build firm that has some great floor plan starting points, or even the big construction company cookie cutter builds. Whatever suits your style and suits your needs is entirely up to you.
I didn’t feel the few thousand dollar benefit of using an online stock plan would be fair to not only the land, but to myself and what I’ve always dreamed of since I was little. I have always had a vision in my head of creating something that’s never been built before. The respect I have for design has been wanting to flaunt itself in a unique home. While inspired by others' house designs, I'd still plan a design unique in its own way and suiting our needs to be our forever home.
Another issue was with my design vision...I was attracted to too many "moments". I'll give some examples: I like 2 large shed roofs, a courtyard, a glass hallway, a loft over the kitchen.....and more. To have all my design "moments" in a online plan just wasn't achievable. Not to mention the interior features, but making the elevations look purposeful - it really is an art that requires the upmost care and attention to detail.
So between my design vision, my pride, and requiring a site-responsive design for our beautiful parcel, custom was a no-brainer for us.
This is a brief explanation but I hope that you were able to reflect on what you want, what your land needs, and what your priorities are. It is certainly coming with an expense to have a architect of this nature, but well worth it in the long run for my project and situation. I hope this makes sense and I would love to chat with you about your project and what you’re planning to do!
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