Chapter 3: Primary Considerations in Housing

1. PowerPointPresentation PublisherThe Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Tinley Park, Illinois 1

2. Chapter 3 Primary Considerations 2

3. Chapter 3 Overview • Introduction • Site Considerations • Community. • Cost and restrictions. • Zoning and codes. • Topographical features. • Family Needs • Budgeting for Housing (continued) 3

4. Chapter 3 Overview • Other Considerations • Modular aspects. • Quality of living. • Drawings Included in a Set of Plans • Brief plan descriptions. • Other plans. 4

5. Learning Objectives • Discuss key site considerations, restrictions, zoning, and codes. • Evaluate a site with respect to important considerations. • Record topographical features of a site. (continued) 5

6. Learning Objectives • List family needs that should be considered when planning or purchasing a dwelling. • Develop a budget for purchasing or constructing a house. • Describe the basic construction drawings used to build a structure. 6

7. Introduction • Most people have a “dream home” in the back of their mind that they hope to build some day. • However, few people think beyond the house itself. • They should look at the site location and characteristics, community attributes, zoning, lifestyle, and quality of living. 7

8. Site Considerations • The siteis more than just a plot of land. It is part of a larger community. • It is in a certain school district. • It is a given distance from shopping areas. • An airport or major traffic artery may be nearby. • The community may be growing or stagnant. (continued) 8

9. Site Considerations • The topographyis important. • The land may be rolling or flat, high and dry or low and wet, big or small, wooded or treeless. • It is located in a warm or cold climate. • It is probably the second most expensive item. • The characteristics of a site frequently indicate the basic house style. (continued) 9

10. Site Considerations • A flat topography lends itself to a ranch or two-story house. • A hilly or sloping site is ideal for a split-level home. • A house with large windows is compatible with a site that has lots of trees. • Take full advantage of the site characteristics when planning a home. 10

11. Site Considerations • A homesite is always part of a larger community, subdivision, city, or state. 11 (Midwestern Consulting, Inc.)

12. The Community • The community and neighborhood should be evaluated on the following: • Is the community well planned? • Are existing homes in your price range? • Are the neighbors in about the same social and economic category as you? • Is the community alive and growing? • Does the community have room for growth? (continued) 12

13. The Community • A planned community neighborhood that takes advantage of the natural site characteristics. 13 (Midwestern Consulting, Inc.)

14. The Community • This block of homes represents an example of little planning and no central theme. 14

15. The Community • Do the residents of the community take pride in their homes? • Does the community have modern churches, quality schools, and shopping? • Are fire protection, water, sewer, gas, and garbage collection facilities available? • Is the site near where you work? • Is public transportation available? • Is there a high rate of turnover? 15

16. Cost and Restrictions • The relationship between the cost of the home and the cost of the site is variable: • Are there needed improvements? • How much frontage does the site have? • Is it a corner lot? • Are there assessments for improvements? • Property ownership is assigned through a document called a deed. (continued) 16

17. Cost and Restrictions • A typical property deed. 17

18. Cost and Restrictions • Even if not required, a title search should be conducted for your protection. • The deed will show any restrictions or easements attached to the property. • Restrictions may specify the style of house, size, or cost of the house. • The deed is a very important document and should be examined by an attorney. 18

19. Zoning and Codes • Zoningcreates areas that have certain building requirements assigned. • Zoning is usually based on local building codes. • Investigate the zoning ordinances in the area where the site is located. • Check the zoning on adjacent properties as well. (continued) 19

20. Zoning and Codes • Another area for consideration is local building codes. • Building codes specify requirements for construction methods and materials. • Building codes may restrict the type of house you plan to build. • Codes can also affect construction cost. (continued) 20

21. Zoning and Codes • If codes are lax, the quality of homes in the area may be poor. • Generally, all construction and remodeling require building permits. • Contact your local building department to determine the cost of permits, required inspections, and other building regulations. 21

22. Zoning and Codes • A building permit. 22

23. Topographical Features • Topography of the site is a primary concern. • Topographical drawings show the site slope, contour, size, shape, and elevation; soil conditions may be shown. • These factors may limit the type of structure that can be built on the site. (continued) 23

24. Site Topography • This site plan shows the topographical features of the site. 24 (Midwestern Consulting, Inc.)

25. Topographical Features • If the site is rural, you might have to provide water and a septic system. • Be aware of this before the house is built. • A site smaller than one acre may not meet zoning or code requirements. • The shape of the site is important as it may limit construction possibilities. 25

26. Property Shape • Property shape is important in determining the size and style of house to be designed. Each of these sites has 15,000 square feet. 26

27. Family Needs • A functional house will represent the lifestyle of those who occupy it. • Family size is a major consideration. • Each member needs personal space. • Provide space for family activities. • Meeting guests, preparing food, dining, entertaining, recreation, laundering. (continued) 27

28. Family Needs • Space for individual activities. • Sleeping, dressing, relaxing, working, bathing, hobbies, studying. • Space for other activities. • Housekeeping, planning, storage. • The important point is to provide for activities that the family will be engaged in; the structure should serve these needs. 28

29. Budgeting for Housing • Whether building or buying a house, the cost will be very large. • You need to determine how much you can spend on housing, which depends on several factors. • Income, other expenses and obligations, housing needs, and expected future income. (continued) 29

30. Budgeting for Housing • Calculate how much you can afford to spend on housing over a period of time. • No more than 1/3 of take-home pay. • Housing cost includes mortgage or rent, utility cost, property tax, and insurance. • To determine how much you can afford for housing, add all monthly nonhousing expenses. (continued) 30

31. Budgeting for Housing • Monthly nonhousing expenses include: • Food, clothing, transportation, recreation, loans, insurance, taxes, etc. • Next, find the amount you have to spend each month. • Include all income and earnings. • Subtract nonhousing expenses. • This is the maximum that you can afford to spend each month. (continued) 31

32. Budgeting for Housing • Generally, you should plan to spend no more than 2-1/2 times your gross annual income. • For example, if your gross annualincome is $25,000, you could spend up to $62,500 for a home. • Mortgage lenders usually limit the loan payment to no more than 28% of your gross monthly income. (continued) 32

33. Budgeting for Housing • The monthly mortgage payment will depend on: • Sale price of the house. • Amount of down payment. • Current interest rate. • Length of the loan. • Until the owner has 20% equity in the home, private mortgage insurance is usually required. 33

34. Other Considerations • A house should not be planned entirely from an “inside-out” approach. • Consideration should be given to the exterior design, size, and materials. • Consider the modular aspects of materials to keep cost down. • Build a house that someone else might want to buy. 34

35. Design is Important • Note how the lines and use of materials complement each other in this unique ranch structure. 35 (The Atrium Door and Window Corporation)

36. Modular Aspects • You should understand the sizes of construction materials when designing a house. • Construction materials are produced in standard-size increments or modules. • Designers should know what standard sizes are available and plan around them to reduce construction cost. (continued) 36

37. Modular Aspects • Costs are kept down by wasting less material and reducing custom work. • For example, a 40' x 64' house would probably cost no more to build than a 39' x 59' house because of waste and extra cutting. • Some of the standard construction material sizes provide guidelines for the designer. (continued) 37

38. Modular Aspects • Some standard construction material sizes are: • Plywood: 4' x 8' • Paneling: 4' x 8' • Construction lumber lengths: 8', 10', 12', 14', 16' • Concrete blocks: modules of 4" (continued) 38

39. Modular Aspects • Follow these typical guidelines: • Exterior walls should be modular lengths (multiples of 4', or at least 2'). • Plan to reduce waste in use of materials. • Use standard sizes for rooms (10', 12'). • Walls should be modular heights (multiples of 2'). 39

40. Quality of Living • Quality of living is the sum of several factors: • Location of the site. • Characteristics of the site itself. • Size and layout of the house. • It is the designer’s job to take advantage of as many aspects as possible to increase quality of living. 40

41. Quality of Living • This house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright takes full advantage of the site, materials, and design to produce a classic home. 41 (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy)

42. Drawings in a Set of Plans • Most sets of plans for residential construction include the following: • Plot plan. • Foundation plan. • Floor plan. • Elevations. • Electrical plan. • Construction details. • Pictorial presentations. 42

43. Plot Plan • The plot plan shows the location of the house on the site and other features. 43

44. Foundation Plan • A foundation plan shows the foundation size, materials, supporting structures, and basement if there is one. 44

45. Floor Plan • The floor plan shows exterior and interior walls, doors, windows, patios, walks, decks, fireplaces, cabinets, and appliances. 45

46. Exterior Elevations • Elevationsare drawn for each side of the structure. They show placement of windows and doors, exterior materials, and other details. 46

47. Electrical Plan • The electrical plan shows switches, outlets, fixtures, jacks, and panel box. 47

48. Construction Details • Construction details are usually drawn when more information is needed. 48

49. Pictorial Presentations • A pictorial presentation shows how the finished structure will appear and is commonly drawn in perspective or modeled. 49 (Sater Design Collection, Inc.)

50. Specifications • A set of construction drawings is not complete without specification sheets. • Specificationsdescribe the quality of work and materials. • They provide additional information that is not shown on the drawings. • The drawings and specifications form the basis for a legal contract. 50