Please have your home design drafter look

[nanasohana]

at your lot and see how to design the foundation. Ignorance on our part is costing us extra $ and extra work. Piers as shearwall foundations would be my first choice as far as cost, work for DIYers.

[Hotzcatz]

Aloha Nancy,

If you had your home designed and drafted by someone who didn't come out and look at your lot, there is probably a lot more than just the foundation which wasn't done the way it should have been!

The direction of the wind, the sun, the view, the topography, the location of the neighbors, etc. are all very important to the final house design. All these should be taken into consideration when designing a house and is really hard to do without going out to look at the home site!

Also, your architect, home designer or draftsperson should have taken into consideration who would actually be building your home. If it is being built by a contractor the plans should address different concerns than if it is being built by the home owner.

A hui hou,
Cathy
Hawaii Drafting Service
hotzcatz@yahoo.com

[nanasohana]

Cathy, we are owner builders and Hawaii is an all new building experience for us but we are learning! Would love for you to come by and take a look at our lot next to the one we are building on BEFORE the design is considered!

[Hotzcatz]

Aloha Nancy,

Whether it is me or another draftsperson, it is always a good idea to have the person drawing up your plans to come look at the site. There are a lot of little decisions made during the drawing up process and if the person doing it knows your exact site, it will produce a much better set of blueprints.

Since you've just started building your new project, most likely you will be busy for awhile. However, when you start thinking about the design next door, drop me an email at hotzcatz@yahoo.com . Even if I don't end up drawing up your house, perhaps there will be some new ideas or new ideas on how to construct the existing ideas. Although, this forum is a great resource and will have loads of ideas as well.

A hui hou,
Cathy