Tower Hill

Archive for the ‘home design’ Category

When my husband and I were considering buying our second home we looked at homes in Westborough, MA.  I grew up in the next town over so it was pretty logical that we would look close by I suppose.  These were brand new, top notch, spacious homes set back off the main road in a beautiful development.  As we perused the great room and admired the floor to ceiling fireplace it made me wonder who decides all this.  Who decides how this room was to be layed out?  Who chooses the way the windows would be placed to take advantage of the morning sun or how do you keep the noise level to a minimum when the great room would sit directly above the three car garage?  The realtor explained to process to me.  I was thirty something and it was all very new to me back then.  She explained that the builder works with an architect in some cases but, in this case, with a home designer or draftsperson who provided the builder with the plans, or blueprints for the design of the house.  She said that a few of the houses in the development were not completely finished as this one was so there was more leeway when it came to make changes to the original designs.  She said that there is usually a charge for changes to the original design because it would mean more changes to the blueprints.  Any changes would have to be approvd by the engineer once the designer completed them.  I was fascinated.  We didn’t buy that particular house but, it really got me thinking.

Now that I am involved with many types of people in real estate I have found that often people love the location of the home that they have chosen so they really want to keep it.  Sometimes particularly when the makeup of your family changes you need to make changes to your home to make the necessary accommodations.   So, now what do you do?  Its not hard to go on-line and google ‘carpenter’ or maybe ‘housing contractor’ or something like that.  I suppose you could ask your friends as well if they have had any work done too.  I am sure that can be quite daunting for most people.  Just because a carpenter can build a deck or a back yard shed doesn’t necessarily mean that they can tackle a great room, with a large fireplace, a mudroom and an office to boot….right?  An architect would be awesome but, that can mean alot of money.  No offense but, what really is the solution?

  You need a home designer.  You need someone who is familiar with drawing the blueprints and or revising them.  There is alot to consider when doing this, elevations, septic systems, electrical and plumbing work and let’s not forget those lovely variances.  More important than that…well almost…is that you need to find a designer who will listen to what it is that you have in mind when you are considering any type of changes or additions to your home.  If you can find one with  the artistic vision of an architect, remodeling, construction experience who also is versed in building codes, working with engineers and the like then you are in very good hands.  Good luck “Googling” that.  Here’s where I come in .  In my travels I have met a gentleman who has aquired all of that.   He and I have like minds when it comes to being able to envision how a particular home might blossom into a really great piece of real estate because we see the potential where many people, (90% of the world’s population to be exact) are unable.  He has worked for almost ten years for a high end housing development company in the greater Boston area.   Sorry but, I just can’t mention any names.    He designs million dollar homes on a weekly basis from conception through completion.  He is now venturing out on his own.  I’m SO excited.  Stay tuned…..