Month: October 2021

Floorplan Spotlight: Modern Farmhouse Design

At Frank Betz Associates, we aren’t just experts in all things home, we’re experts in all things important to you. We make it a priority to not only stay ahead of prominent design trends, but to listen to what modern homeowners like you are looking for in a home — the coziest and most reliable place in the world. 

Warm, stylish, and inviting, it’s no surprise that our farmhouse plans are the most popular we offer. With timeless design that incorporates contemporary flair, homeowners enjoy a living space that looks fresh and feels familiar. Take a look “inside” our modern farmhouse-style plans and experience the magic for yourself!

 

Farmhouse Exterior Features

Whoever said “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” has certainly never come across one of our modern farmhouse homes… With an absolutely stunning aesthetic that’s quick to touch your heart (and pique your curiosity), there’s no way you can glance at one of these living spaces and not want to go inside for more. 

With a mix of stylish features like clapboard, board-and-batten sidings, multiple gables, battered entry columns, stone pedestals, timbers, metal roofing, clean trim lines, warm front porches, and more, an exterior of one of our farmhouse-style floor plans is truly a sight to see — and signifies that you’ve finally made it home.

 

Interior Features

Like the beautiful features found on the outside, the interiors of our farmhouse-style plans include everything that makes the little moments special. Our main floors are open and welcoming, anchored by gorgeous kitchens that “feed” out into the rest of the space. Apart from grand rooms, dining areas, and guest and master suites, these contemporary and cozy homes also offer peaceful and private covered porches for relaxing.

With thoughtful touches like beautiful vaulted ceilings, regal windows, and design elements that allow for plenty of natural light, these special floor plans truly look and feel like your greatest vision of home. In a space specifically built for families to experience their happiest moments, life only gets better by the day. 

Want to explore more of what makes our farmhouse-style floor plans so unique? Here are a few of our most popular plans:

 

Hickory Flat

4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2,205 Sq Ft

Plan Features:

  • Main-level owner’s suite
  • Covered front and rear porch
  • Optional 2nd floor with 4th bedroom and bonus room

 

Northfield Manor

4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths | 3-Car Garage | 3,878 Sq Ft

Plan Features:

  • Main-level owner’s suite
  • Covered front porch
  • All bedrooms feature en suite bath and walk-in closets

 

All of us at Frank Betz Associates can’t wait to meet you and discuss your perfect farmhouse-inspired home. For more information, please call 888-717-3003.

The FAQs of Choosing a New House Plan

You’ve heard there’s no place like home, but the truth is, there’s no place like YOUR home, and you want to learn as much as possible before you begin building one. If you’re thinking of purchasing a house plan, or are about to start the process, you’ve probably got questions. Because we want to provide you with as much information as possible, we compiled the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. 

 

We see a plan we love but want to make changes. Can we modify a plan? 

 

Yes, it is common for customers to choose a stock house plan and modify it to suit their needs. Purchasing a pre-designed stock house plan saves you money while still getting the design expertise and knowledge you would from a custom plan. The choice of a stock house plan saves time and money because most of the work is already complete. To modify a plan, come up with a “wish list” of changes and email it to us at modify@frankbetz.com and we’ll send a quote to you.

 

What if I need the plan flipped and the garage on the opposite side?

 

With modern CADD (computer-aided design) systems, producing drawings and documents either right-reading or reversed is a very simple task and is readily available.

 

Do you design custom homes, too?

 

The design process is what we do best! Our vast knowledge and experience makes Frank Betz Associates the best choice for conceptual design whether it’s a one-of-a-kind custom design or a speculative design. Even if you have drafting or CADD capabilities, we would really like to produce the design concepts. Floor plan design, elevation design — we do it all.

 

How much does it cost to build a house plan?

 

The price of building a plan varies greatly based on the location and materials used. We recommend consulting with a local builder or real estate professional about the cost-per-square-foot in your area. 

 

How much does it cost to buy a house plan?

 

Pricing for stock plans is at the discretion of the plan owner; however, within the industry, pricing for similar products from one designer source to another is fairly consistent.

 

How is the square footage calculated on a house plan? 

 

Designers and architects all calculate square footage differently. Some include exterior materials and volume space; others do not. Different architects may have differing square footage totals for the same plan. Also, certain tradesmen and sub-contractors will have their own method of calculating square footage related to their individual trade and scope of work. Our square footage calculations are made from outside the exterior frame wall and only include heated spaces. 

 

I love the floor plan but do not like the front of the home. Is there anything we can do?

 

It is relatively easy to change the exterior style of a particular design, within reason. Not all styles are architecturally correct for every plan, but that is typically left up to the discretion of the designer or architect to decide. We encourage our customers to find a floor plan that suits their needs, and if the exterior is not to their liking we will work with them to create a pleasing exterior.

 

Do you post pictures of your finished house plans?

 

Photography legitimizes our house plans. It is comforting to prospective buyers to know that someone else has experienced using the plans and has built a house based upon them. Graphically, it is so important to see pictures because some people cannot easily visualize the final structure. It is a huge benefit to work with someone who can see/think in “three dimensions” and visualize what the outcome will be. It is a must for someone wanting a career in this business!

 

We depend on our customers to send in pictures of our finished house plans. If we have pictures available for any house plan, they will be on our website! Make sure you check our Gallery for extra pictures as well! 

 

Do your plans meet local building codes?

 

Building codes change from one area to another. It is of utmost importance to check with the permitting department or code enforcement officers in your area before starting a project. When a customer is purchasing a stock house plan, it may need to be modified to meet your local building code.

 

How expensive is it to modify a plan?

 

Modifications are strictly a “time spent” issue — the more involved the request for changes are, the more they will cost. When you begin to make a change to the plans —  no matter how involved — you introduce the need for human assessment, which adds to the expense. 

 

Still have questions? Contact us  — we’d love to help!

 

Small House Plans that Pack a Punch

For many of us, our dream home is a grand house with more than enough space for everyone in our lives to spread out. There are rooms to accommodate every person, guest, hobby, and pet, and a large outdoor space where our kids can run free. It’s a beautiful dream that can easily become a reality with the right house plan.

And then, there are those of us who relish in the small and cozy, in spaces that bring family members together, and places we can clean in under an hour on a Saturday morning. That’s the beauty of living small.

In this article, we’ll share some of the top reasons people choose to build small (under 2,000 square feet), and a few of our coziest house plans from our extensive design collection.

 

1) More Affordable

Not only are smaller homes more affordable to build, they are much more economical in terms of energy usage. The smaller footprint combined with modern, energy-saving systems and appliances can lower your utility bills significantly. That means more money in your pocket to save, travel, or upgrade your home (more on that in a moment).

A smaller home is also less expensive to maintain. There is less square footage inside, and not as much surface space (like roof and siding) outside, so when it comes to repairing or replacing worn out materials, it will cost much less.

2) Faster Build Time

The smaller the home, the faster the build. The build time for an average-sized new home (about 2,657 square feet, according to U.S. Census Bureau data), is about one year. In that case, homes under 2,000 square feet could take as little as 6-9 months to build, all depending on your builder partner. No matter the exact number of days, the smaller, the faster, which is perfect if you have time constraints that cannot be changed.

3) Build in More Places

When you’re small, you can be nimble. The same is true for homes. When you build small, your home can fit in more places, including the most desirable neighborhoods with the most amenities. If there’s an area that you’ve fallen in love with, but it’s densely populated and existing homes or even condos are priced too high, consider grabbing a small plot of land and building new.

4) More Money for Upgrades

When you have a smaller space, you can deck it out with top-of-the-line finishes and materials. Tap into the money you saved building a smaller home and use it for upgrades such as marble countertops, solid hardwood floors, trendy wallpaper for accent walls, and anything else you wish.

5) Bring Family Together

In a cozier home, you can feel more connected to those you live with. See and hear your kids playing in the great room while you make dinner, gather round the fireplace for game nights or cups of cocoa, and never be too far that you can’t hear a baby crying. Keep in mind though, that in a home under 2,000 square feet, you don’t have to sacrifice space or style. The plan just has to be well-designed enough to make great use of every square foot.

Here are a few of our smaller house plans that hit the mark:

Around 2,000 Square Feet

Huntington Ridge (b)

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 1,982 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Front Porch
  • Formal Dining Room
  • Large Fireplace
  • Bonus Room
  • Mud Room

 

Blantons Trace

4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 2,073 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Front Porch
  • Rear Porch
  • Split Bedrooms
  • Bonus Room
  • Mud Room

 

Around 1,500 Square Feet

Abbotts Pond

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,406 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Front Porch
  • Rear Porch
  • Vaulted Ceilings
  • Breakfast Area

 

Quebec

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,342 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Bonus Room
  • 14′ Ceiling in Great Room
  • Tray Ceiling in Owner’s Suite
  • Additional Space Available to Build 4th Bedroom

 

If you’re interested in building a smaller home for any of the reasons mentioned above, we’d be happy to help you find the perfect plan. Contact us to get started.