Kit Home Designs – Going Up or Out?
This is a question that will come up when choosing kit homes. In fact, it is always best to think about future needs when in planning stage.
However, each decision must be taken on its individual merits and rarely are two cases the same.
Why Plan Forward?
If this is to be the family home to raise the children in then perhaps a single story home is best. If the kids are all but grown up and you are looking for a teenager’s retreat maybe a granny flat down the back is the answer, but on the other hand if the spectacular view will add value to your home and provide a wonderful place for a relaxing cuppa, then a second story is the way to go.
If you are looking forward to a time when you’ll sell the home, try and get every possible need catered for. Make provisions for building on easily and this is a snap with kit homes. Be sure the foundations and building can take a second story if needed which is also very easy with a kit home.
That way you not only give yourself options but you give options to people buying the home in the future, and that flexibility is a great selling point.
Room For A View
By far the most mitigating factor to build up is to take advantage of a view. Think about a couple of things before you build your two story dream home.
- Can your view be built out?
Do check and see if there are building blocks around you that might be able to block out your view. It would be a shame if a two story home went up next to you and then that was all your view consisted of. Check council regulations on this as well.
- Will surrounding trees block out the view in the future?
Often in bushland small trees look lovely and add to the view. Then after five years more growth they begin to impede an uninterrupted view and there is no way you can just get rid of the trees. Even in country towns views can be spoiled so try and look ahead.
- How far up will you need to go to get a good view
Do check and see just what the view will be like from the height your second story will be. This will help you ascertain if it’s worth a second story or if you might need to go a little higher, or even if the height you need might be unobtainable.
- What position is the home for weather conditions to get the best view
If the best view is from a winter weather position you might need to consider the weather conditions and how you will best utilise this view. An open balcony in a westerly wind is not usually pleasant however a large window in a toasty warm room might be a perfect winter retreat.
- Will this view increase the value of your home?
If you have ocean, sea, bay, or harbour views then you will almost certainly increase the value of your home by making the most of them. Other types of view will be valued by the individual
Cost factors – which is cheaper?
There really is no black or white answer to this. Because individual needs vary, the building blocks vary, and what is considered a large budget varies, it is very difficult to say what is the cheapest.
The only way you can really judge is to take your budget, your block of land, and the size of the home you want and do a direct comparison. Consider your own needs first. Perhaps there are other things that are more important than cost factors, especially safety.
- Would the double story home present problems with growing children, or even elderly knees and backs?
- How much wasted space will be created in either a double story home of single story home?
- Don’t forget to factor in such things as daily scaffold hire or the cost of clearing and laying a slab.
Make sure you take every possible scenario into account and talk to the kit home experts and several builders. See if you can speak to others who’ve built homes in the area, or under similar conditions, for tips and advice.
