There are seemingly endless decisions to make when looking for a house plan: the style, number of stories, and how many bedrooms and baths, just to begin. But because available, affordable land today often means a less-than-perfect building site, it is also important to find the right plan to fit your lot. Choosing the right plan and siting it properly can mitigate problems and save on energy costs.
Sloping lots, wetlands acreage, and narrow-width sites are all buildable, with the right home plan.
Sloping lots — which generally offer great views and cool breezes — are tamed when paired with a hillside plan designed to fit a slope to the front, back, or side, as needed for the lot. Consider a plan that places your garage on the high side of a slope, thereby minimizing foundation costs and eliminating stairs to the garage. Alternately, pick a plan with a drive-under garage that makes perfect use of a sloping lot.
Wetlands or other areas prone to swampy ground or high water, at least part of the year, may be accommodated by a home with a pier foundation. These foundations raise the main body of the home up and away from soggy sites and often are in accordance with local laws protecting wetlands areas. In dry seasons, the area under the piers provides storage for a boat or other waterfront perks.
If your lot is unusually narrow, there are hundreds of plans available with a slender footprint — some as little as 25 feet wide have great livability. Another option is choosing a plan that is fairly wide — but not very deep — and turning it to fit the lot. With some plans, it may be possible to tuck the garage to the rear, thus narrowing the footprint to fit a lot.
Regardless of the size, shape and location of your lot, you want to be sure to take advantage of proper "siting." That means situating your home on the lot with consideration to sun exposure, prevailing winds, views, and access.
Both lot siting and home siting are important. Lot siting involves the specifics of your building site and its neighborhood. Does it have a view? Does it allow for privacy? How is it shaped or sized? These factors will determine some of the details you'll want to feature in your home, which may include: large windows to capture a view, a privacy court to block out street noise, a garage that opens to the side or rear, or a particular footprint to allow for easements and setbacks from the property line.
Home siting involves the specific relationship of the home to its lot, taking into account grade changes, available views, orientation to the sun, prevailing winds, and existing vegetation. Your designer or builder should be able to help you develop a site plan, which places your home optimally on your lot. Some local building departments require a site plan before they will approve plans and issue permits. If your house plan doesn't completely meet site requirements, you should be able to make appropriate modifications.
Also consider the specific climatic conditions in your area. Correctly orientating your home will help keep you comfortable, while saving on heating and cooling bills. In hot climates, for example, locate the living areas in your home on the north or east side of the plan, reserving the south and west sides of the home for non-living spaces such as the garage or storage areas.
Homes built in temperate climates should emphasize sun exposure in the cool months and shade in the summer, while reducing the impact of winter wind and increasing the flow of summer breezes. Protect yourself from winter winds by choosing a plan with a steeply pitched roof that can be placed on the windward side of the lot. If possible, minimize windows on the north side of the home as well.
Finding a great home plan is a big step in realizing your dreams. But in the end, you'll be happiest if your home and your site are working together to make your dreams come true.
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