Harmony Mountain Cottage’s house plan is based on the presence of a splendid view in a natural environment. There may be two options available, namely buying a vacant lot or buying an existing farmhouse, tearing it down and rebuilding it. The advantage of going the demolition route is the existing conveniences, such as access to roads, power and water lines, and perhaps even a septic system. And it’s often possible to rebuild on the old foundation, saving on construction (and sometimes circumventing new zoning restrictions). However, wasteland is usually cheaper to buy. Prospective buyers should check for year-round road access; existing electricity, water and telephone lines; and if not, how much would it cost to bring these utilities. Take a look at the view from potential construction sites. Check that if the land is on or near the coast, it is suitable for swimming or building a dock. Check local zoning requirements and restrictions on new construction.

When you’re ready to design your dream craftsman bungalow house plan, you can choose from one of the many cottage design plans available online at low cost from internet house plan providers. These come with free software that allows you to easily enter the features you want and then calculate an estimate of how much it would cost to build that design in your area. The advantage of buying existing house plans instead of building your cottage from scratch is that many of the decisions, such as what materials to use, what bathroom fixtures, ceiling, siding, and flooring to use, are already made and your estimated cost is calculated automatically.

Online home plan providers can recommend reputable contractors in your area. Before deciding on a general contractor to build your bungalow home plans, you should seek bids from at least three builders. You should ask them for a detailed breakdown of all costs, so you can accurately compare them. You must also apply and check your references. When deciding on materials, consider some of the newer energy-saving materials available, such as structural insulation panels, which are like a factory-laminated fiberboard sandwich with a foam insert. These panels go up faster than traditional wood frames and make the building three times stronger, while using a third of the energy needed to heat a wood frame home. Another technological innovation is fiber cement siding, which is made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This exterior siding will not support insects or rot, and can be cut effectively with a power wood saw.