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Thanks to These Factors – Floor Plans Have Taken a New Direction in 2018 1024 683 Chesapeake Energy Homes
Modular Home Planning Maryland

Thanks to These Factors – Floor Plans Have Taken a New Direction in 2018
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Floor Plan Trends

Floor plans can be the building blocks of conflict for contractors, architects, and home builders. There are numerous restrictions and requirements on the land and labor. The core of the problem exists within the inability to adequately accommodate the increasing floor plan demands of buyers. Market trends are causing builders to seek quality solutions to the issues without compromising the satisfaction of buyers.

Here are a few of the motivations that are influencing floor plan designs.

  1. Outdoor Spaces

More and more home buyers are opting for outdoor rooms. The request for homes with upgraded or lavish outdoor features is becoming greater each year. Homeowners want to create a space in the home that takes them away from the boundaries of the four walls, while connecting them with the ambiance of outdoors. This feature has created a surge in the installation of rooftop decks. This introduces a functional space that can be used for relaxation or entertainment year-round. The addition of mechanisms that provide shade, heat, video and audio capabilities to the space make them fully functional. Another appealing option permits enclosed spaces to transition into an open space. This allows the outdoor experience to flow from an interior room of the home. Hosting family and professional functions becomes easier with transferrable outdoor spaces.

  1. Seasoned Buyers

Builders are servicing a growing population of older home buyers. This leads to an increased demand for single-story homes with easy accessibility. Buyers are also opting for the multi-level home with the installation of elevators. Other features that aging adults are requesting in new home designs are zero-entry showers, ground-floor lock off suites and widened hallways. Focus groups, homeowner interviews and in-depth research techniques are tools that are utilized to assess the features that older homeowners most desire.

  1. Open Living Areas

Open space in the home is one of the biggest requests in the real estate market today. Buyers are motivated, and they want what they want, plain and simple. A floorplan that delivers a welcoming space is where it begins. Kitchens, family rooms, media rooms and other spaces are partially or entirely open in almost 85% of new home designs. More than half of that percentage completely opens into the primary living areas of the home. The most commonly requested open space is the kitchen and family room space. According to some markets, more than 65% of recent home buyers seek homes that offer at least a partially open kitchen. The kitchen space would flow over into a welcoming family room area. Individuals and families are opting for housing designs that offer fewer square feet of wall-to-wall and more wall-to-open space. They want brightness and large open spaces that accommodate a small or large group comfortably.

  1. Marketing Appeal

Many home buyers spend months developing a mental design of their new home. The number of times their visual design changed in their head is likely too many to count. The point is, as life and lifestyles change, so do plans- especially floor plans. Home design television shows lead the industry in market influence. Perspective and active buyers will often design an entire floorplan based on the combination of must-haves from the past four seasons of a show. The floorplan should accommodate the desires and dreams of the owners. There are cases where other factors may prevent a builder from being able to execute all or a portion of that floor plan. Affordability, available space, community restrictions, building restrictions and more are among these factors. Homeowners seek customized homes that match their personality and accommodate their lifestyle. A home that nurtures the family converts into a workspace when necessary and entertains guests with minimal preparation is what many want to achieve with their floor plan designs. Builders have tasked the luxury of determining how to answer these demands either partially or entirely.

The building process varies among builders. Designs, materials and floor plans can usually be changed while in the planning phase. Once the project is underway, making changes can be costly. Modern tools such as virtual reality and augmented reality are beneficial. They enable builders and designers to present a virtual walk-through of a space before the project begins. Buyers benefit from this as it allows them to change parts of their floor plan before construction on their new home begins. Fewer issues during the building process equate to happier buyers and a completion date that both sides can appreciate.

This article was originally posted on Chesapeake Energy Homes April 2018
Photo Copyright: dolgachov / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Expect these Construction Trends to Surface in 2018 1024 683 Chesapeake Energy Homes
home construction trends for 2018

Expect these Construction Trends to Surface in 2018
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Construction Trends for 2018

The construction industry is answering the call for cleaner and more contemporary style buildings. The response is implemented by setting the wheel in motion with advanced technology and by executing applications to expedite the building process. Traditional processes are being upgraded with newly researched and developed mechanisms.

Builders and contractors are moving forward with this approach to better accommodate the changes in the request of buyers. Buyers have become more focused on the quality of the build and its kindness to the environment. The trends seen most often will include a large percentage of technology platforms. Here are a few that you may notice throughout the year.

  1. Project Management Software

A variety of industries have used project management software to aid in project development. Contractors are beginning to implement this tool in many projects. It enables them to receive real-time communication, software integration, trackability and project summary. The software programs work to deliver advancements in the information that is collected from data. The software allows for three crucial advantages:

  • Efficiency
  • Accountability
  • Transparency

  1. Green Construction

Over the past few years, the demand for green construction has increased significantly. Many people view consumption from an entirely different perspective. Lifestyle changes have resulted in a decrease in the acquisition of disposable products. The result is a generous increase in cooperative consumption. These changes are impacting the construction and building industries. The introduction of green construction decreases waste and the utilization of non-green resources. The end-result delivers healthier living options and less damage on the planet. Green certifications will be required for many building models. LEED certification is currently being sealed on the licenses of green contractors.

  1. AR and VR

Contractors are utilizing tools of augmented reality and virtual reality. Virtual reality permits builders to provide a virtual walk-through of the site or development. During this process, contractors can present ideas and design scenarios to clients. A virtual appeal serves as motivation to some. It allows them to gain a clearer visual perspective of the development. Augmented reality simply enhances information and collected data. Contractors use this to gain accuracy or precision in measurements, which will decrease the possibility of errors.

VR and AR can also be used to train for on-the-job safety. The realistic blueprint can be used to simulate which tools should be used in certain spaces. Measurements of the space can be perceived through augmented reality to ensure the size of the equipment is appropriate for the area. The repository of Augmented reality is more precise than the data collected from other sources. Contractors rely on the accuracy of measurements to prevent costly mistakes that must be corrected. The combined efficiency of AR and VR will cause contractors to utilize them both.

  1. Drones

Drones are used for a variety of projects. The construction industry has been afforded many advantages because of them. The ability to map the site and collect data allows builders to see, respond to and report any changes. Drones assist in the inspection of certain areas of job sites also. Progression of the project can be assessed with the use of a drone. They help contractors and project managers to work more efficiently and at a more controlled cost. Some drone technology interacts with software that is directly related to the construction industry.

  1. Robotics

This technology is slowly advancing in various industries, including construction. The successful contribution of digital platforms that utilize the 3D printing robotic arm is a primary example of this technology.

  1. Modular Construction

Modular construction or prefab buildings are built off-site for future erection in its permanent site. There is no compromise of quality, materials or equipment. It takes less time to design and construct modular buildings. Many reports indicate that they are built at a rate that is more than 60 times faster than on-site buildings. Modular buildings are structurally sound and must be submitted through and passcodes. Quality assurance tests are rendered to ensure these models meet the requirements of building codes. More than 75% of the work is done off-site with modular construction. This results in decreased noise and weather delays that could be caused by inclimate weather. Modular construction relies heavily on precise measurements and data. Industry navigation towards the use of augmented reality tools is further justified by the increased demand for modular construction.

The implementation of the above tools generates enhanced options for buyers on the market. Contractors could possibly see a stronger and more appealing industry this year as a result of these trends.

This article was originally posted on Cehbuilds.com Chesapeake Energy Homes is located in Annapolis, Maryland and provides custom home building.  Contact them today!

Photo Copyright: snowing / 123RF Stock Photo