Planning your Dream Home ?

       

Before starting the construction, one has to plan the whole thing starting from procurement of materials to engagement of labours. Improper planning results in bad construction in terms of layout and quality, increase in the project cost and delay in completion. So one has to carefully plan every aspect involved in the execution.

Proper planning is very important to ensure that the timelines are met and the construction is strong and durable. With the rapid development taking place in the industry, there is often a multiplicity of factors to be considered and decision making can be complex. To avoid your dependency upon the site engineer or contractor, it is advisable to be aware of certain important aspects with regard to construction planning.

Here we have tried to give you a picture which will make you clear what you have to do before taking up the task.

1. Hire a certified Architect/Civil Engineer and get a proper Plan and design of your home.
2. Get your Home Plan approved by the local civil authorities.
3. Make an estimate of materials and labours required during execution, which will give you the tentative cost of the whole project. You make take the services of your Architect/Civil Engineer.
4. Chalk out the flow and availability of your finance with respect to the time, so that you can easily plan all the activities.
5. Split the Estimate in a phase-wise manner so that you can effectively control the flow of money, completion of activities and wastage of materials.
6. Conduct a small survey of materials (like Cement, Steel, Sand, Stone chips, Paints etc) in and around you town/city so that you can estimate the cost involved in purchasing the materials.
7. Hire a contractor which have sound and experienced skilled labours (like Masons, Carpenters etc), as because once any structural mistake is committed it will cause you more pain in rectification. Take the quotation of labour cost with material and without material from them and then decide which will be cost effective for you.

To save the construction cost and build the home economically, you may follow these tips:

• Avoid complicated forms of shapes.
• Avoid complex system of level.
• Insist on economic structural design.
• Provide maximum possible provision for natural light and ventilation.
• Ensure efficient placement of utilities like water-supply pipes, power cables etc.
• Use fresh, sound and durable building materials.
• Engage trained manpower.

There are a few additional factors that should be considered during construction of the various rooms of the house:

     Entrance

1. The entrance is the place to entertain visitors and should be constructed in a visually appealing manner.
2. For security reasons, the entrance must be constructed in such a way that it provides adequate protection to the house.
3. The entrance also needs to protect the house against inhospitable weather such as harsh sunlight and excessive rains.

     Living Room

1. The living room should be located near to the entrance.
2. The living room should preferably face the lawn, wherever possible.
3. Tall windows can add a lot of visual appeal to the living room

     Bedroom

1. The bedroom should be located away from the entrance and living room to ensure privacy.
2. The bedroom should be connected with a balcony and attached bathroom, wherever possible.
3. Provide adequate storage facilities in the form of almirahs and cabinets.

     Kitchen

• The kitchen must have adequate ventilation and natural sunlight.
• It should be adjoining the dining room.
• The working platform must be adequately wide and free from obstructions.
• The design should provide adequate space for appliances such as cooking range, dishwasher, chimney etc.

Bathroom

1. The bathroom must have adequate ventilation and natural lighting.
2. The bath fittings and sanitary fittings must be of a high quality to withstand regular and prolonged use.
3. The bathroom floor should be 5 cm lower than the other flooring of the house.

Before making a Plan you may consider the following requirements

                     Minimum dimensions required in a Residential building

Name of Items	Minimum requirements
Plinth height	450 mm
Height of Rooms	3.00 m
Area of Living/Bed Rooms	12 sq.m.
Area of Kitchen	8 sq.m.
Area of bathroom	2.52 sq.m. (1.2 m x 2.1 m)
Area of WC (Toilet)	1.2 sq.m. (1.00 m x 1.2 m)