In the pursuit of a peaceful and economically viable retirement, selecting the right home is paramount. A retirement home serves not just as a sanctuary but also as a strategic investment.
That’s why a 3 bedrooms house plan is perfect for maintaining the right balance between hospitality and maintenance. It can be a great way to juggle versatility and practicality all in one sweet dream home
Here are 10 things you should know if you are a first-time home builder aiming to optimise your investment while embracing the comfort of a 3 bedrooms house plan.
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Understanding the difference between ‘cost-effective’ and ‘budget-friendly’:
Cost-effective planning includes smart and strategic planning to avoid big spending in the future on repairs and modifications. It includes making thoughtful electrical and mechanical provisions for the future and using long-lasting and quality materials so future maintenance costs can be sustained at a lower level
On the other hand, Budget-friendly simply includes cutting corners on quality materials, weighing options solely based on price and prioritising the total project cost over building sustainability and long-term maintenance costs. This may lead to leakages, cracks and bad construction quality.
This may mean reinvesting more money to fix these things or even worse, having to live with them!
Prioritise Transparency
The only way you can optimise a 3 bedrooms house plan efficiently is to be highly detailed about your lifestyle and your needs. Accordingly, your architect will propose layouts that utilise space efficiently, maximising functionality while minimising square footage.
Every corner, every turn, and every passage must have a definite function
Space Efficiency:
Try to keep tertiary spaces like passages, lobbies and other spaces with no functional use to a maximum of 15-20% of the total built-up area
The best way to do this is to persuade your architect to embed your furniture layouts. Make sure the furniture layout is as realistic as can be with all the Vaastu principles, space and circulation optimisation etc.
Explore Prefabricated Options:
With a 3 bedrooms house plan, prefabricated options can provide customizable layouts tailored to specific preferences at a fraction of traditional construction costs.
But a lot of homeowners are averse to using pre-fab options so a combination of brickwork and prefab can be used.
For example, while your main home can be in brickwork and RCC you, the verandah and the roof can be prefab
Or consider having the top floor in a pre-fab option like containers or cabins. This will not only save costs but also give your home a cool and unique look!
Having a highly efficient finance tracking system
If you’re someone who has accepted that there are some things that you just can’t compromise and you just have to accept the cost while building your 3 bedrooms house plan, the best that you can do is to request a bulletproof cost tracking system from your professionals or even have on yourself.
These are your steps for that:
- Ask the builder/contractor for a breakup or BOQ (bill of quantities)
- Ensure that the quantities of the material they are using are not excess or the wastage percentage is not too high.
- You might have to consult an external consulting agency to make sure of that
- Maintain an Excel sheet to compare department-wise quoted costs and eventually keep updated it with actual costs to track escalations
Flexibility for Guests or Caregivers:
A 3 bedrooms house plan provides the flexibility to accommodate visitors or support personnel without compromising personal space
But it’s always a wise call to consider or at least give a thought to a space on the plot, where a potential caregiver can be accommodated.
In our latest project, we provided for a store room detached from the house with a toilet in a fully fabricated structure.
At the moment it is perfect to have a washroom provision for parties hosted on the lawn but has high potential to simply turn into a one room kitchen for a caregiver that might be hired in the future
Embrace Energy Efficiency:
Prioritise energy-efficient designs and appliances to reduce long-term operational costs.
Investing in sustainable features like solar electricity systems, high-end wiring for electricals, vacuum lifts, 3-way drainage systems etc. not only minimises utility expenses but also contributes to environmental conservation.
Plan for Future Needs:
You can never predict what the future holds and if you are building a 3 bedrooms house plan, I’m sure there’s enough space to accommodate the following for the future and the ‘in-case’
- Electrical and layout provision for a lift
- Electrical provision for security and automation systems. (just have strategically placed CAT-6 Points
- A fully functional and sizable bathroom with al provisions on the ground floor
- Extra space for another car park (for guests maybe?)
If nothing then, incorporating features like single-level layouts, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms ensures long-term comfort and convenience.
Negotiate Price and Financing:
Don’t hesitate to negotiate the price and explore financing options to secure the best deal. With a 3 bedrooms house plan, there’s often room for negotiation, especially when purchasing pre-owned properties or customising new constructions.
Understanding these tips empowers retirement home seekers to make informed decisions that align with their financial goals and lifestyle preferences.
Conclusion
By implementing budget-friendly strategies and leveraging the versatility of a 3 bedrooms house plan, retirees can enjoy a comfortable and secure living environment without compromising their financial well-being.
We love to use a method called the Vision Mapping Process in the first phase of our design. Its a simple process that helps us identify the client’s vision and gives us the first skipping stone towards the right direction and begin this beautiful journey!
Take a look at this 25 minute free tutorial that I made on the Vision Mapping Process and two more efficient systems that you need to implement if you are also in the process of constructing your dream home
In conclusion, embracing the 9 tips outlined above is crucial for retirement home seekers aiming to secure a budget-friendly option with a 3 bedrooms house plan. By understanding the value of space efficiency, flexibility, and strategic planning, retirees can embark on a fulfilling journey towards a comfortable and financially sustainable retirement lifestyle.
