24 replies to this topic

[randolph cohn]

any suggestions on what amenities are common for a spec home ?

 

like web sites with this information.

 

sizes of rooms

 

number of bedrooms

 

number of bathrooms / powder room

 

entry

 

living room

 

den

 

great room

 

home office,

 

etc, etc, etc

[Keith Almond]

How big are you going to make it?

What might be considered standard amenities are really dependent upon the size of the home and the location and value of the lot. Also you should consider your target market, and approximate selling price.

Are you expecting it to sell for $250,000 or $5,000,000. It makes a big difference to what features you would include.

[Kevin Rabenaldt]

On a spec home you have to keep all the rooms or areas in balance to the plan.  You can not make a extra large master bedroom without sacrificing some other space in the house.  I get that when designing for a client that wants a particular room large.  I ask, what rooms do you want to make smaller?  Usually I get a puzzled look back.  So to appeal to the greatest buyer pool you have to keep in it balance.  The best market tool is see what amenities others are doing in spec homes.

[Tom Rogers]

Spec or Portfolio plans are total different way of designing than custom.  You need to design for the masses.  Simple concepts (not too crazy thoughts-i.e. rotunda's or hidden pools).  Also you need to really know and think like a builder and how something may cost out.  A good custom home does not make a good portfolio home; but a good portfolio home can bring you many custom modification projects. 

[Daniel Zanoli]

Nice thing about a spec house is no one is gonna change anything while your building it...No homeowner involved. It is what it is.  For sale take it or leave it. The way the market is today...their gonna take it.  Homes are selling like hot cakes. Builders market. I know a guy who shells em and sells em. Driveway, Well and septic, Shells in the home and sides it. Everyone looking for a good deal has a brother inlaw whos a plumber, or a drywall guy, or does elec.  The best thing is..no one is ever gonna call and complain that the sinks dripping..the drywalls popping...the heater makeing a strange sound. I think hes on to something.  Hes finished in 6 weeks and it sells in days.

[Ron Sirolli]

HAVE THEM GET A HOME PLAN BOOK AND PICK SOMETHING OUT OF THERE CLOSE TO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING THE BOOK IS ABOUT 12.50 DOLLARS

SIZE IS A BIG THING

[Keith Almond]

The plans in a HOME PLAN BOOK are copyrighted. I assume you're advocating them to buy the plans from the original designer ... If your designing a spec home for a builder, He/She knows what they want included or not included. You should get a full brief from them.

[Yvon Gonthier]

Spec homes will vary greatly based on the market area that's it's designed for (style, size, needs and price).

[Keith Almond]

I would bet that a spec. home in Ottawa or Kingston (the market I'm familiar with), is substantially different to that in California or Florida.

 

I have worked for tract home builders, and typically what we would build on spec, would be 3 - 4 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Nook (and maybe a Den) - 1200 - 2000 ft² - with optional Rec Room and Bathroom in the basement. On standard subdivision lots varying from 30' to 50'+ wide and 100'+ deep.

[randolph cohn]

I guess I got you all off in the wrong direction.

 

what i'm looking for is what is as close to "standard" (in most areas since

the plans will be sold around the country and possibly in other countries)

 

I know it all varies some in different parts of the country but

 

number of bedrooms

 

number of bathrooms

 

size of rooms

 

square footage (+/-)

 

what are standard sizes of lots,

 

etc

 

etc

 

etc

 

bottom line:

what are the majority of clients looking for.

 

 

you can please half the people all of the time

and all of the people half the time

but

you can't please "ALL" the people "ALL" the time.

[Harlon Suttle]

A story and half, master, laundry on main floor, open non formal spaces, i.e. no formal dinning nor formal living room, great room if you will, two bed rooms with an expansion space above the garage for a third bed room up stairs, full basement were frost depth is greater than 30", two car attached garage....total sq feet....market driven....floor plan typical "open", ceiling heights....market driven, the bigger the kitchen the better....island and/or eat in bar....a few "different" upgrades....built-in nook booth seating, bump out areas only if space is usuable, i.e walk-in pantry...this type of options help seperate the spec sameness look....varying roof style, and street side elevations also develop as many different kitchen layouts as possible..i.e....gally, L, etc thus the great room takes on a totally different look....spa tubs are fading, but are market driven....media room/study that is next to the master can function as a nursery and later converted....sales people love layout functionality changes as a family grows older....mud rooms in northern cold climates that have snowy winters are a huge seller....the list is endless....to follow what is trending, checkout some big national builders....they have huge market departments that stay on top of market trends national and regional....

[Tom Rogers]

4 bedrooms

Master on main

optional room

guest room (preferred on main level

open layout

street appeal

good size kitchen with island

large laundry or drop zone

walk in shower (tub may not be needed) in master

2 car garage minimum

2300-2700 sf

9' first floor 

[randolph cohn]

thanks guys

 

now your talking.

 

I don't want to copy anything

all original

 

just want to know what people are looking for.

 

how about average size of lots

[Harlon Suttle]

wow...lot size....ouch....huge variables there....but if I was to pick.....70x130....but lots of developers will get by with a lot less....

Out west were water is a bidder issue, lots are tiny, but here and east lots mentioned above are typical and some a bit bigger....

[Tom Rogers]

My lot sizes are usually 60x120.  With setbacks that gives me a 50' wide by about 90' deep.  However because of overhangs or masonry I can get down to 48' wide.  

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Lots here vary greatly with most being 80' x 120' to 2.75 Acres, Several lots in the 20+ acre range

with spec houses from 2,000 to 154,000 square feet

[randolph cohn]

getting lot's of great advise,  thanks,

 

our plans will be for the mass buyers market around the country.

 

we don't do developments.  only selling predrawn designs.

 

want to get to the majority of the buyers market knowing

we can't hit all of them.

 

keep up with all the great knowledge