Kitchen Considerations

Location of the kitchen should have direct access to the dining area and garage where grocery items can be unloaded conveniently

• Traffic should not flow through the kitchen working area.
  
  
• Larger kitchens have a greater resale value than smaller kitchens — you will want to design the working area with appliances in a triangular position for easy working.
  
  more information on kitchen layout:
  www.andyshowto.com
  
  see kitchen design basics:
  www.kitchen-bath.com
  
  see our kitchen design directory:
  home improvement center: kitchens
  

About Private Areas

Bedrooms and bathrooms should be separated visually from the working areas of the house.

• You should have at least one bathroom near working and relaxation areas and with easy access from the outside.
  
  
• Never situate bathrooms where you must pass through one room to get to the facilities.
  
  
• It is almost a necessity (particularly in a resale) that the master bedroom has an attached master bathroom
  
  
• The master bathroom should be large, with full size bath, shower, his/her vanity sinks and exhaust vans that vent to the outside
  
  see bathroom design basics:
  http://www.kitchen-bath.com
  
  see our bathroom design directory:
  home improvement center: bathrooms

Living Areas:

Lliving areas include the dining room, living/family room, and den.

• Designs may vary with rooms segmented by walls or merged into a larger, multi-purpose room with boundaries such as pillars segmenting one room from the other
  
  see our main-floor design directory:
  home improvement center: main floor

Energy Efficiency:

There are some energy efficient products on the market that can reduce your energy costs and keep you more comfortable.

• The government has published materials on energy efficient homes:
  elements of an energy efficient home
  home energy advisor
  energy information for your home
  
  see our energy design directory:
  home improvement center: attic floor

Foundations:

Poured concrete is the most expensive foundation and best choice for full basements because of its strength and resistance to leaks.

• Cinder block is a substitute to concrete, but is not as strong and is subject to leakage.
  
  
• Monolithic con create slaps are used with homes without basements bringing the cost and implementation down.
  
  more structural information:
  www.andyshowto.com

Plumbing Projects:

• plumbing repair page
• plumbing forums
• plumbing doctor

Guides: Electrical and Lighting

• the "basics" of home wiring
• how to install - repair home wiring