Construction and Home Improvement

Beginner’s Guide to Understanding a Set of House Plans

Depending on how much detail your builder or local building inspector requires, the minimum set of plans should include the floor plan, exterior elevations, foundation or basement plan, and a roof plan drawn to scale. Just so you’ll know, a scale is nothing more than a shrunken ruler so that 1′ -0″ (12 inches) is • Read More »


As Built Remodeling Drawings

When we need to make alterations or additions to an existing building, the drafter finds that they need an accurate drawing of the structure as it stands. This is called an As-Built drawing. If the original drawings of the building aren’t available, it is then necessary that we measure and recorded it in some quick • Read More »


Finding a Suitable Barn to Convert Into a Home

There is a trend lately to find unique and affordable housing and many have turned to converting a barn into a home. In my area of East Tennessee, there are some fine examples of this including the one I converted. It’s needless to say that there are many barns in various shapes and sizes all • Read More »



How to Build an Architectural Model

There are several methods of building a model of a house or building. When I designed modular homes in the early nineties, they had to be built quickly so that the client could get a better feel for their proposed home. The method I used was to take a 1/4″ scale plan view of the • Read More »


Choosing an Architect Or Designer For Your New Home Design

You’re going to build a new home, your first house. For years you’ve dreamed, scrimped and saved with the vision of your ideal home stirring you on. Finally you’ve accumulated enough money to make a down payment on a piece of land and your goal is finally within your reach. So how do you intend • Read More »


How to Choose the Perfect House Plan: Expert Tips

Introduction Choosing the perfect house plan is a crucial step in creating your dream home. As an experienced home designer, I, William Ashton, have guided many clients through this process. With the right approach and expert advice, you can make informed decisions that lead to a beautiful, functional, and sustainable home. In this article, we’ll • Read More »



A New Building For a Retail Business

Retail is a very up front type business, meaning you are wanting to design it with a certain curb appeal that will draw the public eye and also leave a lasting impression to draw return customers. If you will notice certain buildings, for instance the food service industry, there are certain trademarks that once mentioned, • Read More »