building a house, what would you build

[return to the red]

so what do you guys think

Bungalow, split entry, two story?

I have a lot overlooking a park and a nice waterfall. minimum split or 2 story size has to be 1800 sq feet and the bungalow 1400

opinions welcomed

[ricosuave]

i dont have an opinion on the type or anything, but what i would recommend is that you install a geothermal heating system instead of a furnace.

http://www.geothermal.ca/whatis.html

[J pold]

My dad is building a house in the crows nest pass and he is using geothermal really cool system

[azzarish]

I would say 2 storey. Gives you more share of the market, ie, familys with kids. Although bungalows have pretty good value these days. I would build now though, because by the time it's finished it could be another 7/8 months (if your just starting). If you thought house prices are crazy right now, they will be insane then.

[Buff]

I have lived in nothing but split-entry houses. I would probably go with something different. Likely a two story. When I am older I'd probaby chose a bungalow.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Sounds like a great lot. A couple questions:

1) You living in this or flipping - your lifestyle and family situation will impact this.
2) What's the area like? Estate? Retirement Villas? Starter homes? Average?

[MacDougalbry]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

i dont have an opinion on the type or anything, but what i would recommend is that you install a geothermal heating system instead of a furnace.

http://www.geothermal.ca/whatis.html

On the Holmes on Homes website, I read that you need a really huge lot to make an effective geothermal heating system (at least 1/4 acre). A typical lot in a new subdivision is about 1/10 of an acre.

You are also unlikely to find a production builder that is willing to bother with the hassle. You would have to find a custom builder.

[photon]

If it was just my wife and I I'd do a big bungalow with a huge ceiling. But for families two story with a bonus room for the kids is great; saves having to renovate the basement to get a playroom.

[calculoso]

2 story.. make sure there is a bonus room above the garage and that the garage is big enough for 2 cars comfortably (may not have much of a choice there, but if you can get it, do it)

[Eddie Bronze]

One thing I would advise against, if you are going two-storey, is 18 foot areas, or as you'll see them on the plans, "open to below". We do a lot of this and it's a lot of wasted space just for something that looks fancy. It looks nice to have that huge open room with the high ceiling, but you'll find it's a pain in the ass later on. They aren't the easiest areas to clean, particularly windows in those areas, and it sucks up an enormous amount of extra heating. You can gain yourself upwards of 200 sq ft (or more in bigger houses) of floorspace by saying no to "open to below" plans.

Also with two-stories, go with a stairway in the middle of the house preferably and if you are having children, break it up with multiple landings for the sake of safety. Hopefully no child ever falls, but if it occurs, I'd rather see them go 6 stairs instead of 24.

I should ask you if you are doing this privately or through a builder? If you are looking to hire a few trades yourself and need some help, I can't guarantee anything but I can try.

[shoestring]

Originally Posted by return to the red

so what do you guys think

Bungalow, split entry, two story?

I have a lot overlooking a park and a nice waterfall. minimum split or 2 story size has to be 1800 sq feet and the bungalow 1400

opinions welcomed

There is a million options ,but make sure your deck can handle a thousand because we are coming!

Measure the views and start from there.

How does the sun cross your house,maybe a solar panel ?
When do you like shade? When are you home?
Entertainers /not?
Analyse your life and lifestyle to be.
Put your money into the house not the frills.
You will be able to build these on your own.
Except the fireplace,get that built in.
And build in the extra plumbing and electrical.
Radiant floors.Heaven.

Good luck there is a lot of tough decisions.

[Mr.Coffee]

Build a fixture in the backyard that will allow you to flood a mini hockey rink. That is a dream of mine.

Or a stripper pole. This would be amusing.

Bungalow. I live in one right now. I love it.

That geothermal unit the other dude was talking about is also a great idea, if you can afford one or even know how to get one. It would save you a TON of money in the long run. I used to work with Direct Energy and ran into a guy one day that told me was "writing off natural gas" and instead going for the geothermal. I laughed because I thought it was absurd and outragious, and I thought this man was a crazy *******.

Well yeah turns out he truly is gonzo in the head. But that idea... Ive always wondered... isnt too bad an idea that geothermal.

[goaliegirl]

If you hve a walkout lot I would say Bungalow if not a 2 story with a bonus room(they are great )

[Ironhorse]

Has anyone ever added a bonus room above an existing 2 car garage on a 4 level split after the house was built (14 years earlier)? Is it possible?

[V]

I've lived in a 2 Storey, Bungalow and 4-Level Split. I much prefer the bungalow, simply because I absolutely hate stairs. Sounds stupid, but it's true. Ideally, I'd get a bilevel, as it's basically just a bunalow but raised up so that you get some nice big windows in your basement, not those dinky little ones you get with a bungalow.

[V]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Has anyone ever added a bonus room above an existing 2 car garage on a 4 level split after the house was built (14 years earlier)? Is it possible?

My dad built a bonus room above his attached 3 car garage. He's got a bungalow, but I can't imagine the difference is too much to overcome. It's doable, although I wasn't around to see how he did it.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Sounds like a great lot. A couple questions:

1) You living in this or flipping - your lifestyle and family situation will impact this.
2) What's the area like? Estate? Retirement Villas? Starter homes? Average?

we are looking at this as being a house we will be living in for some time. mid 20's right now with no kids so the future is something to be concidering.

With regards to the area if you have ever been to Lethbridge it's over in the Paradise Canyon area (estate like I guess).

some of the show homes a few lots over are bugalows with walk outs but some serious $$$$.

Some great ideas and advice ( I really like the stripper pole idea) I'll look good on that thing

[RedMan12]

a bar in the basement is always nice...

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by RedMan12

a bar in the basement is always nice...

a bar anywhere is nice but yes a wet bar is a must

[V]

Nice? It's a requirement.