Diagram 3: Same “wall plan” in 3D view (without dimensions – means it is just 50% complete)
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Do you think that the builder would implement everything desired by the
'Prospect Owner' with a 2D “Floor Plan” or the builder would do a
better job using the above 3D ‘Wall Plan’? Of course, the answer is "most probably not". Because from the 3D drawing it is very difficult to infer what goes where. That's why HomePlanGuru has come out with a new concept called "Wall Plan". The same 3D Plan is split and drawn as shown below:
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Diagram 4: 100% COMPLETE WALL PLAN - a new approach
(with all 4 sides of the wall dimensions including Floor & Ceiling Plan in the middle) |
Q) Why is a “Wall Plan” drawn as both 3D and 2D drawings? Who all will use them?
First the 3D drawing is drawn so that the 'Prospect Owner' would be able to see the simulated building. If any changes need to be done (based on many factors like old house items dimensions, aesthetics aspect, comfort aspects, etc), it can be done in 3D drawing without dimensions.
Once the 3D drawing is complete, all four sides of each and every room along with Floor Plan and Ceiling Plan (for fixture of Fan, light, etc) is drawn as 2D drawings which will also contain dimensions of each and every item in that room as shown in above diagram.
Multiple copies of the 2D “wall plan” is given to each group of workers like Mason (for knowing the room size, window size, etc), Carpenter (to know the door size, window size, wardrobe size, etc), Plumber (to know the position of taps, faucets, bathtubs, WC, etc), Electrician (to know the position of lights, fan, telephone jack, etc), Tile Fixer (to know the design of tiles, length of tiles, etc) and Painter (to know which paint to be painted where, etc).
The 2D plan also helps all groups of workers estimate their labor cost and material cost to about 98% accuracy.
Thus it is important to draw both 2D and 3D drawings to get 100% complete Wall Plan.
Q) What are the important things that should be considered during “Wall Plan” preparation?
A few important things are:
a) Electrical Points (like Switch Board Position, Light Position, etc)
b) Doors and Windows (like position of doors and windows in the wall, etc)
c) Wardrobes and Shelves (like size and position, etc)
d) Plumbing Points (like faucet position, WC position, Sink position, etc)
e) Electronic Points (like cable TV points, Telephone points, LAN points, etc)
f) House Hold Items (like where to put where)
g) Aesthetic Items (like Wall painting, Clock, Mirror, Photos, etc)
h) Kitchen Items (like positioning of Microwave oven, Water Purifier, Chimney, etc)
The list is a very big one. I’ve just highlighted few of the topics here.
Q) Is it practical for everyone to do a wall plan for their dream home?
Yes, if customers are willing to change their mindset, it is possible.
Q) If a person buys an apartment built by a builder, is it possible to do this “Wall Plan”?
Yes, wall plan is specific to each customer in an apartment complex. Even if a person can’t change the Floor Plan, he/she can change the Wall Plan according to their specific needs.
Q) What free tools are available for the customer to do or view these 3D drawings with Wall Plan?
Google Sketchup is free software available for this purpose. Please check with their terms and conditions.
Q) Is it not a common practice to let the builder build the standard way so that the customer doesn’t have to spend time on all these things?
Yes, it is a common practice to just go with what the builder builds. But in reality the ‘standard building’ doesn’t fit everyone. For example the slab height in the kitchen may be at four feet from ground. For a person who is not as tall as a ‘standard person’ may require the slab to be slightly lower because they will spend the next few decades in that kitchen trying to adjust the height (if built without considering the height).
Q) Why should a customer spend so much time and effort for “Wall Plan”?
There is no direct answer for this question. But compare this situation. If a person buys a shoe, he/she doesn’t buy it online or looking at the photograph. Most of us go to the shop, spend a few minutes, select the model and then check whether it fits their foot or not. Sometimes the model may be very good but it may not fit their foot. It is important that the model is good but it is much more important that it fits their foot. When one spends at least 15 minutes for a shoe they will wear it for just 6 months to one year, doesn’t it make sense to spend some more time to get their Dream Home where they will spend a few decades?
Q) This “Wall Plan” seems to be a new concept in Real Estate. So what are the challenges a customer would face if they ask for it?
One great challenge would be resistance from the builder to implement this “Wall Plan”. Most ‘not-so-professional’ builders wouldn’t agree for this ‘Wall Plan’ concept.
It is better to understand from builder’s perspective why they would show resistance to “Wall Plan”. If for a given apartment complex each and every customer demands for their specific “Wall Plan” implementation, the effort and cost may shoot up for the builder. But my suggestion to those ‘not-so-professional’ builders is that if they implement “Wall Plan” as per the process, the effort and cost deviation won’t be much for implementation. Also, since “Customer is always the King” in any business, it is better to satisfy each and every customer to gain more customers.
Another challenge would be non-availability of skilled persons to first suggest this Wall Plan and then to implement the same.
Q) Shall I finalize my Floor Plan and Wall Plan first and then move to other plans?
No, you can finalize the floor plan and wall plan only after few more plans explained below are done. Other plans may act as an input to both Floor Plan and Wall Plan.
