Permits and planning ahead

One of your first priorities should be to obtain a building permit from your city or county government. Failure to do so could ultimately add significant costs to your project.

A set of architectural plans will also help you and your service professional visualize the finished project, but any design preparations can be helpful. Consult with a designer for ideas or check out magazines and cut out ideas, designs or photos that approximate what you want, or simply make a sketch of what your plans are. You should also let your service professional know if you've been working with an architect or designer, whether you have any plans drawn or the proper permits pulled it will save him having to do it. Any of these things will eliminate surprises and minimize or eliminate misunderstandings between you and your service professional.

Basic design styles

A number of basic design styles apply to everything from furniture to interior and exterior home design. Here are some general guidelines for some popular design styles:

Contemporary/modern design features sleek, unadorned cabinets, plain panel doors and hardware that's hidden or unobtrusive.

Traditional is more formal and elegant. Raised panel cabinet doors or clear glass panels separated by thin strips of wood are often seen. Rich wood finishes or painted white wood may be accented with sparkle from brass or brass-tone hardware.

Craftsman bungalow houses usually have low-pitched gable roofs with large overhangs and exposed rafters. Under the gables are often decorative beams or braces. A craftsman bungalow commonly has a generous front porch whose roof is carried on square, tapered columns. Stone or brick frequently is used for the porch's base or columns. Masonry may also be used for a tapered chimney on one side of the house.

Country features light stain or distressed-color finish, simple cabinet and door styles and unpretentious wood or ceramic knobs and handles.

Colonial style homes take advantage of classic architectural elements, notably symmetry, columns and formally framed doors and windows. These residences, often elaborate, typically have large front and rear porches, providing an opportunity for cross ventilation in sultry climates.

Victorian styles often reflect the romance of the 19th century with contemporary convenience. Common cabinet woods are oak or cherry and with the right color scheme, even white can be used. May different types of hardware work, from hammered iron to antique pewter.

Stainless steel, metal tubing, chrome and black accents are the hallmark of a high-tech designed area. Kitchens often feature an "industrial" look with sleek metallic appliances and storage cabinets. Glass block or curving transparent window glass may be set in a wall.

Southwestern styled homes, with their stucco or adobe exterior and orange or red tile roofs, are gaining in popularity these days, especially in the west.

Likewise, log siding, which today include construction techniques that may or may not use whole logs to yield a house that looks like it's built with logs, has a solid, somewhat romantic and secure ambience that attracts many people. Beginning with a conventionally framed home with log siding is more economical and convenient than a full log home. For the homeowner who wants the log look and feel, it has become popular in mountain areas to apply half round or square cut logs as siding. Log accents can be used on the interior to give the feeling of a real log home.

French Country design is more of a style than a set of specifics. The rural homes of France that provide the basis for French Country Style are diverse in all but their charm. One common trait is the multi-paned windows extending to the floor, which are called French windows and that are used like doors, inside and out. The kitchen is enormous and comfortable, with exposed, sturdy beams and tiled floors. The living room is also large, often with a fireplace. Dark wood, rustic furniture and antiques are common interior design touches.

Mediterranean style favors stucco (it weathers well, especially in damp or sea-side areas), bay windows, or narrow deep windows and doors, flanked by slat-board shutters and painted vividly. Ceramic tile flooring, airy, large open living areas are also hallmarks of Mediterranean design.

Finish basics

Standard interior design finish is always in stock at a home improvement center or it can be ordered and delivered quickly. Custom-finish items are built to specific measurements, content and designs. Because it is generally built from scratch or not completed until an order is made, custom delivery takes longer and the items are more expensive than standard finish items. A high-end finish would be a more specialized, less available version of custom. Imported items, such as Italian marble, are examples of high end.

Terrain issues

Letting your architect know about the terrain and where your property is located will help him make better decisions. Many municipalities and counties, for instance, have special restrictions and rules about building on hillsides (especially when it comes to excavation and foundation). It will be generally more expensive to build on hillsides.

Desert, mountain and forest terrains offer their own unique situations, with climatic and seasonal constraints on building, site accessibility problems and availability of materials and labor in less-populated areas. If your property is on a beach or next to a river, there might be excavation limitations especially if you desire a basement. If your property is along a busy road, you'll want to check local regulations to find out if there are constraints on access.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com