The idea of micro-living intrigued me so it was time for some research. 
After much digging on the web and calling different city halls around BC, I came to understand that Lois’ idea is more than just a concept – it is now a reality. Many regions are allowing additional dwellings to be added to properties as separate living units for grandparents, renters, and the increasingly common “boomerang children”. These dwellings are sized in accordance with local building by-laws and can be as small as 300 square feet which is, amazingly, in accordance with the National Building code of Canada. Formalizing densification also addresses the issue that there were illegal (and often unsafe) dwellings being added to properties.

Drummond House Plans - Tiny House Plan no. 2923

Still the question begs to be asked, “Why would someone want to build (or live in) a home the size of a shed?” From a user’s point of view, a tiny house would be perfect for someone needing independence, low maintenance, affordability, and safety. From a city planner’s perspective, it addresses affordable housing and densification mandates.  From a landlords perspective it’s a small space to independently house a family member or generate income to help out with mortgage payments. From city hall’s perspective it is additional tax revenue. When you look at it from all of these perspectives, tiny houses make sense.

Can a person comfortably live in a space so small? One need only ask people with live-aboard boats and RV’s that very question. With careful planning and paring down to necessities, both groups of people would say “absolutely”! Of course, it may be quite challenging for a young or growing family but “living small” is an ecological and social challenge that some are happy to embrace.

For the purpose of definition, Drummond House Plans classifies a tiny house as a dwelling which is under 1100 square feet. These houses are frequently fawned over as being darned cute and amazingly efficient. These homes also have the added benefit of having a smaller carbon footprint and are ideal for areas which embrace high-density housing. 

Thank you, Lois, for starting this conversation. We look forward to adding more designs to our available Drummond Tiny House Plans for people just like you.

It is not hard to identify the nature inspiration when surrounded by towering trees, rugged landscape and amazing vistas. The Northwest response to stunning scenery is to create house designs that are in harmony with the environment. Houses are often nestled into a sloped site and the lines of Northwest house plans tend to echo the strong elements of their environment – strong vertical lines in harmony with majestic fir trees, horizontal lines to evoke the feelings of rock ledges, roof undulations to blend with the peaks on the horizon. A Northwest home design is usually clean in design, lacking excessive exterior details. When architectural accents are desired, they are usually achieved with the use of natural timber and rock to further blend the house with its surroundings. A generous use of windows creates a seamless transition between indoors and out and brings light into the interior.

Beautiful Drummond House Plans - Northwest Collection - Cottage Plan #2957

So what about the necessity side of design in the Northwest? The Northwest climate is well-known for the amazing amounts of precipitation so protection of residents and the very building itself is a must.  The Northwest design accommodates this by implementing medium to low sloping rooflines with generous overhangs. To take this a step further, you will notice that many Northwest designs include a covered grilling area for year-round trips to the BBQ. Additional outdoor living spaces are achieved by adding generous decks, often combining open and covered areas for year-round enjoyment.

Charming Northwest Home Design by Drummond House Plans - no. 3832

A Northwest house has wonderful flow and functional interiors with modern amenities. Modern minimalist interior design is quite common as it helps with the laid-back lifestyle so common on the Coast. These designs are not limited to the enjoyment of “Coasties”. Although originating in the northwest, these houses can be built as a primary home or vacation home in any region of the country that has a natural vista or stunning cityscape to be enjoyed.  

Very popular Drummond Design - Carriage Plan no. 3935

Drummond House Plans has a beautiful and extensive collection of Northwest house plans available for your family’s comfort. We also have a number of designs being worked on so you should visit the site regularly or sign up for new design notifications.

Come to the Renos Done Right Seminars and Trade Show on September 26, 2009 in Nanaimo. This one-day, free admission show is hosted by the Canadian Home Builders Association, Central Vancouver Island. While you take in this informative show, make sure you stop in to visit Drummond House Plans’ BC Distributors, Richard & Vivian Martin who will be available in booth #29.

For more details on the exhibitors and speakers topics “From how to be green to saving some green and everything in between”, please visit the CHBA-CVI website.

See you there!

This picture comes from a web site named failblog.org;  if you visit this site, you will see a lot of failures but the picture of this house is hilarious !

Don’t worry !  At Drummond House Plans, we can offer you the “reversed version” of the original design !  If you reverse the plan of this house, you can keep the tree and do not look like a fool !…

In 2006 the B.C. Building Code, Part 9 was amended to include “rain screen” requirements. Changes to the Building Code mean that in some parts of Canada, in particular coastal areas with high precipitation, rain screen (RS) detailing is now mandatory. Whether the code requires a rain screen or not, it is being lauded as a better way to clad the exterior walls of buildings. In fact, some building areas outside of the rainforest parts of BC have implemented rain screen requirements as well.

Rain screen, otherwise known as a capillary break, is essentially a built-in gap or cavity between the cladding of a building and the building paper or wrap layer. This gap allows water that may get beyond the cladding an ‘planned’ escape so that it does not seep through to the sheathing or framing where long term damage could occur.

Typical details for rain screen call for pressure treated strapping over the building paper or wrap to separate the cladding from the building paper. This cavity or capillary break allows for drying and drainage of incidental moisture and helps to ensure moisture will not penetrate the paper and come in contact with the sheathing. Most cladding will require rain screen including stucco, metal cladding, cedar siding, cultured stone veneers and fibre cement siding products. Some claddings such as real brick already have a cavity as part of the normal application. There are also systems specifically developed which use non-moisture susceptible, open mesh materials. When amendments to the Building Code are introduced, they are seen as improvements to building practices and as a means of incorporating new techniques and new products. The rain screen amendment for single-family houses was adapted from a multi-family building technique in an effort to improve the performance of single-family homes. This amendment will make good homes that much better.

Does this mean homes without rain screen will leak? All houses leak, even ones with rain screen. All cladding has  the potential for water penetration due to driving wind and rain and other moisture creep along any of the many seams and joints. The key difference is how this moisture is managed. Without rain screen, the exterior cladding is tight against the building wrap, and moisture has nowhere to go. This results in mold and rot. The addition of rain screen provides a capillary break, allowing air into the space and directing moisture to weep out the bottom.

Will houses look different with rain screen? Rain screen is a technique that adds a cavity or separation between layers in a wall. Nothing about a rain screen wall will look different before or after the code change comes into effect.

Will houses with rain screen cost more? There will be modest increases for labour and material as there is greater attention paid to the water-stopping details around windows and other through-wall breaks such as vents and hose connections. In the overall cost of a house, these very modest cost increases are far outweighed by the better wall design and the confidence that the wall assembly will perform at a higher level with rain screen.

Do I need to include rain screen detailing when applying for a building permit? This will vary from area to area. It is important to note that building techniques must be in accordance with the applicable building code as a minimum standard. To accommodate the potential requirement of written detailing, the new home warranty companies operating in BC banded together and developed a package of standardized details for typical conditions found in house construction to provide builders some guidance. The resulting Reference Guide of Typical Rainscreen Wall and Window Details PDF is normally sufficient for these agencies.

The details can be downloaded here and should be attached to the front of your plans, if required. Special thanks to the National Home Warranty program for providing the Details and some of the content within this blog entry.

More rain screen information: Building & Safety Policy Branch, Office of Housing and Construction Standards (British Columbia) bulletin ; Information about the Building Envelope Guide for Houses: Part 9 Residential Construction – Home Owner Protection Office;
Homeslicker & Mortairvent ;
Sure cavity ;
Sill Saver;

Marie-France Roger, my partner, was the one interviewed by Mrs. Sheluk and explained that Stock House plans can be sold as is or modified to suit the customer’s needs.  We can even do a compelete custom project, on-line, by exchanging information with the customer / Builder. 

Some designer, like Mrs. Jane Cameron from Life Home Design, think that people can not be 100% satisfied with a stock plan…  Over the years more than 110 000 people can argue with that because it is the total number of stock plan we sold in the past 35 years !  However, a stock plan company must be able to do some modifications to their plans to make sure that we can serve all types of customers and this is what we do.

In the past, people who wanted to do some modifications or get a full custom design had to meet with a local designer to get a complete set of plans.  Today, we can all do it on line (we do more than 500 modified / custom house plans per year without meeting direct with the customer!) and tailor a complete design to the customer needs and then, by also contacting local engineers and/or architect during the project to complete the plans and meet the local regulations.  Customer saves time and money.  Our costs are about 1 to 3% of the total cost to build.  Get a quote right here !

If you go to a local designer with some images of a stock plans, make sure that the designer gets the copyright licencees from the original designer and work legally on your project because those plans are potected by our Canadian Copyright law.  The original designer has the total right to sue you and your designer…  Don’t get in trouble and work legally!

Drummond House Plans has some programs for local designers / drafters who would like to modifiy a plan based on our design;  it is simple, quick and not expensive !  Click here for more information.

Special thanks to Mrs. Sheluk and to Charlie Blore, Editor of Home Builder Magazine.

The video will explain you the details of a green house and also how you can be greener in your existing home ! 

Congratulations to Bob who designed the featured house of this video.  The Fairhope Green Home Project is the first house in the state to receive Gold Certification from the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program. 

Remember one thing if you build green,  this type of construction is a real team work !

Enjoy !

Like any process, building his home can be tricky and there are many important details to consider as you get started.  Have you decided on a style of home yet ? There are many styles as American, Bungalow, Cottage, Country, Crafstman, and many more.  Try to find the style of a friend’s or a neighbour’s home that you like and you will probably find what you like.  Write down or draw the details you like and and keep it in a file;  once you will meet an architect or any plan designer, you not forget anything.   Browse the Internet and you will maybe find the home of your dream through a Stock Plan Collection, or you can do some modifications of a stock plan through the original designer or do a complete Custom plan.

Where you build is very important too.  If you already own the land you plan to build on, your options will be more open than if you are building in an established subdivision.  One thing very important though;  make sure you have your land before buying the plan.  Some people bought some plans and bought the land after…  They noticed that the home they dreamed of can not be built on the land they bought !

If you buy a land in a subdivision, make sure you know very well all the restrictions and limits from the developer.  These “covenants” are in place to assure that all the homes in the area are worth about the same and this will protect the value of your investment in the future.  Always remeber that a house is an investment that you have to protect and, even if you do not think about it now, you may want to sell it some day !  Protect it !

There are a lot of things to consider about the location of your new home: Distance to shopping, Schools, work have to be thought about.

Finding the right contractor is your next step.  Talk to some friends or relatives about their experiences and make sure, when you have identified the right contractor that you get at least 3 bids plus the names of satisfied customers you can contact.  Always remember the old adage: “If it is too good to be true, it problably is !”  To ensure that both you and your builder are satisfied with the work, make sure the details are spelled out in a written contract.  The time you spend at this stage and on the plan stage will avoid any confusion later on.

With the internet and groups like the Canadian Home Builder Association and your provincial groups, reams of information is available to help plan your home.  The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation also offers useful information including valuable question and answer sheets.

Beyond choosing a good contractor, you will also need a lawyer and a banker to handle legal matters and financing.  Finally, remember that some home builders are more concerned about structural integrity and the attractiveness of your home from the outside.  Remember that the interior should also be designed for practical concerns like – will all the furnitures you already have fit ? Do not hesitate to contact an interior designer before starting to build;  they will help you to maximise your living space and avoid mistakes you will see once you live in your home !

Want to build green ?  Many links like LEED and Built Green can surely help you.

Enjoy !

this post was based on an article from the Cottage and Home Plans magazine provided by Tim-Br Mart. Some information was also supplied by CMHC and CHBA.

Shed Plan 2963-16 by www.DrummondHousePlans.com

To get a custom shed plan or a playhouse plan to match your existing or future house, please contact Drummond House Plans’ customization department or call 1-800-567-5267.

If you are looking for a larger storage solution, visit our detached garage designs collection. 

Garage Plan 3981 by www.DrummondHousePlans.com

For those who are searching for extra space for your in-laws, review our garage plans with apartment collection.

Garage Plan with Apartment / Mother-in-law Suite (Plan 3935) by www.DrummondHousePlans.com

As I sat listening to the frogs doing frog things, my mind began to wander to all of the spring things on my “honey do” list. I was brought back to reality when a rather loud croak occurred from what sounded like inches away from my head. I looked over and to my astonishment a very small, but vocal, tree frog sat perched on the fig tree by our now open patio door.  Hmm… one of the items on my list was fixing an errant downspout. Somehow, it felt like there had to be a connection here.

In areas like Vancouver Island, rain is bountiful until the summer heat and then it can be surprisingly dry on our “Wet Coast”. Collecting and reusing rainwater can equal dollars and sense. Having your own natural reservoir can reduce water bills and storm sewer charges, alleviate demand on local water supplies and bypass strict watering schedules.

While planning to build any home, and more particularly one where reliable water supply may be an issue, it is a good idea to look at the logistics of water harvesting. A publication of particular value may be the Rainwater Harvesting Frequently Asked Questions, a project of the Islands Trust Fund. This publication targets an area where water collection has become a heated and urgent topic.

Whether you have a dependable water source or not, rainwater is better for your landscape than treated water as it is rich in nutrients, will reduce fertilizer requirements, and does not contain chemicals.

There are many ready-to-use collection options and rainbarrels available. At one of the recent Home Shows we participated in in the Comox Valley, we were introduced to the RainXchange Rainwater Harvest Systems. It is an intriguing rainwater collection system that integrates discreet, scaleable, and flexible rainwater storage with a circulating/filtering system and water feature. Of course there are also a number of innovative DIY solutions which abound on sites like YouTube. (Some of them are quite amusing!)

Regardless of the option you choose, remember to store your water safely. Be sure that children cannot access your storage vessel, ensure that you filter any debris from getting in and fouling your water, and make sure you screen the intake to prevent mosquito breeding. One final safety note… make sure you have an overflow plan. A 2000 sq. ft. roof generates 1,250 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall! A tiny rainbarrel will overflow in no time!

Speaking of showers, it is time to get Kermit out of the house and back where he belongs! We have a nice rain falling and his friends are calling.