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Investor's guide
Practical answers from ARPIT architects to questions about plots, house design and building permits.
How to check a plot before buying it: 7 things to verify
Before buying a plot for a house, check above all the land use, the parameters of permitted development, road access, utilities, ground conditions, the terrain, and legal and environmental restrictions.
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How many square metres should a family home have?
There is no single ideal floor area for every family. It should result from the number of residents, lifestyle, functional needs, budget and what the plot allows.
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What affects the cost of building a house already at the design stage?
The cost of building a house is shaped not only by the area and the finishing standard. The form of the building, the structure, the roof, the glazing, ground conditions, installations and the complexity of the solutions are also very important.
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Building design vs. construction design: what is the difference?
A building design is documentation prepared to the extent required by the regulations and the administrative procedure.
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How does designing a house work, step by step?
Designing a house begins with getting to know the investor's needs and the possibilities of the plot. Then the functional assumptions are set, the concept is developed, solutions are agreed and the documentation is prepared to a defined scope.
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What mistakes are most often made before starting to build a house?
Costly mistakes before building a house include buying a plot without checking its restrictions, defining the budget too late, an underdeveloped functional layout, an unclear scope of documentation and putting off important decisions.
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What to ask an architect before starting cooperation?
Before starting to work with an architect, it is worth establishing the scope of the service, the design stages, the list of documents, the way consultations are held, the rules for introducing changes, the schedule and responsibility for the formalities.
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Can you change a house design after obtaining the building permit?
Changes to the design after obtaining the building permit may be possible, but their admissibility and the required procedure depend on the type and scope of the modification.
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Single-storey or two-storey house: which to choose?
The choice between a single-storey and a two-storey house depends on the size and shape of the plot, the residents' needs, the budget, planning requirements and the preferred way of using the house.
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What should a good brief for an architect contain?
A good brief for an architect describes the residents' needs, the expected functions of the house, aesthetic preferences, an approximate budget, the plot and the planned scope of cooperation.
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How to design a house with low running costs in mind?
Lower running costs of a house begin with consistent design decisions about the form, the orientation of the building, the insulation of the partitions, the windows, ventilation, heating and the control of the installations.
ReadShort answers to typical questions are in the tab Frequently asked questions.
Document checklist to download
A checklist of documents for adapting a design and for the building permit. Print it or save it as a PDF.