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Website plans or local designer?

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:07:44 GMT

Website plans or local designer?

There are a lot of websites that offer home plans. Many of them have very nice floor plans and beautiful curb appeal. However, there is often a number of changes that you would like to make to fit you needs. That is when it becomes difficult and expensive to use plans from website stores. Many times it is difficult to get the needed sturctural design and documents for your specific area. Such as correct foundation plans, solar design for your area, and correct roof and beam calculations.

That is why we recommend using a local designer for your area. They will know the best designs and calculations needed for you specific area and home..

Mortgages are low - Time to buy your new home

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:04:52 GMT

Mortgages are low - Time to buy your new home

With rates down in the 3% there is no better time to design and build that new home.

Stonegate Estates Phase 2A underway!

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:01:11 GMT

Stonegate Estates Phase 2A is now underway!

Mahar Brothers is building beautiful new homes in Stonegate Estates Phase 2A. Lots are moving fast so check out what they have available now!

Home designer or Architect?

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:58:32 GMT

The big question is: What's the difference? You want a new home, so who do you hire - An architect? A home designer?

The best way to know who to hire is to first know what each one does. Here is a quick description of an architect:

Architects design ALL types of buildings - not just homes. Hospitals, hotels, churches, etc..

Architects have a degree in architecture and are licenced with the state they work in.

After communication with those involved, the achitect will draw up plans for the design, usually with a computer-aided model.

Architects are able to calculate the needed lateral shear and vertical loads to make the building safe and structurally sound.

Architects then closely supervise as a construction firm takes over to build the design from the architect.

What about a home designer? Here is a quick description of a home designer:

A home designer design only homes and small commercial projects (under 4000 square feet)

A home designer will also communicate with the homeowner and others involved to draw up plans for the design, using a computer-aided model.

A home designer often will work with an engineer to calculate the needed lateral shear and vertical loads for the structural soundness of the home.

A home designer will then give there plans to the homeowner or builder to construct the new home.

So, when it comes to your home design, there isn't much of a difference between an architect and a home designer.

Obviously, there can be bad home designers and good ones. Just like there can be bad architects and good ones.

So choose a home designer (or architect) with good experience. Try to find one who has done the construction side of the work, not just design. Their designs tend to be buildable in the real world not just on paper.

One of the big differences between a home designer and an architect is price.

Architects, because of there degree and schooling tend to me much more expensive than a home designer.

So when you get the same home in the end, why would you spend the extra money?

Where to start when designing your home

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:55:02 GMT

Where to start when designing your home

It can be overwhelming when we start to think about designing and building a new home. So where can you start when it comes to your new home?

First you need to think about your priorities. What rooms in my house are the most important? Why are they the most important?

Then you can start to think about your priorities for that specific room. What do I want most out of this room? Is it capturing the views, having plenty of space, being well organized and functional, etc...

When you start to break down your home design into individual rooms that will help you keep from feeling overwhelmed. You can then go room by room setting your priorities. Deciding what things are nice options but not a necessity and what things are a must have.

With this list of priorities in hand you can explain with confidence what you want to achieve with your new home design to your home designer.

Helping people through that process is one of the things we enjoy the most here at Blue Canyon Design Group. When you are able to take someone's list of priorities and form them into a functioning house design that they love, that is very enjoyable!

So if you need help with any part of the home design process, feel free to call or email us and we will do all we can to help.

Prescriptive path home design

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:52:34 GMT

Perscriptive path home design to avoid lateral engineering. Is it possible?

One of the first questions people ask us as designers is, "How much is your service going to cost us?" That is a reasonable question. All of us need to count the cost before we jump into a project. But each home design is going to cost a little different based on whether or not it needs lateral engineering. So a great way to save some money on design is to avoid lateral engineering if at all possible. How can you do that?

First you need to think about your priorities (see our earlier blog "Where to start when designing your home"). The state of Oregon does allow a home design that doesn't need lateral engineering if it meets several requirments. Those requirments do restrict the design of your new home but they are not unreasonable requirments. But if your priorities in your design cause you to be outside of those requirments you may want to spend the extra money and get your design engineered so that you can have the home you want.

If you want to avoid the extra cost of lateral engineering we at Blue Canyon Design Group can make sure that your design will meet the prescriptive path that the state of Oregon requires. This can end up saving you a lot of money in design costs and in building costs.

So if you want to keep your new home design costs down, feel free to call or email us and we will do all we can to help.

Housing Crisis?

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:47:28 GMT

Is Southern Oregon in a Housing Crisis?

With so few homes on the market and rental prices going up is it a good time to invest in real estate?

Real estate has historicly been a good investment even during the past economic down turn. Now with interest rates still very low and vacancy rates below 3% investing in rentals is not a bad idea. Right now in southern oregon there are not enough houses on the market to purchase or rent. So maybe it is time for you to look for that new home upgrage for yourself and think about renting out your current home. Or maybe you just want to invest in some new rentals to suppliment your retirement income. Either way talk with a builder, home designer, or Architect about your options for a new home or rental property.