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Page 1 of 2 The computer has revolutionized many industries, not the least of which is construction and remodeling. Professionals have powerful tools for sketching, sizing, placing, and designing everything from small rooms to housing complexes. Fortunately for consumers, many of these powerful (and expensive) tools have consumer-level counterparts that are inexpensive (under $100) and quite useful in designing and planning projects like finishing basements.
Professional Home Design distributed by Punch Software (www.punchsoftware.com) is a popular home construction and remodeling design program that is actually a family of programs. PHD allows you to start a design by quickly drawing the perimeter of the foundation, then adding the flooring system, electrical, plumbing, roofing, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and even landscaping. You can draw your existing home then add a basement under it so you get the big picture, or you can simply draw a floor and set the working elevation as a minus number (below grade) to indicate that it is a basement. Once you’ve placed all the walls, doors, and other components, it can produce electrical, plumbing, and HVAC plans for your printer in seconds. PHD and many other consumer design programs also can develop and print materials lists for projects. You can use these lists to get bids from suppliers.
However, one of the most popular components of this and other home design and remodeling software packages is the 3-dimensional or 3D view. Once your plan is completed you can virtually walk through your new basement on the computer screen, turning left or right as needed. In addition, many of these programs can instantly strip away the surfaces to expose floor joists, wall studs, and ceiling rafters.
Remodeling Safety
Make sure the remodeling and design software you select is appropriate to your needs. Don’t purchase one that will take weeks to learn and even more time to use. If you have Internet access, download trial copies of various design programs to determine which is best for your needs.
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