House Design Software

House design software or computer aided design (CAD) can be a useful tool whether you are taking on part of your home design or just want to use it to play with ideas before talking to a professional.

Programs range from free online 3D modelling tools to expensive professional computer aided design packages.

Free Option

If you are looking for something to start playing with layout and design ideas then have a look at Google SketchUp.

It is the free version of SketchUp Pro and is a great tool for basic 3D modeling. Just click on the link, download it and away you go. There's handy tutorial videos to quickly help you learn your way around the features.

Pro Packages

At the other end of the spectrum you'll find computer aided design packages such as AutoCAD. With the 2010 version of their entry level 'LT' version retailing over £700, it is better suited to professional designers who'll benefit from the investment rather than the average self builder/designer. If you aren't experienced in CAD then some training or a significant dedication of time will be needed to get the best out of it.

Self Builder/Designer Packages

Somewhere in the middle we find packages that are tailor made for house design and which also provide a more user-friendly experience.

One of these, which is obviously aimed squarely at self builders is Grand Designs 3D Self Build & Development. Video tutorials and some useful help manuals lead you through the design process with building elements that can be dragged and dropped into position. You can switch between 2D and 3D views of your design, add furniture and use the walk through feature to get an idea of the finished article. 3D views can even be rendered to show the affects of light, reflections and shadows.

The software can be used to build up dimensioned plans, sections and elevations suitable for your planning application submission and for a little inspiration there are example projects of houses from the series'.

The Grand Designs branded packages are produced by Eleco Software who also produce the pricier Arcon 3D Visual Architect which, as you might guess, offers a more sophisticated experience to match the price tag. It's a similar package but the inclusion of additional features provide more design flexibility and a more professional proposition.

Both these packages are available on Amazon. Click on the links to read customer's reviews but don't forget to come back to The Self Build Guide for more useful information on designing and building your own home.

June 2011 has just seen the launch of a new design and visualisation tool by the man who first introducted the Arcon range of self build products to the UK market. The new product is called Visual Building and is availble for download from their website. The software has been developed using the lastest tools and technology and is aimed at self builders and construction professionals alike. At the time of writing, Visual Building Ltd offer a free, downloadable, 5-day trial version and the website has a growing range of tutorial videos to help you get the hang of it.

Note: If you are searching online for house design software and you are a UK self builder, be aware that some of the packages are designed for the North American market and some of the house design styles and construction details can be different.