LAURA12:: You didn't see your name at the top of two of these replies in bold, to the right of a pink star, one response each for your two posts? :P This forum has provided me with some great feedback, but the layout, search features and almost everything about the website itself could be improved and made more user friendly. 'Skeptical', maybe. Maybe 'ignorant', 'naive' or 'just starting' plus 'stubborn' (or if we're gonna be friends, 'determined') would more precisely describe my mentality lol. I saw FHA, new construction and other very affordable down % and took that into my want for a custom home, not realizing that the custom requires more up front. Your cost breakdown is quite helpful and the $150/sqft mark makes sense when I consider the prices I've seen for houses other than ticky-tacky. This one here we're currently renting sold last April sold for something like $91/sqft, and the more I'm seeing, the more I realize how good a deal that purchase was. I'm now more strongly leaning toward more of a mass construction and I'll be sure to keep asking about any kinds of alterations with regards to resale value. You mentioned something about affordable contractors in the area?

We have given thoughtful consideration to all suggestions - thank you. I would like to ask another question - not sure of Houzz protocol about starting new thread so forgive me if I err here. We have a beautiful elk antler chandelier and thinking about where to install in the new house ... great room is obvious choice. We could hang it from the middle beam in the room - other opinions? Here is a pic. Size is approx. 42" side-to-side and it is about 28" high ... without the chain. In this picture we don't have a very high ceiling in the entry so had to squish it close to the beam.. PS To give you all an idea of our aesthetic, my husband is a bow hunter and ranch/hunting style house is naturally where we lean ...

I love the 9' ceilings myself. We went with 9' on the first floor, and 8' on the second. The first floor is open with a vaulted living room. The only potential downside is the kitchen with 9' ceilings depending on what your preferences are for cabinets. We ended up with stacked cabs to the ceiling....which wasn't cheap. But we really didn't like any other look.

Why not assume that the builder bought the plan with a license for multiple usages? They do sell those. Or, assume that the owner purchased a plan sold on line for their one-time personal use. I bought one of those, used it and modified it significantly. I doubt the designer ever intended their design to be built unmodified once they sold it on the internet. The license is for one use and unless it specifies no modifications, it is subject to modification without need of permission or additional fees. I think the original poster did due diligence, made contact, requested modifications and the original designer failed to respond or provide a solution after multiple attempts. This license owner could not use the design in it's original state and their purchase was useless to them without modifications. The designer certainly wasn't offering to refund the fee for the design. The failure to respond freed the purchaser of the design to proceed with modifications as they deemed reasonable in order to utilize their purchase. I hope they enjoy their new home once they get the framing issues resolved with their builder.