Any suggestions on a SIMPLE software program to help me design/draw plans for a bathroom remodel? And yes, I know one can’t get much simplier than a pencil, but I’m looking for some guidance on a computer program. I’ll be adding a dormer to house the bath, so it’s the framing and roof (twin gables) that I’m most concerned with. Thanks for your assistance.
Jim
Get expert guidance on finding a fixer-upper that's worth the effort.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Tell me you're not thinking that the computer will do all the work for you in sizing the structural members as well as laying out your fixtures and coloring your tiles in 3D.
Thanks for your response. I'm looking for the program to help lay out the framing, especially the roof. The rest I can do with a pencil. Thanks
What specificall are you hoping the software will do Jim?
I managed a small shop that used Autocad 2004 and Proligna.
Very expensive with a learning curve. Also used KCDw.My office manager bought 'Punch' software for under 100.00 and it is easy to learn and fun to use. It has 3D and walkthru.Call you permit office. Find out what guidelines they use and buy it.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
I am currently weathering in my home I designed. I used Punch - Home Design Platinum for the initial design to pass inspection with my wife, then used AutoCad Autosketch 9 to pass inspection with the engineer and building department. Punch is very easy to use, but not suitable for plan submittal. Autosketch is not a breeze, but was easy enough to learn.
One huge plus with drawing your own plans is that the changes we wanted to make were inexpensive. The only cost was the $2 per sheet to print out new pages.
Hint - Do not take your wife to a Parade of Homes when you think you are finished...
Edited 10/24/2006 9:03 am ET by F.Lash
thanks for the tip to talk to the permit office. I'll give them a call next week!
I have Punch! platinum, like F.Lash. It shows framing in one mode. But it is $120 CDN. And by no means simple (300-page bok with it) .There is cheap $12 software out there, but I don't know if it's simple. Try googling up free autocad...
Sketchup works and it's free. http://sketchup.google.com/
I've attached a drawing I did for a kitchen remodel. Make sure you look at it with a full screen. Because I saved it as a jpeg file, the resolution doesn't look good if the image is too small.
If you're just looking to lay a design out to see how everything works together, then Sketchup is perfect. The learning curve isn't too bad either. However, I do have AutoCAD experience which is probably helping me out a little. The drawing of the kitchen is probably my fourth drawing that I've done with Sketchup. Each time I do a new drawing, I get a little better/faster at it. I like it and I'm tempted to buy the full blown version to get better printing options.
Joe
“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
I have Sketch up on this 'puter, but I haven't come to terms with it yet. (And can't get rid of it either!). I'll stick with the Punch software for now, as it's something that I can take to customers...makes for a pretty presentation.
But your scheme looks very good.