
And, it’s done! Ok fine… not really. But 3D renderings are about as close as you can come to seeing the real thing before it’s built. A little while back, Envision Home Designs reached out to offer to do a few complimentary 3D renderings of my project. I wasn’t prepared for how exciting it would be to see these. Obviously the real landscape is a little different, and house color and trim decisions are still TBD. But it’s amazing to see the house like this. No regrets about enlarging that deck.

Some designers and architects might include 3D renderings along with plans, but for most projects this would be an extra service. Owner-builders with a little extra time or budgetary constraints can make digital models with free tools like SketchUp or Blender. Of course, it’s easier to hire a company that can take plans and create renderings for you. 3D renderings can include interior and exterior spaces, allow you to add furniture or play with lighting, and even let you explore the house in VR.

Envision Home Designs told me that simple exterior renderings like these would typically run about $500. While that’s not nothing, it’s worth keeping in mind that owner-builders often make many changes to a project during the design and construction phases, and changes become increasingly expensive the later they happen. If you make a single change to your home design as a result of doing a 3D rendering, it’s probably worth it.

Thanks again to Envision Home Designs for helping me visualize my project!
Posted September 20, 2020.
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