HearthStone Homes Floorplan Review - Albright

May 13, 2008 · Filed Under Hearthstone Homes · Comment 

One of HearthStone Homes’ most recent additions to their lineup of floor plans is a simple 2-garage 3 bedroom/2 bath 1497 square-foot ranch that they’ve named the Albright.

Sitting at the entry point for HearthStone Homes’ mid-priced Gallery collection, the Albright is relatively inexpensive, with a base price around the mid $130’s, depending on the subdivision, lot premium and elevation.

Albright Main Floor

When looking at the plan from overhead, the Albright has a recognizably square shape, which saves HearthStone Homes (and hopefully you) some money. Framing costs on a house increase substantially when you start designing little alcoves and pop-outs from the main house. A perfectly square house is the cheapest kind of house to produce from a framer’s point of view.

The L-shaped kitchen is medium-sized, with a minimum of counter space and a small pantry. The lack of counter space means the kitchen island option would be a necessary upgrade for someone who plans to spend any time in this area. The eating area is strictly informal, with only space for a small kitchen table in the breakfast nook. Due to the lack of storage space in the kitchen, adding the available wall of cabinets upgrade for around $3000 would be a good idea.

The open floor plan means the kitchen flows into the good-sized great room, which will probably be the main “hang out” of the Albright’s occupants.

Directly off the great room lies the master bedroom. While not extravagant by any means, it is large enough to encompass a king-sized bed and two nightstands with no problem. The large walk-in closet is accessible from the master bedroom which, for some people, is a design flaw. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that most people would rather access the closet from the master bathroom, which allows for a quick shower-to-dress experience, instead of having to re-enter the master bedroom after a shower to access the closet to select your clothes.

Bathrooms

Although the master bathroom is a full bathroom, sadly it does not feature a separate toilet area from the rest of the master bathroom, which limits usability in the morning rush to get ready for the day. A combination shower/bath is a standard feature from HearthStone Homes. For approximately $1000 more, you can replace the linen closet with a shower and replace the shower/tub combo with a regular soaking tub. For about an additional $1000, the soaking tub can be upgraded to a whirlpool tub with several jets. Counter space can be hard to find in the Albright’s master bathroom if you choose the dual-sink option. Counter space is even harder to find in the second bathroom, which is also a full bathroom.

Odds and Ends

The laundry facilities are located near the two bedrooms at the front of the house, which gives the illusion of a drop-zone.

Unfortunately for buyers, depending on how they furnish the entry to the house, it appears to be almost a complete waste of space - that you’re still paying for.

The stairs to the basement are in the middle of the floor plan. HearthStone Homes offers a basement finishing option that will set you back between $7000 and $10000, depending on the model you’re working with. The Albright has a very nicely sized basement, coming in at 833 square feet.

One problem some people had with HearthStone Homes’ ranch home offerings is that although there appeared to be four different floor plans, there were really only two, each of which has a version with a bonus room on an upper floor. Those models have since been discontinued. The Albright’s more spacious counterpart used to be the Durand, which had a 400 foot alcove space above the main floor.

It is important to remember when you’re having a new home built, especially a HearthStone Home or a Celebrity Home, that the way your lot looks when you first walk it may not be how it turns out when you take possession. Mass builders tend to grade severely to control the water flow between their more tightly-packed houses. What appears to be a flat lot when you start building may not end up as a flat lot when the house is finished. Ensure that any concerns you have regarding the features of your lot are spelled out in the purchase contract, and have that contract looked over by a lawyer if you are in any way uncomfortable with the process.

Remember - for 99% of the population, a house is the biggest purchase they will ever make.

It’s your money, make sure you get what you want and you know what you’re getting

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