Every new house begins with a dream--and a home plan. But it can be terrifying to commit a lifetime of savings to a two-dimensional drawing that's difficult to interpret and visualize. Will the space meet your needs? Is the plan well-designed? Will it really turn out to be your dream house, or is it a potential nightmare? In "Home Plan Doctor, " Larry Garnett makes basic design principles accessible, explaining in clear language how to navigate every stage of the planning process, from selecting a plan to evaluating the suitability of the design, room by room, and requesting needed modifications. Using sample floor plans and illustrations from readily available plans, this book is a practical guide for everything from placing the kitchen island to evaluating the effect of the roof pitch on the proportions of the house. And Garnett doesn't overlook the basics; he includes sections on what to look for in a building site, how to read a basic floor plan, and what to expect when you order the "blueprints," or construction documents.Whether you're purchasing a stock plan or working with an architect, and whether you're buying a design for am entire house or an addition, you'll find this handbook to be an indispensable guide.