The Internet can help a great deal when it comes to looking for home floor plan software advice and ratings. Look for editorial or expert reviews written by editors paid to evaluate software products or find user ratings and reviews written by actual users like you.

Each program you look at will have slightly different features and a different overall purpose and market. Features to look for when searching for home floor plan software include the following options:

1. Make sure the home floor plan software you choose will run on your computer by checking the system requirements.

2. Check to see whether free versions are freeware, meaning they are free to use without limitations, or shareware, meaning you may have to pay if you use them after a specified trial period.

3. Decide whether you need 2D or 3D options, or whether you need software that will calculate an estimated cost or print out a materials list for you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Try web-based home floor plan software

These tools run right in your web browser. The advantage to this is that you don't have to spend time downloading them, and you often have access to rich libraries of features.

I recommend: Find an article reviewing several online tools that let you draw home floor plans at the Webware section of CNET. Check out a guide to several of the best software that helps you draw home floor plans, many of which are online tools, at HomeDesignFind.com.

Use commercial home floor plan software for professional results

Many commercial software options exist in the home floor plan design market. One advantage of these is that many have more than one version for different levels of functionality. Another advantage is that you may be able to make plans that you can submit to a builder, a town or city zoning board.

I recommend: Find a list of home design software with expert and user reviews from various sources at ConsumerSearch. Check out rankings of home design software with editorial reviews and ratings, as well as user reviews and comments, at TopTenREVIEWS.

Save money with free home floor plan software

Free software is often very useful, giving you the tools you need to complete a project or to get a quick idea of what you need for a building plan. The advantage, beyond saving money, is you get to try it without a financial investment, so if you don't like it, you haven't lost anything.

I recommend: Find a list of free home floor plan design software with user ratings at Free Download Manager. Get information and ratings of free home floor plan software at downloadsoftware4free.com.

Many companies can effectively use a home floor plan software package to enhance their business. Large architectural firms often use their own proprietary software, but smaller firms, designers, realtors and those in construction can get a lot of use out of floor plan software.

Your clients need to see what their floor plans will look like before they make a decision to purchase. Sure, some clients can visualize what a large space can ultimately become, but most consumers would appreciate seeing what a large space can be turned into before starting a build or remodel. Once your clients are aware of the possibilities, it'll be much easier for you to make a sale. Get the right application to do the following for your building or architectural company:

1. Use the the right floor plan software to design a space without breaking the bank.

2. Make life-like 3D plans to wow your clients and increase sales.

3. Show your client different design options using advanced floor plan software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Download free versions of home floor plan software

Finding free downloadable versions of home floor plan software is a great way to try before you buy. Most of the free software downloads lack some features, but software trial versions give you a feel for how easy products are to use and navigate.

I recommend: SmartDraw allows you to create a floor plan in minutes. Download and try it free for 15 days. Simtel's FloorPlan 3D lets you view floor plans with simulated lighting consistent with the time of day in your time zone. Try out Floorplanner for free and, if you like how it works, upgrade to the PLUS version. Floorplanner PLUS allows you to create multiple plans with multiple floors and view them in 3D.

Convert your existing floor plans to 3D with new home floor plan software

Some clients simply cannot visualize their space in two dimensions. If you had floor plan software to easily convert your current plans to 3D designs, you could help your clients make some decisions they may be dragging their feet on now. Tracing your floor plans allows your clients to do a 3D walk through to see how your plans will look upon completion.

I recommend: See your existing 2D plans in 3D with plan3D. You will be able to trace floor plans and do 3D walkthroughs to see how your plans will really look. Punch! Software created the Home Design Series 5000 that can create, edit and import floor plans and objects you want to show in your floor plans.

Create virtual tours with home floor plan software to bring your plans to life

Showing your floor plan designs as a virtual tour is a fantastic way to showcase your talent and sell your work. This gives clients and prospective clients a pretty good feel for what a home looks like or can look like before they visit the property or even before the property is built.

I recommend: RTV has created software that allows the user to create a virtual tour showing floor plans from any angle. The application allows your clients to virtually decorate a space according to their style--a great sales-boosting feature. Easypano's Tourweaver 4.00 allows the user to create virtual tours from floor plan still photos.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of the design wizard that's included in most home floor plan software packages. The wizard makes creating floor plans a snap.