Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 8.0 [OLD VERSION]

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars | 42 ratings

Price: 0

Last update: 06-10-2024


About this item

Home Design, Remodeling, Decks, Landscaping, Kitchens & Baths, Interior Design, Cost Estimating
Automatic Building Tools--Roofs, Stairs, Doors, Windows, Framing, Foundations and more
Design Planning Center
Material Painter--point-and-click colors for walls, floors, countertops and more
Create Your Custom Kitchen with 1,000's of Cabinet Combinations

Product information


Top reviews from the United States

S. Goldfarb
5.0 out of 5 stars very useful tool for a remodel
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2009
I am about to embark upon a full kitchen remodel, which includes the removal of a wall. My brother turned me onto the BH&G Home Designer software and I could not be happier. Although I have used CAD-based programs before, it was purely at a novice level becuase of the steep learning curve required to create plans.However,I was able to get at least a 2-dimensional perspective. With BH&G I used the camera tool and got a true 3-D feel of what the room will be like after the remodel. I also found giant mistakes in my original concept which might not have stood out with a standard CAD program.

I would highly recommend this to anyone about to remodel. Its relatively easy, fun, and has probably saved me thousands in design errors.

Note: (Jan 2013) I recently bought the 2012 version because I used the previous version on 2 other remodels and just felt I wanted the upgrades such as cabinet styles and other color features. One of the recent remodels I used this software for was a whole apartment redesign - we ended doing the re-design drawings 18 times before we found the final version. Because I could use a product like this I am sure we saved thousands of dollars - we were able to "feel" what the end product was like before lifting tool one. I have recently tried using the Google free CAD and just find this product to be more user friendly. I also dont think the investment is overly huge but I am realistic in that I know I am not getting a "professional grade" product.
Dan the Man
5.0 out of 5 stars Good product, didn't have everything I needed.
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2010
I purchased this product to do a mockup of my remodel. It was very good but couldn't do a few items:

1. Custom Shaped windows
2. Stairs with wall that are empty beneath
3. Couldn't get the roofs to ever work right (but this is mostly because my roof is exceptionally unusual).

The 500$ one could do these things as their forum support people instructed me how to create them. However, I needed to return this in order to get that one (plus v9 came out about a month after I got this one). It did take quite some time to return the software, but it worked out in the end. Mostly this was because I purchased it from Amazon and they didn't get a record from amazon saying that I did.

I would recommend a longer money back period as there's quite a learning curve with this software. Using the online support was excellent, but disappointing to find out I couldn't do what I needed to. The customer service people were all very kind and helpful, even if I did have to go back and forth several times because I purchased it from amazon.

I would recommend this to someone who has a simpler layout, e.g. no oddly shaped windows or roofs. Most houses would work fine. If you have some weird stuff, then get the better version.
Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult learning curve for me.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2015
I bought this several years ago as an upgrade from a previous version, expecting to be able to plan a deck replacement, as well as draw interior renderings of the interior of houses I had listed for sale (I'm a Realtor). The learning curve was more extreme than I expected and I got discouraged. I wasn't able to line up walls or partitions correctly, the flooring samples didn't look good and were hard to place in a room, windows and doors were difficult to place correctly. I'm sure this would be a good piece of software for someone who has the time and inclination to study the instructions; however, I had a very hard time trying to figure out which icon was the correct one to use. There are several layers of icons across the top of the page and there are several pages with different functions to keep straight. One is just a floor plan, then there's a 3D view, a "doll house" view, a view that could be from a drone. They are supposed to have the changes made in one transfer to all the views but I wasn't able to do that. Fun to try, though.
Clarence Cates
1.0 out of 5 stars Fool me once, shane on me
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013
Directions not to clear. Installed it on my computer and the first thing they wanted was to sell me a new snd improved version. I'm not very happy when this kind of stunt is pulled on you before you even get to experiment on the one you bought. At least have the common decency to offer a rebate or discount.
Scot B
2.0 out of 5 stars Limited Functionality
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2008
A little backgound info about me.

I have used 3d products in the past, including AutoCAD, 3DS Max, Lightwave, and others. I also have worked in construction and have certifications in several areas of construction and cabinet making.
I bought this program with the goal of creating a materials list for a shop I want to build.

Now for the review.

I found the video trainings helpful. The program is simple in design and easy to use. Some functionality is limited. Direct input of distance is a function that requires the next level up in the program which is double the price. I did make several designs of the shop for experimenting with the materials list. I found some items not as I expected. I will have to try some more experiments to see if I can get a work around. When creating a foundation under the shop, if the dimensions are longer than typically available dimensional lumber, it appears the program doesn't care. It will print that you need a 34 foot piece of lumber.

Overall, I don't think this program has lived up to my expectations, but I believe it has value in getting an idea of how a project will look. I am more interested in the details which is why I have given it only 2 stars.

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