Building a house is expensive, and it can be difficult to stay within budget. That’s why it’s important to take some time and think about strategies for keeping your construction costs low.
One way to do this is by choosing materials wisely. For example, if you’re able to purchase lumber in 2’0” increments instead of 10’, you can save money.
1. Reduce the Square Footage
The square footage of a home can be a big factor in how much it costs to build. In general, larger homes tend to cost more because of the higher material and labor costs.
One way to cut down on your home construction costs is to make the most of your space. For example, consider building a two-story house rather than a single story home, which will save you on materials and labor.
You can also keep your costs down by choosing high-quality materials for your new home. These premium products often come with excellent warranties, which will help to ensure that your home holds up well for years to come.
Keeping your home’s size small will also help you to keep energy costs down. Larger houses have a tendency to lose heat and cool air more easily than smaller ones, which can increase your monthly utility bills.
Another issue with larger homes is that they require longer runs for ducting and electrical wires. This can lead to unnecessary costs.
If you’re unsure about the square footage of a house, double check it with your purchase agreement or the property records held by the local government.
In addition, the square footage of a home may vary depending on how the owner updated it over time. For instance, a four-season porch or basement bedroom will count toward the finished square footage of a home, while an attic room that is not enclosed by walls won’t.
Taking the time to measure all of your home’s rooms will make it easier to get an accurate estimate of how much space you have available. You can do this on your own, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
2. Consider Stock Plans
Building a new home is not only an expensive endeavor, but also requires a lot of design and development. Stock plans, however, eliminate the costs associated with custom designs, allowing you to build your dream home for a fraction of the price.
Most stock house plans offer popular features consumers seek, including popular room dimensions and square footage, layouts of floor plans, sought-after amenities and even beam specifications and gravity loading calculations. They are also often compatible with the current International Residential Code.
Stock plans also come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit everyone’s needs, and they are highly flexible. For example, if you don’t like a particular window style, a builder can make slight modifications to the plan in order to meet your wishes.
In addition, stock house plans allow you to save time and money by not having to draw a new site plan. Many cities require a site plan for new construction, and the cost of having one drawn can add up fast.
Another benefit of buying stock plans is that they can help you save on a lot of other building expenses. For instance, most stock plans include a materials list that eliminates the unknown costs of developing during construction.
Finally, stock plans are also an excellent option for log and timber homes. Many log and timber manufacturers have dozens of stock designs that have been built time and time again. These are often cheaper than designing a new home from scratch, and many errors can be avoided when using a stock plan.
Modifying stock plans is a great option, as it allows you to have a house that’s perfect for your family without the high cost and lengthy process of creating a custom design. Some modifications are minor, while others require major changes. The smallest modification can be as simple as adding a mudroom or changing the footprint of a room, while a larger change could significantly alter a stock house plan’s design.
3. Reduce the Number of Walls
One of the most cost effective ways to keep your construction budget in check is to design a home that uses fewer materials than it needs. This can be achieved by reusing existing products or swapping out expensive ones for cheaper alternatives. For example, reusing an existing kitchen countertop or cabinetry can save you hundreds of dollars in material and installation costs. Another way to cut costs is by using energy efficient appliances, a good quality HVAC system, and other green features.
The most cost effective way to do this is to reduce the number of walls in your home. This will not only save you money, but it will also make your house a more attractive and functional home. The more walls you have in your home, the more expensive each individual wall will be to construct. Keeping the number of walls down is an easy way to shave a few thousands of dollars from your overall build costs. This will make the construction process go a lot smoother and your new home feel much more like your dream home.
4. Look for Subcontractors with a Good Track Record
One of the most important things to do when trying to keep your home construction costs low is to look for subcontractors with a good track record. A good track record shows that a contractor is trustworthy and reliable. It also shows that they can complete their work on time and with high quality.
A good track record can help you avoid the common pitfalls associated with working with inexperienced subcontractors, such as schedule overruns, reworks, and poor work quality. You can learn about a subcontractor’s track record by checking out state consumer agencies and looking up their contractor profile online.
Another way to find subcontractors with a good track record is to ask your local suppliers for recommendations. These companies often provide materials and tools to contractors, so they may have recommendations for good subcontractors in their area.
Then, arrange a face-to-face interview to assess the experience and qualifications of each subcontractor you’re considering. Ask them to provide a list of previous clients, financial references, and other details to get an idea of their reliability and expertise.
Finally, check out state consumer agencies to see whether a subcontractor has any outstanding debt or dispute history. This can be an indicator that they might have difficulty paying their subcontractors or might file mechanics liens against your project.
A good track record will also help you avoid hiring inexperienced subcontractors who can’t complete their work on time and are likely to overcharge. It’s worth the extra effort to find a subcontractor with a track record because it can save you time and money on your next project. For roofing contractors, we highly suggest getting in contact with Scranton roofers!
5. Keep an Eye on the Little Things
A home construction project can be costly, but there are many things that can help you keep your costs down. For example, keeping an eye on the little things like fixtures, outlet covers and door stops can make a big difference. These items add up over the course of your build, so you might want to look for cheaper options when possible. You can also cut your materials budget by shopping around for deals and asking for discounts on material purchases. This can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Finally, creating a budget early in your building process can also help you avoid getting out of control with your construction costs. It’s a good idea to keep your construction budget as an ongoing document that is updated throughout the project, so you can track any changes and their impact on the overall cost. Having a budget can help you be prepared for unexpected expenses and give you peace of mind during the construction process.
