Add it later. Most folks who build their own home try to put every option into it - and a few go broke doing so. If you're trying to keep costs down, consider what you can add later. For example, if you want a central vacuum system, make sure the design includes it, but don't purchase and install the vacuum unit until you're into the home. The same goes for wall coverings. Paint for now and plan to add wall covering later. It will keep your building costs down and make sure you qualify for that construction loan. Depending on how tight your budget is, you may choose not to include appliances in your construction loan, rather using what you have for a little while longer and buying new ones as needed. You can even add a deck and landscaping later, once you're in the house. Some folks opt to take out a second mortgage in a year or two, to add things they couldn't quite afford when the house was built. If this is your plan, include those ideas in your building plan as needed.
Cut corners. The cheapest house you can build is square with only four corners. The more corners you add, the higher the cost. Certainly you want more than four walls in your house, but remember that each corner you add costs more than a straight wall. And rounded sections, such as bay windows and arched doorways, cost more than conventional walls and doorways. Not to worry, though. These are just real-world building facts. Make sure you get value for each of these additions to your plan. Keep them to a minimum.
Don't change your mind. Changing your house plan any time after it is drawn costs money. That's a fact. How much it costs depends on what's involved in making the change. If you're simply changing out one window style for another of the same dimension, the cost difference will be minimal. If you want to replace a window with a sliding glass door that opens onto a new porch, you're talking more dollars.
Forego the basement. Basements can be practical additions to a house. Or not. If the basement in your house doesn't have a valuable function, get rid of it. In some parts of the United States, the basement is where you live during tornado season, making it necessary. Or a basement may be required due to the building site slope. So, design the basement for multiple functions rather than just as a storage area. The same goes for all areas of your next home. Make sure it has at least one practical function.
Build up, not out. The wider your house, the more it costs. That makes sense, right? You can save money on your house by building up. A second story costs less to build than doubling the size of your first story. Why? You don't need twice as much foundation. The first story becomes the foundation for the second story. Of course, the foundation for a two-story house needs to be designed for the extra weight and stress, but it's still much cheaper than twice as much foundation. A higher home can also allow you to put more house on a smaller lot, saving on land costs.
About the Author: Michael Russell. Your Independent guide to Construction
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