Building With Lower Cost - 15
Construction Tips and Other Ways to Save Big When Building a House
No one
wants to pay more than necessary when building a home. But only the experts
know how to save money on construction, right? Not necessarily. Here are 15
tips that may help keep your building budget within reason, without
compromising on the home you want.
1.
Buy a large lot with a
friend or family member that can be split into two smaller lots. Some of the
most appealing properties may be much larger than what you want or can afford,
yet the seller may not be willing to break up a large parcel. So if you can
share the cost with someone else (preferably someone you don't mind having as a
neighbor), you may be able to pick up a great building site for a reasonable
price.
2.
Consider a so-called
problem lot — a hillside, narrow, or in-fill property. Generally, these types
of lots are not as desirable as others, so they don't sell as quickly and often
go for a much lower price. With the right plan and a capable contractor,
however, a potentially difficult lot might be perfect for your new home.
3.
Choose a canal or bay lot
instead of ocean or lakefront property if you must have a waterfront site.
These choices are usually less expensive but still water accessible. Plus, they
provide great protection against inclement weather.
4.
Buy low-maintenance
building materials — vinyl siding and metal roofing, for example. Even if they
are somewhat more expensive at installation, they will pay for themselves in
the long run as you won't have to repair, replace, or repaint.
5.
Collect salvaged
materials from demolition sites. Old barnwood, used bricks, and distinctive
wood doors add inexpensive character to a home without exorbitant cost. Many
times you can have the materials at no cost, as long as you're willing to haul
them away. Just be sure to check first with the owner of the building being
demolished.
6.
Splurge only on those
things you truly cannot live without. However, don't skimp on structural
components or doors and windows — for the safety and security of your home,
you'll want to purchase the best you can afford in these areas.
7.
Don't overbuild for the
neighborhood. A home that is better and bigger than any other in its area will
not command a fair price at resale. Instead, the assessment will be colored by
the lower-priced homes around it.
8.
Monitor construction
allowances as the home is being built to ensure you're getting what you asked
for (and are paying for). This includes decorative details as well as
structural elements. If you and your builder agreed, for instance, that a
particular brand of insulation would be installed, don't accept a lesser brand
— at least not without a cost adjustment.
9.
Use only a certified
general contractor. The experience of a well-qualified contractor is invaluable
to the home-building process. In addition, seasoned professionals have
established relationships with suppliers and subcontractors — something you
cannot possibly hope to get without years of experience in the business.
10.
Try to avoid site preparation
charges — hauling in-fill dirt, grading, clearing trees, blasting rock. These
processes are expensive and add time to the building schedule right off the
bat. Choose the best site you can afford and then pick a plan that fits that
site or can be modified to better suit the site.
11.
Avoid change orders — the
changes in materials or blueprints that invariably occur in the midst of the
building process. Not only do change orders cost more money, they add
considerable time and frustration to the building process. Decide exactly what
you want before ground is broken — and then stick to it.
12.
Keep the depth of your
home at 32 feet or less. Any more than that and roof trusses may need to be
specially designed, which can add significant dollars to the overall building
cost. If you have sufficient land and want a larger house, consider adding
width or additional stories.
13.
If you really want
ceramic tile or hardwood flooring but feel you can't afford it right now,
consider vinyl flooring. Vinyl makes a good underlayment, and the tile or wood
can be installed right on top of it at a later date.
14.
Choose a stock plan over
custom-drawn plans. The savings in total cost are great and you can probably
customize the stock plan to get exactly what you want.
15.
Do you really need a
three-car garage? If you only have two vehicles and you're counting on the
extra bay for storage space, consider other areas of the home that will work
just as well — attic space, space under a stairwell, or spare bedroom. Or put
up a garden shed, which is cheaper than building a huge garage.
SOURCE:
eplans
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