Ways To Cut Costs When Building A House

1. Create A Strict Budget

Budgeting is the first step towards saving money. Take the time to budget, price out all items and plan for any hiccups along the way.

You may not be able to get an exact budget right away, but by laying the groundwork, you’ll know where you can afford to spend and where you can save during this process.

2. Simple Home Design

Don’t think outside the box; think inside the box. The cheapest way to design a home is by designing a simple box. Sticking to a square or rectangle will make the design and construction much cheaper.

Don’t forget about the roof, as the simpler the roof design, the cheaper this part of the home will be overall.

3. Reduce Square Footage

One way to dramatically cut costs is to reduce your square footage of the home. A small and cozy home can cut costs. Another tip is to build upward with a two-story design rather than outward like a ranch home.

4. Hire Experienced Home Builders

If you decide to work with a home builder, choose an experienced company. While an experienced builder may cost more up front, you can expect to make up the savings during the building process.

Experienced builders will be able to tell you where and when to spend and save on building. There is also a good chance a builder with 10-plus years of experience has navigated through just about every home-building request and specification.

5. Choose The Right Building Materials

A great option for individuals looking to lessen the financial burden of a new home build is to utilize some unconventional building materials. Tiny homes are becoming more and more popular.

These homes are built with reclaimed storage containers. There is a lot more room for innovation in the home-building industry, so feel free to ask your contractor about alternative materials. This could save you money on the construction and in the long run.

6. Modest Kitchen & Bathroom Designs

If you’re willing to do so, consider downgrading the kitchen appliances, amenities, and overall design. Nearly everything in the kitchen can be updated and upgraded later on. This includes cabinetry, appliances, and flooring.

The same can be said about your bathroom design. Bathroom materials can be upgraded at any time in the future. Swapping out a bathtub can be quite easy.

7. Make The Home Energy Efficient

Save hundreds of dollars on monthly bills by building your home with energy-efficient features. From installing better insulation to utilizing solar or wind energy, there are so many ways to make your new home more efficient. Make the initial financial investment and it will undoubtedly pay off in the future.

8. Simple Roofing System

Your roof will be one of the most expensive materials in your entire build. Labor costs for roofing can be quite high, as well. Choose a simple roofing system to reduce your overall costs. A simple, single ridgeline with a shallow pitch is likely the most inexpensive roof.

Complicated roofing systems, referred to as hips and valleys with a steep pitch can be more appealing yet far more expensive.

9. Avoid Change Orders

Last minute design or material swaps are called “change orders.” These orders can quickly take a toll on your budget. You can save money by avoiding any change orders and making updates later on, if desired.

10. Build Off The Grid

Sustainable living has become a huge trend across the country, recently. Off the grid housing, otherwise known as self-sufficient homes, rely on natural resources.

These resources include wind or solar-powered generators, with some homeowners also choosing to harvest their own home grown foods.