"How much does it cost to build a house?" is the question we
and home designers around the country are asked most frequently. Our answer is
always the same, "It depends". There are so many factors that impact
the cost of building a home; it's hard to pinpoint it with any accuracy before
you get through the actual quote process with your builder. Actually, there are
even a few factors that can't be determined until the actual building takes
place.
To be honest, it is possible to estimate :"the cost of building a house". The US Census Bureau
provides an average cost per square foot of new construction both nationally
and by geographic region. These are not precise figures and can vary by $20 or
more per square foot. Therefore you must include room for variances in your
budget. Factors impacting cost include where you live, the time of year you're
building, the quality of materials you choose, and your lot, just to name a
few.
Geographic differences can be significant. Homes in the Northeast tend to
cost more than homes in the South. Why? The cost of materials is higher, the
building season is usually shorter. The average contract price per square foot
as published by the US Census Bureau shows a difference of more than $30 per
square foot between the Northeast and South. Now consider whether you're
building close to a metropolitan area or in a rural, less populated area of
your state. We've seen prices vary by as much as $20 per square foot between
towns only an hour apart. These factor wll determine the "average cost to build a house"
Your builder can influence the "cost of building a house". Let's face it, a "building contractor" provides a
service. The type of service you want will impact the overall "cost of building a house". If you want
a builder who is meticulous about every detail of your home, it will cost more
than if you want a builder who will focus on getting your home up quickly. Some
builders increase their prices during high demand periods. If building in your
geographic area is seasonal, you may want to consider starting your home in the
"off-season" to take advantage of a builder's down time, and
hopefully, lower prices.
Lots can also bring on many hidden surprises. You don't know for certain
what's underneath your feet until you actually start digging. If you are
putting in a full basement, you may not discover ledge until you're several
feet down. Now you have to add the cost of blasting. A well can also bring on
unpredictable costs. Contractors cannot guarantee they will hit water at a
certain depth. Even if the lot right next to yours hit water at 100 feet, that
doesn't mean you will. You may suddenly find yourself spending a lot more (or
if you're lucky, a lot less!) than originally planned.
Now, we'll get into those costs YOU can control. What type of heating and
cooling system will your home have? Many eco-friendly systems are more
expensive up front, although long term cost savings and environmental impact
make them worth considering. Custom cabinets, granite countertops, one of a
kind light fixtures and exotic hardwood floors - every choice you make will
impact the cost of your home. Smart consumers will splurge on items that can't
easily be upgraded after the house is complete - like a geothermal heating
system. Then they choose standard faucets, light fixtures and other items which
can be easily upgraded at some point in the future.
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These are just a small sampling of what impacts the
"cost of your home". It would be great if you could slap a price tag on each plan
and say this is the final cost to build your home, but then you wouldn't be
able to customize it, make it your own. So be patient and flexible. Use the
average square foot cost for your region as a starting point for your budget,
but not as a final cost. Talk to local builders as they will give you a much
more accurate picture of costs.
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