The decision to build your own home often comes with a hefty price tag, but don’t let that dissuade you! Although the high cost might cause some anxiety, building rather than buying an existing house actually gives you the power to make more budget-friendly choices.
House Plan 2328 – A Compact Cottage with a Three Bedrooms in a Tight Two-Story Layout
Affordable Cost of Construction
A number of particulars go into designing house plans. To the average consumer, square footage may seem like the biggest factor in the cost to build, but it isn’t necessarily. A complex structure can make a smaller design more expensive than you think, and a larger yet simple one may yield a more attractive price tag. Look at the shape of the foundation and the roof to get a rough idea of how one home compares to another; the simpler outline with the fewest corners and changes in pitch will be the more affordable choice, all other things being equal.
House Plan 7220 – An Affordable Studio-Style ADU or Tiny Home with Efficient 2×6 Framing
Affordable Cost to Own
What good is a house that’s inexpensive up front, but that you’ll pay extra for afterward? Don’t forget to take energy efficiency into account when you shop for your house plan! Affordable homes address efficiency in a variety of ways, so look at their particulars. Most typical homes use standard 2×4 stick framing, but that’s not the only option. Some offer 2×6 framing, and that extra couple of inches in the exterior walls provides more room for insulation. That will make the house less “leaky” and take the strain off your HVAC system, resulting in lower utilities. Insulated concrete form (ICF) or concrete block framing also offers a tighter building envelope for extreme efficiency. If you want to go the concrete route, be aware that it does come at a much higher cost than stick framing, but you’ll see its value over time.
Did you know that the position of your home on its lot also matters? Your builder can orient the house to facilitate passive solar heat gain in the winter and block harsh sun from heating the interior in the summer. Some house plans come designed with this in mind, but many others adapt perfectly well. If you know what to look for, you can shop for a house plan with the perfect layout to optimize the sun and seasons!
House Plan 2045 – An Affordable Rustic Ranch with a Rectangular Footprint and Two Split Bedrooms
Affordable Finishing Products
Finishing a home affordably comes down to you and the choices you make. Even with a super affordable house plan, your budget can be blown by selecting expensive products. But you don’t want to skimp on what’s important, so be realistic about the price of quality finishes and what you actually need.
You must account for everything! Roofing, windows and doors, flooring, appliances, plumbing fixtures, decorative elements… the list goes on. You should have an idea of the specific products you want long before it comes time to install them so you don’t run into any surprises. Make a checklist with prices included and make adjustments to find the right balance. Many people want to invest in top-notch appliances, so will go with a less expensive flooring to stay within budget. If a specific kitchen faucet is important to you, you may look to save on the bathroom faucets. In any case, keep ahead of your purchases so you don’t run out of money before you have all your finishes!
If you’re thinking about building your own affordable home, The House Designers can help! Feel free to explore our collection or get in touch. Our experienced home plan advisors can help by showing you homes that meet all your needs, budget included!
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Andrea Lewis
Andrea has over 35 years of experience in the Architectural and Construction industry. Having worked in design, construction, sales, marketing and legal, there is little that Andrea has not seen. Currently the Communications Manager for The House Designers, Andrea excels in customer service, marketing and social media and is pleased to be of assistance.