Save Money on Your Home Build With These 4 Tips

by Bill and Aby Brooks, REALTORS® 07/04/2021

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Building a home is no inexpensive task, but it doesn’t have to cost more than buying a home. In building a home you have many opportunities to save money mainly because you have control over every part of the process, from design to finishing touches. With proper planning and a practical budget, you might save thousands of dollars. Here are the best ways so save when building a home:

Comparison Shop

At the very beginning of your process, you’ll need to choose a builder. Lots of options means lots of different price points. It’s a good idea to do your own research and get estimates from multiple companies before you decide. Consult builder references including past clients and other industry professionals like a real estate agent to learn more about potential hidden fees or customer service issues. Delays, mistakes, schedule mismanagement and other issues can cost you money beyond just the price of the house itself. Learn as much as you can about the contractors your potential builders hire and the overall reputation and client satisfaction for the builder themselves.

Don’t Settle for Standard

Does your builder allow you to substitute in your own non-standard appliance and finish choices? If so, this could be another place to save. Many builders offer different appliance packages at different price points, but sometimes you might find a less expensive option through a suggested third-party vendor. Builders usually get special bulk pricing from their suppliers, but for items that don’t necessarily need to be bought in large amounts (think light or bathroom fixtures) you might get a better deal yourself. Ask your builder what they allow and whether they’re willing to handle the installation for you without extra cost.

Open Up

A house with a smaller footprint will cost less to build, even if it has a second floor. Rather than expanding the home layout in a single story, consider building up instead. The savings here come from the foundation work and roofing materials. Overall, foundation and roofing can make up about half the total cost of the house. If you can reduce that cost while still gaining livable square footage with a second floor, it might be a great option. Take other factors into account like energy efficiency and accessibility and any zoning laws in the area you’re building in. Discuss the possibility with your builder to see if it will work for you.

You can also make a smaller footprint feel larger by opting for an open floor plan. This increases efficiency of the home both in terms of energy and livable space. Multi-functional rooms are a great way to save money compared to adding more rooms to the footprint.

DIY

When possible, try to do some work yourself. Anything not included by the builder might add expense even long after the home is finished. Things like small hardware or window blinds are simple and safe enough to install without hiring a professional. You can even install larger appliances yourself — just make sure you abide by the rules of whatever warranty or insurance you got from the builder. Even for the projects you don’t do yourself, you can still have a say in how much it costs by finding the right contractor.

Factoring everything into a budget for a new home can be overwhelming, but planning will help you identify possible ways to save. Every square foot and every hour of hired labor adds up.

About the Author
Author

Bill and Aby Brooks, REALTORS®

Aby’s understanding of excellent customer service stems from her extensive professional background. Prior to earning her real estate license in 2005, along with her college degree that focuses on business and engineering, Aby was the head of purchasing, inventory and quality assurance for an OEM medical and aerospace manufacturing company. Known by her clients and fellow realtors for her tenacity, honesty, integrity, and attention to detail, as a full-time realtor, she is also appreciated for her quick response to her client’s needs. Aby has been an avid horse rider and owner since the age of eight, with her husband Billas a local firefighter/EMT they are very active within the community. Bill served as a US Army Airborne Ranger in 75th Ranger Regiment, he is a combat-wounded veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. Bill's background as facility Manager for an International metals company and as a firefighter/EMT gives him the experience, attention to detail and the desire to go above and beyond to serve his customers. The Brooks' serve on the board of a local non-profit (501c3) that gives back to the veterans, first responders and their families. The Brooks family resides on their small ranch in Manatee County. Aby& Bill excel in all types of real estate and their passion is helping people. “We genuinely like people, growing up in Sarasota and Manatee counties and now raising our own family here, it is an absolute pleasure to share our growing area with newcomers and reminisce with longtime residents. Our area has so much to offer and it is our business to help folks buy and sell their own piece of paradise.”