Cut costs when you build or remodel your home

How much will your building or remodeling project cost? Maybe less than you think! Here's how to cut costs without compromising comfort and beauty.

1. Estimate Early

Before you get far in the planning process, start collecting estimates. These early estimates will be approximate, but they can help you make important building decisions. Once you know the likely costs, you can modify your plans to meet your budget.
Building Ideas: "Guesstimate" Your Building Costs

2. Beware Budget Building Lots

The cheapest building lot might not be the most affordable. Your costs will soar if your builders have to blast through rock, clear away trees, or provide extensive drainage. Also be sure to factor in the cost of installing public services. The most economical building lots are often in developments with access to electricity, gas, and public water lines.
Building Ideas: Find the Best Building Lot

3. Choose Simple Shapes

Triangles, trapezoids, and other complex shapes are difficult and expensive to build. To save costs, choose square or rectangular floor plans. Avoid cathedral ceilings and complicated roof-lines. Best yet? Forget the box and opt for an ultra-affordable dome home.
Building Ideas: Monolithic Dome Homes

4. Build Small

When you compare costs per square foot, a big house can seem like a bargain. After all, even the smallest house will need high-ticket items like plumbing and heating. But check the bottom line. In most cases, smaller houses are more affordable to build and more economical to maintain. Also, a house that is deeper than 32 feet may require specially-designed roof trusses, which will make your costs go through the roof.
Building Ideas: Find Plans for Small Houses

5. Build Tall

The most affordable houses are compact. Instead of building a single story house that sprawls across the lot, consider a house with two or three stories. The taller house will have the same amount of living space, but the roof and foundation will be smaller. Plumbing and ventilation are also less expensive in multi-story homes.

6. Don't Pay for Phantom Space

Before you choose a plan for your new home, you'll want to know how much space you're paying for. Find out how much of the total area represents actual living space, and how much represents "empty" spaces such as garages, attics, and wall insulation.
Building Ideas: How to Compare House Plans

7. Reconsider Your Cabinets

Solid wood cabinets are elegant, but there are less expensive ways to give kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices a sleek, designer look. Consider open shelving or stainless steel cabinets with frosted glass doors.
Building Ideas: How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets for Home Renovation

8. Use Recycled Materials

Recycled construction materials are earth-friendly and can also help take the bite out of building costs. Look for products like recycled steel, pressed straw paneling, and sawdust and cement composites. Also browse architectural salvage warehouses for doors, windows, lumber, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, fireplace mantels, and assorted architectural details.
Building Ideas: Find Architectural Salvage

9. Postpone the Frills

While your budget is tight, opt for door hardware, faucets, and light fixtures from your local home improvement store. Items like these can be easily changed, and you can always upgrade later on.

10. Invest in Quality

While you can postpone frills like fancy doorknobs, it doesn't pay to scrimp when it comes to features that can't be easily changed. Forget the tacky vinyl siding. Invest your homebuilding dollars in construction materials that will bear the test of time.
Building Ideas: Exterior Siding Options

Tuesday, October 19, 2010