If someone says that they are building a custom home, you might find yourself wondering exactly how they can afford it. While custom homes can be pricey, that isn’t always the case.
Much of the cost of building a custom home comes down to the homeowner’s choices. In some situations, a custom home may actually be less expensive than buying a production home. A seasoned custom home builder will use their experience to help clients make decisions about land, design, and materials that keep costs reasonable.
At Carl Deputy and Son Builders we build new and custom homes in Kent County, Sussex County, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We work with our clients to help them stay within their budget, using our experience and skills to cut waste and guide our clients towards budget-friendly choices. Contact us to talk to a Delaware custom home builder about your dream home – and budget.
Building a Custom Home Isn’t Necessarily More Expensive
Many people hear the words “custom home” and immediately think that it’s out of their budget. While that may be true if you’re building a large home with pricey amenities in a high-cost-of-living area, it isn’t always the case. In some situations, building a custom home can actually be less expensive than buying a production home.
As an initial matter, it is important to understand that a common metric used to determine how expensive a house is – price per square foot – isn’t especially useful when it comes to custom builds. This metric is useful for homes that have already been built, or after a custom home is built. Before a house is actually finished, it can be difficult to know exactly what the price per square foot will be.
That being said, there are many factors that go into the cost of a custom home. This includes:
- The size and shape of the home: simply put, larger and more complicated homes will cost more to build. For example, a sprawling multi-level 3,000 square foot house will typically cost more than a 1,500 square foot Cape Cod. Simpler designs require less design work – and often less labor and materials – and will typically cost less.
- The lot: one of the first steps involved in building a custom home is buying a lot. You can purchase your own land, or buy a site from the builder. The location of the land will greatly influence the cost. Typically, land in a more urban area will cost more than land in a rural area. The features – or lack thereof – of the land will also impact overall cost. If your builder has to level the land, remove trees, or have utilities run out to the house, it will be more expensive compared to a ready-to-build lot (also known as improved land).
- Materials: if you want high-end finishes and pricey appliances in your new home, it will cost more. The materials that you choose – from shower and floor tiles to hardwood floors to cabinetry and countertops – will greatly impact the total price of your custom home.
- Labor: building a home involves a lot of labor that is performed by a diverse array of skilled tradespeople. On a typical construction site, you might find electricians, plasterers, carpenters, and plumbers. Labor costs are impacted by things like the size and design of your house, with larger and more complex builds requiring more labor. Project management also plays a role. An experienced home builder who can coordinate and strategize to keep labor costs low can help to keep costs as low as possible.
Ultimately, building a custom home is all about flexibility and not having a cookie-cutter house. The ability to personalize a house to make it exactly what YOU want also means that you can customize it to fit your budget. If you want to build a house and keep the total cost within a certain amount, you might be able to do so – and your final price might even be less than the cost of buying a production home.
Of course, many custom homes do end up being more expensive than existing houses or production homes. For many homeowners, building a custom home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get exactly what they want. They may choose features and finishes that push the cost up quite a bit – but that doesn’t mean that you have to do the same. A custom home can be exactly what you want it to be – including a gorgeous home that fits your budget.
How to Build a Custom Home on a Budget
Custom homes don’t have to be more expensive than production homes. In fact, it is quite possible to build a completely custom home for less than what you might spend buying an older home or a house in a planned community. Importantly, the aesthetics, quality, and craftsmanship of a custom home do not have to take a back seat when building on a budget.
Simplify The Design
There are many ways to achieve this goal. First, consider simplifying the design of your home. A more streamlined design – with fewer angles and cuts – will often reduce the cost. Your builder can work with you to explore options, such as building up instead of out (which will require a smaller foundation and smaller roof compared to a ranch house).
Reduce Room Sizes
Second, think about how much space you actually need. In new construction homes, there is a tendency to go big – even when it doesn’t actually make sense. Many new builds have massive primary bedroom suites or rooms that are rarely used, such as a formal living room. By reducing the size and number of rooms, you can cut the cost of your house. Your builder can work with you on design choices, like high ceilings and windows, that will still make your house feel large.
Consider Lower-Cost Materials
Third, make thoughtful swaps when it comes to materials. While you may want the expensive hardwood floors for your home, it may simply cost too much – but vinyl planks may fit within your budget better (and still look great). Similarly, choosing an engineered stone over marble or picking mid-range appliances can help to bring costs way down while still getting a beautiful house.
There are many ways to reduce the costs of building a custom home while still getting what you want. A skilled builder will work with you to make design choices that will keep you on budget while you build the home of your dreams. They can also help you select a lot that will minimize the need for expensive prep work, and help keep labor costs in check.
Build a Custom Home within Your Budget with Carl Deputy and Sons
Building a custom home doesn’t have to be more expensive than buying a production home. At Carl Deputy and Sons Builders, we pride ourselves on our quality custom homes, new homes, and home renovations – all of which can be done while working with our customers’ budgets. No matter what the final cost is, you can rest assured that we will always provide the finest craftsmanship and the highest level of customer service.
Our company has built homes in Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland for more than 40 years. We know that building a custom home is a huge step for our clients, which is why we take care to ensure that they get exactly what they want – and help them make choices that keep them within their budget. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, give us a call at 302-284-3041 or fill out our online contact form.
