Realistic budget
The variables of the building process will affect the initial costs of construction. Choosing materials that will reduce maintenance costs after the home is built should also be considered. To get a realistic budget for your project you will need to take into account other non construction issues including access, site preparation and availability of services.
Getting a fixed price on the entire project is generally not feasible due to the complexity of building a custom home. There are three distinct aspects to a construction project:
- Site improvement – roads, well, septic, land clearing, bringing services to the property, etc.
- Home construction – foundation, building to lock-up and finishing to occupancy.
- Construction of auxiliary buildings, decks etc.
Only qualified builders and sub-trades can only provide you with realistic construction quotes based on a home design that is specific to your building site, the type of materials that will be used and the scope of the project.
This is why you should beware of construction quotes from other builders that use simplistic finished prices per square foot for the whole project. This approach is usually unrealistic and can result in budget overruns because each custom home and its property have unique features and issues. It takes time to prepare a proper quote based on the specifics of the project. There are many reasons why per square foot pricing is not suitable for custom building projects. Some of the most common are.
- The cost of foundation work and site services can vary dramatically
- Covered porches cost almost as much as finished interior space
- The cost of adding decks is greater than most people realize
- Full height or walk out basements will affect average square foot costs
- The quality of interior finishing can vary greatly
- The complexity of the roof system and materials used will impact construction costs
When you get competitive quotes make sure you understand what is included and what is not included in the scope of work. Otherwise you may find yourself in a situation where the costs to finish the work exceed your expectations.
