How To Estimate Your Custom Home Costs

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Thursday, July 21st, 2016

You have a dream to own a home and you plan to have a customized home that will suit your needs. It is easy to come up with custom made ideas on how you would like your home to look like. Many people however, overlook the fact that they need to plan ahead on the cost of realizing this dream. They end up spending more than they had in the budget for the project due to poor planning.

You can work with certified custom home designers in Alberta to help you break down the costs on your new home. They are able to give you accurate costs and this way you can plan ahead. This helps you to set aside money for the building project. The building process then becomes smooth with minimal interruptions. This article will provide you with the important breakdown on what you need to have in mind as you work on estimating the cost to finish your custom made home.

Have adequate knowledge about your floor plans

3D floor plan

You should be aware of every detail about your floor plans to have a basic idea of how much your home will cost. The layout of the floor enables you to plan special features you plan to install in your home and this lays a foundation of how the rest of the project will run. You should then work with a qualified contractor whose line of work covers designs that is similar to yours. They will help you estimate the cost of materials and labor charges depending on how they charge other clients with similar projects. This will help you to have a figure to work on and help you to set realistic goals within your budget.

Get per square foot cost estimates

You can work out your own estimate of the building costs to compare with what your contractor suggests. You should ask how much a builder charges on homes that have similar designs and sizes as yours. You then take the total amount the contractor has given you and divide per the square foot of your home. This will give you a rough idea on how much you expect to use in your estimate. You can compare your estimate cost to other similar homes in your area to see if they match or your contractor has overcharged you. It is best to work with a contractor who has a good reputation in delivering quality work at reasonable prices.

Keep in mind the style, quality and special features as you estimate on cost

It’s not just about size when it comes to estimating building costs for your dream house. You need to factor in the style and design of the house. A square house is cheaper to build compared to a house that needs more corner layouts. Building a one story home requires more materials to go into the foundation therefore, it will cost more. The quality of materials you use will also determine the cost of building your home. Adding special features means that you need to spend more on installation such as curved staircases.

Think about extra construction costs

It is easy to overlook minor expenses in your overall building costs due to the excitement. Costs such as permit fees and site preparation cost can easily be overlooked while estimating building costs. Labor demand changes at different times of the year, so you need to know exactly when you plan to start your project so that you can factor in these costs. Ensure that you avoid cost overruns where you change your mind in materials and go for a more expensive material. Work with a good contractor who will keep you focused on important details and will give you accurate estimates.

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