OT - Building a new home

SuperCooper · December 2016

Good morning folks,

I know this is off topic, but I wanted to see how many of you have built a home in the past 2-3 years and what to expect for a sqft cost. I have land already, and would like to build in the next couple of months. In your recent experience, whats the best way to select a house plan? I have a set budget on a house if I were to buy a home, but would like to know if there are cost that most people forget to consider. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

To help tie this back on topic, I plan to incorporate an outdoor kitchen and have seen some pretty awesome ones on this forum.

Gasman77 · December 2016

My build was the word thing I was ever part of. Research your builder!!! I ended up going parting ways with 2 and completed it my self. If it ever burns I would stay in a travel trailer the rest of my life before I built again. Thousands vet budget all kinds of things not done right.

Gasman77 · December 2016

Wow. Sorry for that post autocorrect

Gulfcoastguy · December 2016

On the mortgage, if you don't have 20% Dow you have to pay mortgage insurance that could easily run $1500.00a year or more. Most public utilities charge a pretty stiff hookup fee. Check with your insurance company about things that increase your rate like fireplaces and swimming pools. I am sure others will add to this list.

Smokin_Trout · December 2016

Where are you located?
I would look at a super insulated house with solar panels. It will cost you more upfront, but you will save in 10+ years.

I am in Michigan and installed GeoThermal heating and cooling, along with 4.5KW of solar, about 10 years ago. They both have paid for themselves. This is in a 1964 house. With better insulation and another 6KW of solar, we should be out of the monthly heating and cooling bill.

johnkitchens · December 2016

My advice is to be very, very, picky when it comes to your builder. Do your research and pick one that has a good reputation. Talk to other people that he has built homes before.

Concerning price, you can go modest or you can go extravagant. We bought a house built in 1890 back in 2007. We did an addition and a renovation that took us 13 months. We completely blew up our budget, but that was our fault. My wife got a little carried away, but I let her.

Anyway I wish you luck, and keep us posted.

saluki2007 · December 2016

We just finished our new build about a year ago. My wife and I designed the house ourselves. We scoured an app called houzz for several years getting ideas that we liked and wanted to implement in our house.

Like already mentioned do your research on your builder. Once you've decided on your builder, do your research on who they are going to outsource some of the things to. We just assumed his HVAC, drywall, masonry, and plumbing people were the "best". Later found out could have gotten just as good of people at a much lower cost. I would agree go ahead and bite the bullet on solar.

Not sure how "techy" you are but I would go find a home theater store near you and talk to them about wiring your house for internet, cable/satellite, and possible in ceiling speakers. I would not trust a builder to that correctly.

SuperCooper · December 2016

I'm located in Greenville, SC. I work in construction, but on large scale commercial projects, so I know how the business works, just don't know any subs in that market. I have a couple builders I know from being family friends, going to church with them, etc. My wife's brother is also an architect, so not sure if I want to go completely custom, or pick from a plan we see online. I'm trying to weigh the budgets on things that can be changed down the road vs. items you have to live with from the beginning, i.e. tile backsplashes, floor finishes, etc. vs. exterior finishes.

@saluki2007, yes, I have thought about the tech stuff on the front end. Even if I don't do it now, I want the house to be capable getting these upgrades without being a major task.

Gasman77 · December 2016

The going with friends is what got me in trouble.

byrne092 · December 2016

Have a budget in mind, then add 15%. Unless you know exactly what you want, prices on little changes/details add up quick. I guess it depends on the building market though.

lkapigian · December 2016

Invest in the infrastructure ..ie Building Performance ...so often it is neglected and money spent on the " for looks" items

fishlessman · December 2016

i would find out what the builder did 10/15 years ago and then go look at those homes, even talk to those neighbors. alot of my neighbors homes were 700k builds about that time, there were 2 builders, abot half the homes the owners were not happy and have moved, stumps burried in the yard, boiler systems have been replaced, new windows being reinstalled etc, the other builder still lives there and his houses are top notch. they built one of those homes next door to this beer/gin drinking bum living in a dilapidated rundown camp....beer bottles layed out on the front yard, ducktape over the cracked window panes. its their fault though, i was there first

OT - Building a new home

Welcome!

Comments

Welcome!

Welcome!

Quick Links

Categories