You may daydream about having a home that looks like those you see on television shows and images, but you might have asked how someone could afford to build such a home. The good news is that you don’t have to be rich to build a beautiful, custom home.
To create such a home, you must plan carefully and choose affordable, high-quality materials in place of others that may be more expensive. Here’s what to consider:
Budget
The first thing to do when planning a custom home is to set a budget. This process not only helps you stick to a budget but also keeps you aware of what’s affordable and what’s not. It’s also important to note that there’s no need to commit to your final budget right away. You can always adjust as you go and simply make choices that will help your wallet later on.
However, it’s good to be aware of what kind of home you can afford. The best way to set a budget is to create a pro forma, which is a document that shows your income and expenses. From this document, you can get a good idea of how much you can spend on your home.
For most people, a budget of $350,000 to $400,000 usually does the trick, but every home builder and contractor will tell you to expect your final cost to be 25% percent higher (or more) than your budget. It’s pretty common for homes to exceed their budgets. Just because you know that your budget might not be enough to build something that meets your needs doesn’t mean you should just throw money at the project. Many homeowners who fall into this trap end up with a home that’s not very well-planned and is not built the way they want.
Design and Style
Once you have a budget, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Before you decide on the style of your home, think about what you want to build. Would you rather live in a modern or contemporary home? A mid-century modern home? A completely custom home? It’s important to know what your style is before you build, so you’re not surprised when you see your home for the first time.
When choosing a design, consider what you like ー and don’t like ー about your current home. What you don’t like might be hard to change. For instance, if you’re sick of dark, cramped closets, your new home might have large, open closets that help you stay organized. If your current home is too plain, design your new home to feel more like a home, with personality, art and other touches.
Also, consider the dimensions of your lot and how they’ll affect your design. For example, if your lot is narrow and has trees on both sides, you might want to consider a design that has a lot of windows to maximize natural light and open space. Here are more tips on how to come up with the right design for your home.
Building Materials
When you’re designing your home, you need to know what kinds of materials will be best for your budget. While there are lots of options out there, you should focus ー at least, initially ー on saving money.
Some of the most affordable materials are:
Aluminum
Aluminum is a great low-cost option that comes in a range of styles. It’s easy to work with, durable and affordable. It’s also great for high-end designs because it can be sanded, painted and textured. However, aluminum isn’t as durable as other options and it’s prone to rust.
Fibreglass
Fibreglass is another affordable material that comes in popular styles. It’s also a great option for full custom homes because it can be moulded and shaped. Most fibreglass windows look similar to wood windows. Fibreglass is a great choice for basement, bathroom and kitchen walls because it’s waterproof.
Masonry
Everyone loves brick and stone. These stone, brick and cement materials are great for full custom homes or for homeowners ー especially those who want to build a more traditional home. While these materials come in a wide range of styles and appearances.
Whether you’re looking to build a custom home in a specific area or you want a custom home built to your specifications, you can trust the professionals at Ackard Contractors. We are a custom home builder in Edmonton, and we have the experience, expertise, and dedication to help you create the home you have always wanted. And because we are builders, we are able to build to your budget and your specifications.
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