Houses are expensive to build, but you might be able to cut some of the cost by following a few tips. Here are just a few tips you might want to consider when you start to plan your new home.
1. Use trusses over stick-built roof framing. This will save you money on labor and materials. Simple enough concept. Besides, trusses offer other advantages as well, such as that they are usually stronger, and less expensive than stick-built. So less expensive and higher quality!
2. Have an open floor plan. Having an open floor plan, you minimize hallways and maximize borrowed space from room to room, which makes the house look and feel bigger. It also helps in reducing the necessary size of your home. It could also makes your resale value soar; people want open houses with space, especially if that space is perceived, and they do not have to pay as much for it.
3. Landscape for savings. If you place your landscaping consciously, you will save money all year long. Place deciduous trees for summer shade and winter sun, and place windows in your house to allow airflow, so breezes can flow through your house, saving on cooling bills. Use your landscaping to save on energy, and make sure you recoup the cost of landscaping through the energy savings it can provide.
4. Use quality windows. If you don’t cut costs here, you will save in the long run. Quality windows reduce air infiltration and improve insulation, which means you save money each month on utilities. Also, your house will be much more comfortable to live in, and you will enjoy it a lot more.
5. Choose maintenance-free materials. This saves you money, especially if you get reduced- maintenance mechanical systems. Time equals money, and, if you save time by not having as much maintenance, you make money
6. Choose brick, cultured stone, stucco, vinyl, or aluminum siding. This will reduce your painting expenses now and in the future, making you more money! It also looks nice and can increase your resale value.
7. Use skylights and windows. If you can utilize natural light well, you will save a lot in lighting costs, so place windows carefully, and use skylights in places such as bathrooms and master closets. You will enjoy the natural sunlight all year long.
These are just a few things to help you in your planning. As always, talk to your builder and have them help you with suggestions on making your home-building experience a profitable and enjoyable one. There are so many new techniques to save you money and help the environment, whether you are building traditional or “green.” Don’t feel you have to get all your planning done in one meeting with your builder. These things can be a simple, but a long process. Your builder will define their process and assist you in gathering information to aid in your decision process. Let this be a fun project, and enjoy it.
Information for this article was taken from www.homebuildingremodeling.com. For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-69658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net
Speak Your Mind