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Posted by Melissa Lynn Galland on Dec 31, 2016 8:00:21 AM
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Building a custom home is a surefire way to wind up with exactly what you want, from the location to the floor plan, the finishes, and those special features you’ve always dreamed of. But many home buyers worry that choosing the custom route will blow their budget. After all, isn’t customizing a home much more expensive than selecting a production house?

In fact, you can build a custom or semi-custom home on nearly any budget. And you may be surprised to learn that many features of the custom homebuilding process actually make it a better value than a production home.

To find out how, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can build a custom home on a budget:

Consider Different Material Options

One of the main ways that building custom can save on costs is by opening you up to a wide range of material options. With a custom home, you get to choose everything, including the cabinetry, tile, flooring, fixtures, and paint. Meanwhile, a production home offers very limited material options, so your opportunities to save money are restricted.

For example, in your next home, you might opt for laminate flooring instead of hardwood. Today’s laminate flooring truly looks and feels like hardwood, can deliver incredible durability for homeowners with children and pets, and is often an ideal choice for homebuyers on a budget. This flexibility to select your own materials will help you work around your budget easily.

Maximize Value

One of the key perks of going the custom route is that you pay for exactly what you want, without any of your budget going toward unwanted features. In this way, building a custom home lets you focus on what is most important to you and your family, without paying for endless customization or upgrade charges like you would when making a production home fit your needs.

For example, many of today’s homebuyers are looking for homes that can accommodate multi-generational families. Customizable plans, such as the Gallatin or the St. Helens, include options such as additional bedrooms or multiple master suites. Meanwhile, buyers looking for their retirement house are often drawn to the comfortable living and simplified maintenance offered by a smaller, single-story home, such as the Douglas.

With these customizable options, you can add exactly the features you want and not those that don’t fit your needs. This ensures that you not only stay within budget, but that you also end up with a home that will suit your family’s next stage.

Choose Your Builder Wisely

Finally, be sure to do a bit of research when selecting the company to build your custom home. Not every builder is the same, and you may be surprised to learn about the mark-ups that some companies charge for custom building.

For starters, look for a company that doesn’t charge a builder mark-up on land costs or site development. This will help you save money on the land development itself, which positions you to gain equity through the homebuilding process.

In addition, seek out a builder that offers assistance with finding your land and designing your custom home. These valuable services help ensure that you find the land you want, at the right price, and that you can confidently navigate the custom homebuilding process while staying within budget.

At Adair, we offer step-by-step guidance to help you design the affordable custom home of your dreams. 

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