Some homeowners focus on the most obvious costs of building a custom home, such as house planning, labor, and building materials. There are many other costs, however, that should be factored into your total spending so that you set and stick to a realistic budget.
Some of the top hidden costs of building a custom home include site preparation, permits and inspections, supply chain issues, and interior finishes. You should also factor in the cost of purchasing the land, as it will influence your budget for the rest of the build. Knowing the common hidden costs of building a custom home lets you plan for them and avoid going over budget.
For help planning and building a custom home with Blythe Custom Homes, go to our website today. We’ll make sure nothing feels hidden as you begin your custom home project with us.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Building a Custom House?
Many costs go into building a custom home, some of which are less obvious than others, and we can help you consider all of them when planning and executing the build.
Land Purchase
One of the highest costs comes before you even break ground on a custom build: buying the land you plan to live on. Factoring this into the total cost is important, and a common yet major oversight for prospective homeowners entering this experience.
Site Preparation
You also need to think about the cost of preparing the site for construction. Site preparation can be costly and lengthy in and of itself, especially if you need to remove several large trees, add or excavate soil, or even add access roads for construction.
Proper site preparation is essential for a strong foundation for your beautiful new home.
Permits and Inspections
All in all, permits for a new home build can cost hundreds of dollars. There are also regular inspections throughout residential construction, and failing any of them likely results in fines. Homeowners face fines and stop-work orders for performing any unpermitted work.
But when you work with us, we make sure to keep up with permits so you won’t have to face fines or experience any drama.
Supply Chain Issues
Even when building materials are ordered and planned, supply chain issues beyond your control may incur unforeseen costs. Timing construction and starting in a less popular time of year could potentially help you avoid supply chain issues that cause unnecessary expenses. But we can get started any time of year and know how to guide you through any supply chain issues that may arise. Thankfully, there are usually ways around things unless there is an extremely major weather or news event.
Interior Finishes
Many homeowners leave selecting interior finishes and appliances until construction is well underway, when they can meet with vendors on site. While you can make some decisions at this point, leaving too many to the end of construction can be costly. We can help you hone in on the interior finishes you prefer as early in the process as possible. This will help make sure you get the finishes you want as we respect your budget.
Landscaping
When trees are removed and soil is excavated, landscaping is required to make sure the home has the curb appeal you want. Landscaping is a hidden cost because some homeowners may not think about it in advance, failing to factor the exterior of their homes into their initial plans, designs, and target budgets.
How Can You Manage the Hidden Costs of Building a Custom Home?
We help homeowners manage the hidden costs of building custom homes by thoughtfully planning construction and setting aside a contingency fund to cover the top unexpected costs of residential construction.
Carefully Plan the Build
Thorough preparation and planning help homeowners manage the common extra costs of building. In addition to carefully planning the structure, floor plan, and other intricacies, we can also help you make smart decisions regarding building materials.
Set Aside a Contingency Fund
We have our clients set aside a portion of their budget for a contingency fund that can help cover unavoidable hidden costs during residential construction, such as weather-related issues and supply chain disruptions.
FAQs About the Hidden Costs of Building a Custom House
How Does a Site Analysis Help with the Hidden Costs of Building a Custom House?
A site analysis helps reveal some of the hidden site-specific costs of building a home, such as zoning rules, soil conditions, lot size, and more.
Can You Make Budget Allowances to Help with the Hidden Costs of Building a Custom House?
We can set aside funds in your budget for unforeseen costs that may arise during the construction of your custom home. We can also make allowances for future decisions you need to save room in the budget for, such as interior finishes. This way it’s easy to stay on target and it eliminates a lot of worry and stress.
How Can You Avoid Some Hidden Costs of Building a Custom Home?
Avoid some of the most common hidden costs of building a custom home by planning the build carefully, intentionally choosing construction materials, and letting us help you identify and stick to a target budget.
What Are the Other Costs of Building a Custom Home?
The following are other, potentially more obvious, costs of building a custom home that are still important to mention:
- Labor
- Building materials
- Systems and utility work
Should You Be Worried About the Hidden Costs of Building a Custom Home?
You should be aware of the top hidden costs of building a custom home so you can plan for them and protect your custom build from going over budget or falling short of expectations. But when you work with us, we will go over all of these potential issues and walk you through them so you know exactly what to expect and feel very prepared.The costs won’t be “hidden” once we talk through the budget with you.
Is Your Budget Enough to Cover the Costs of Building a Custom Home?
We can confirm whether your budget is enough to cover all the costs of building the custom home of your dreams, hidden or not. We can give you an honest assessment so you know where to set your expectations before home planning begins.
How Much Do Permits Affect the Cost of Building a Custom Home?
Though permits can cost hundreds of dollars, they have the greatest effect on the cost of building a custom home when they are not obtained, as homeowners may face hefty fines, stop-work orders, and may even have to pay to have unpermitted work corrected.
Plan and Build Your Custom Home with Us
To begin planning a custom build with Blythe Custom Homes, visit our website.
