Building Is Expensive
Building a home is an exciting project - it can be a chance to build your dream house. Unfortunately, building a home is expensive. Regardless of the scope of your project, we are all constrained in some way by our budget. Any project requires tradeoffs to balance cost with quality and to remain on track.
Where Should I Spend?
The parts of your project that you should avoid compromising on are the ones that would be difficult or impossible to improve or change at a later date. This can be broken down into three key areas:
1. Foundation and Site Prep
It seems obvious that you shouldn't compromise on your foundation. However, some of the earth work involved in proper site prep can occasionally get missed. Land should be graded to divert water away from the structure. This is critical for preventing water ingress, which can cause damage to the structure. Ideally, a home should be built up on a small rise, with the ground sloping away from the structure. Some lots may need to have fill brought in and compacted layer by layer to bring them up to the proper level.
2. Structure
While any home built to modern code will perform adequately, there are often advantages to exceeding the requirements of code. A deeper wall cavity will allow for more insulation, engineered wood I-joists will be stiffer than dimensional wood joists, and a higher heel on your roof truss will accommodate more attic insulation.
3. Insulation and Envelope
The most important factor for building a high-performance home is the attention to detail with insulation and air sealing. The more airtight and insulated a home is, the lower your utility bills will be. View this as an investment, since it can save you a lot of money in the long run. Consider adding exterior insulation board under the siding, and using a high-performance air barrier like DeltaVent or Intello. Make sure your contractor takes the time to properly tape, caulk, or spray foam all the wall penetrations, joints, and seams that might allow air leakage. Attention to these small details is critical!
Where Can I Save?
The best places to save are the ones that are aesthetic rather than functional. It's better to spend the money and build the structure and envelope right. Start with the least critical items first. Remember, you can always change these things later when you have the budget!
Fencing, Decks, and Landscaping
Although these items can boost your curb appeal of your home, they can easily be added later as your budget permits. They are not functionally important to the performance of the home.
Fixtures and Finishes
These details can add a more premium feel, but they often carry a high price tag. Consider budget friendly recessed LED lighting instead of more elaborate fixtures. Acrylic, concrete, and laminate countertops can provide similar look and performance to granite or quartz, often for a fraction of the cost. Vinyl or laminate flooring can deliver rugged performance and a similar look to hardwood or ceramic tile.
Wall Cladding
Vinyl siding has come a long way since it first hit the market, and many of the more premium vinyl products are difficult to distinguish from more expensive materials like fiber cement. Metal can be an inexpensive, modern, and recyclable option as well.
Windows and Doors
The last place you can consider saving money is on windows and doors. While triple-glazed windows offer a significant performance boost over traditional double-glazed ones, they are more expensive. If budget allows, this upgrade is worth it. If not, go with the cheaper option and rest assured you can upgrade them down the line when needed. It's a lot easier to upgrade a window with a higher performing one than to upgrade the whole building envelope to make it more airtight!
Key Points
Every project requires tradeoffs.
Spend money on things that are important to the performance of the home.
Save money on things that are easy to change or upgrade later.
Focus on building a high performance structure; it can save you considerable money in the long term.