Energy-Efficient Building Materials

Building an energy-efficient home is a great idea. Most modern buildings are built with the issues of energy efficiency in mind. There is a wide range of energy-efficient building materials available in the market for builders. Let's take a look at some of the efficient building materials you can use. 

Recycled steel

It only takes six scrap cars to build an average house. The steel beams are more efficient than the wooden ones and can be used for specific designs. The other major benefit is that steel is long lasting and can be used in areas that are prone to high winds and earthquakes. 

Insulated concrete forms

Insulated concrete forms have been in the market for more than fifty years and are getting more popular because of their high energy level efficiency. The concrete can be used in building blocks and free standing walls. 

Plant-based polyurethane foam

Plant-based polyurethane is a safe building material made from natural materials such as hemp, kelp and bamboo. It is has high resistance to heat, moisture and offers great protection to pests and mold. It is far much better than polystyrene and fiberglass that have been used for long. 

Straw bales

This is another resilient energy-efficient building material that's been used for many years for making beds and for roofing. Straw bales have great insulation properties and if it is kept free of moisture it can last for a very long time and bond well to plaster.

Cool roof

Cool roofing technology has been in place for quite sometimes. This technology enhances heat dissipation and lowers your home temperature during the hot days. It is also environmental friendly because of its ability to reduce the heat in the atmosphere. They have high ability to reflect the sunlight, leading to heat reduction in your house.

Structural insulated panels

Structural insulated panels are made from a layer of foam insulation sandwiched between cement panels and plywood. One of its major advantage is that it is fire-resistant, making it effective for foundations, floors and basements. There is a wide range of the materials to choose from, but the level of energy efficiency is the same.

Plastic composite lumber

This lumber is made from wood fiber and waste plastic and can last for many years compared to the conventionally treated wood. In addition, it has high resistance to mold and rot. Plus, it's stronger in the cold and more pliable in the heat compared to plastic building materials.

Low e-windows

Low e-windows- also known as high performance windows- are a perfect substitute for regular glass. They help reduce heat during summer and block infrared radiation. They are coated with metal oxide and help keep your house warm during the cold season.

Vacuum insulation panels

These panels are mostly used for commercial refrigeration units and may be used for general home building in the future. They are made of textured silver rectangle that encloses a core panel in an airtight envelope. This means that there is a reduction of heat loss leading to greener homes.

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Picking a Lot for an Energy-Efficient Home

Building a home that boasts energy-efficient qualities is easier than transforming an already-built home to conserve energy. Building from the ground up ensures that only the best and most efficient features and appliances can be added to the home for maximum energy conservation.

Perhaps the biggest decision when building an energy-efficient home is where you will put the home. Picking a lot for your home involves a few factors that you should be aware of.

How energy-efficient is the lot?

When you scope out building sites, you should measure the potential of the particular lot in terms of energy efficiency. Here are some things to look for and consider:

Solar exposures- Since this is a major key to building energy-efficient homes, you need to figure out what the latitude of the lot is and the sun’s path over a year’s time at that attitude.

Water- Of course homeowners need water to live, so the water situation should be analyzed. How is the water supply? Are there any water problems in the area? Will the home need a well? There are many questions to answer as far as water is concerned.

Prevailing winds- For energy-efficient homes, prevailing winds are very important in ventilation and cooling the home. You want a lot with a great natural breeze in the summer.

Future plans for area- Are you building a home on a lot near train construction or a highway that’s planning on expanding? Find out before you begin construction.

Will local building codes support the home construction?

Before you build an energy-efficient home, you need to find out whether or the area has local building codes that support your plans. To find out, you can ask the local homeowners association or the local building department. You can also get information about the costs for fees and permits as well. It’s a good idea to talk with local contractors and builders to get information and advice on building an energy-efficient home in the area.

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A History of Log Cabins

If you’re building a vacation home, you might consider a log cabin. You just can’t beat the coziness and down-to-earth appeal of a log cabin home! Whether you want to build a vacation home or a major home for you and your family, log cabins are a great investment. They also have a rich history throughout the world.  

 

Log cabins are shelters typically made of logs hewn together. Traditionally, these houses were single roomed or storied. Log cabins are believed to have their original roots in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and were probably first built in the Bronze Age period. Straight pine and spruce tree trunks in the Scandinavia facilitated construction of the cabins, and this still goes on today.

 

Europeans continued building log cabins as frontier shelters when they migrated and settled in North America. Some historians believe that the settlers built their first cabin in 1638 in New Sweden. Construction of log cabins continued in other colonies.

 

As the early settlers built more formal houses, log cabins served as animal shelters and outdoor stores. Some famous personalities like Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson among others were born in log cabins. Cabins have currently transformed into leisure homes but their interesting history remains unforgotten.

Foundation

Pioneers of log cabins had to choose an ideal site to offer the inhabitants good drainage and access to sunlight. Cabins foundation was set on stones. Large stones were used especially for the corners. More stones were also used along the sill or bottom log for very large cabins. The stone foundations kept the shelters from damp soil. Space between earth and the cabin served as storage. Cabins that were constructed on earth floors needed no stone foundations. Cabin floors were normally made from hard-packed clay.

Walls

Traditional log cabins had walls that were made out of straight tree trunks placed one on top of another. The trunks or logs were later interlocked at the corners and notched at the ends. This made the structures very strong as no nails were used, just like today’s log houses.

 

Complex joints were developed over the decades. Spaces that were left between the trunks and at the joints were sealed using moss or other soft materials from surrounding plants. Small window openings were allowed on the log walls to allow in some light and warmth. A fireplace also existed in the cabin for more warmth which also served as a cook stove.

Roof

As for the roofing, log cabin pioneers used rows of overlapping short boards. The size of the house depended on the length of the tree trunk. Similar sealing was used on roofs to keep away moisture. Traditional log cabins also had smoke allowance which served as chimney.

 

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How to Save Money on Construction Costs

If you are building a home, you might have thought of ways to cut costs. There are mainly 3 ways to save time and money on construction costs. First, avoid unnecessary mistakes. Second, cut back on upfront costs. Third, make the home less expensive to occupy.

Before undertaking a home construction project, you should communicate with your contractors. Specify your requirements clearly. Misunderstandings between the builder and the contractor can lead to costly mistakes. Do you want the project to be finished before a certain date? Let the contractor know about your deadline.

Make the home safe

Choose fire resistant materials for building the home. They are not exactly cheap, but they make the home more salable. Many of these materials are combustible, but fire takes long to affect them. This gives occupants enough time to escape. Fire resistant windows in particular are popular with buyers.

Use reclaimed materials

You will perhaps want to explore the possibility of using reclaimed materials in the project. Objects bought from home improvement stores also tend to be less expensive. If you can find a Habitat for Humanity store somewhere near you, you will be able to find good quality cupboards and other fittings for deeply discounted prices. If there are items that you want to procure on your own, you should communicate this with the contractor.

Add sustainable features

Buyers now look for sustainable features that will make the space less expensive to occupy and hence the builder needs to incorporate them into the building. Install water efficient fittings in the bathroom and the kitchen. They will reduce the utility bills of the occupant.

Many builders now install solar panels and home wind turbines. While the upfront costs can be high, they help reduce the energy bills of the homeowner. The builder can also quote a higher price for these homes.

Prefabricated homes

If you really want to save money, you should consider prefabricated homes. Modern prefabricated homes are well-built and energy efficient. Better still, they look stunning. In certain areas, you can construct homes with reclaimed shipping containers.

Reduce labor costs

Labor costs can add up to the cost of construction. Before your workers arrive, make sure that they have everything they need to work with. This includes construction materials and tools. If you make them wait around, you will incur huge losses.

Obtain all necessary permissions

Before starting the project, you have to ensure that you have obtained all necessary permissions. A stop work order can cause costly delays and also invite fines.

Don't compromise on quality

As a builder you will want to save money on building costs, but remember that for the buyer the home is an investment. Hence, opt for fittings and features that will make the home more salable over the years.

Appliances with WaterSense and Energy Star labels are becoming popular with buyers. WaterSense is the measure of an appliance's water efficiency. An appliance needs to be at least 20% more water efficient than conventional appliances to qualify for this label.

Buyers, in particular, are looking for materials that will recoup their cost while they sell the home. Laminates may be less expensive. But hardwood or tile flooring makes the home more salable.

While building the home, saving money alone cannot be the sole objective of the builder. Instead, builders need to look for ways that make the finished project more salable and livable. This involves adding energy efficient features and fittings that recover their cost.

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How Technology Can Help Builders Work Smarter

More and more builders now rely on technology to run their businesses better. Technology helps builders reduce costs by organizing their information better.

Automated payment systems, for example, can eliminate costly mistakes that might arise from double paying vendors. In addition, they prevent the vendor from changing prices without your knowledge. 

There are apps for scheduling and they work really well. They can email reports to traders and contractors.

DIY Technology

Some real estate companies have built their own operating systems. When an organization has its own operating system, it will have a better control over functions such as scheduling, purchasing and customer relationship.

Paperless offices are becoming the norm. Here is how to use technology to your advantage:

Blogs and websites

Your website is a great tool to connect with your existing and potential clients. Is it fully functional? Does it provide value to the visitor?

Surveys conducted among home shoppers reveal that they prefer to search online before visiting a property. If you have a search engine optimized site, you will get targeted visitors to your homepage. Post compelling descriptions and photos of your homes on your site.

Your website is a sales center where you can showcase your homes. In addition, it allows you to capture valuable information about potential clients. Using interactive tools, you can even recommend structural changes online. Many websites offer live chat facilities, so that customers can fix appointments to visit model homes and interact with salespeople.

You may also consider adding homeowner portals to your site. They will allow the buyer the opportunity to watch their houses being built. Also include information about community areas on your site. You can also offer do-it-yourself video guides about construction topics.

Sales management

These tools can create an automated system that can manage every step involved in home buying. Besides helping you generate leads, they will also allow you to handle leads acquired from traditional and online channels. You can also generate reports that will let you know if a particular strategy is working or not.

Scheduling and purchasing

Proper estimating, scheduling, and purchasing are essential to cut costs and make profits. There are comprehensive apps that let you manage these vital processes. Since these applications allow you to share documents with every stakeholder mistakes and misunderstandings are unlikely to happen.

Warranty

When you have a Warranty system in place, you can ensure that people who bought your homes are happy with the purchase and ready to recommend your company to their friends or relatives. A comprehensive warranty system can schedule building inspections. Builders can also track warranty requests online and recommend work orders. Thanks to the reporting programs, this system also aids quality control and vendor analysis. Since it monitors inspection requests, recurring problems can be handled effectively.

Accounting

A sophisticated accounting system will keep your processes in order. It can handle automated payments, payroll and trade invoicing. In addition, it can generate reports which will keep your budget on track.

Even if you are not willing to spend lots of money on an integrated OS, there are several tools that allow you to work smarter and quicker. For example, Skype and FaceTime enable video conferencing in real time. Dropbox, another open source app, is used by several builders to share photos and documents.

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Building A Home: What Steps Are Involved?

While building a new house is an exciting experience, it can be equally stressful. Sometimes you will need to make changes to the plan and then the construction takes longer than expected.

Indeed, the first step in building a house is buying a plot of land.

Getting all permissions

The next step is to submit your building plan and get it approved. If the lot doesn't have access to public water, the plan should include a well. It should also include a septic system if a sewer isn't already in place. Remember that there are fees attached to each one of these permits. In some states you might require permission to clear the lot.

Health inspectors will supervise the work on the septic system and the well. There will be yet another inspection after the well has been dug and the septic system has been installed.

Clearing the lot

You will probably have to cut down a few trees before building the house. This might require a permit.

Laying the foundation

You need to obtain all permits before you start building the foundation. Since the rest of the construction will be built on the foundation, it has to be strong. There may be 1 or 2 inspections during this phase. They are done to ensure that the contractor is building the foundation properly.

Framing

Once the contractor has built the foundation, they will start working on the framing. In some states, roof rafters are considered as part of the framing. However, in some other states, the building laws state that the owner has to hire an engineer to sketch the plans for rafters.

There will be some inspections during this phase too. Once the framing is ready, the contractor will put the sheathing on the roof and the exterior of the home. The windows and the doors will be installed afterwards.

Siding and roofing

The shell of the house should be ready before roofing and siding contractors can begin their work. When it comes to roofing and siding materials, you have got quite a few options. Be sure to hire contractors who specialize in the kind of materials you choose.

Plumbing and electrical work

The plumbing and electric work can start simultaneously. There will be 1 or 2 inspections during this phase.

Interior walls

The next step is to install the interior walls. Drywall (also known as sheet rock or plasterboard) is the most common material used to make interior walls and ceilings. Dry walls need to be hung. Since only a good drywall installer can hide the visible seams between the sheets, hiring an experienced person is imperative.

When the interior walls are in place, the work on the kitchen and the bathrooms can begin. Sinks, cabinets, countertops, and hookups are installed in the kitchen. Bathroom fittings can be expensive or inexpensive depending on the owner's preferences.

Painting and flooring work

Painting is usually done first just to make sure that the paint will not spill on the flooring. Several kinds of flooring are available. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose tile, wood, vinyl or carpet. Your home is almost ready now.

Landscaping

Some builders may also take care of landscaping. If they don’t, you will have to hire a landscaping company.

 

Why Energy Efficient Homes are the Norm Today

Builders conduct quite a few studies before launching a residential project because the stakes are usually high. They do feasibility studies and analyze the market. And only the most viable projects are approved. Still, all that pro forma work merely reduces the risk; it doesn't eliminate it.

Until recently, builders only needed to focus on codes for guidance on ensuring energy efficiency of their homes. However, in many markets across the country, houses with third party energy efficiency certifications are attracting more buyers. In fact, some prominent builders now only offer homes with energy efficient certifications. This has made it necessary for builders to incorporate some form of energy efficiency into their projects.

In today's housing market, the number of buyers who factor in the cost of ownership is steadily increasing. Since energy efficiency is crucial for reducing utility bills, more people are looking for homes boasting of Energy Star certifications.

What if you don't already offer energy certifications on your homes? That is no cause for major concern now because you can choose from several certification options. The National Green Building Standard is a voluntary certification developed by the International Code Council and the NAHB in 2009. This has been approved by ANSI.

Over the last 5 years, about 30,000 new houses received NGBS certification, and almost 2,000 homes are waiting for approval.

Since the certification is non-prescriptive, there is no way builders can take short cuts. That also explains why NGBS is the only green certification approved by ANSI.

There are several other competing standards and each one has its proponents and benefits.

Depending on the kind of competition you face in your local market, you need to know more about each of these certifications and choose the one that allows you to differentiate your products from your competition.

This year will be remarkable for builders in many ways. The housing sector is expected to register exponential growth in 2014. This year, buyers of all segments are expected to enter the market. In 2013, the real estate market received a major boost from investors who purchased a large number of properties. This helped dry up the existing inventory and also drove the prices up.

In 2014, the market will see the participation of more entry level buyers. And then we will also get to know more about the specific buying preferences of people aged 18 to 32. Since many of these buyers have waited several years to enter the market, they will have a decent understanding of the products. They will also be more interested in learning about ways to make their home more energy efficient and comfortable.

There is enough evidence to prove that buyers are showing greater willingness to pay slightly higher prices for homes that possess energy-efficient certifications.

In fact, energy efficiency has become the norm today, and builders can no longer ignore it. The year 2014 will be a great year for builders who have exciting projects on offer. But the risks associated with the trade are also becoming bigger. Not offering homes with energy-efficient certifications is the biggest mistake that builders can commit now.

Economic And Housing Activity Seeing Upward Movement

Good news! The National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) reports that the housing market in 58 out of approximately 350 metropolitan regions across the country stayed at or exceeded the last normal level of activity. This means that on average the nation is at 87 percent of the normal housing and economic activity. This is great news for every facet of the housing market, from buyers to mortgage professionals to realtors to brokers to builders and more.

Housing Market Seeing Slow And Steady Progress

NAHB Chairman Rick Judson also works as a home builder in Charlotte. He says of the report, “U.S. housing markets are continuing to see a slow and steady progress back to the normal level. As the confidence of consumers gets stronger, this increases the number of buyers that are in the market.” As a builder, he understands and sees this firsthand in his own business.

The co-sponsor of the LMI report, First American Title Insurance Company, released this statement from vice chairman, Kurt Pfotenhauer. “We are pleased to see these continuing upward market trends, which are highlighted by the signs of improvement that were seen in eight-five percent of all metro areas over the last year.” As you can see, this is a trend that is spreading across the country, which is a sign that the market may be finally recovering.

What has been the impetus to this change? NAHB Chief Economist, David Crowe, attributes it to the firming housing prices that are being found in a number of markets. He went on to say that the healthiest housing markets in the country are actually in smaller cities that have a strong local economy. Among these are the gas and oil producing states of Wyoming, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Texas. This may be due to the steady job market that is offered in the community, as well as the income levels.

Small And Large Cities Seeing Growth In Activity

Both small and large metropolitan areas are seeing significant growth in the housing market activity. In the larger cities, at the top of the LMI list is Baton Rouge, LA, which has a score of 1.41-, which means that they had an increase of 41 percent over their last normal market level. Other metros that were listed include: Austin, Houston, Honolulu, and Oklahoma City. Two areas have exceeded their previous norms. They are Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, PA.

In the smaller metro areas, the top of the list is Bismarck, ND, Casper, WY, and Grand Forks, ND. Odessa and Midland, Texas have an LMI score of 2.0 or better, which means that the housing market is now at double the strength that it was before the recession.

This is good news for all segments of the housing market. Beginning to see upward movement is almost certainly a trend that will continue to grow in other metro areas, both small and large. Continuing to watch the LMI, as well as other reports, can enable us to stay on top of the market now and in the future.

How to Save Money on Building Costs

Who doesn't like to live in a house that has not been occupied by another family? However, the cost of building a new house can be unaffordable. That is the main reason people turn to the resale market. But there are ways to cut costs and save money.

Use thin bricks

Bricks are known for their strength and endurance. They also add a touch of elegance to the building. But bricks are expensive. If you are trying to cut costs, you should consider cheaper alternatives.

Bricks don't play much role in ensuring the structural integrity of the house, so it is possible to get away with something less costly. For example, thin bricks, a popular alternative, are not as thick as regular bricks. They are also much less expensive. By substituting regular bricks with thin bricks, you can give your home the classic beauty and elegance of brick housing. And these affordable housing materials won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Use stock house plans

Getting a custom plan drawn up can be expensive. There is one way out - use a stock plan available with builders. There will be plenty so finding a beautiful plan is not all that difficult. Be sure to choose a plan that is more or less similar to the one in your dreams. When you use a stock plan, you can save several thousands of dollars. There is yet another advantage to choosing a stock plan. These are designed by experienced engineers and may be structurally and conceptually more sound than your plan.

Be your own contractor

If you know a thing or two about construction, you could perhaps be your own contractor. This is perhaps the most effective way to cut building costs. There are some downsides as well. You will have to be present at the construction site most of the time. You will need to choose and buy building materials on your own. You will also need to supervise the works done by your subcontractors. As you may have already imagined, this is not easy and requires a lot of skill. But the monetary benefits make it worth your time and efforts.

Go vertical

Land cost is perhaps the biggest cost involved in building a new house. If you already own the land, this is not a problem. But if you have to purchase a lot, you will have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars.

The only viable solution, in this case, is to buy a small lot and build up. A two-story building of 3000 square feet will cost much less than a single story house of the same size because you need much less land when you go vertical. However, be sure to use simple and clean construction lines. If you use complex geometry, building a multi-story house can be much more costly.

Paint the home yourself

If you have got a few spare hours, you could perhaps paint your own home and save up to $10,000. If you can get the help of a few friends or family members, you will need only a couple of days to finish painting a full house. In addition, you can save money on materials and paint.

Building a new home is possible, even if you are on a tight budget. You just need to be really handy and a little more involved in the work.

Home Building Increases Signal Economy Recovery

Great news! Home building is on the rebound at last. In almost every time of economic recovery, the housing market has led the country’s economy out of recession and into recovery, except for the most recent time. That is why it is good news for not just builders and those who work in construction, but also for the economy as a whole, because it signals that the economy may be on an upward swing after several years of upheaval and decrease.

Hope Is Increasing In the Home Building Market

Normally, a little over 1.5 million homes are begun each year. This includes single-family homes, as well as apartment units. When the housing market was at its peak, this number was at more than 2 million to try to keep up with the demand. The last few years, however, an average of less than 600,000 homes were started and, in 2013, the number increased to 900,000. This year, that number is expected to climb to over 1 million, which is a sign of hope in the real estate and construction world.

Even though we are beginning to see good news, it will take a while before it will get back up to the normal range. The housing market collapse was immense, and its effect upon the economy was immense as well. While ups and downs are a normal part of the economic cycle, this event contributed to the entire collapse of the financial market and affected not only our economy, but also economies all over the world. The key is to gradually begin building more homes until you are sure that the demand is there.

Housing Market Recovery Will Be Slow

The recovery from this collapse has already taken five years and it will most likely take several more. Even though the rate of housing construction grew in 2012 and 2013 at double-digit rates, this was largely due to the fact that the numbers were at a very low level to begin with. Recovery seems to be on its way, which is the good news. We are on a course to see great growth in the next two years, due to:

·         Demand from young adults beginning home ownership & from existing homeowners

·         Job growth increases

·         Net worth replenishment, due to increase in home values and revival of stock market

·         Government economic situation more stable

While this is all good news, it is important to note that we are just at the beginning of the upswing. However, it is better to be in the midst of it going up, than at the bottom, which is where most homebuilders were just a few years ago. It may be time to amp up your marketing efforts to connect with more clients who may be thinking about building a home in the near future.

With home construction numbers on the rise, it is important to rethink how you are reaching clients and make plans to reach even more. With the younger adults entering the workforce and beginning families, and existing homeowners beginning to feel better about building, you have the opportunity to grab your ride on the upswing and reach the peak in great condition.

 

Why Lot Size Matters in Real Estate

Buying a home before studying the lot where it is located is never advisable. Many home buyers seem to believe that the lot is not important if the house is good enough to grab attention. Agreed, the lot is merely a piece of land, but in real estate it matters. Here is why:

 The Value Factor       

The value of your lot is often determined by the size of the lots adjacent to it.  So if you are going to buy a lot which is much smaller or bigger than other lots in the neighborhood, you need to realize that its size will have a major impact on its original and resale value. So you might think that bigger lots are more valuable than smaller lots, but this is not always the case. Of course, it is safe to assume that a lot which is larger than adjacent lots will be more valuable.

However, if that extra acreage consists of unusable terrain, the lot could be worth much less than neighboring lots. Interestingly, a smaller lot could be worth more for several reasons including its location, landscaping, views and the size and value of the house built on it. When it comes to corner lots and lots located on a dead end, there are several other factors that could affect the value.

The Size

The relation between lot size and property value is not exactly clear. In fact it tends to be governed by area and neighborhood, rather than anything else. In a city, a lot that measures a quarter acre should be considered as a large lot. When it comes to the suburbs, an acre tends to be the norm for relatively expensive homes.

Large pieces of land that cannot be divided into sub plots rarely increase the price of the house. Consider this example. A lot comes with additional seven or eight acres of land. But if this extra piece of land is undevelopable because it is a rocky land or swamp, it will not enhance the price of the property. It might even turn off some potential buyers because few people are interested in paying property tax on a piece of land that they can't use in any way. In fact, some owners of such unusable lands have dedicated it to the town where they live. By giving away land, they not only reap tax benefits, but also reduce their property taxes.

 

The Position

If you run a business, you will definitely want to purchase a corner lot. These are considered the most desirable locations for shops and businesses. However, when it comes to residential property, corner lots are not exactly popular. Since these lots are more exposed, they might require high fencing or trees for privacy. Families with very young children may prefer Cul-de-sacs or dead ends.

Effect on Lifestyle

Now that you have factored in the price of lots in the community, you need to consider the impact the lot will have on your lifestyle. You need to ask yourself a few questions:

 

Do you think your family will need lots of outdoor space? If your family prefers to spend a lot of time outdoors, you will probably need a larger lot. You also need to remember that the size of the lot may affect the type of landscaping you can have. Your chosen lot should ideally be close to community amenities. You will probably also want to know how far the lot is from the community entrance.

You can view the lot map before buying property in a community. However, if it is possible, drive to the neighborhood and see the lots and homes in person. It will help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

How to Save Money by Building a Low Cost Home

Even if you are not an expert, there are still ways to save money on home construction. Here are some cool tips to keep your home building budget within reason.

Split the costs

If you feel that you can’t afford the property because it is too large, you should consider buying it with a family member or friend. After purchasing the lot, you can split it into smaller lots. This saves money. Better still, you will be able to get a great lot for an attractive price.

Choose a problem lot

Some lots are less desirable than other lots. For example, a narrow lot or a hillside lot will have fewer takers. As a result, these lots are usually sold for much lower prices. If you can find such a 'problem lot' for a great price, don't hesitate to buy it. With the right floor plan and a great contractor, you can build the house of your dreams on any lot.

Waterfront lots

If you are looking for a waterfront property, you should opt for a lot facing a bay or a canal. These lots are much less expensive than lakefront or oceanfront properties. You will still have easy access to a water body.

Use low cost materials

Choose building materials that require less maintenance. Examples are: metal roofing and vinyl siding. Of course, these materials are more expensive, but they will easily recover their costs because you will not have to spend money on repairs or replacement.

Visit demolition sites

You will be able to collect used bricks, wooden doors and old barn wood from demolition sites. These materials are perfectly usable and usually don't cost anything. Of course, you will have to haul them away on your own.

Don't splurge

Avoid the temptation to splurge except for those truly important items. You can't, for example, skimp on doors or windows because they are important for the safety of your home.

Bigger isn’t necessarily better

Don't build a house that is bigger and better than any other house in the neighborhood. These monster homes are unlikely to command a good price when you decide to sell them.

Monitor all the materials used for construction

Don't let the contractor use low quality materials unless they are ready to make a cost adjustment.

Hire a certified contractor

An experienced will have established good relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.

Avoid site preparation

Site preparation can be expensive. Avoid lots that require extensive preparation work. Blasting rocks and clearing trees can be expensive.

Don’t alter blueprints

Don't change materials or blueprints during the building process. These changes can cost a lot of money.

Add width not depth

If the depth of the home is more than 32 feet, you will have to use specially designed roof trusses. This can be expensive. If you want a large house, add width or extra stories.

Consider vinyl flooring

If you feel that you can't afford to have hardwood flooring or ceramic tile at the moment, use vinyl flooring. You can add tile or wood directly on top of vinyl at any time.

Use a stock plan

Getting a plan custom-drawn can be expensive. Instead, choose one of the readily available stock plans. You will be able to customize it to get what you want.

Don’t build huge garages

If you have just two cars, you probably don't have to build a garage that can accommodate three or more vehicles. If you are looking for storage space, you should consider putting up a shed in the garden.