When you decide to build your dream home, all sorts of questions and myths about the process might start running through your head. But as you look into beginning your own home construction project, it's important not to get misled by inaccurate information. Here are three common home construction myths you can go ahead and debunk.
1. It's Cheaper to Be Your Own General Contractor
While it may seem financially wise to skip hiring a general contractor and oversee the home construction yourself, don't be fooled into thinking you'll save money. Unless you have significant experience managing complex building projects, acting as your own general contractor will likely lead to costly errors and delays in the long run. A knowledgeable contractor already has established relationships with subcontractors, understands building codes, helps the project run on schedule, and ultimately gets better pricing through their networks. Forking over a fee for an expert general contractor offers peace of mind and financial protection compared to going the DIY route.
2. Bigger Homes Cost More per Square Foot
When budgeting for your custom home build, you may assume that larger houses come with a higher price tag per square foot compared to smaller homes. But counterintuitively, the per-square-foot cost actually decreases as the home size increases. This is due to certain fixed costs around aspects like the foundation, roof, plumbing, and HVAC systems that don't scale up proportionally. Therefore, while the overall price goes up for bigger homes, you'll likely save money per square foot by building a larger home.
3. Luxury Finishes Are Overpriced
If you're debating splurging on higher-end finishes and features for areas like flooring, countertops, or appliances, you may tell yourself that premium products come with unreasonable markups. But specialty materials and customized options usually don't have as much wiggle room on pricing compared to more common finishes. The vendors that supply luxury products serve a niche market and have lower profit margins. Rest assured if you invest in that dream kitchen backsplash tile or spa-like bathroom, the price likely aligns with the product value.
By debunking these common assumptions about the home-building process, you can move forward realistically and intelligently as you embark on constructing your ideal residence. According to Forbes, professional home builders are typically booked out between three and 18 months ahead of time. With the right information guiding your decisions, you're sure to achieve home construction success. If you're thinking about completing the home construction process, call us at Affordable Stick Built Homes. Let's discuss your vision and how we can help!