How Much Does a Custom Home Cost?

One of the most common questions we receive from our clients is how much they can expect to pay to build their own custom house. There are, of course, a lot of factors that go into such a project. Nationally, the average in 2019 for new construction was $297,963, but keep in mind that this figure takes into account many different housing markets of different average values and construction types, and includes both prefabricated and custom homes.

True custom construction is almost always going to be more expensive than modular or prefabricated homes, as you’re using a unique blueprint that has been designed specifically to meet your practical and aesthetic needs. In many cases, you’ll need to work with a residential architect when building a custom home, which will only add to your overall costs.

Here are just a few of the factors that go into the cost of working with a custom home builder in Pennsylvania:

• Costs of materials and equipment: The types of materials you use to develop your home will play a significant role in figuring the overall cost of construction. Certain types of materials are more expensive than others. There are some circumstances in which you may be able to “cheap out” on materials a bit, but others where it’s absolutely not ideal—your builder can advise you. Machine costs vary based on what your builders already have and what they’ll need to rent for the project.
• Labor costs: Every builder and construction professional charges their own labor costs, so it’s important to get a quote ahead of time. You’ll need to pay your architects, engineers and surveyors as well. Obviously, the more significant the project, the more the labor will cost.
• Excavation: If you need to do any excavation or trenching as part of the project, this will add to the costs you can expect to incur. There are some circumstances in which the land will already be prepared for building, but there are others in which you might need to hire someone to clear and excavate the land to get it ready for your builders.
• Size: This one is simple—the larger the home, the more it’s likely to cost. This includes square footage and number of stories.
• Shape: Homes with unusual shapes will cost more, because the general rule is that more corners equals greater expense. Custom homes tend to have some more unusual shapes to them than prefabricated or modular homes.
• Roof: What kind of roof will you be using on your new home? This will have a significant impact on the overall price of your construction.
• Appliances, fixtures and finishes: Once the actual construction is complete, you’ll need to outfit your home with various appliances and fixtures and give it a luxury appearance with the finishes you’ve chosen. Depending on your choices in these areas, it could result in a much more expensive project.

For more information about the various factors that go into determining the price of new home construction, contact the custom home builders in Pennsylvania at WSL Incorporated today.