Ten House Plan Ideas that Will Cut Costs
Houses are expensive to build, but they do not have to cost as much as they could cost. You could use some time tested tips to cut your costs, and plan a house with high value for less money. So the following is ten tips to cut costs:
- Use trusses over stick-built roof framing: this will save you money on labor, and materials. Make money by saving money! Simple enough concept. Besides, trusses offer other advantages as well, such as they are usually stronger, and less expensive than stick built. So less expensive, and higher quality!
- Have an open floor plan: this is a fantastic way to make money. Why? Well by having an open floor plan you minimize hallways and maximize borrowed space from room to room, which makes the house look and feel bigger. It also helps in reducing the necessary size of your home. It also makes your resale value soar, people want open houses with space. Especially if that space is perceived, and they do not have to pay as much for it.
- Use cantilevering: this means use suspended support for parts of the floor area as it will save you money by not making the foundation follow every jog. This will make you money by making it so you can spend less on foundation and excavation, which is a costly part of the construction process.
- Keep roof pitch below 7/12: if you have seven inches of drop for every running foot, you will have lower material costs and faster roof work. This saves money on both supplies and labor! And it is not a bad roof height, so what do you have to lose?
- Landscape for savings: if you place your landscaping consciously you will save money all year long. So, place deciduous trees for summer shade and winter sun, and place windows in your house to allow airflow, so breeze can flow through your house, saving on cooling bills. Basically use your landscaping to save on energy, and make sure you recoup the cost of landscaping through the energy savings and comfort it can provide.
- Use quality windows: if you don't cut costs here you will save in the long run. Quality windows reduce air infiltration and improve insulation, which means you save money each month with your utilities. Also, your house will be much more comfortable to live in, and you will enjoy it a lot more.
- Choose maintenance free materials: this saves you money, especially if you get reduce-maintenance mechanical systems. Time = money, and if you save time by not having as much maintenance you make money. So use surfaces that aren't dust catching, and cleaner mechanical systems, as well as low maintenance interior finishes. This is also going to make you happier because you will have less cleaning to do.
- Choose brick, cultured stone, stucco, vinyl, or aluminum siding: this will reduce your painting expenses now and in the future, making you more money! It also looks nice and can increase your resale value.
- Use skylights and windows to your advantage: if you can utilize natural light well, you will save a lot in lighting costs, so place windows carefully, and use skylights in places like bathrooms and master closet. You will enjoy the natural sunlight all year long.
- Use organic fill: using a fill with a high organic content will save you on lawn watering costs. Which, of course, saves you money all year long. The organic fill will make the water absorb faster, and better. You will have less run off and better absorption, so your lawn will grow better as well.
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Tags: house plans cut costs save money plan ideas floor plan materials
