So this morning I’ve been doing some sleuthing. I looked up the GIS info on our lot as well as our neighbor’s lot. I found out what they paid for their lot and was able to calculate that they paid $81/sq ft of their house, not including the land. Considering they had custom cabinetry and a maze-like floorplan means that if we build a standard 4-square type home that we may be able to get it in at $85 sq ft, which is nice.
Now, all the plans that I’ve been working with have been huge – 4000, 4400 and even 5800 sq ft (although that last one was an accident). I’ve calculated that we need to stay at just a hair under 3600 sq ft at the max in order to stay at the budget we’ve placed for ourselves on this house. This should be doable, although our dream house won’t have the expansive spaces we envisioned.
No 17×14 library for me – instead it’ll be more like 12×13. No 17×12 bedrooms for the kids – more like 12×12. No 18×15 kitchen – more like 15×15 (which is still huge compared to our current 10×12 kitchen). Those changes alone save us about 250 sq ft without even trying.
We’re debating about the whole garage thing. We’re so used to only using our current garage for storage that we wonder if we need anything more than a porte cochere for shade parking. It would significantly reduce costs and help us keep the footprint of the house down as well. And if we place the house on the lot specifically to keep open the idea of building a detached garage later on, so much the better – we can do that and have finished space above it that can become a guest bedroom (albeit with no bathroom since that would make it an official bedroom which we’re not allowed more than 3 of).
So that’s what we’re working with now. The current plan I worked on last night (yes, a new one) is currently standing at 4000 sq ft but it can easily go down to 3500-3600 sq ft. Then from there if Denis and I both really grow to love the plan then I’ll work at putting in electrical/HVAC stuff into the plan and see if I can send those down to our seller/builder to get an idea on structural cost from him that includes everything from vinyl siding to lumber to windows to housewrap and insulation. Based on his response we’ll tweak the plan a bit more and then begin formulating our specific list of things we want in the house – in order to get a more accurate quote for the COMPLETE house.
Based on the neighbor’s custom cabinets, and other extras, and our plan for a simple four sq., do you think we could go for a 4,000 sq. ft home and stay within budget? I know solar will add to the cost, but will be worth it in energy cost in the end. I really like that idea and think it’s a good reason to build true custom. Not exactly sure how it fits in our budget though. I hope we can make it fit.
As I said earlier this evening, I think it would be prudent to try to come up with a 3600 sq ft house so that if we get a pleasantly low cost estimate we can grow the house a bit. It’s easier to grow it than to shrink it. I’ve got it down to about 3700 sq ft – the smallest it can go at this point and still have all of the things we want in our “dream” house.
How about this one?
http://www.globalhouseplans.com/house_plans_get_6646__.htm
I think that one is awesome! And what a great website…here’s another that might fit the bill:
http://www.globalhouseplans.com/house_plans_get_16418__.htm
And another (I can picture this one on your lot very easily!):
http://www.globalhouseplans.com/house_plans_get_4853__.htm
Now, I want to build a house!
Dad: Our lot is only 100 feet wide – your house is too wide at 118 feet. *unless you buy the lot next to us* 😀
Gwynne: While those houses are lovely, they don’t quite have all the features we want. Most notably – we want an office space and a library space on the first floor along with kitchen, great room, dining room and master suite. On the upper floor we want the two kids rooms and a theater, and possibly a fourth room that can act as a guest room.
That’s a lot to squeeze into 3600 sq ft, but I think it can be done. Denis and I worked some more on the floorplan last night and think we have done it.
Yeah, I knew you were trying to fit all that stuff on the first floor, but wasn’t sure how firm you were. 3600 sq ft is a lot of house…I’ve no doubt you’ll fit it all in.