While houses are expensive to build, they do not have to cost as much as they could cost. There are ways to plan a house with high value for less money. The following lists just some examples that you can consider when trying to cut the cost of building to your new home:
Use trusses over stick-built roof framing:
Trusses are stronger and more difficult to distort under heavy pressure. They also use less lumber than a conventionally framed roof. This will save you money on labor, and materials. They are also less expensive than stick built. Create a complex roof shape with trusses by combining different styles. Each truss has a specific web design created for different loads and roof spans. There are several instances where you can use trusses:
- Piggyback truss are made as two to avoid hitting any power poles on the way to the job site and are joined by plywood or gussets.
- Girder trusses eliminate partitions between the house and the ell, mainly in homes that have shapes like “L,” “T,” “H” or “U.”
- By attaching two or three trusses together, side-by-side, you can span the opening where the two parts of the house connect.
- Common trusses can be clipped on the main house at one end, and then hung from metal hangers on the girder truss.
- Step-down valley trusses can be installed in series to the top of the common truss on the main roof to extend the ell roof back to the main roof.
- Build a cathedral ceiling by installing scissor trusses and vaulted scissor trusses.
- Extend single or double-cantilever trusses to create a porch, a wide overhang or an entrance roof.
- Hoist any truss longer than 30 feet up onto the house using a crane. Also crane all trusses onto houses taller than one story.
- Brace jack trusses up against the trusses you are installing to hold them up while the remaining trusses are being installed.
Have an open floor plan:
An open floor plan minimizes hallways and maximize borrowed space from room to room, creating a look and sense of space. This also makes the resale value higher, as people want open houses with space.
Use cantilevering:
Suspend support for parts of the floor area will lower the cost of construction as you will spend less on foundation (since the foundation does not need to follow every jog) and excavation.
Keep roof pitch below 7/12:
A seven inches of drop for every running foot will lower material costs and give faster roof work, saving money on both supplies and labour.
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:
Double insulation helps over the winter months, reducing that heating bill on utilities. Quality windows reduce air infiltration and improve insulation, as well as providing comfort.
Choose maintenance free materials:
Maintenance can take the bulk of expenses over the years as well as time. Use surfaces that aren\’t dust catching, and cleaner mechanical systems, as well as low maintenance interior finishes. Choose brick, cultured stone, stucco, vinyl, or aluminum siding as they will reduce your painting expenses now and in the future
Use skylights and windows to your advantage:
You can save on lighting costs, by using skylights and windows placed strategically, in places like bathrooms and master closet. You will enjoy the natural sunlight all year long.
Use organic fill:
A fill with a high organic content will save you on lawn watering costs as it will make water absorb faster and better. This will lead to less run off and better absorption, so your lawn will grow better.
