The Cheapest Way to Build a House: 4 Tips from the Experienced Builder
When the time for a new house comes, it seems like the building budget is everything. Especially if you live in an area where affordable housing isn't available! Your dream home doesn't necessarily need to cost a fortune — it is totally possible to build a house cheaply with the right approach. Some of our clients only had $100,000-$150,000 and got themselves perfect homes. With home prices rising each year, building your own home might be a super reasonable solution.
I've been working for Fortress Home for 18 years. In this little guide, I will tell you how to build a cheap house —based on my own experience. By the way, my advice often doesn't match the ones you find on the Internet… For a reason. Let's get started!
1. Choose the right project
A simple, clean, and not overly complicated floor plan is very important when you are asking yourself “How to build a cheap house?”. Do the preliminary research yourself: cruise architectural and design profiles on Instagram and Pinterest. Find a perfect existing home that has most likely been built the cheapest way!
Ask yourself a few questions - Does it really suit me? Do I see myself living in a house like this or would it be a compromise?
Don't go for a compromise! You can find the templates online — and later discuss it with the home builder.
Opt for clean shapes
Choose a square or a rectangular ("box") shape of the house. Avoid complicated structures, round windows, sliding doors, etc. Get inspired by Tuscany villas — their classic shape is a simple rectangular.
Use proper house layout
Understand that the layout is very important (water supply system runs through logically situated spaces (kitchen, bathroom laundry room, etc.). Rooms are easily accessible. Balconies and verandas are situated correctly (sunny side of the building).
Go traditional
Imagine a conventional house: regular windows, doors, flat roof, cost effective wall panels, etc. Clean shapes of the rooms and design elements are cheaper than complicated ones.
Compensate on the interior
Have you noticed how creative and cozy spacious lofts can be? But they are just brick walls and windows! Think through your future interior design: color accents, furniture, plants, lighting. These are inexpensive but very effective ways to create interesting interior solutions.
2. Check out unconventional houses
The cheapest way to build a house often lies in the interesting solutions that become more and more popular every day. And you don't need to purchase land in some remote location for that! Here are a few ideas that can help you significantly save on the building process.
Shipping containers
This is the only way that we would recommend you become your own builder / your own contractor. Order shipping containers, get them delivered and placed on your plot of land — and design the interior spaces of this already existing house.
The average price of container homes is around $30,000 for a 40 square foot — and all you need to do is to combine containers together, insulate, install roofing, and the utilities. For doing this you will need a building permit and a site plan. Is it possible to build a house made of containers for less than $100,000? Yes, it is definitely one of the cheapest ways to build a house!