As a new home builder, we get the “What is your square foot price?” question quite often. If you have ever heard the term “loaded question,” this certainly applies for us as home builders.

But in our case, as a true custom home builder, we believe this is probably an even more difficult question for us to answer than for a large production builder because they typically only build pre-determined floor plans and offer a limited number of options with set prices.

At Metzler Home Builders, we like to say that we build homes of all shapes, sizes and for all budgets, and because of this philosophy, it is basically impossible for us to have a one-word (or number) answer to the square foot price question. Our answer is going to be much more complex because of all the variables that go into the cost of building your customized home.

In this article, we will attempt to break it down in simple terms and highlight some of the major factors in determining the cost of your new home.

“UP vs. OUT”

In terms of cost of building, one of the first things we discuss with clients is that it’s cheaper to build “up” than “out.” In the most basic terms, building a two-story home is going to be cheaper per square foot than building a one-story or ranch-style home. The biggest reason is because with a ranch home, getting the square footage you want all on one level requires a larger (or more sprawling) foundation and also more roof area.

The most cost-effective plans for new homes are often two-story designs with simple roof lines and a minimum number of offsets in the exterior walls. More corners, angles and offsets designed into your home generally equates to a higher cost per square foot. This often becomes a delicate balance, as it is also what gives a new home its “curb appeal.” However, there are many ways to dress-up a home’s exterior appearance even if it is simple and efficient in design.

NOT ALL SQUARE FOOTAGE IS CREATED EQUAL!

Another factor to understand about building a custom home is that not all square footage is created equal. Basement square footage can be finished at a lesser cost than the rest of your home. The same applies to potential bonus space over a garage. It is because essentially the “framework” or shell of that space is already created with the foundation or framing of your home, and you are only paying for the finish trades to get the usable space that you want.

Another misconception is, people sometimes assume that if they are over budget with their home plans, they can just cut out a few feet here or there. They calculate the savings by: (the square footage x the cost per square foot). Unfortunately, it isn’t quite that simple. While decreasing your overall square footage will help, it usually doesn’t equate to the savings most would like to see.

A better approach to saving money on your custom built home is by taking a hard look at your amenities, and often the kitchen and bathrooms are where you spend the most. It may actually be a smarter choice to reassess the quality of finishes rather than sacrificing square footage. You can always upgrade your kitchen countertops, flooring or bathroom fixtures in the future, but you probably won’t put an addition on to make your living area or bedrooms a few feet wider after the house is built.

FINISHES INSIDE & OUT

Another reason why the “What’s your square foot price?” question is so difficult to answer is because everyone has different expectations regarding the level of finishes in their custom home. Some may be happy with hardwood flooring in the foyer of their home, and carpet and vinyl throughout the remainder; others may want hardwood throughout their home, included the bedrooms. While this is just one example, you can see how this scenario can be applied to flooring, kitchen cabinets, countertops, vanities, plumbing and lighting fixtures, fireplaces, paint and trim finishes … and more.

Additionally, exterior finishes can cause the price to vary just as much as the interior finishes. Vinyl siding is one of the most affordable options for the exterior of your home, but masonry products such as brick, stone and stucco, while great options, will also add to the cost

FOR LAND’S SAKE!

Your lot can also be a big component of the overall cost of building your home, and when it comes to custom home building, it can have just as many cost variables as what you are putting inside your home.

Here are a few factors that go into this cost:

• Is the lot served by public water and sewer, or will it require a well to be drilled for water supply and a drain field for your septic system?
• Will the house be situated close to the road, or will it be set back a few hundred feet resulting in a longer driveway with more excavation and paving costs?
• Will your home be located in the woods, requiring tree clearing and topsoil to be imported so you can establish a nice yard?
• Does your lot have an approved storm water management plan? The regulations have recently changed, and depending on the plan that has been or needs to be designed, this can add considerable cost to your project.

All of these “land-related” items can swing the square foot cost considerably, and make it especially difficult to estimate the cost of a home prior to knowing the location of where it will be built.

OUR APPROACH

In recent years, we have built basic spec homes ranging from $90/SF to large custom homes that were $250/SF, so you can see why the question “What is your square foot price?” is a difficult one for us to answer – we don’t want to mislead you.

We work hard to give our clients the best idea of costs we can based on the design of the home, their expectations for finishes in the home and the land where the home will be built. We use all of these factors to approximate cost per square foot; however, our best option is always to get firm pricing from our subcontractors and suppliers and deliver a contract price that spells out exactly what is included. This is part of our fair and honest approach to designing, pricing and building your custom home.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel (or building your custom home), one of the items you’ll consider is what type of kitchen sink you want. Believe it or not, the kitchen sink will speak volumes to the look and feel that you are trying to create and play a significant role in the overall functionality of the room.

Here are some kitchen sink basics you need to know when making this selection.

Sink Materials

Sinks are made from different materials: stainless steel, cast iron, fireclay and composite. Let’s take a look at each one.

Most of the sinks that you will find in stores are going to be made of stainless steel. When considering a stainless steel sink, remember the lower the gauge (16 gauge is thicker than 20 gauge), the more resistant it will be to heat and dents.

Cast iron sinks are extremely durable and are not prone to staining; however, you will find that these kitchen sinks will be more expensive to purchase and install (because they are so heavy).

For those who want to create a classic kitchen look, a fireclay sink may be a top contender. It is created when clay and glaze are fused together after being fired at an extremely high temperature. The result is a very hard and extremely durable material. It resists chips, heat, acid and discoloration, so it will withstand heavy use over time.

Another possibility is a composite sink. These come in a variety of colors so you can match your sink to the other elements of your kitchen. These sinks are durable and easy to take care of.

Selecting Your Sink Style

Before you select your kitchen sink based on looks, consider what you will be doing with the sink first. This should greatly help you determine which style is the best for you.

The single-bowl sink is a wonderful option if you do not have a lot of space. It can also be a great choice if you have large pots and pans to clean. For those who love to cook, the double-bowl sink may be the right style because it affords you different bowls for multi-tasking, and you can select the size and depth of each bowl.

If you want a sink that makes a statement, take a look at a farmhouse sink – where the sink front actually replaces part of the countertop. It is a great look for cottage- or country-style homes, like those here in Lancaster, but because of its unique look, it is often found in modern-style kitchens, too.

There are two ways that sinks can be mounted – under or top. An under-mounted sink gives that area of your kitchen a cleaner and finished look, but it is a bit more expensive than a top-mount, or self-rimming, that sets into the countertop from above.

As you can see, there are a few factors to take into consideration when selecting a kitchen sink, but if you take your time and think through how you cook, how durable you need your sink to be and what look you want for your kitchen, you’ll be prepared to make a selection that you’ll be happy with for years to come.