Try to go for options that require less maintenance and are also not expensive during the construction of the house. Credit cards were an option, but not one we wanted to consider. My husband and I don’t have any kids and we never host dinner parties – and since we share the property with my parents, who have a five-bedroom home, there’s no need for us to have family members for overnight stays. You do not need to depend entirely on your contractor. We knew we didn’t need space for a dining room, guest room, or more than one bathroom. This will help you to utilize more space and also not leave you feeling cramped up. If that’s your situation, instead of trying to compete in red-hot housing markets, you may be looking for the cheapest way to build a house. Buy a home, refinance or manage your mortgage online with America's largest mortgage lender¹, Get a real estate agent handpicked for you and search the latest home listings, Get a personal loan to consolidate debt, renovate your home and more. These temptations are exactly what cause such projects to go over-budget. That will only add to the final cost. Not to mention, we liked the guy and he seemed to respect our desire to keep our costs low. We strive to write accurate and genuine reviews and articles, and all views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors. All Rights Reserved. Depending on the length of time you anticipate your build taking, look into buying a set of scaffolding for the duration of your project, then selling it on after. 12 Best Cash-Back Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 7 Best Low APR Interest Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 18 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 14 Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 11 Best Gas Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 12 Best Credit Cards for College Students – Reviews & Comparison, 22 Best Small Business Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison, 10 Best Secured Credit Cards to Rebuild Credit – Reviews & Comparison. One of the best tips of building a house on a budget is to opt for an open floor plan. Here are some tips to help you build your budget-friendly home: Simplify Your Home’s Design The cheapest way to build a home is to design a simple box. A home that is better and bigger than any other in its area will not command a fair price at resale. Don't overbuild for the neighborhood. And they can help you avoid problems before they arise since they’ve likely had a lot of experience navigating problems in their career. As the website Ask the Builder recommends, those building homes should prepare to go over their budgets. Her work appears on eHow, Trails.com and RedEnvelope. Get expert advice from the house plans industry leader. See why 218,388 people subscribe to our newsletter. Well, of course, you are no expert in doing any of the construction jobs like laying the foundation, laying down concrete slabs, using bricks to build walls, but there are many ways you can contribute your bit in house construction. Check with EnergyStar.gov to search for local, state, and federal rebates for your energy projects. Read more here to learn what to look for in your reclaimed materials before you use them. If your builder is willing to make this arrangement, consider taking him up on it. Generally speaking, I’d suggest you source new materials rather than pre-owned, but that depends on what you’re looking at. The goal is to find a respected and affordable contractor whose work can be trusted and who sticks to the promised timeline. These processes are expensive and add time to the building schedule right off the bat. Save all the electric wires, they come in handy whenever you need to fix the wiring of the house. In addition, seasoned professionals have established relationships with suppliers and subcontractors — something you cannot possibly hope to get without years of experience in the business. The first contractor wouldn’t even listen to what we wanted, and kept challenging our budget. Do not throw away anything that is left by the workers. For instance, you can make a kitchen with a large island that will open up to the living room. After hearing all the evidence, we decided the additional $1,600 to insulate our home with foam would be well worth the cost. That’s why it’s important to get your plans approved early in the planning process before you start building. For instance, cut back on up-front costs, make a low maintenance home and do not be flamboyant with your design ideas. Here’s a pro-tip: go for second-hand fixtures. Talk to your contractor about sourcing your own materials. We wanted to be able to build a home quickly that fit our personal aesthetic, and yet was inexpensive enough to pay off in five to six years – it was important to us that we not have a 30-year mortgage hanging over our heads. Or put up a garden shed, which is cheaper than building a huge garage. You want to enjoy it, you want it to reflect your personality and your priorities, and you want it to be a comfortable space to spend your time in. The latter requires money and patience above all other things. Her work has been featured on Forbes, Money, Business Insider, The Everygirl, The Everymom and more. Having a dream house is everyone’s dream. You shouldn’t turn into a hoarder and keep everything, but you also shouldn’t simply discard good materials.