What’s the cheapest way to build a house? – Infographic

That’s the million dollar question for many people out there. Finding the most affordable way to build a house might sound like a lot of work. Truth is that it can be really challenging. Nevertheless, with the right plan and some good research, it can be much easier than you think.

What you always need to keep in mind during this process is that regardless of the budget that you have at your disposal, you don’t have to compromise quality. Search the market, use your network and invest in digital tools (e.g. LetsBuild home building software) that can do the work for you faster and more efficiently.

It is no exaggeration to claim that the use of reliable construction software can be a game changer as it will allow you to improve decisively the quality of communication within your team and address any issues of critical importance as soon as they emerge.

With that in mind, during your search for a good contractor, you should always pay extra attention to the way they work. If they are familiar with digital tools there is a good chance that you are about to work with a productive and data-driven team which can deliver a solid project of top quality.

By basing your effort on the ideas mentioned above, you can be confident that the building process of your new house won’t break the bank. However, in order to make things even easier for you we describe below the main steps that you need to take in order to come up with the cheapest way to build a house:

1. Plan comes first

First things first, knowing exactly what you want from your home building project is fundamental to its success. Before you take the initial step and start searching the market for a good contractor, it is essential that you have put together a detailed plan based on your budget and vision.

In that way, you can be clear about what you want and need during the whole process and easily calculate the amount of money that you need in order to make your home building dream come true.

Furthermore, having a solid knowledge of what you are going to build can help you manage better both the workflow and the resources. For instance, you can analyse what type of materials you need and which parts of the project you can complete without the help of a contractor.

2. Do your research

Now that you have a detailed plan in mind, it is time for the next crucial step. Research! Try to learn as much as possible about the home building process. From material prices to building techniques and project management tools.

On top of that, ask in the market about the best and most budget-friendly options in terms of contractors. Like that, you can be sure that when the time to meet the contractor comes you have all the necessary information to lead the discussion and make them understand the plan that you have in mind.

What is more, thorough research will help you with practical aspects of the project which normally take a lot of time (eg. building specifications & permits).

3. Find a good contractor

After considering your plan and doing your due diligence, you will have to find the contractor who will bring your project to life. Given the fact that you are under a tight budget it is important to find someone who can combine quality with low cost.

To be successful in your quest, you should examine carefully the way a contractor works. If we are talking about a tech-savvy company, then chances are that the required work will be completed faster and with higher accuracy. It doesn’t take much to understand that in most cases technology equals better outcome.

And even if it is sometimes a more pricey option during the construction phase, it can be a time and budget saver in the long run.

Read also: Punch list for construction – The ultimate guide

Of course, word of mouth plays a substantial role in your final selection, as well. Try to talk to your network and ask for their advice. There might be someone who was in the same position as you in the past and who can point you in the right direction. In a sentence, the more you know about your contractor the better.

And the last bust vital piece of advice. Choose the contractor that you can communicate better with. It is extremely important to feel that you have someone by your side during the building process.

4. Digital tools are your friend

During your talk with the different potential contractors, always remember that in this long procedure digital tools (e.g. home building software or construction management software) can save you from a lot of trouble if used properly. In that sense, invest extra attention in the type of tools that your contractor prefer to work with.

You can tell a lot about the quality of their services based on their operating system. An open and highly collaborative building process is always a good sign. In that way, you can closely monitor the development and completion of the numerous tasks while resolving any areas of conflict before they even appear.

Moreover, you should never forget the most indispensable benefit of digital tools and software in general. That is, of course, data! By accumulating large amounts of data, you can get better and more in-depth knowledge about your construction project.

Based on this feedback, you can effortlessly become aware of the areas of your building project that require extra attention. That can be a valuable element in the long term as you can start maintaining your house in the right way from day one. This will result in fewer damages through the years and by extension a lower cost for you.

Here is how your project could look like inside LetsBuild:

5. Communication is key

Another crucial parameter for the success of your home building project is communication. You should establish strong communication channels both with your contractor and the subcontractors who are working on your new house.

To achieve this, you need to clarify from the beginning who is responsible for what during the development of the project. In that manner, you can always know to whom you should address any issues that might come up along the way.

This is also where the role of a reliable home building software can be decisive. By asking your contractor to implement real-time project management solutions in your project you can optimize collaboration between the different project parties and prevent costly delays and mistakes.

6. Do it yourself

If your priority is to keep your house building project on a budget there is nothing better than trying to complete some of the tasks yourself. As soon as you have a full plan in place and have talked in detail with your contractor, try to figure out which of the tasks you could do on your own.

Especially if you have already some building skills, there is no reason to avoid fixing some stuff yourself. Keep in mind, though, that you should be extra careful with the materials that you will choose to use.

To the contrary, DIY projects might not be the best idea for those who have no prior experience with home building. It might look like a good and affordable solution now but in the long run, poor construction work can cost you a lot.
Before you take any decisions, analyse the pros and cons and put together your personal DIY plan.

7. Use your network

A strong network can always be helpful. During the first stages of your home building project, explore your network and search for people who could help with some of the tasks. Look for skills and connections as at the end of the day they can both be essential.

Try to involve as many people as possible especially in the DIY tasks where it is sure that you will need some extra help. In addition, ask for advice about the materials you should use and look for inspiration in terms of modern house design and cost-efficiency.

Lastly, ask as many questions as possible about the contractor and subcontractors you are about to work with. Maybe someone you know has some experience with them and can guide you accordingly.

8. Be smart about space

There many cases where people build houses which end up being much bigger and more expensive than they actually need them to be. You don’t want to be one of those guys. For that reason, you need to use the available space efficiently.
In the design process, try to emphasise that you would like to include rooms which could have multiple functions.

The more square meters the higher cost for your project. In that sense, you want to save as much space as possible.
For instance, lofts can provide some additional square meters while making smart use of ceiling space, too.

9. Be careful with materials

That’s a tricky one. Typically, materials absorb a significant part of your budget. The big challenge during the material selection phase is to combine quality with good prices.

Durability should always be your most important criterion in this case. Ask for materials which can last long and ensure the good protection of the house and its residents.

Want to learn more? 10 innovative construction materials that revolutionise the industry

Our suggestion would be that you should see material costs as an investment. The more money you will spend on them during the construction phase the more resources you will save later thanks to them. There are parts of a home building project where you can go cheap but material selection shouldn’t be one of those.

10. Insurance is always a good idea

When building a new house, it’s substantial to plan for the future. That being said, getting an insurance is also included in the list of the most affordable ways to build a house. You want to protect your house against any type of future damage (eg. mold, fire damage).

In that way, you can always be confident that your house is safe against any type of threat and that, no matter what, you will have the necessary resources to fix it or at least improve its condition if something goes wrong.

What’s the cheapest way to build a house after all?

Building a house can be affordable if the right strategy is followed. It takes, of course, a lot of effort but a smart combination of digital tools, innovative materials, and an experienced contractor can truly make a difference.

Data can be a valuable ally to this long process, while a well-established network can guide you in the right direction. There you have it! The secret to the cheapest way to build a house is now yours!