Simple Porch
Between the shortage of materials and the high demand, we are all scrambling to understand the current price of projects. Covid has shut down factories and interrupted supply chains like no other time in my career. There are signs that material prices will stabilize soon, but no one knows what to expect in the short term.
When designing a home or addition, part of the fun for the owner is imagining the project finished without any compromises. When bids come in from the contractors, many homeowners are eager to look at ways to reduce the price without losing space or the character of the project. As architects, our job is to help bring the price down as far as possible without losing the qualities that the owners loved in the first place. It must be understood that some money-saving choices could diminish the long-term durability or energy efficiency of a home or addition.
The following are 6 ways to either design the most cost-effective project from the start or adjust a design once the bids come in:
- Keep it simple: Generally, the simpler the overall details and structure of a home, the less expensive it is to build. The exception is extremely precise modern details.
- Consider cost-effective materials both on the exterior and interior of the home. There can be a $20/square foot or more difference between higher-priced flooring materials and lower-priced choices. The same is true of exterior materials. Before making those choices be aware of the trade-offs, sometimes they are minimal.
- Keep built-in cabinetry to a minimum. In the long run, those elements can be added, but in the short run, they are expensive. You may need to buy more furniture to take the place of cabinetry.
- Explore the trade-offs of lower-priced windows and doors. For exterior doors and windows, the savings may not always justify the change. Make certain that the alternatives are durable, attractive, and energy-efficient before making those changes.
- Review choices for the mechanical system. There are many ways to heat and cool a home. Not all systems are designed equal, but the cost differential between the most expensive and the least expensive is substantial.
- One sure way to reduce prices is to pick the next lower price point of each category of non-structural elements of the house. Always bear in mind the trade-offs.
Bonus idea: Add a porch. Few additions to a home add as much beauty, functionality, and pleasure as a porch and for a fraction of the cost of interior space.
Photos by Rob Karosis Curated Brochure by Crisp Architects: Portfolio
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About the Author: James Crisp
Hello, In our area, people are building a “Shouse-shed and house combination) instead of a traditional home and garage. I have a 2 1/2 acre lot and am considering this, but I haven’t yet seen a shouse that appeals to me, one with character. The living end would face the south, so I’d like lots of windows on the south and west sides. (MN). Have you built these? Do you have any pictures?
I realize your homes and remodeling pictures are traditional and stately, which is also my taste and furniture. That’s why I asked you. I’m in awe of your projects, even though mine would be a much smaller scale.