Budgeting for Your Custom Home: Honest Advice

Building a custom home is a dream for many, but too often folks underestimate the true costs involved and end up frustrated. Part of my job is making sure you have a realistic budget from the start to help avoid those unpleasant surprises later on.

Here’s some straightforward guidance: Begin with the cost per square foot. For a solid, quality build, you’re looking at about $155 per square foot under roof at S. Clements Homes—much less than the $300+ others charge. Multiply that figure by your desired square footage to set your baseline estimate.

If you’re building on raw land, remember to add an extra 10-15% for site work, utilities, and land preparation. These factors can vary significantly based on the specifics of your lot. Staying on top of costs is crucial, which is why we maintain a running spreadsheet throughout the build. This transparency means you know exactly where your money is going at all times and there are no surprises at closing.

Honest budgeting starts with honest pricing, and I’d love to help you map out what your dream home could realistically cost. Give me a call at (469) 853-7952 to discuss your project and get straight answers from someone who’s been doing this for 25+ years.