Controlling costs of home construction requires diligence

Published: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, 5:18p.m. Updated 9 hours ago

Controlling costs when building a home is a job that often hinges on per-square-foot estimates, allowances for each room, books that list the costs of everything even something like architect-builder-owner master classes.

But then, as builders Dan Meade and Joe Cortes say, the prices go up.

It is more an art than a science, Greensburg architect Lee Calisti says about the method of coming up with a cost for building a home.

Some costs are fairly consistent. If a buyer goes to a development planned by a builder and chooses one of the plans even customizing it to a degree the costs are rather well known.

But a custom design makes matters different. Then, builders, architects, even homeowners say it is important to control the unknown.

Come up with a realistic idea of costs and stick to it. Remember, when one room goes over cost, you probably aren't going to make up for it elsewhere.

Act as your own general contractor and keep a close eye on all the costs.

Get a builder involved early so planning can be discussed from a practical sense.

The secret generally is controlling the variables in design and construction, South Side architect Gerald Lee Morosco says. For instance, he says, is it fairly realistic to estimate a house can be built at $175 per square foot.

More here:
Controlling costs of home construction requires diligence