I know I am usually saying compare - compare, but there are some things you should not compare at all. You cannot compare pricing from the last time you built a home or remodeled. You cannot compare pricing from building your home in a large city to building in the hill country. You cannot compare using a custom builder verses a tract builder. You just cannot begin to compare these things. Why? I will explain..
Comparing to the last time you built a home or remodeled is not possible. If you built a home 5 to 10 years ago, there have been many changes during that time. Materials for one have shot up in prices tremendously. There was a period when a ton of our materials were being shipped out of our country, causing spikes in availability and outlandish price jumps. Since then, prices just have not dropped to where they used to be, similar to our gasoline prices.
Recently we were talking to some folks about a foundation. They questioned the cost of the foundation for the Hill Country versus the cost a friend just spent in a big city subdivision. The cost variance was about $20,000. This technically was comparing our Hill Country region to a metropolitan subdivision region - no comparison whatsoever. Hill Country terrain is like night and day compared to most city subdivisions. Most city subdivisions outside of this region are flat, different soils, etc., pretty standard lots to build on. Here in the Hill Country we are dealing with rock, multiple levels, and rough roads to access, and the list goes on. Transportation to and from the job sites and location of materials also add to higher prices in the hill country. Most people have no problem paying the additional prices just to live in the primo Hill Country. Not only does the foundation cost more in the Hill Country, sometimes contractors or subcontractors will add trip charges due to everything being so far away. Whether they have to drive to your job site or go get materials can add up. Be sure to ask the contractors how they handle this. When building or remodeling in the big cities, everything is just around the corner.
You cannot begin to compare custom home builders to tract builders either. Material grades are usually big time different, for starters. Quality can also be a factor. A lot of track builders might use box cabinets, one-piece bath-tub showers, same style home as the neighbor, cheaper materials, and they buy materials in bulk, so on. The custom builder normally will use custom cabinets, tile in bath areas, higher end materials, must buy material specifically for the job, and so on. Lots more difference in a custom home builder and track builder.
These are just 3 things you cannot compare when building a new home or remodeling. If you want to know more or why, talk to a custom builder. Run if they tell you there are no differences, because you could get hit with a lot of additional cost during your project.
For all Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at 830-833-4249 or 713-818-6658.
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