How to build at these low prices? (renting, houses)

[LITTLESPOT]

Just moved here from Florida. Have experience building DIY house. Renting now and want to build for myself. How do they build these new 2 -story 2500 square foot homes for $77 a square foot? Any large homebuilder employees that could provide some insight?

[QC Misfit]

bulk building???

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Skipping on some hidden things that add quality but are expensive?

[cyrusuncc]

1) Building 100 houses at the same time is cheaper than building 100 individual houses.
2) "Big" builders can also cut some corners that you wouldn't as a home owner. Get a home inspection on a newly built house and there will be issues.

[aag-charlotte]

I can tell you I have one of those two story 2500 foot homes and it cost me much more than $77/ sq foot. Home inspection didn't find anything to worry about, either.

[flyingscotsman]

Originally Posted by aag-charlotte

I can tell you I have one of those two story 2500 foot homes and it cost me much more than $77/ sq foot. Home inspection didn't find anything to worry about, either.

If you count SQ FT cost as including the price of land and purely living space ours was
$81.67 per sq ft. if you add the sq ft of the garage
$70.09 per sq ft

We had the home inspected and did not have any problems.

[2spyderman]

Originally Posted by LITTLESPOT

Just moved here from Florida. Have experience building DIY house. Renting now and want to build for myself. How do they build these new 2 -story 2500 square foot homes for $77 a square foot? Any large homebuilder employees that could provide some insight?

Going up is always cheaper than going out because the home is more centralized. You need less foundation, roofing materials, heating and air equipment, plumbing, wiring, etc. Most lower cost homes stick to code minimum's which might or might not be in the best interest of the home buyer. Then go with budget cabinets, lights, plumbing fixtures, counter tops, flooring and paint.

Personally I would never be cheap on anything that will be hidden (lighting, electrical outlets, cat 5, plumbing) after the drywall is up. If you are DYI'ing, the cost of an extra electrical outlet along a wall is about $3 and you will probably not regret it later. The cost to plumb 3/4" instead of 1/2" pipe is also negligible but will be noticable with the increased water flow at the tap.

I always ask myself what I don't like about a house and build to correct it the next time. After 7 houses, I think I have a pretty good idea and more or less have it the way that I like it now.