Do you know any Affordable custom home builders around Raleigh NC

[beckycat]

I've spoke to a couple of buiders and yes you can do it for $75/ sq ft. on your land. Travis Wilson at Handcrafted Homes 919-562-0480. These are turn-key homes which means it includes permits, sewer, electric hook-up,etc. Kanucks 704-434-7686. You have to be careful b/c it may not include these additional charges. Good luck!

[omamia]

Is the same true for additions as well? 80-100/sq ft. I've seen a bunch of smallish ranch homes on larger lots and was wondering how much it would cost to add on. Or does it cost more because you're dealing with the existing structure?

[PennyH]

Originally Posted by beckycat

I've spoke to a couple of buiders and yes you can do it for $75/ sq ft. on your land. Travis Wilson at Handcrafted Homes 919-562-0480. These are turn-key homes which means it includes permits, sewer, electric hook-up,etc. Kanucks 704-434-7686. You have to be careful b/c it may not include these additional charges. Good luck!

I'm not quite clear if the $75/sq ft does include sewer and permits here.

But there are definitely some questions to ask with a quote this low (actually these are good questions no matter what the quote is!)

- Are any real estate commissions included? Some neighborhoods require a commission be paid to the selling agent, even if no buyer's agent is involved.

- What is the allowance for the sewer/septic? Generally speaking, if you need a septic, the cost will be at least $5K, often more if the home is 4 bedrooms instead of 3 or if the soil has any kind of problems. This is a variable amount, and no builder can guarantee it ahead of time.

- What is the allowance for the well/water hook up? Again, if you need a well, cost will probably be at least $5K.

- Are finance costs included, or is this assuming owner financing?

- Are blueprints included, or are they provided by the homeowner? Blueprints can cost $1K or more, especially if any customization is needed.

- What allowance is included for permits and fees? Some cities and counties are much more expensive than others.

- Is a driveway included? If so, is it gravel or concrete? Some neighborhoods require a concrete driveway.

- Is a walkway to the front door from the driveway included? If so, is it gravel or concrete?

- What are the interior finishes? Low cost per square foot can mean 8 ft ceilings on the first floor instead of 9 ft, vinyl flooring and carpet instead of hardwood and tile, lower quality cabinets and appliances (some don't include the microwave).

- What kind of HVAC system is included? What kind of siding?

- What kind of landscaping is included? You may be happy to complete the landscaping yourself, but make sure you understand what is included.

- What style of home is possible at this price? Two story homes are less expensive than one story homes. Master bedrooms upstairs are less expensive than master bedrooms downstairs. A colonial style home (flat front) is less expensive than a contemporary home with lots of angles.

These are just some of the questions you'll want to ask. Make sure to get a full list of what is and is not included. Compare a couple of builders. Check their reputations, and walk through completed homes.

It all depends on what you're looking for. In construction, like in everything else, you generally get what you pay for. Just do your homework, and make sure you understand exactly what you're getting for your money.

[Funky Chicken]

In Raleigh, Cary, and Morrisville (the towns you mentioned), "Custom" suggests a home that is-
Stick Built (no pre-assembled trusses or sections),
Has a level of finishes that exceeds most national or regional tract builders-I'm talking about all of the materials used inside and out, from flooring and carpet to cabinets and appliances,
Is typically in a neighborhood surrounded by other similar homes,
Is built by a smaller-scale local builder.
Drees is not a custom builder. They are a tract builder that will consider building a one-off home on a random lot on a case-by-case basis.
Most new "Custom" neighborhoods in Raleigh/Cary/Morrisville are owned by a developing entity who also controls who can buy lots and who can build on them.
I'll use Impact Properties Group as a good example. They are the developers of some extremely successful Western Wake neighborhoods, including Highcroft and Cameron Pond. Impact bought the large tract of land, laid out the plat, and paid for all of the utilities to be brought onto the property. They also built any recreational amenities that exist in the neighborhood.
In their Weycroft neighborhood, Builders that are in the "group" of approved builders are paying either side of $140,000 for a .3 acre lot. That translates to $466,666 per acre of buildable land in the neighborhood. The average sale price in Weycroft over the last 12 months averages out to right at $170 per square foot-that's what the homebuyer paid for the complete package.
If we assume an average square footage of 3500 in the neighborhood-

3500 x 170 = $595,000

$595,000 - $140,000 (lot cost) = $455,000 cost of construction

$455,000 divided by 3500 square feet = $130 per square foot for the house only.

The above math represents a pretty accurate cost analysis for what is typically considered a "Custom" home in the area you mention.

It all depends on your definition of "Custom".