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Anybody in the rural areas around Asheville have a house built recently or know what the cost might be ($/sf) to build a small (800-1000 sf) one story no-basement house? (not including the land). I am trying to figure out if it might be affordable for me to buy land and build a small 2-bedroom simple modern house no basement in the area if I bought land. I seriously only want a 800 sf or so simple house.
EDIT: So I went on a website costtobuild.net and put in an 800sf house and got an estimate of $125,000 to build it (not including land) in Asheville NC. Does that seem reasonable?
Last edited by joe_obody999; 08-09-2019 at 12:36 PM..
Anybody in the rural areas around Asheville have a house built recently or know what the cost might be ($/sf) to build a small (800-1000 sf) one story no-basement house? (not including the land). I am trying to figure out if it might be affordable for me to buy land and build a small 2-bedroom simple modern house no basement in the area if I bought land. I seriously only want a 800 sf or so simple house.
EDIT: So I went on a website costtobuild.net and put in an 800sf house and got an estimate of $125,000 to build it (not including land) in Asheville NC. Does that seem reasonable?
I think there are a select few builders out there who would do it at that price but most are higher than that. Prices have gone up and supplies have skyrocketed. You are better off getting a modular home (NOT to be confused with a manufactured home) at this time because it's less expensive and you get more square footage. You can get it done around $100 sq ft or even less as long as you don't start adding a bunch of upgrades. I can give some recommendations if you want. They do build in rural Asheville as well. These are quality homes built to the same standards as stick built homes. It's the only way I can afford to buy a home in Asheville. I was planning on building a stick built home but got priced out.
I think there are a select few builders out there who would do it at that price but most are higher than that. Prices have gone up and supplies have skyrocketed. You are better off getting a modular home (NOT to be confused with a manufactured home) at this time because it's less expensive and you get more square footage. You can get it done around $100 sq ft or even less as long as you don't start adding a bunch of upgrades. I can give some recommendations if you want. They do build in rural Asheville as well. These are quality homes built to the same standards as stick built homes. It's the only way I can afford to buy a home in Asheville. I was planning on building a stick built home but got priced out.
Don’t forget to budget for the tree removal, septic field installation, well drilling, electrical to/ into site, erosion control, landscaping to hold the mud in place, and driveway install ($500 a load for gneiss gravel near me and I am only 3 miles to the quarry). It adds up quickly and if you build too cheaply, with minimum insulation and air sealing, it’s a false economy.
And you have to do all the above for a modular/ mobile too.
There used to be a company who advertised small houses on your lot for under $200K. I just saw their most recent ad in Mountain Express, and I believe they are now saying $225K.
Discounting land and necessary upgrades like well septic driveway and clearing for the home 100sq ft is still doable . Not easily but I know one builder than can still manage that as there a small company with low overhead . He also has a very good rep in Yancey county area .
Anybody in the rural areas around Asheville have a house built recently or know what the cost might be ($/sf) to build a small (800-1000 sf) one story no-basement house? (not including the land). I am trying to figure out if it might be affordable for me to buy land and build a small 2-bedroom simple modern house no basement in the area if I bought land. I seriously only want a 800 sf or so simple house.
EDIT: So I went on a website costtobuild.net and put in an 800sf house and got an estimate of $125,000 to build it (not including land) in Asheville NC. Does that seem reasonable?
For those able to think outside the box, consider an insulated shell from Morton Buildings (https://mortonbuildings.com/). You can have one installed for $55 - $65 sqft insulated (or $35 uninsulated) and finish out the interior yourself. The sky's the limit with how you design it and they're pretty much stick built with a metal skin. Finished prices can be @ $130 sqft but you'll have to line up a contractor to do so (or do it yourself) depending on how you finance it. Traditional sitework costs and finding property still apply.
Cons are they can be difficult to finance with traditional banks and they take a certain buyer when selling. Most HOA's will frown upon them too (a non issue for us as we dislike HOA's) and finding comps when selling will be difficult. I believe they're a nice option though in the right area and for the right buyer. When done right they're also just as beautiful and solid as any other home out there.
I worked previously for a national builder as a superintendent and have 80 plus completed homes under my belt from clearing to CO so take my advice as you wish. I wouldn't have any issues calling one home and plan to do so in the near future. Good luck!
Here are some examples of designs done right. Browse their site for more finished projects and inspiration.
Deltec is a local green/small home company. Their signature design are round homes but more recently they’ve started doing nice more traditional layouts. Check them out as I’d guess they will be the cheapest you will find. 225-250/foot sounds right though.
Anybody in the rural areas around Asheville have a house built recently or know what the cost might be ($/sf) to build a small (800-1000 sf) one story no-basement house? (not including the land). I am trying to figure out if it might be affordable for me to buy land and build a small 2-bedroom simple modern house no basement in the area if I bought land. I seriously only want a 800 sf or so simple house.
EDIT: So I went on a website costtobuild.net and put in an 800sf house and got an estimate of $125,000 to build it (not including land) in Asheville NC. Does that seem reasonable?
I would think you could build a 'simple modern house' for around $200 -225 per SF. A few months ago we interviewed 3 respected builders of custom homes in the Asheville area. To our surprise, they all came in around $250 per SF. I'm aware there are some builders in the Asheville area who charge much more -not sure why unless their mark-up is more. "Modern' throws some builders off as they're thinking steel and custom windows, so you will need to explain to them what you mean by 'modern'. Also, try to find a 'relatively' flat piece of land (from personal experience, this can be challenging in western NC), as this will reduce your cost. Another factor to consider is we're likely toward the end of the economic cycle. If so, housing starts will decline, and builders will likely be willing to build for less (western NC is somewhat immune to downturns but not totally). If possible, I'd hold off for a year or so..
Last edited by Lizap; 08-13-2019 at 08:12 AM..
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