I am often asked what’s the cost to build a luxury custom home in Chapel Hill? That question is so broad that it is (for me) unanswerable without significant other information: site topo and location, driveway length, well/septic or sewer/water, desired floor plan layout and configuration, how much hardwood, amount and grade of cabinetry, how many bathrooms, level of plumbing and lighting fixtures, etc. And even with this information, without a developed floor plan and elevations, without significant client decisions, my answers will be very general.
What I really want to know is what is your budget. Your REAL budget.
From a financial perspective, knowing your monetary goals for your home is the most important first step in our work together. Your budget is the foundation for my personalized guidance, informed by current cost data from recent jobs. If you give me your real budget, after a good detailed dialogue, I should be able to tell you generally whether what you want is achievable, or not. And if not, if your budget number is close to realistic, Zinn Design Build can help to guide your thinking, so you have the best shot at reaching your goal.
You might need to re-evaluate your layout so your one-level home becomes two levels, or abandon that low-priced steep lot because it drives up the cost so much that it’s not workable (plus you really don’t want a basement home), or relinquish your desire for all hardwood flooring in favor of a mixture of flooring materials. These are the kind of topics we speak about at the beginning.
Setting The Right Budget.
Throughout the design process, I will advise you about the pros and cons of various choices (relating to cost as well as to design and function) before you make your final decisions. I offer reminders about what costs more and what costs less.
Land Selection Impacts Your Budget.
Our visit to your potential site is an essential early element. Ideally, we would make that visit prior to your purchasing the property. We will evaluate topo. Discuss driveway length. Evaluate utilities and infrastructure. Look for unknowns. If this is a well and septic site, we will dig into the soil evaluation for the septic system.
Those plans often contribute to the inspiration for your special Zinn Design Build home. Over the years, I have found that when clients reference internet-sourced plans, those plans may reveal likes and dislikes, but they are never useable for our work together. They don’t relate to site, to views, the spaces are often not realistically presented, and they generally aim to show square footage that is not livable the way our clients like to live. I welcome knowing what inspires you, and then we need to talk reality.
We look at our library of original home plans to locate the plan elements that best resonate with you
Square Footage vs Finish Level.
Home size is a significant driver of costs. Smaller homes generally cost more to build per square foot than bigger homes. The amount of home under roof, not so much the amount of home nor level of finishes, is a major cost factor.
With Zinn Design Build, nearly all decisions are made prior to our pricing process, and with our fixed price contract (we use very few allowances), there are no big surprises after you sign our contract.
You will Only Do It Once.
Or, maybe custom building has been and is your path, so perhaps you will build a custom home more than once.
My advice: keep budget in mind, but don’t cut corners. Living in the home of your dreams is fulfilling on so many levels. I want to help you to do it.
