[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”0|0px|1px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Well folks, I’m about to get real with you. We don’t even have our first floor fully framed and we already need to cut budget. The truth of the matter is – we needed to cut budget before we ever even started building. Because I may or may not have gotten a little carried away designing spectacular windows and rooflines… and we may or may not have gone a few hundred square feet over our builder’s original quote and estimate. Factor in that whole global pandemic thing and boom. We needed to lower our overall budget by 7.5%. Ouch.

Talking about budget on here is really tricky. Because costs of land, materials and labor differ so greatly depending on location and region. But I’m going to do my best to be transparent and talk in percentages. And, in full transparency – cutting budgets is theeeee worst. But I came up with a few creative solutions to cut mine down I think might be helpful.

My husband and I sat down and went through each itemized category / budget our builder provided us with. We quickly identified 3 major areas where we could easily make changes without sacrificing the aesthetic integrity of our home’s design while actually improving it’s functionality and safety for our family.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”4.0.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ src=”https://cravenhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/craven_haven_20200801_081627_0.jpg”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″]

Siding Changes

When you pin dream houses on pinterest or save them on instagram… you aren’t fully aware of the cost behind those pretty exteriors. Especially when it comes to siding. I found this out the hard way after our rendering (that we fell in love with) got priced out by our builder. Yikes – didn’t know that the labor and materials for stucco was so expensive in Bend, Oregon! I’m a Southern California girl, stucco is EVERYWHERE! When my husband and I sat down and discussed all of the elements of the home we definitely DIDN’T want to change – stucco never came up. Black vertical board and batten is the main material we want to use on our home, and we were both indifferent to the secondary material, so long as it was an almost-white-greige. By switching the stucco to thin horizontal lapp siding, we were able to decrease our overall exterior material and labor budget by 8%! Another HUGE way we were able to get our siding (and fireplace) budgets down was by selecting a fireplace insert that doesn’t need a chimney to vent. We won’t have to construct and lay masonry all the way up a chimney, which is a HUGE cost savings for us, about 30% of our masonry budget!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_blurb title=”The Bottom Line:” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ image=”https://cravenhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200801_081820.jpg”]

Do research about the cost of siding labor and materials in your area before you fall in love with inspo pics to keep your budget reasonable.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″]

Window and Door Changes

The windows (black interior / exterior) are VERY important to us for the aesthetic of our design. But our window price tag was looking pretty hefty, and our wall space was looking minimal inside. Did you know that if windows are over a certain size and distance from the ground, the glass has to be tempered? (read: $$$$$). It’s no surprise that architects love to throw in floor to ceiling windows everywhere on their designs, because they look awesome. By making a few windows in the living room slightly shorter to accommodate furniture in the interior layout we are able to avoid having to use tempered glass. Honestly, with my crazy baby boys, floor to ceiling windows were probably going to be a nightmare anyway Then! We also switched a ton of windows upstairs so they don’t open. Did you know this is a more inexpensive option? And finally, we also removed a fancy double slider French door and subbed in 3 large windows and a glass door instead. The placement of this large slider wasn’t enhancing indoor / outdoor living (it was situated at the bottom of the staircase) so it was just aesthetic. Guess what all of these changes saved us? 25% of our original window estimate! Trust me when I say that reduction made a BIG overall dent.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_blurb title=”The Bottom Line:” image=”https://cravenhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200801_083958.jpg” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Really think about your flashy windows and how they will fit in with your lifestyle. Get creative with how you alter them – you probably won’t have to forgo your original vision!

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″]

Trim, Etc

You know what costs a LOT of money? Having a finish carpenter trim out allllll of your (many) windows. And then having a professional painting company tape and spray that trim. We were able to reduce our interior trim budget by 35% by removing this trim. This option might not be for everyone, but personally I LOVE the look of more traditional black paned windows with the sleek and modern touch that wrapping the sheetrock provides. Another decorative element we are reducing is the iron railing on the staircase. We had originally planned to have the staircase all be open railing (even at the top in the boys’ bonus room). But since safety and functionality for our family has always been our first priority for this build, and since iron railing is very expensive, we made a decision to enclose the staircase after it wraps/turns and wall off the top in the boys’ bonus room.That way, no mischievous little boys will climb over the stair rail AND we save 50% on our staircase budget. Win/win.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_blurb title=”The Bottom Line:” image=”https://cravenhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/all.sorts_.of_20200717_080610_0.jpg” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ url_new_window=”on” link_option_url=”http://amberinteriordesign.com/”]

Don’t blindly accept the first plan & bid. Sometimes, what you truly want might be the cheaper option. And sometimes, what you truly need for your family ends up saving you money. (Inspo Source: Amber Interiors)

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″]

More creative budget reducers:

• Have your builder sit in on architectural review meetings early on to price out fancy ideas and ensure initial structural engineering costs aren’t out of your budget.

• Stained custom cabinetry is typically more cost effective than paint grade 

• Instead of going with cheaper cabinetry everywhere, identify rooms (bonus, laundry) that don’t NEED cabinetry right away and add those built-ins later.

• Install labor for larger scale pavers and tile is typically cheaper

• Plan for decorative trim, beams or wall treatments pre-build, but only add these on upfront if budget allows

• Incorporate a more budget-friendly and family-friendly flooring option throughout your home like LVP, which is typically half the price of hardwood floors

• Opt for quartz over marble. Try and find remnant slabs from your fabricator for small vanities and bathrooms. Using the same slab multiple places in your house will save on waste.

• Shop the online sales for lighting, hardware and plumbing fixtures! Wayfair, Overstock, Amazon and Build.com are all great options.

• Install IKEA closet systems and DIY them to customize them later.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]