The two factors that most influence the cost of a project are size and style. Keep in mind, that when a builder gets a question regarding cost over the phone, that they have not seen any blueprints nor do they have an understanding about the types of finishes that will go into the home.

In fact, it is the homeowner, not the builder, who ultimately determines the cost of a project. After all, a custom home is just that—custom—and there are literally an infinite number of selections and combinations that factor into the cost. Here are some of the big ones:

• Size (3500 square feet or 7,000)
• Structure (depending upon how the structural engineer designs the home—the foundation and framing costs can vary greatly)
• Style & Finishes (countertops, flooring, hardware, cabinetry, lighting, plumbing, etc.)
• Windows (vinyl, wood, steel have a wide range in cost)
• Roof (metal, composite, shingle, slate, tile vary greatly in cost and installation)
• Appliances (average vs. high end, ice makers, wine refrigerators, additional appliances in outdoor kitchens)
• Specialty Items—plaster, wallpaper, soundproofing of walls/floors, in-floor heating systems, elevators, wine rooms, etc.
• Home automation (partial or full automation)
• Exterior (stucco, natural stone, cast stone, brick, wood, glass)

To start, I recommend that the homeowner have a budget in mind. Working with a reputable architect who is familiar with the neighborhood is also important. Additionally, many architects encourage your builder be involved in the design process. This way, the design is a collaborative effort between owner, architect, and builder. A builder who is involved in the design process can prevent you from designing elements into the home that will exceed your budget.

I also recommend a homeowner be armed with pictures prior to your initial design meeting with an architect. Websites such as Houzz and Pinterest are particularly helpful in communicating your design aesthetic.

With any project, budget is typically a major consideration. Not many people are able to afford the most expensive finish in every category. Your builder will work with you to determine your priorities for you home relative to the cost. A knowledgable builder will have ideas and suggestions to help you achieve the look and feel you are going for, even when compromises must be made. Our experience in working with a vast number of different products and suppliers puts us in a unique position to offer ideas our clients might not have considered—after all, this is a joint effort and we want you be thrilled with the results.

While a tract home builder can immediately rattle off the cost of their cookie-cutter, standard and narrow options, that is simply not possible for a custom builder. I hope that this article is a helpful overview of the process a builder and homeowner go through together to determine cost. I look forward to speaking with you about your visions for your custom home.

Reclaimed Wood—is perhaps the most versatile material we have incorporated into our projects. The options are almost endless, but here are applications we see regularly: flooring, exposed beams, wall application, cabinetry, shelving, dining tables, stools, shelving.

In one interesting project, we incorporated chestnut timber—reclaimed from a turn of the century tobacco mill—to create exposed trusses in a magnificent great room (chestnut trees can no longer be harvested). Reclaimed white oak planks have become a stunning wood floor in another home. We have also used reclaimed beams to serve as open shelving in a stunning kitchen. Using reclaimed planks, we have made a lengthy hallway (as risk of being boring) full of character.

Stone & Brick—have also been in high demand. We have used reclaimed brick from an abandoned factory for the exterior of a home. Fortunately there was enough brick remaining to incorporate it into the wine cellar.

On another occasion, our clients travelled to France to obtain one-of a-kind pieces. They found two antique limestone mantles and shipped them back to Houston in a container.

Tile—also offers many versatile applications. From fireplace surrounds, kitchen backsplashes to bathrooms, reclaimed tile can really set the tone for a room, and there are many different styles available.

In one of my favorite uses of reclaimed material, a powder room floor was clad in 19th century colored cement tile from Chateau Domingue.

The clients in this case had recently purchased a hunting lodge (2 hours from Houston) and wanted to make some improvements that better reflected how they intended to use the property.

When I first laid eyes on the space, I was struck by how ho-hum it was. Now I don’t want to liken it to a 1960’s kitchen begging for an update—in fact, the lodge was built by the previous owner in 2014—it simply lacked any trace of character.

Collaborating with the homeowner, we created a plan that would transform the space into a welcoming retreat where they would enjoy hosting holiday gatherings. As the wife aptly put it, “We are looking for a little less Ramada Inn, and a little more Four Seasons.”

Some of the key upgrades included:

• Constructing a wood burning fireplace in the center of the home
• Installing a cedar plank ceiling to cover the blown in brown insulation that sucked up all the light in the great room
• Installing cedar crown moulding throughout the home (where there had been none)
• Replacing the 3 inch white baseboards with 8 inch cedar
• Building three new showers in the bathrooms that were spacious and ‘spa-like’ using natural river stone

Despite the remote location, this project was completed swiftly and smoothly. With sensible additions, we were able to give this space the character it desperately needed. With all of the animal mounts, the eyes were naturally drawn upward, but the ceiling was just awful and gave the place a sickly pallor. Of all the projects I have ever worked on, this one change may have had the single most impact. (Though this ‘one change’ required the transport of scaffolding down some dusty county roads in order to reach the 20 foot ceilings.) But upon completion, this once dark and dull home became a comfortable lodge which serves as the perfect retreat for a family of six.

I have since been invited to spend a weekend at the property and I am happy to report that no one would ever liken it to a motel! Did I mention I love my job?

Before and After Photos

Budget Limitations
If you are working with a relatively limited budget, renovations can typically be done in stages to allow you to plan your expenditures more carefully. Rebuilding entails considerable expenses that must generally be paid upfront before demolition and construction begins. You should also consider the expense of temporary living arrangements during the project as part of the overall costs of rebuilding over remodeling.

Comparable Home Values
Spending the extra money to rebuild your home may not make sense if you are planning to sell in the next few years. This is especially true if your plans would make your home one of the most expensive in your local neighborhood; building a $1,000,000 home in a community dominated by $500,000 properties virtually ensures that you will not recoup the cost of your project at the time of eventual sale.

Structural Integrity
In some cases, rebuilding is preferable due to underlying structural issues that require extensive and expensive repairs. As a rule of thumb, if the cost of renovating and repairing the house to your specifications and to accepted architectural standards is more than half the cost of a complete rebuild, the rebuild will actually give you more for your money.

Customization and Control
Rebuilding can provide a fresh start and allow a much greater degree of control over the allocation and configuration of your finished living spaces. By working with a professional contractor, you can design your dream home in your current neighborhood. Remodeling projects, by contrast, are usually limited to cosmetic and minor structural alterations and do not offer the same opportunities for custom design.

Splitting the Difference
In some cases, adding on to your existing home can offer many of the benefits of rebuilding while keeping costs under control. When combined with a general remodeling project, home additions can offer a fresh new look to your living spaces and can provide you with increased space for entertaining and relaxing. Investing in a home addition can also increase the value of your home, making it a financially sound proposition as well.

The experienced professionals at Buster & Cogdell Builders will work with you to determine your priorities and create a customized plan designed to help you achieve your goals in the most financially sound way possible. Contact us today to discuss a rebuild or remodeling project. We look forward to working with you.