Setting A Budget For Your Custom Home in Fort Myers, Florida
By Harden Custom Homes 14 Oct 2019

It’s the America dream achieved. You have worked hard and are now ready to reap some of the rewards and build your own brand new custom-designed home. Congratulations!


Before you embark on this amazing journey we wanted to get your attention for a moment to give you the insider information on what considerations need to be made in the initial planning stages. It is vital for the outcome of the project to outline in detail all of the following items which relate to the ultimate project cost. This helps to ensure you get everything you dreamed of while still coming in under or at budget.


Planning and dreaming are the fun part. Budgeting? Eh, not so much. But understanding the basics help put that in perspective so that you can easily do both and have the home you desire.


Working with a well respected builder such as Harden Custom Homes of Fort Myers, Florida can benefit you tremendously as they are a learned wealth of knowledge. They have decades of experience in all of the needed areas to help you set a budget in the early stages before beginning your project. It is always ok to check in with your builder in regard to the budget and expenses throughout the entire construction process to ensure your budget is on track and adjusting spending if necessary.


INCLUSIONS TO CONSIDER:


Land Acquisition


Your first major purchase when building your dream home is going to be your dream location, not only will the location have a huge impact on the homes value but also your future lifestyle. It’s best to take into careful consideration the location of your future home. Is it close to your work and a decent school district? How is the neighborhood? Is it close to great amenities, such as a nice shopping/entertainment district? Location is one thing you will want to splurge a little more on as it will impact every aspect of your lifestyle.



Improvement Costs (Land)


You find the perfect location! But, just as you get excited you realize that the land itself may need some work. This is one of the most overlooked costs by first time home builders. Some lots may need some major work before it is ready to receive a build. Trees removed, ground resurfaced and landscaping. The best advice is to talk with your builder before you purchase.


The Actual Building Costs of the Home


The cost of building your home will be straight forward once you have chosen a design and drawn up the plan. It is important to give them all the must-have inclusions to ensure the most accurate estimate possible. 


Make Sure to Include Upgrades


The second biggest mistake made, next to not including land upgrades, is adding in the cost of the “little” extras.


Upgrades can encompass everything from custom cabinetry to energy efficient appliances.  Basic versions of these items are usually in the plan but the upgrade cost can be overlooked and you do not want that surprise at the end.


Make sure to discuss in detail what appliances, features, and custom extras you may wish to add to your home and account for them into the final tally.


Planning ahead and working with your builder is the best way to ensure your custom home build meets both your budget and needs. When deciding on a budget pay close attention to the details and never hesitate to ask your builder for advice; we at Harden Custom Homes are happy to help!


To view some of our work, visit www.hardencustomhomes.com or call us at (239) 205-5075. Our corporate showroom is located at 5782 Enterprise Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33905. We would love to meet you.