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Planning to build a new home and want to get the most bang for your buck? With labor and materials accounting for a large chunk of the cost in new home construction, it’s important to take a deep dive into the house plan design. Here are 10 ways to sharpen the pencil for construction savings and, at the same time, add a touch of pizazz.

1. SPACIAL RELATIONSHIPS
   Utilize open space to your advantage. Open spaces can borrow from each other and require less overall square footage. This creates a greater sense of spaciousness without adding to the cost. Additionally, house plan designs that arrange rooms and access doors at 45-degree angles have a better feel, making them more accessible and open. They also appear larger than their actual size. This technique can be cost-effective when used for interior, non-bearing walls.
2. UNITS OF MEASURE
   Think in even numbers when designing your home plan. Most building materials are based on 2-foot increments. By using 2-foot multiples throughout your design, you minimize waste and disposal expenses, as well as reduce cutting time.
3. PREFAB TRUSSES
   For certain home building projects, prefabricated roof trusses are more cost-effective than site-built ones. They save on labor and construction time, and also reduce the exposure of interior framing members to the elements.
4. SIMPLE FRAMING
   Minimize the interruption of floor joists by strategically locating stairs and other framed openings. If your home plan allows it, run stairwell openings parallel to the joists to minimize the need for long girder spans. Additionally, make sure that stairwell and other framed openings do not interrupt structural beams or bearing walls.
5. CUTTING CORNERS
   Exterior wall corners that result from the shape of the structure add to the overall construction cost. A square-shaped plan has 4 outside corners, as does a rectangular plan. An “L” shaped plan has 5 outside corners and 1 inside corner. Structures with numerous wings and jogs can have multiple inside and outside corners. Simplifying the footprint of your home can help keep expenses down. However, some corners have a smaller impact on cost and are a preferable design alternative. Non-bearing bump-outs that are cantilevered or supported by brackets don’t require corners in the supporting foundation below. Bay windows and other small projections under the main roof also don’t require separate roof framing. This is a more cost-effective way to achieve visual interest or add interior space.
6. STOCK WINDOWS AND DOORS
   Specialty windows and doors may add beauty and architectural appeal, but they can also significantly increase your building budget. Instead, consider enhancing standard window sizes and styles by grouping them in creative patterns or adding unique trim details to the exterior. For example, frame and trim attractive arches at the header portion of a garage door opening to accommodate standard square top garage doors. This creates the appearance of an arched door without the added cost.
7. STANDARD BEARING SUPPORTS
   Keeping spans within normal limits allows you to use standard, readily available beams, girders, and joists, avoiding costly special orders or expensive engineering. For two-story house plans, stack structural bearing walls to fall within code limits.
8. MECHANICAL LOCATION
   Place designated areas for HVAC and plumbing equipment as centrally as possible in the basement or crawl space of your home plan. This minimizes the need for long pipe lines and duct runs to their respective destinations. Whenever feasible, stack bathrooms over one another or set them back-to-back to reduce pipe usage.
9. PASSIVE GAINS
   Strategically place large amounts of south-facing glass under overhangs during the warmest season to save on winter energy bills. Additionally, position windows to capture the most light and airflow, reducing the need for electrical lighting and cooling.
10. CURB APPEAL
    Use non-structural elements to enhance the exterior facade. For example, add extra trim details or non-structural synthetic stone columns at the front entry to make your home stand out at a reasonable cost. A pergola and multi-colored trim or siding can also break up the monotony of a flat exterior wall.

With a little creative thinking, these ten cost-saving design ideas can go a long way in making your next home building project a financial success. They will help turn the house plan design of your dreams into a reality.

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Ihab Salloum