Home Prices Today!

Updated on 02.11.2024

Good news is that lumber has come down from where it was during Covid. The bad new is that some materials continue to rise in cost. Cabinets and concrete went up again in Jan. However home prices have stabilized for the most part, so if you give us a call we can go over what the prices are right now.

How much will it cost to build my home?

The price largely depends on what you want in your home. That being said we can give you a standard home price over the phone. We just need a few details about the house and land you want to build on and we can give a rough number. One thing that’s important to know when getting an estimate from a builder. Say you sent a builder your plans and he says he can build your house for $230 a sqft and another builder says he can do it for 205 a sqft. It’s clear you should go with the builder that has the better price right? I mean they both looked at the same plans. This is where you should as how do you come up with your price per square foot? The first builder gave you an estimate of $215 a heated sqft and the other builder gave you an estimate of $175 for under the roof sqft. This is an important question because the first builder may be the better price after all. Once you know how they are coming up with the number for the estimate you can do the math yourself and see the real difference in price.

What is a perk test and why do I need one?

A perk test is very important. It’s a test of your soil to see if it can handle a traditional septic tank. It’s important to find this out before you buy land. If you buying the land be sure to state that the sale is contingent upon the perk test results. This helps in the event the ground fails to perk because a normal septic with good ground cost around $7,500 and an engineered system cost around $25,000. You may be able to get the price of the land lowered the difference of the system if the test fails. This way you don’t get a surprise price increase when your builder starts putting your estimate together.

We recommend Davis Horizon for your perk test. Schedule yours today at the below website. Tell them HD sent you!

How much does it cost to build a basement?

Installing an unfinished basement foundation cost roughly $120 - $150 per square foot on average, while the cost to finish a basement adds roughly $190-$200 per square foot to the cost of the home. this depends largely on the selections made for the basement finish. Most homeowners spend $60,000 to $90,000 to build their full basement foundation with adequate moisture prevention and drainage. These prices can changes based on the materials used to build your basement and the grading needed to your site.

Do I need to already have land or can you help us find some?

No you don’t have to come to us with land. We work with a few developers that keep us updated on what they have available. May Green Properties is one of these developers. They have amazing developments with big lots and natural green spaces, green buffers at the back of each lot so you don’t have to worry about having a neighbor right behind you. They are easy to work with and always have more lots coming available. We can meet and show you around the lots and at the same time show you some homes we are building.

How much does a detached Garage Cost?

An unfinished garage roughly cost $80-$85 a sqft. While a finished garage cost roughly $90-$100 a sqft. Unfinished meaning no drywall or insulation on the inside of the garage. A Finished garage would be finished like the inside of a home with paint, trim, and possible AC and Heat. There are many things that can change the price so call with details about your build and we can price the garage better.

Why should we choose HD Builders over another builder?

Simply put we treat everyone with respect and understand that this is a big investment. We are honest and will never hide cost and are upfront about everything. Every homeowner is important to us and we will take the time to make the home building process fun and exciting. Most importantly we will try to make it as stress free as possible. Our homeowners become family!

How long will it take to build our home?

The average home build takes six to nine months to complete depending on the home, weather, and material delays. Before we break ground we will need to pull permits and meet with the county which can take a few weeks.

What happens after we decide to move forward with the build?

Once we have done yours homes cost breakdown and you agree to the price we will go and sit down with suppliers. This is important because some materials need to be ordered as soon as possible so the build will not be delayed. We will give you a list of places to go and pick out different products for your home like brick color, stone type, flooring, light fixtures, and cabinets. Basically its time to go shopping and our suppliers will roll out the red carpet for you.

What about well and septic?

Your well and septic are included in the price we give you. The septic price is based off how many bedrooms you have in your home. The well priced is based off the well driller going to 200ft to find water. If your well goes deeper then that it cost $20 per ft after that. Most wells hit water before or around the 200ft mark.

Do I need to pull the permits?

When you hire us we do everything. All you will need to do is show us the house site and mark where you want it. Then go shopping to pick out everything for your home.

Don’t know where to start with the bank?

Call one of our trusted loan specialist listed below! They will help with any questions you may have.

Jim Sanderell / Univest Bank / Mortgage Loan Originator

Ph: 215.703.5454 / Email: sanderellj@univest.net

Sally Melton / United Bank / Mortgage Loan Originator

Ph: 803.831.2373  / Email: Sally.Meton@BankWithUnited.com

Tena Cornwell / South State Bank

Ph: 803.909.6816  / Email: Tena.Cornwell@soutstatebank.com

What to know about building a home from start to finish.

If you can’t find your dream home on the market or if you want to create a home that’s uniquely yours, you might consider building a house. Buyers who decided to build new homes were more likely to say that selecting the floor plan, having everything in the home be brand-new and customizing their home features were among their top reasons.* Before deciding if new construction is for you, you’ll want to learn about the different types of new-home construction and familiarize yourself with the process, from the initial land search all the way to selecting finishing touches. 

Typically, when someone says they’re planning to build their own home, they are referring to a fully custom build where they have a say in almost everything (short of items restricted by local laws and zoning regulations). But, in the realm of new construction, there are three different approaches buyers can take: 

Spec homes. With a spec home (short for speculative home), a home builder designs and constructs a single-family home without having one individual buyer in mind. Instead, they plan on selling the house to a buyer once it’s finished. Depending on how early in the process you are able to go under contract, you may be able to select some of the home’s final touches, like flooring, kitchen appliances and paint color. Sometimes these homes are listed for sale as “pre-construction.” 

Tract homes. With a tract home, a developer purchases a parcel of land and divides it into individual lots. Then, a home builder constructs all of the homes in that planned community. Tract homes can be condominiums, townhomes or single-family homes. Most homes in the community will look similar, and shared amenities are common. Similar to spec homes, you may be able to select some finishes in advance, depending on the timeline. 

Fully custom homes. With a fully custom home, you typically find the land on your own then hire a builder to build your dream home. You have total control over the floor plan, layout and finishes, but the process requires a lot of decision-making, attention to detail and disciplined budgeting — custom homes can be expensive. 

Since custom homes are the most complex new construction option out there, we’ll spend most of this article explaining the process.

Check your financing options

Once you’ve decided that building a custom home is the right choice for you, the next step is figuring out how you’ll pay for it — and a traditional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage isn’t an option for custom home construction, at least not at first. 

Unless you can pay for the entire build with cash, you’ll likely be looking for a construction loan, which is also sometimes called a self-build loan or a construction mortgage. Getting a construction loan is often more difficult than getting a traditional mortgage, as you’re borrowing money for a concept and not a physical house. You’ll need to provide your lender with a timetable, budget, floor plans, materials needed and extensive details to be considered. Other things to know about construction loans:

• They have variable rates that are often higher than typical mortgage rates.

• A 20%-25% down payment is usually required.

• The loan can include the land you’re purchasing or it can cover only the construction costs if you already own the land.

• There’s an opportunity to refinance into a traditional fixed-rate mortgage once construction is complete.

Locate the right lot

If you don’t already own the land you plan to build on, you’ll need to shop around for the right lot. A real estate agent can help you identify lots for sale in your area. 

As you narrow down lots you like, you’ll want to loop in your architect and builder to make sure the lot you select fits the needs of your home’s floor plan and design. They should be able to help you check zoning laws and restrictions and identify any attributes of the lot that might make it more expensive to build on — for example, a steeply graded lot may require more engineering, or a lot in a remote area may necessitate a septic tank.

Plan and design the home

Figuring out the size, layout and style of your home is a big task, and it can happen before or after the lot is selected, depending on your individual plans. When you’re building a custom home, the sky’s the limit, although you will need to keep in mind your budget and any limitations of your lot. And, if you don’t plan on living in the home forever, consider how design decisions will affect the home’s future resale value. 

The professionals on your team will be able to help you home in on the right style and layout, but it doesn’t hurt to get a feel for what you might want in advance. Drive around your area and identify homes you like. Look for interior design inspiration online or research the latest smart home features to see if you think they’re worth the added cost. 

Here are a few important design decisions that need to be made early on:

Number of bedrooms and bathrooms. How many people will be living in the house? Is your family growing, or are you downsizing? What about houseguests?

Single story vs. two story or more. Are there mobility issues that should be accommodated? Would a one-story home be easier for those with limited mobility living there? 

Outdoor space. How important is outdoor space and how much should you have? The bigger the yard, the more maintenance involved. 

Open concept or individual rooms. How open you want your house to be depends on your taste and lifestyle. Individual rooms give a more classic feel, while open concept homes are more modern. 

Home style. What aesthetic do you want your house’s exterior to have? Tudor, Cape Cod, craftsman, colonial?

Interior design. Are you partial to modern design, a more traditional look or something in between? If you plan on using the same furnishings you have now, will they match the look of the new home? 

Additional features. Think through other features that need to be decided on early in the process, like smart home compatibility, eco-friendly materials or solar panels. 

Future resale value. If you think you’ll sell the home at some point in the future, consider the home’s possible resale value. For example, if you add a pool or an upscale kitchen, will your home be priced too high for the neighborhood?

Hire professionals

Building a home isn’t an easy task, and it’s rare to take on the entire project yourself. So, you’ll need to have several different professionals by your side to ensure your home is structurally sound, follows local code and suits your needs.

Home builder

Hiring the right builder can make or break your custom home experience. Be sure to choose someone who is a licensed general contractor that is insured and bonded.

To find your builder, you can ask for a referral from friends and family, search online, or ask your real estate agent for recommendations. A good builder will help with:

• Budget

• Zoning laws, including acquiring permits

• Infrastructure needs, like utilities and sewer

Architect

In most places, in order to even apply for permits, you’ll need architectural plans. Discuss the following details with your architect before they create your blueprints:

• Square footage

• Stories

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Layout

• Functionality

Other professionals

In addition to these key players, there are other professionals involved in the custom-home-building process. Many of these people are hired by your home builder or general contractor:

• Land clearing crew

• Surveyor

• Structural engineer

• Inspector (from the city)

• Plumbers

• Electricians

Understand the process of building a house

After the designs and blueprints have been finalized and your permits have been approved, that’s when construction starts and your home begins to take shape, generally following these steps: 

1. Land prep
The first step in the construction process is getting the land ready. This includes clearing the area, digging trenches and making sure utilities are installed. 

2. Footings and foundation
Your foundation will be made of poured concrete reinforced with steel rods. Depending on the part of the country you’re building in and the design of your home, you may have a slab foundation, crawl space or a full basement. No matter what kind of foundation is poured, it will be sprayed with a waterproofing material and inspected by the city before framing begins. 

3. Framing
In the framing step, the bones of the home start to take shape. Framing includes the floor joists, subfloors, studs that form the walls and roof trusses. During this step, the crew will wrap the house to protect it from moisture. If construction is taking place during a rainy time of year, your builder may also install windows, roof shingles and siding during this step. 

4. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC
Once the home is “dried in,” subcontractors will start installing the home’s major systems, including plumbing pipes, electrical wiring and heating and cooling ducts. Each of these steps requires signoff from a local inspector. 

5. Insulation
Your home’s insulation needs will vary by climate, but in general, insulation will be applied to exterior walls, basements, crawl spaces and attics. Fiberglass, cellulose and foam insulation are all options. 

6. Drywall
Drywall panels are hung with screws, taped and mudded, and a spray texture is applied. Then the new walls are primed with paint.  

7. Interior finishes
In this step, most of the home’s interior features will be added. This includes doors, baseboards, casings, window sills, stair balusters, kitchen counters and cabinets, bathtubs, vanities, and hard-surfaced flooring. Interior painting and hardwood installation are sometimes done during this step, but they may be done later if there is risk of damage due to continuing construction. 

8. Exterior finishes
Driveways, walkways, patios and final grading to direct water away from home will all be completed. Landscaping and exterior decorating happen during this step too. 

9. Fixture installation
With the house close to completion, toilets, faucets, light switches, heat register covers, the hot water heater, the electrical panel and the HVAC systems are all installed. Many of these items require another round of inspection. Another task that happens in this step is the installation of glass fixtures like mirrors and shower doors. 

10. Flooring installation
Carpet and hardwood flooring are added in this late stage. Make sure to check with your builder on the status of your hardwood finishing process so you don’t accidentally damage them. 

11. Final inspection
Once construction is complete, a final inspection will be conducted by a local building official. Upon passing, you’ll receive a certificate of occupancy, which gives you the green light to move in. 

12. Final walkthrough
Before you move in, you’ll want to do a final walkthrough with your builder to identify punch list items that need to be repaired for the job to be considered complete. Common punch list items include electrical defects like nonfunctioning outlets, damage to drywall and paint, or missing fixtures.