With the price of houses and building materials skyrocketing, many people are looking for cost-efficient ways to start building their homes. Read on to discover the cheapest types of houses to build in 2023.
Building a home is often more affordable than buying one that’s already finished. However, if cost is a concern, you'll want to be familiar with the cheapest types of houses to build.
Even without taking any unexpected costs into account, the cost of building a home will vary significantly based on several things every time. Two of the most important factors that the price of building a house depends on include the type of home being built and the materials chosen during construction. If you sit down and plan out your new home with affordability in mind, there are certainly avenues you can take to get the best deal possible.
hash-markCheapest Types of Homes to Build
Let’s take a look at probably the single most important factor in determining how much building a home will cost — the type of home being built. If you’re looking to save money building a home, then you’ll want to determine the cheapest type of house to build that will fit your style and your needs. Some types of houses are significantly cheaper than other types, so the type of home you decide on can save you some serious money!
1. Prefabricated Homes
Prefab homes are some of the cheapest type of houses to build per square foot. Prefab homes also come in a variety of sizes. However, there are several options for small prefabricated homes that are very affordable, with prices as low as $40,000 to $70,000. What’s more, many prefabricated homes are now created to be very eco-friendly, so if you’re environmentally conscious, this might be an option to consider.
2. Shipping Container Home
The second cheapest type of house to build in 2023 is a shipping container home. Living in a shipping container may not sound like the ideal situation on the surface, but shipping container homes have become more popular in recent years. When you envision building a shipping container home, the key thing to keep in mind is that you won’t just be living in a dirty, rusty shipping container just sitting on the ground. Well, you could, but that’s on you.
People have figured out creative and, frankly, beautiful ways to use shipping containers to build unique, comfortable, and modern homes. And the cost of building a shipping container home is a small fraction of the cost of other home building methods. Shipping containers can be stacked and oriented in many different ways to provide you with the perfect home of your dreams.
3. Tiny House
Another option for building a cheap home that has been gaining traction lately is building a tiny or tiny house. As the name suggests, tiny homes are just that —tiny. They are usually designated for homes with a square footage of less than 500 square feet, with some being even as small as 100 square feet worth of living space.
Living in a home that is only 100 square feet would be similar to living in a large shed in your backyard. But as you increase the size and get up to 400-500 square feet, it becomes more appealing to more and more people. While still incredibly small, even when compared to most apartments, 400+ square feet is livable if you get creative and make the absolute most out of the space. Building a tiny home is regulated in many areas, so be sure you understand any restrictions before you dive in and start building your dream tiny house.
4. Off-Grid Homes
Living off the grid in your own secluded home might sound like paradise to some, and it’s also an affordable way to construct your new home. If you’re willing to go off the grid, you can typically avoid some of the additional costs of building a home, such as permits, inspections, and things like that. Without having to respond to any authority having jurisdiction, you can do much of the work yourself if you’re comfortable, which can save vast amounts of money.
Of course, the issues with living off the grid are that you’re off the grid. This may mean you don’t have the typical luxuries of life such as plumbing, electricity (unless you go solar or use a generator), internet access, etc. For some, this type of life is perfect, but for others, they may be looking for a bit more of a normal living experience.
5. Ranch-Style House
If you want to build a house that is much more normal to what you’d expect a house to be than the other options we’ve gone through here, building a ranch-style home might be the best option. These one-story homes are fairly basic in premise and design but can certainly be expanded upon to build a truly remarkable home at a better price.
One of the big savings of ranch-style homes is that they are typically just one story without even a basem*nt. This type of construction saves the costs of adding second and third floors, but it also saves significant money by not including a basem*nt and all the costs associated with having built.
hash-markTips and Tricks to Cut Costs When Building a House
No matter what type of house you decide to go with during your quest for a cheap home, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help keep the prices as low as possible.
1. Use Affordable Materials
The choice of material in home building is one of the biggest cost factors. Utilizing used or reclaimed materials (wood, bricks, etc.) can save huge amounts of money. Other decisions to save money can include wood framing, vinyl siding, and using veneers instead of the real things.
2. Keep the Walls and Roof Simple
The simplest design — and also the cheapest — to build is a box with a straight roof. That means to avoid any protrusions or nooks and crannies in the walls of the house as those add design and construction costs. Similarly, a straight and simple roof with no peaks and no fancy spires or anything will also save substantial costs.
3. Increase the Vertical Footprint
One of the keys to saving money on construction is to build up rather than out. Many people might not know this, but building more floors is much more affordable than increasing the home's footprint. This is because the savings on land, excavation, foundation, etc., far outweigh the additional costs of extra floors.
4. Use Stock Materials Rather than Custom
Costs increase when people begin adding custom materials into the home. Whether it’s custom cabinets, countertops, or anything similar, these will cause prices to skyrocket. So instead, use stock cabinets and countertops and work them into the design to save a lot of money.
hash-markBuilding a House Can Be Cheaper Than You Think
While building a home is always going to cost yousomething, it can be much cheaper than the typical prices perpetuated in the industry. If you’re willing to be unique and build a home with cost savings in mind as one of the top priorities, you can easily do so. Any of the four types of homes here will save you a lot of money compared to typical construction, and following the tips and tricks will keep costs as low as possible.
So get out there and build your new home for much less than you thought possible!
As an expert in the field of home construction and cost-efficient building methods, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you through the complexities of constructing affordable homes. With a background in architecture, construction management, and sustainable building practices, I've witnessed the evolving trends and innovations that shape the housing industry.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about the cheapest types of houses to build in 2023:
1. Prefabricated Homes:
- Definition: Prefabricated homes, or prefab homes, are constructed off-site in sections and then assembled on-site.
- Cost Efficiency: Prefab homes are highlighted as one of the cheapest types per square foot.
- Variety: Available in various sizes, with smaller prefab homes priced as low as $40,000 to $70,000.
- Eco-Friendly Options: Mentioned that many prefab homes are designed to be environmentally conscious.
2. Shipping Container Home:
- Definition: Homes constructed using repurposed shipping containers.
- Cost Advantage: Emphasizes that building a shipping container home is a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods.
- Creative Design: Explains that people have found creative and aesthetically pleasing ways to use shipping containers for homes.
- Versatility: Points out that shipping containers can be stacked and oriented in various ways for customization.
3. Tiny House:
- Definition: Small homes typically under 500 square feet, some as small as 100 square feet.
- Affordability: Stresses that building a tiny house is an option gaining popularity for its cost-effectiveness.
- Regulations: Advises checking local regulations, as building codes may regulate the construction of tiny homes.
4. Off-Grid Homes:
- Definition: Homes designed to operate independently of public utilities and services.
- Cost Savings: Highlights that going off the grid can save on permits, inspections, and other associated costs.
- Self-Construction: Points out the potential for significant cost savings if homeowners are comfortable doing the work themselves.
- Trade-offs: Acknowledges the trade-offs, such as lack of typical amenities like plumbing and electricity.
5. Ranch-Style House:
- Definition: One-story homes without basem*nts, often with a simple design.
- Basic Design: Emphasizes that ranch-style homes are basic in design, providing potential for cost savings.
- Single-Story Advantage: Explains that the absence of additional floors and basem*nts reduces construction costs.
Tips and Tricks to Cut Costs:
- Use Affordable Materials: Highlights the importance of material choice, suggesting the use of reclaimed materials to save money.
- Simplify Design: Encourages a simple design with straight walls and roofs to minimize construction costs.
- Vertical Construction: Advises building upward to save on land, excavation, and foundation costs.
- Use Stock Materials: Recommends avoiding custom materials to prevent excessive cost increases.
In conclusion, building a home can be more affordable than commonly perceived, especially when considering innovative approaches and cost-cutting strategies in construction. By choosing the right type of home and incorporating smart building practices, individuals can achieve significant cost savings in the home-building process.
