Custom Home Building Costs In Finer Neighborhoods Close To Washington, D.C.

Prospective clients often ask us what we charge to build a custom home. The answer is simple. Since no two custom homes are exactly the same, there is no set formula for determining a price. In the areas where we typically build - Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Cabin John, Kensington, Arlington, Great Falls, and Northwest Washington, D.C. - a custom home could cost anywhere from $900,000 to millions of dollars. To better understand that vast range, let's delve deeper into some of the factors that will influence the final price such as the location, design, size, and style of a home, as well as the types of materials that are chosen for finishes, permitting and insurance costs, and much more.

1. Differences Between Custom, Spec, and Production Homes

First, it is important to understand the difference between a truly custom home and other new homes that may be available on the market. Here's a brief explanation of the different types of new home construction.

Custom Home

A custom home is crafted from a personalized set of plans so that the finished product is one-of-a-kind. The location, style, and features of the home are determined by a client's specifications and budget. Some custom homes are very large, but others are small to medium size. The goal of a custom homebuilder should be to create a home that truly fits each client's taste and lifestyle. Since designing and building a new custom home is a lengthy, involved, and expensive process, there should be a true partnership between a client and homebuilder.

Click here to read tips about choosing the right homebuilder for you.

Each custom home is unique, so initial cost estimating is an art as well as a science. Understanding the client's objectives and budget from the early stages of planning is crucial for the homebuilder to deliver an experience and product that meets - and hopefully exceeds - expectations. Therefore, the first step in determining the cost of a custom home is for the homebuilder to meet face-to-face with a prospective client and have an in-depth conversation. Some basic topics that should be covered in this discovery meeting include:

• Do you already own a lot, or will you need assistance in finding one?
  Note: If a client does not already own a property that will accommodate the size and type of custom home that is desired, the homebuilder should be able to help with identifying, evaluating, and purchasing a lot.
• What are your goals for your custom home in terms of functionality, style, and aesthetics?
• How many square-feet of living space and how many bedrooms and bathrooms will your family require?
• What is your overall budget?

After the homebuilder understands what the client wants and can afford, the design phase of the project begins. The homebuilder should prepare a Design and Specifications Agreement that details all items discussed in the initial meeting. The document is then signed by both parties, and a deposit is provided by the client.

At this point, the client, homebuilder, architect, and civil engineer begin the collaborative work of designing the custom home. All finishes should be selected by the client with the assistance of the homebuilder, and possibly an interior designer, to ensure that the project will remain within the stated budget. 

When all selections, architectural plans, and engineering plans are completed, the homebuilder presents the client with written specifications, a timeline, and an estimated price. Be aware that prices are only estimated in the pre-construction phase of a project because many vendors will not guarantee pricing until orders are actually placed. In addition, the cost of lumber, pipes, steel, and other materials used to build a home can fluctuate between the time an estimate is created and when these items are ordered as the construction phase of a project begins. For these reasons, it is wise to have a cushion in your budget in case some prices are higher than anticipated. Also note that lead times for appliances, garage doors, plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and more can be lengthy, so add some flexibility into your timeline in case some items take much longer than expected to arrive.

Once everything is agreed upon and approved, the client and homebuilder enter in a Construction Agreement that includes final pricing. Then, the homebuilder obtains all required permits, and the construction phase begins. Click here to see an illustrated timeline of the process of creating a custom home.

Spec Home

Sometimes, a homebuilder will buy a lot, design a home, and build it with the intention of selling it once it is completed. This practice is known as building a spec, or speculative, home. A spec home may sell during the course of construction, and in that case, the homebuyer may be able to customize some of the finishes but will not be able to change the floor plan or style of the home. Spec homes are usually well-located and built with amenities and upgrades that appeal to buyers in a specific market. One of the benefits of purchasing a spec home is that the buyer can have a brand-new home without having to make a tremendous number of selections and decisions.

Production Home

Production, or tract, home building is very different than custom or spec home building. Typically, a production builder owns a large tract of land that is divided into similarly sized lots. All homes in the community are built in the same style with two or three variations of the same floor plan. This allows tract builders to sell their product at a predetermined price to buyers up front.

Sheer volume makes it possible for a tract builder to purchase materials and to hire labor at lower prices than is possible for custom or spec homebuilders. Finishes like cabinetry, appliances, hardware, paint, and flooring are selected by the builder, but in some cases, buyers will have the opportunity to pay more to upgrade certain items. 

2. Lot Size And Location

Typically, a custom homebuilder assists the client in identifying, evaluating, and purchasing the lot on which a home will be built. As a general rule, the lot price will be about 35-50% of the total cost of a new custom home project. Since lot prices vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, carefully consider how location will impact your overall budget as you plan for your new home.

For instance, lot prices in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and Northwest Washington, DC can range anywhere from the $800,000's to millions of dollars. Our article, Factors To Consider When Choosing A Custom Home Lot In The Washington, D.C. Area, offers valuable information about working with a homebuilding professional to make sure the lot you are thinking of purchasing will not only suit your budget and your location needs, but also will allow you to build the size and type of home you want.

Since it is difficult to find empty lots in established neighborhoods that are close to Washington, D.C., custom and spec homes are often built where older homes once stood. That way, homeowners can get the best of both worlds: a brand-new home without sacrificing a great location. This practice is called "residential infill building." Click here to learn more.

3. Home Size and Style

The size of a custom home impacts everything from the cost of materials and labor to the lot requirements, to the time that will be needed to complete the project. Custom homes can range in size from 2,500 to 20,000 square feet or more. When calculating the cost per-square-foot of a home, some homebuilders only take into account finished living space while others include areas such as garages, 2-story space, porches, patios, basements, and attics. Ask your homebuilder to clarify how he or she determines the square footage in your new custom home so that you understand your true costs.

The style of your new home also impacts the total cost. In general, materials used to construct an ultra-contemporary home can be much more expensive than those used to build a traditional-style home because they are often made-to-order. There are often additional structural considerations and challenges associated with building a contemporary home, too. For example, you may have your heart set on having an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass with custom swiveling doors to the outside instead of a standard entryway in a contemporary home. That decision could take a big chunk of your budget and force you to reduce costly specifications in other areas.

4. Variables - Finishes, Appliances, and More

A custom home client should always be an active participant throughout the design and construction process. The client will make all of the selections including windows and doors, plumbing and lighting fixtures, tile, cabinets, appliances, flooring, trim, and much more, often with the assistance of the homebuilder or an interior designer. Until all of these selections are made, it is impossible for a homebuilder to determine exactly how much these variable costs will impact the final price of a custom home for many reasons. Appliances run the gamut in terms of features and cost. There is a wide range of styles available for windows and doors, and some are far more expensive than others. Other finishes such as flooring, tile, cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and molding will all add to the bottom-line cost of your project, and their costs vary greatly depending upon what you choose. Check to make sure that every selection you make works within your overall budget.

5. Permitting and Insurance Costs

Each municipality is different, so it's essential to understand that every custom home project will require special permitting, and most likely, a special type of insurance policy. Your homebuilder, architect, and civil engineer should know about all permitting requirements in your jurisdiction and should communicate them to you at the beginning of the construction phase. You will need to include estimates for these costs in your budget, and you should also factor in some extra time for your project in case the permitting process takes longer than expected.

6. Partner With An Experienced Homebuilder

Discuss your budget openly with your homebuilder during the initial stages of planning for your custom home so that there are few surprises once design and construction begins. Identify areas where you can save money by making educated decisions early in the process. Understand how making changes after your project is underway will affect your final costs, too. Finally, know that having a great working relationship and open communication with your homebuilding professional will make the overall experience of designing and building your custom home enjoyable and rewarding.

At Meridian Homes, we specialize in luxury remodeling and custom home building in the Washington, DC area. Our mission is to create exceptional residences that exceed expectations. Our highly personalized design process and careful management of every project have earned us a reputation over many years for outstanding client service and solid, beautiful craftsmanship. Contact us today to begin your custom home or remodeling project.