How to budget By Greg Jordan    When a family decides to build a house budgeting is an important factor. The first thing to consider is financing. How much of a mortgage can the family afford? Be honest, you don't want to end up "house poor", with a large percentage of your income going to a home that may cost too much for your family. Once you have decided what you can afford then you can begin considering square footage. Most homes are based on cost per square foot with the average between $125.00 and $150.00. This figure can skyrocket if a family doesn't take budget into consideration in the design phase. Many things can affect the cost per square foot and with ever increasing materials prices the cost can change from week to week.    What are some factors that can greatly affect the cost of a home? One way to save money would be to cut down on the amount of masonry (stone or bricks) that is used on the exterior of your home. Only use masonry on architecturally significant features. Combining stone or brick with stucco, wood, galvanized steel or hardi board can create a harmonic balance of materials that is aesthetically pleasing. Architects and designers can be very helpful in this phase of the design process. Interior floor coverings are also a huge cost. There exist many options for floor coverings. Some are very expensive (as much as $15.00 per square foot or more) whereas; many intermediately priced floors are available. It is possible to find reasonably priced wood floors if the consumer is willing to do some research. Another possibility is stained concrete rather than a floor covering. Stained concrete offers a durable, easy to care for option that is great if a family has animals. If a couple wants to use a renewable source Bamboo or cork floors are also becoming very popular.    There are many ways to stay within your budget. A creative builder can help with ideas on how to save money. Having a complete set of plans and specifications along with a comprehensive schedule can also greatly reduce your cost and make your home building experience a positive one. Greg Jordan is the owner of Omountain Homes and has been building & remodeling homes since 1986. He does projects throughout central Texas. Omountain Homes can be reached by calling 847-5507 or 557-4790 or you can e-mail them Close this window