When you make the decision to build a custom home, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an unlimited budget to spend on creating the home of your dreams. You can save money on a custom home. If you aren’t ready to sacrifice some of the luxury items you want inside the home – that gorgeous country kitchen you’ve always dreamed of or the finished media room in the basement, for example – then you may be looking for other ways to trim expenses from your construction budget.

Today we’re taking a look at four unexpected ways that you might be able to get everything you want inside your dream home without breaking the bank.

Choose the Right Lot

Let’s face it – land is expensive. Depending on where you live, in some cases land might even cost more than the materials and labor to actually build your home! So if the property your home sits on is less important to you than the home itself, consider your options. For example:

• Buy a large lot with a family member or friend and splitting it to save on the cost.
• Choose a “problem lot” – one that might have hills or obstructed views – and work with your builder to make your home fit the landscape.
• If you just HAVE to have waterfront property, consider building on a canal or bay instead of oceanfront – you’ll save money and still get to enjoy living on the water.

Modify a Stock Plan

Do you want a truly unique home or do you just want a home that you love everything about? If you don’t mind sharing some basic design elements with other homes, your builder may have stock plans that can be modified to fit the lot you’ve selected, and then customized to include the conveniences and luxuries that are important to you. So if you don’t feel the need to have a one-of-a-kind architectural wonder, customizing an existing plan can help you save money on a custom home!

Go Energy Efficient

Using energy efficient materials – from the actual construction materials to the appliances that go in the home – can make a big difference in a few different ways when it comes to your new custom home:

• Energy savings can result in lower utility bills throughout the lifespan of the home without having to compromise on comfort.
• Tax credits for energy efficient home construction are available to encourage homeowners to make environmentally conscious building decisions. Talk to your builder about possible credits you could take advantage of.

Don’t Skimp on Materials

This may seem counterintuitive when want to save money on a custom home, but buying quality materials can make a big difference in your budget long term. Using high quality materials up front results in reduced long-term maintenance costs and a longer lifespan for the home as a whole. That means that if you do decide to sell your home someday (whether it’s to downsize or to build another dream home) that it’ll require less work and have a better resale value. Plus, using high quality materials can help avoid safety concerns, which will give you peace of mind.