Building your house can be a fantastic way to ensure your future home has everything you’ll need to be happy and content. However, the process can be expensive, especially if you’re not keeping a close eye on your budget.


Thankfully, we’ve got some helpful advice on the cheapest way to build a house. We’ll explore some of the best tips and tricks for building an affordable house. Let’s get started!

Is it cheaper to build or buy a house?

Before we even get started talking about the best way to build an affordable house, we should address whether building a house is less expensive than buying one.


This is a surprisingly tricky question because the answer depends on many different factors. Depending on where you live, the cost of land, materials, and labor will all influence how much it costs to build a house. If buying an existing home in your area tends to be expensive, it might be more affordable to build a new home. On the other hand, if materials like lumber are particularly expensive where you live, you may be better off buying a home.


These are just a few of the factors in play. To learn more, read our post, Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy A House? 

What are the cheapest types of houses to build?

If you’re looking to save money building an affordable house, choosing the right design goes a long way. Here are some of the cheapest types of houses to build per square foot according to data from Home Guide:

  • Pole barn house - $50 to $150 per square foot

  • Modular home - $80 to $160 per square foot

  • Shipping container home - $150 to $350 per square foot

  • Tiny house - $150 to $450 per square foot

  • One-story ranch - $100 to $200 per square foot

These types of home designs tend to be cheaper because they’re small, simple, and customizable, making it easy to find ways to save money in the house-building process. 

7 tips for the cheapest way to build a house

Here’s some guidance for building an affordable house.

Budget, plan, and price all items and amenities

When building a home for as little money as possible, it’s essential to create a specific budget and stick to it. Be sure to note any changing prices for materials and adjust your budget to keep from exceeding your limit.

Keep your home’s design simple

Keep your design simple to build an affordable house

Keeping your home simple will be relatively easy with a ranch or tiny house, but it’s still possible to accidentally go overboard with your home’s design. Making things too complex can add up quickly and eat away at your budget. So, try to stick to simple designs. Plus, simple designs will help you cut down on structural costs for things like foundations and house framing.

Get your design plans approved

Building a home without getting your plans approved can result in hefty fines if you’re not careful. It can also cause a lot of wasted time and money if you’re forced to go back, redesign, and then wait for approval after the fact. Get all of your plans approved by your city, county, or local authority before construction starts to save yourself a major headache later.


If you need a site plan to help you prepare for permits, get in touch with My Site Plan for help.

Pick your building materials wisely

Different building materials will have different costs, so pick your materials carefully to help keep your house construction affordable. Some of the most affordable materials you should consider working with include:

Also, look for sources of reclaimed materials and ask suppliers if they offer builders discounts. Taking these steps can help save you a lot of money in the long run! 

Work with an experienced home builder

Experienced contractors will help you build an affordable house

Working with an experienced general contractor can help prevent accidents or missteps during the construction process. Their knowledge and experience will often help you save money thanks to knowledge gained on previous jobs. Just keep in mind that the best contractors don’t come cheap — but they’ll likely end up saving you money in the long run.

Become a general contractor

Becoming certified as a general contractor can save you the costs of hiring one out of pocket. However, you should only consider going this route if you have some skills or knowledge regarding construction. And even then, you’ll likely want to work with a subcontractor to ensure everything is done right.


Learn more about becoming your own contractor. 

DIY as much as possible

Building a home yourself has never been easier since there are so many quality DIY tutorials and guides online for people to follow. DIYing a lot of your home construction can be a great way to save money! Just be careful and only take on the jobs you’re completely comfortable with.

Save time and money when building an affordable house

Building your home can be a unique and rewarding experience, but keeping costs down is a task in and of itself. Being prepared, doing your research, consulting with experts, and choosing the right home designs are all great ways to build an inexpensive home.


If you need help drawing up simple floor plans or need a site plan for permits, My Site Plan can help. Get in touch with our team today to see how we can help you find the cheapest way to build a house.

FAQs

Before finishing up this article, we would like to take a brief moment to explore a few common questions regarding the house construction process.

What's the most expensive part of building a house?

The answer depends on several factors, but the most expensive part of building a home will typically be the piece of land you purchase to build on. Beyond that, the house’s foundation, framing, and plumbing will also cost quite a bit, especially for larger, multi-story homes. 

What is the cheapest way to build a foundation?

To build the cheapest possible foundation, it’s typically best to stick with a low-cost concrete slab. These are generally the most affordable and quickest foundation options available for new homes.

How do I estimate how much it will cost to build a house?

This can be tricky because it involves a wide array of factors, including your home’s floor plan, any luxuries you want to include, the company you partner with to construct the home, and even the time of year! Generally, you’ll want to start by determining your home’s cost per square foot. According to data from Angi, most new home construction has an average cost of $150 per square foot but can range anywhere between $100 to $500 per square foot.

How can I ensure the longevity and maintenance ease of my home while keeping costs low?

Choose durable materials and design elements that require minimal upkeep to ensure your house will last and is easy to maintain. For example, while initially more expensive, metal roofing can last much longer than traditional shingles and requires less maintenance.

This post was originally published on 2022-04-11 by Ryan Crownholm. It was updated on 2024-07-03 to reflect the most recent information.

×