Anonymous wrote:For you and others who want to pay via construction contract - YES. As a spec home that sell in the DMV, NO.

What does this mean?

For you and others who want to pay via construction contract - YES. As a spec home that sell in the DMV, NO.

With a 7,500 lot and all of the setback requirements, you’re going to have to be very efficient with your design to max out your livable space. You probably want a finished walk-up basement in addition to two upper levels. Also, look at comparables for new builds in your neighborhood. If they are selling for $2M-$3M, are you going to be able to sell your 2,500 house for $2M if you need to move?

We built a 4,000 sf house when most of the new builds in our area were 5,000 - 6,000. Our design is very efficient but still feels a little small.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I am looking for a 2500 sq ft house max. Not sure about budget, because I don't know what builders ask these days. Money is not a problem, but I don't want to put it all into one basket, so to speak.

There are some fixed costs in building a house that change very little regardless of the size of your house. For example, the design, site plan & prep, permitting, and general oversight. Then there are the quality of materials and finishes. I would estimate a well-designed, well-built, 2,500 sq ft, truly custom with high-quality materials and finishes to run around $1.3M - $1.6M.

Yes of course, my brother is paying $2,000,000 for a small house which will cost the same as a large house and will be worth 75% the big house. But thinks he’s saving money.

I would build no smaller than 4000sf. 2500 is terrible

Custom builders do this all the time. We used https://midatlanticbuilders.com/meet-the-team-mid-atlantic-custom-builders

OP here.

I am looking for a 2500 sq ft house max. Not sure about budget, because I don't know what builders ask these days. Money is not a problem, but I don't want to put it all into one basket, so to speak.

Anonymous wrote:You can buy a modular home and they assembly. They look great.

https://modularhomedirect.com/product/4-bedroom-2-bathroom-2092-sqft/?srsltid=AfmBOoqBszkE_b4uj2-I0GETIilRAQFzTurR7HVQE6wLOALgMjMuDPdAfAA

Too wide for most lots in this area.

Of course but it won't be much cheaper than building a 5000 sq foot house.

You can buy a modular home and they assembly. They look great.

https://modularhomedirect.com/product/4-bedroom-2-bathroom-2092-sqft/?srsltid=AfmBOoqBszkE_b4uj2-I0GETIilRAQFzTurR7HVQE6wLOALgMjMuDPdAfAA

What does modestly sized mean and what's the footprint of what you want? It's cheaper to build up rather than out. The reason that builders build huge homes is because the get better economies of scale with a larger house. If your fixed costs are 800K, say, then your cost per SF goes down a ton if you are building 5000SF vs 2500SF.

Yes of course builders are willing to build you a modest house. The real question is, would you be willing to pay the same price for your modest house where you could pay the same amount and get a 3 story monstrosity.

There are a lot of fixed costs in building a house that aren't cheaper bc you are building a smaller house.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7400 sq ft plot in the Bethesda area. Do you think any reputable builder would be interested in building a modestly-sized house? I do not want one of those modern 3-storey modular thing built out to the property limit, because I love gardening and need space for that as well.

Thanks.

What do you consider to be a modestly sized home and what is your budget? These two details are very important to answer your question.

I have a 7400 sq ft plot in the Bethesda area. Do you think any reputable builder would be interested in building a modestly-sized house? I do not want one of those modern 3-storey modular thing built out to the property limit, because I love gardening and need space for that as well.

Thanks.