After you have set a budget and chosen a home design, one of the next steps is to keep within your budget while getting the most for your new home. Whether your budget is
$75,000 or $350,000 value engineering should be foremost in your mind. It is important you complete this process prior to signing your building agreement as builders' prices tend to change or increase after construction begins or decrease if you are looking
for a credit.
"Value Engineering is an organized effort to obtain optimum value by providing the necessary function at the lowest life cycle cost."
Many builders will offer models with some or much value engineering already in the price of the home. (Value engineering can be applied to both the structural as well as the cosmetic features of your home.) Keep in mind what is important to you may not be to everyone. Make a list of items you feel you believe could be modified, then sit down with your builder representative or engineer and ask what suggestions they have.
Think about how you plan to use each room. If, for example, you do not plan on using the guest bathroom for anyone but guests and thus it will not be used very often consider downgrading the counter tops, tub design, and light layout.
Consider using an upgraded vinyl in lieu of ceramic tile in areas like the guest bathroom, kitchen, or other floor area.
Think about what is important and what isn't but keep in mind to not be penny wish and pound foolish in the end. Be careful not to save money now only to spend it later in repairs or replacements.
Last Updated: March 01, 2005 10:43 PM
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