| On Averagethe size of houses, in square feet, for | | | | another source for this information. Ask the |
| selected countries is: Austria (1,043 sq. feet), | | | | builders to view houses under construction and a |
| Germany (1,185 sq. feet), Japan (1,435), and the | | | | few finished models. Nothing wrong with asking |
| United States (2,204). These are 2002 | | | | your Architect or designer to go along. Most |
| figures.then becomes what size house can we | | | | builders can estimate the cost of constructing |
| build for the amount of the loan we can get? In | | | | your house by the size, of the HVAC (Heat |
| 1970 the average size home in the U.S. was 1,400 | | | | Ventilation Air Conditioned) area you wish to |
| square feet. In 2004 the average grew to 2,230 | | | | construct. Garage and storage areas are usually |
| square feet. Three and four bedroom houses are | | | | figured at a different cost per square foot than |
| the most popular, with two baths almost required. | | | | the HVAC area. Be sure to have this |
| House Financeshould be determined before house | | | | understanding with the builder. |
| hunting or construction drawings are begun. I have | | | | House Planswill be needed for construction. I use a |
| had several persons that have paid me to | | | | simple one page Contract for contractor house |
| complete blu-prints for a new house and then | | | | plan sets and a simple Inventory sheet to assist in |
| were told that they could not qualify for the | | | | developing design specification for my clients. Do |
| amount necessary to complete the construction. | | | | not expect the builder to give you a firm |
| The major items that determine the cost of a | | | | estimate without having a finished set of |
| house, other than construction costs, are: your | | | | construction blu-prints to work from. Talking with |
| income, your current debt-to-income ratio, | | | | the builder, prior to design, will allow you to come |
| interest rates, and down payment required. Local | | | | up with a general idea of cost per square foot |
| lending institutions will use these values and others | | | | and other financial obligations before you design |
| to determine the amount of the loan you might | | | | your house. |
| be able to secure. These values should be | | | | What size housedo you need not have an easy |
| determined before implementing house plan design. | | | | answer? We usually want more than we actually |
| Construction Costsare best determined by talking | | | | need. The most important items to consider |
| with local contractors and builders. Be sure to | | | | might be to determine minimum space |
| check the Better Business Bureau to help identify | | | | requirements, plan for possible expansion, re-sale, |
| builder's background and business standing in the | | | | and comfortable living style at a cost within your |
| community. The chamber of Commerce is | | | | means. |