801 Rhomberg Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
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BUILDING YOUR NEW HOME
Building a new home is exciting and challenging. It can feel like an arduous task, and it is. However, if you have planned for the long-term and contribute some sweat equity, it can be one of the best things you do for your family. Planning, planning, planning is the key, and of course, a builder you trust.
The Top Five Challenges of New Home Construction
- Financial Stress. The cost of building a new home is significant.
- Family Stress.
- Decision-Making Stress.
- Unrealistic Expectations.
- Stay Focused on "Keeping it Real"
Should I build a two story home?
Homes with 2 or more levels create plenty of volume and natural lighting opportunities, and they also condense the footprint and roof for a more affordable cost per square footage. If you're worried about accessibility, many clients elect to have the master suite or another bedroom on the first floor.
What are the Advantages of a Two-Story Home?
They cost less per square foot to build because of the most expensive elements of custom home construction:
- Excavation/foundation and rafters/roof installation are built on a smaller footprint. Plus, you’ll have less roof area to maintain.
- They are more fuel-efficient. You will save fuel because there is less outdoor wall and roof area exposed to the weather.
- You’ll save money because plumbing and wiring have less distance to travel with a smaller footprint.
- Better views. When you are at tree height, your views are better.
- Larger outdoor space. Since you are taking up less land space for the house, you will have more room for outdoor living areas.
- More versatile design. There are more attachment points in a two-story house for porches, connectors, and bump-outs for either now or in the future.
- Privacy. The upstairs bedrooms are more private, especially if you build in a neighborhood. If you have children, you’ll appreciate the second-floor bedrooms feature when your children become teenagers.
What are the Disadvantages of a two Story Home?
- The stairway’s footprint. A stairway can eat up 100 square feet of living space and add to the cost.
- Lack of variety in ceiling height. Ceiling (and attic) heights are typically lower than single-floor homes of equal square footage and can lack varied heights room-to-room. This could limit opportunities for skylights.
- Stair accidents. Stairs present a potential danger for young children, the elderly, or anyone with mobility issues. And if you ever need to install a stairlift, expect to shell out thousands of dollars.
- Construction considerations. A two-story house takes longer to build because of the second (and sometimes third attic) floor, the added staircase, and sometimes a deeper foundation.
BUILDING A ONE STORY HOME
What are the Advantages of a Single Story Home?
- More living space per square foot. You won’t be compromising square footage (and money) on staircases.
- Safer than two-story homes.
- Take away the staircase, and you eliminate the risk of falls for small children, the mobility-challenged, and the elderly.
- Evacuation is easier (and safer) than a two-story home in the event of a fire or other emergencies.
- Easier to “age in place.” If you plan to stay in your home until retirement, there may be no need to move. One-story houses are easier to get around and are easily wheelchair accessible.
- Quieter living. You won’t hear footsteps or other noise coming from upstairs.
- Space-saving design. From a practical point of view, you’ll need fewer bathrooms in a one-story home since they are all on the same floor, which can save you money.
- The mudroom and laundry room can be combined to save space.
- More design options. One-floor living allows more variation in ceiling heights and skylights.
What are the Disadvantages of Single Story Home?
- Expect to pay more.
- Per square foot, a one-story house is more costly to build than a two-story home. There is a larger footprint, meaning more foundation building and more roofing materials. And because the plumbing and heating/AC systems need to extend the length of the house, you’ll need bigger (and costlier) systems.
- Less privacy. One-floor living means that you are eye-level with the rest of the world passing by. Now, if you live in the woods, that may not be true, but one-story homes in neighborhoods may feel exposed and less private.
- The resale value may be lower. Two-story homes, on average, command higher prices because the demand among families is higher.
- Note: That may change as more buyers face retirement (and decreased mobility), and people approaching retirement age may wish to age in place. This higher demand for single-story homes could mean valuation could surpass those of their taller cousins.
One story or two?
Still can't decide?
We're here to help.
We will work with you and guide you through the new home building process to ensure that your new home is everything you want it to be.
Your home is your biggest investment, and we are committed to helping you build a new home that you will enjoy for years to come. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for visiting our site.