Since I have been designing and drafting homes here in Wichita, one of the first question that clients ask is, “How do I know if I can afford a home this size?” Here is my recommendation.
Clients must first decided upon an amount they are willing to invest into a new home. Then they need the help of an experienced builder. They should meet with the builder and inform him of the target price. Then they should describe the many characteristics that are to be included in the house, remembering to note items such as a fireplace, wrap-around porch, extra wide doors, all-brick exteriors, roof pitch, etc. (These particular items need to be highlighted because they are extra’s, that is, they won’t increase the increase the square footage, but will increase the COST-per-square foot). Don’t forget to mention the style of the new home (ranch, 2 story, or perhaps a slab) and the number of rooms at each level. Bringing photos or pictures from magazines will help express the ideas of what the new home is to look like. This information will help the builder give the approximate square footage of the house, BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT TO INVEST. This square-footage number will be a number that every sub-contractor will want to know, starting with me, the draftsman.
I will start a home design based on your sketches and the builders estimated square footage. This design will then need to be again reviewed by that same builder. If he feels the costs may be too strong, the square footage will need to be adjusted in size. This process will continue until the builder feels comfortable with those estimates.
Needles to say, this initial step is very important and must not be hurried.