Introduction
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Cost Breakdown Table
- 3 Purchasing the Lot
- 4 Foundation Work
- 5 Site Preparation
- 6 Plumbing & Concrete Floors
- 7 Utility Setup
- 8 Framing and First Floor
- 9 Water Source
- 10 Patio & Trusses
- 11 Roofing & Exterior
- 12 Windows & Brickwork
- 13 Porch & Electrical
- 14 Fireplace & Insulation
- 15 Drywall & Painting
- 16 Stonework
- 17 Bathrooms & Tiling
- 18 Septic Tank
- 19 HVAC & Retaining Walls
- 20 Doors & Interior Finish
- 21 Driveway
- 22 Attic & Cabinets
- 23 Garage Doors
- 24 One-Year Cost Summary
- 25 Conclusion
Building a dream home is an exciting yet challenging journey. From purchasing land to completing essential construction steps, every stage requires careful planning, budgeting, and patience. In this article, we’ll share our one-year progress, step by step, along with detailed costs. This breakdown will help anyone planning to build their own home understand what to expect in terms of expenses and construction stages.
Cost Breakdown Table
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Land Purchase | 63,000 |
| Windows | 31,000 |
| Brick & Labor | 25,000 |
| Insulation | 5,500 |
| Drywall & Labor | 18,800 |
| Stone & Labor | 118,000 |
| Tile & Extra Help | 11,500 |
| Septic Tank & Labor | 13,000 |
| HVAC | 10,000 |
| Doors | 5,000 |
| Driveway | 115,000 |
| Tongue & Groove Ceiling | 4,500 |
| Cabinets & Sinks | 4,850 |
| Countertops & Labor | 10,200 |
| Garage Doors | 4,000 |
| Total (Approx.) | 542,000 |
Purchasing the Lot
We purchased this 3 Acre wooded lot for $63,000. Next, the footings are dug for the house. Now it’s time for the concrete.
Foundation Work
After a week, the footings dried and we brought in the forms for the concrete basement walls.
Site Preparation
Next, we are backfilling and leveling out the land. Once leveled, trenches for the garage were dug. Then the concrete truck came in and poured the footings.
Plumbing & Concrete Floors
The plumbing crew is here to put in the underground plumbing. Now it’s time for concrete floors.
Utility Setup
Our local energy company is here to hook up our electricity and gas lines.
Framing and First Floor
Next, the framing begins. Now it’s time for the first floor walls.
Water Source
Since our lot is in a rural area, we need to drill a well to get access to water.
Patio & Trusses
We brought in concrete slabs for our back patio. The remaining framing is finished along with our back patio. Now the house is ready for the trusses.
Roofing & Exterior
Sheet wood was installed on the trusses and the main peak of the Dream home. We painted the exterior but had to stop due to weather. Next, shingles were added.
We also added metal roof accents above the windows for decoration.
Windows & Brickwork
Aluminum clad windows cost $31,000. Brick and labor cost $25,000. Framers returned to finish the board and batten on the main peak.
Porch & Electrical
We finished the underside of the front porch roof with tongue and groove. The electrician placed electrical wires, outlets, and switch locations.
Fireplace & Insulation
The fireplace was set so plumbers could connect the gas line. We insulated the entire house:
- R19 in wall cavities
- R38 in step ceilings
- Rafter vents in the soffit
Insulation cost: $5,500.
Drywall & Painting
A drywall crew completed the house for $18,800. After drywall, the house was primed. Exterior paint was finished after the weather cleared.
Stonework
We prepared the garage side for stone and adhered stone layers once dried. Stone and labor cost: $118,000.
Bathrooms & Tiling
We tiled the Jack and Jill shower, floor tile, master, and powder room shower.
Tile material and labor cost: $11,500.
Septic Tank
Our septic tank is connected to the drain field in front of the lot. Septic tank and labor cost: $13,000.
HVAC & Retaining Walls
HVAC cost so far: $10,000. Retaining walls are installed to control erosion.
Doors & Interior Finish
Front and interior doors cost: $5,000. Stonework continued on the front of the Dream home. Tongue and groove were added to the cathedral ceiling.
Driveway
Our 14 ft wide driveway cost $115,000. Cathedral ceiling tongue and groove cost $4,500.
Attic & Cabinets
We added attic insulation. Cabinets were installed in kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry.
- Cabinets and sinks: $4,850
- Countertops and labor: $10,200
Garage Doors
All garage doors cost $4,000.
One-Year Cost Summary
After one year of building, our total costs are just under $542,000.
Conclusion
After one year of dedicated effort, our home construction has reached an important milestone. With a total cost of nearly $542,000, we’ve laid the foundation, completed framing, added essential systems, and made significant progress on interiors and exteriors. While the journey is far from over, the house is finally taking shape, and each step brings us closer to our dream home. For anyone planning a similar project, careful budgeting and step-by-step planning are essential to avoid surprises and stay on track.