Set a budget First and foremost, determine how much you can afford to build your home. Meet with a financial advisor and your lender before you buy a lot. Once you set a budget, communicate it to your builder and stick to it. Finally, decide to abide by your budget – no matter how tempting those more expensive options may be.    Select a smaller footprint When building a home, every bit of square footage matters. The bigger the house, the greater the costs. For example, if building your home costs $100 per square foot, additional 250-square feet will cost you $25,000. Focus on the space your family needs. Keep your floor plan modest and highly functional to maximise your dollar. Selecting an open-floor plan is a great way to give you the feeling of a larger home without the added building cost.    Consider the aesthetic Particular home aesthetics offer cost-saving opportunities. For instance, if you go with an “industrial” or “rustic” feel, you can leave some projects unfinished, and the result still looks purposeful.    Save where you can  When designing your home, determine what features are must-haves and what features you can save on. There are ways to save on design features like appliances, lighting, window treatments, and flooring if you do your research. For instance, cut costs by going with high-quality faux wood floors instead of traditional hardwood floors. Similarly, go with the standard light fixtures and window treatments, and then upgrade them later on when your budget allows.    Splurge where it counts Remember, not all upgrades and amenities are valued equally. Therefore, it’s crucial to not only consider what you want in the house but also what will get you a return on your investment later on. According to Kiplinger, laundry rooms, energy-efficient appliances, and outdoor living spaces are a few features that homebuyers are looking for in a new home.    Choose your builder wisely Builders can make or break your home building experience and budget. The goal is to find a respected and affordable home builder you can trust to do quality work and stick to the promised timeline. Compare a few different home builders in your area and choose the one that offers the most for your money. Take note of reasonable upgrades, inclusive-based prices, reviews, and recently completed projects. The builder should know your budget and priorities to offer input on additional ways to cut costs.