Selecting the best option when building a house entails balancing a number of important considerations, regardless of whether it will be a permanent home or a summer cottage getaway. A number of factors, including your budget, location, intended use, and personal preferences, will influence your choice. Every style of home, including prefabricated, modular, and traditional wood-frame homes, has advantages and disadvantages of its own. Making an informed decision that meets your needs can be aided by your understanding of these.
Conventional wood-frame homes have a classic charm and a flexible design. Usually, they are built on-site with traditional building materials like wooden framing. Customization and adaptation to particular architectural styles or topographies are made possible by this method. Traditional building techniques offer lots of opportunity to design a customized living space that suits individual tastes and preferences, whether the homeowner is looking for a distinctive look or needs a great deal of customization.
In contrast, modular homes are becoming more and more well-liked due to their speedy construction and efficiency. These houses are constructed in sections off-site in a controlled factory setting, then they are delivered and put together at the destination. This technique can cut construction time and labor costs on-site dramatically. Modular homes combine modern conveniences with a quicker build time, and they can be designed to meet a variety of architectural styles and building codes. They also frequently boast energy efficiency.
Prefabricated homes, also called prefab houses, are built using a combination of traditional and modular building techniques. These houses are shipped to the construction site for final assembly after being partially constructed in a factory. Because of their streamlined production processes and efficiencies in the factories, prefabricated homes can be more affordable. They also offer design flexibility, with options ranging from straightforward, practical layouts to intricate designs fit for second homes or permanent residences.
The decision between conventional wood-frame, modular, or prefabricated building options ultimately comes down to your own requirements, tastes, and financial limitations. Regarding cost-effectiveness, construction time, and customization, each option has unique benefits. Whether you’re building a home for year-round living or a summer retreat, you can make an informed decision that fits your vision for a cozy and practical space by carefully weighing these considerations and comprehending the special advantages of each construction technique.
- How to choose the right one: criteria
- For permanent residence
- For the dacha
- Analysis by category
- Based on materials
- Brick
- Tree
- Blocks
- Monolith
- Frame
- Panels
- By type of building
- Country
- Manor
- Cottage
- Townhouse
- Villa
- Chalet
- Frame house
- Log house
- Traditional home
- By number of floors
- Optimal solution
- For permanent residence
- For summer holidays
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How to choose the right one: criteria
Several factors must be considered when selecting the style of private home, as these will determine how comfortable the occupants will be as the property continues to operate:
- total area object and space-planning parameters. A private residential building must meet the needs of all family members. When designing, you should take into account the set of necessary residential and auxiliary premises. The area of each room should be selected based on the convenient arrangement of furniture, as well as the presence of residents in the room. Experts do not recommend equipping extra rooms that will not be used, since adding additional space will lead to unjustified costs for utility bills.
- Number of floors of the building – on a small plot, the construction of a residential building with several tiers (2 or more) is justified. If the land area allows you to build a one-story building, it is better to go with this option. It is worth considering that constructing a basement entails complex excavation work and the need to equip a complex groundwater drainage system, and stairs between floors take up a large amount of free space. At the same time, a one-story house with a large area requires the construction of an extended foundation.
- Materials – the most practical in a temperate climate is a stone house made of blocks or bricks. This structure is safer in terms of fire risk. The disadvantage of permanent stone structures is their low environmental friendliness. Those landowners who prefer natural materials should opt for a log house or timber frame.
- Capital of the structure – depends on the time spent outside the city. If you live permanently, you should take into account the insulation of walls, roofs, the energy efficiency of the building and choose reliable materials for construction. If the house is used only in the summer, on weekends, you can opt for a frame-panel structure, as the simplest and most economical option.
- Facade design style – depends on many factors. A simple country house based on a standard design is considered the cheapest option. If you have available funds, you should work out the architectural project down to the smallest detail, settling on a stylistically complete structure, according to individual taste preferences.
Apart from the previously mentioned parameters, you ought to give particular consideration to the existence of off-site networks and utility structures within the village.
If you must install your own well and septic tank on the property, more space needs to be set aside. Current sanitary regulations may impact the layout and size of the building, as well as the accessibility of the bathrooms.
For permanent residence
Many space-planning and design considerations must be made when selecting a permanent residence, including:
- Insulation of walls, attic, foundation, basement – the building envelope must meet the requirements for resistance to heat transfer, and also eliminate the occurrence of thermal inhomogeneity and local leakage of thermal energy, which affects the energy efficiency indicator. Additionally, it is necessary to take into account the installation of double-glazed windows, as well as insulated external doors with the organization of vestibules.
- Availability of a full range of auxiliary premises. A house for permanent residence must have a stationary kitchen, a bathroom, a laundry room and other premises that are necessary for maintaining a full-fledged life.
- Heating system. Considering that the estimated outside air temperature in the winter season in the capital region is -28 o C, and the comfortable mode for family living inside the house is + 18 … + 23 o C, the building must be heated with the organization of a circulation circuit and the arrangement of boiler equipment, based on type of selected thermal energy source.
- Organization of complete water supply, sewerage and purchase of the required amount of electrical power, on which the possibility of comfortable operation of all premises depends.
- Considering that valuables can be stored in a house for permanent residence, increased attention should be paid to ensuring security – installing steel doors, bars on windows, constructing main walls, as well as the presence of alarms and video surveillance systems.
Since a permanent residence implies obtaining maximum comfort, one of the fundamental criteria is the owners’ taste preferences. The customer can select any style and façade, subject to the architect’s plan.
During the warm months, you should organize a summer kitchen, a barbecue area, a panoramic veranda, and other country-living comforts.
For the dacha
A country home that is only intended to be occupied temporarily during the warm season needs to meet significantly fewer specifications:
- Increased environmental friendliness of materials – for the construction of a country house, natural wood is most often used.
- The design of the building – panel frame, log house, or timber – depends on the set of premises and the budget of the property owner.
- Electricity, which is necessary to maintain a minimum standard of living, as well as to heat the building with convectors in the evening.
- When constructing country houses, increased attention is paid to the presence of open terraces and other summer rooms where you can spend time comfortably.
The facade of a building for a country house is important, just like when selecting a capital structure, if money is limited.
Apart from the traditional post-Soviet architectural design, other architectural styles like "country" or "chalet" are also employed when constructing dachas because they both feature a lot of outdoor areas and organic materials.
Analysis by category
The price per square meter for constructing a private home can vary significantly based on the layout, size, complexity of the utility networks, and type of finishing materials.
Based on materials
Depending on the type of materials selected, the following are the minimum costs for building a house on your own with a basement and attic floor, omitting finishing and utility installation:
Brick
Benefits
- Clay natural material, which is used for both load-bearing and facing masonry.
- The small dimensions of the brick allow any architect’s idea to be realized.
- High-quality brick masonry does not collapse for 100 years or more.
Drawbacks:
- Increased labor intensity in the production of work.
- The presence of wet processes limits the construction of a building in winter.
- The need to attract qualified labor to perform facade masonry.
Cost: The average cost to build a traditional permanent brick house with 2.5-inch walls using Soviet technology is between $30 and $35,000. RUB for every square meter.
Using facing bricks and foam concrete blocks lowers the final cost per square meter to twenty to twenty-five thousand rubles.
This is a thorough article about brick walls.
Tree
Benefits
- 100% natural material ensures the highest environmental friendliness.
- Wooden beams or logs have increased heat transfer resistance, which eliminates the need for additional wall insulation.
- Work can be done at any time of the year.
- Comfortable indoor climate when operating at home.
Drawbacks:
- Increased fire hazard.
- Wood is susceptible to rotting and requires additional protection.
- Service life is shorter than most stone materials.
Cost: The majority of businesses in major regions are willing to pay up to one million rubles for a completed frame-panel design project. for a building that is between 80 and 90 m2 in size, or less than 9–10 thousand rubles per m2.
Depending on the kind of wood, the cost of building a house increases by two times or more when using 200–250 mm thick wood or rounded logs.
Here is more information regarding wooden house options.
Blocks
Benefits
- Double-layer masonry of external walls provides a sufficient level of energy efficiency.
- Ensuring the load-bearing capacity of masonry during the construction of a cottage up to 2 floors.
- The blocks are available in various sizes, which allows them to be used both for main walls and partitions.
- The material can withstand high temperatures.
Drawbacks:
- Low frost resistance.
- The blocks may contain components that are harmful to health.
- Blocks absorb moisture and require additional protection in the form of a layer of plaster mixture.
- Low impact strength.
Price: Of all the permanent structures, houses in this category are the most affordable. For one square meter, the average cost of a building of this type with plastering on the facade is between twelve and fifteen thousand rubles.
Depending on the brick or tile quality, the cost rises when using facing material.
Further details can be found in the linked article.
Monolith
Benefits
- High compressive strength.
- Frame durability up to 50-70 years.
- Increased fire resistance.
- Possibility of specifying any architectural forms.
Drawbacks:
- Low environmental performance.
- Wet processes complicate installation technology in winter.
- Duration of building construction, due to the need to wait for strength to gain.
- Concrete requires effective insulation.
- The need to comply with a complex technological map when knitting reinforcement cages, installing formwork, and pouring concrete.
Cost: Keep in mind that monolithic reinforced concrete can only be used to build a column-pylon frame connected by a disk of floors when constructing a home out of it. Classic materials like blocks or bricks will have to be used to fill the spaces between the rod supports.
Hence, the price of a monolithic frame ranges from 7,000 to 12,000 rubles per square meter on average; however, enclosing structures typically cost twice as much.
This page has all the information regarding monolithic walls.
Frame
Benefits
- Lightweight structures eliminate the need for an expensive foundation. In most cases, screw piles made of steel pipes are installed under frame houses.
- Panel panels are delivered to the site with a fine finish.
- Installation takes only a few days.
- Effective insulation ensures heat retention in the room during the cold season.
Drawbacks:
- Frame structures are designed for no more than 20-30 years of operation.
- Wood is susceptible to rotting.
- High fire hazard.
Cost: If panel panels are used for finishing, steel or wooden frames are the least expensive materials when building lightweight country homes. The entire cost of construction for one square meter is between twelve and fifteen thousand rubles.
Panels
Benefits
- High quality of reinforced concrete elements, which undergo multi-stage control in production before delivery to the site.
- Enlarged assembly ensures high installation speed.
- Minimum number of wet processes – work can be carried out in winter.
- Increased level of fire safety.
Drawbacks:
- Significant planning restrictions, the need to link to a modular step.
- Heavy panels are installed using heavy equipment, which increases construction costs.
- Low environmental performance.
Cost determined separately because private homes are typically not constructed in accordance with blueprints. As a result, manufacturers of reinforced concrete must create a distinct line of lightweight panels or manufacture larger components in accordance with a specific project.
The initial focus of some manufacturing companies is producing efficiency elements for low-rise construction; the cost of building these houses varies from 20,000 to 30,000 rubles per square meter, depending on energy efficiency and facing materials.
The cost of building a capital structure made of stone or logs, with 100 m^ of usable space, will be at least 2.5–3.0 million rubles, not including finishing and engineering supplies. This amount could start at one million rubles for a country home.
Additional details are available here.
By type of building
Regardless of the kind of building materials used, the type of building itself has an impact on the overall cost of a private residential home. The following represents the lowest cost that can be achieved when building a structure for either long-term or short-term occupancy, accounting for the characteristics of space-planning solutions and execution style:
Country
Benefits
- Ease of installation.
- Availability of a large number of standard projects for repeated use. Ability to accurately calculate the consumption of materials and price.
- A wide range of economy-class finishing materials.
- Possibility of building a building on a small area.
Drawbacks:
- Lack of original solutions.
- The difficulty of installing a full-fledged boiler room – most often, country houses are built without permanent foundations and basements.
- The standard layout does not involve the arrangement of large operational spaces.
- Correct geometric shapes require strict orthogonal orientation.
Cost: Several businesses offer these frame-panel building projects in their completed state, as previously indicated. A building with a 9 x 6 m floor plan, one story, and an attic typically costs around one million rubles to build.
Manor
Benefits
- This type of private buildings is a whole complex of buildings in the same style on one piece of land. This includes the main residential building, bathhouse, garage, outbuildings, separate structures for pets and guest quarters. The owner implements any ideas according to his own preferences.
- Comprehensive equipment of the site provides a comfortable living environment.
- Various materials can be used for construction, regardless of the chosen style.
Drawbacks:
- High cost of maintaining a complex of buildings.
- Large areas require maintenance personnel.
- Difficulty of perimeter control.
- Every garbage dump requires engineering support.
- Difficulty in selling large real estate properties.
Cost: Considering that these structures are typically constructed on 20 acres or larger and take up a significant amount of space, the finished facility must cost no less than 10-15 million rubles.
Cottage
Benefits
- A capital structure for permanent residence outside the city is erected from stone materials, timber or logs.
- The house has utilities and a full range of premises necessary for comfortable living.
- There are many standard projects on the market from which you can choose a worthy option.
Drawbacks:
- Autonomous utility networks require increased attention. If the equipment fails, the owner is responsible for repairs.
- Remoteness from the city creates difficulties when it comes to daily trips.
- When implementing an individual project, difficulties with operation are fashionable.
Cost: 5-7 million rubles or more will be needed for a 150 m2 cottage, not including finishing.
Townhouse
Benefits
- A building blocked with neighboring residential blocks requires a minimum plot of land and 2-3 levels in height. There is no need for territory planning.
- As a rule, blocked houses are connected to centralized utility networks.
- The village of townhouses has security and a management company responsible for the condition of the roads, cleaning of public areas and prevention of on-site networks.
Drawbacks:
- A small plot of land does not leave room for a summer kitchen, barbecue area and playgrounds.
- The presence of neighbors through the wall can cause discomfort for residents.
- Without a garage, parking becomes a problem due to lack of space.
Price: Considering the location and distance from the city, these houses are typically sold by the developer in a completed state for a price between 7 and 10 million rubles. with a 140–170 m2 area.
Read more here about townhomes.
Villa
Benefits
- This class of real estate is most often intended for seasonal living in warm regions, near water bodies, or in environmental areas. Most of the villas are built according to individual projects, which emphasizes the excellent taste of the owner.
- The house has a swimming pool, gym and other elements of a comfortable life.
- Spacious rooms allow you to implement exclusive design solutions.
Drawbacks:
- The architectural style originates in sunny Italy, where climatic conditions are much more favorable than in the temperate latitudes of our country. If there is a large number of panoramic glazing and open terraces, the energy efficiency of the premises decreases.
- Increased costs for operating the interior space and comfort elements.
Cost: building a 150–200 m2 single-story villa will set you back at least 8–10 million rubles.
Chalet
Benefits
- Classic alpine architecture involves a special shape of a one-story building, a sloping roof and a successful combination of wood and stone materials. Planning and facade solutions allow you to achieve the maximum level of comfort.
- The combination of wood and natural stone provides an increased degree of environmental friendliness.
Drawbacks:
- The style requires strict planning restrictions, compliance with the proportions of the building, the slope of the roof and the presence of a large number of windows on the central facade, which is not always suitable for a particular plot of land.
- The central living room is often made in a two-height version, which requires a combined combination of heating and ventilation systems to circulate warm air.
Cost: such a building has an area of 120–140 m 2 and starts at 5–6 million rubles. Click this link to read more about chalet houses in detail.
Frame house
Benefits
- No capital foundation.
- Wide selection of standard projects.
- Variety of inexpensive finishing options.
- Suitable for both seasonal and permanent residence.
Drawbacks:
- Low reliability and durability.
- Complexity of arranging a boiler room for heating.
- High fire hazard index.
- Wood is subject to rotting.
Cost: this is the most economical and reasonably priced choice for a rural home. It is possible to construct a small building for 500–700 thousand rubles that is 60–80 m³. Here is all the information you need to know about different kinds of frame homes.
Log house
Benefits
- A striking example of classical Russian architecture.
- Increased energy efficiency.
- Subject to technology, the highest level of environmental friendliness of the structure.
- When using high-quality wood, the service life can exceed 50 years.
- Possibility of disassembling the house with transportation and re-installation.
Drawbacks:
- Limited architectural and planning solutions.
- Increased fire hazard.
- The log is exposed to the harmful effects of microorganisms and insects.
- Over time, the log settles and dries out, which causes the formation of cracks in the corner joints of the log house.
Cost: 150 m2 one- or two-story log homes can be constructed for 3–5 million rubles, depending on the materials used.
Traditional home
Benefits
- In the capital region and other developed regions of the Russian Federation, most often standard private houses are built from aerated concrete blocks lined with brick. Two-layer masonry has increased strength and thermal properties.
- Possibility of using standard designs of private houses.
- Relative ease of installation.
- High profitability when sales are required.
Drawbacks:
- Autonomous utilities can cause problems during operation.
- After the construction of the frame and roof, it is recommended to begin finishing work no earlier than 6 months later.
- As a rule, owners rarely resort to complex planning or facade solutions, which excludes originality.
Cost: These buildings typically have an area of 150–200 m2, and their owners spend three to five million rubles on building them.
Prices are accurate as of 2021; final costs may vary multiple times based on type of exterior or interior decoration, presence of decor, or complex utilities.
By number of floors
Based on 1 m2, the cost of building a private home can also differ depending on the number of operating levels.
- 1-storey buildings are the most expensive, based on the unit cost of a unit of occupied area. Such a house requires both a foundation and a roof, which take up a considerable part of the budget. The average cost of construction of 1-story houses ranges from 15-20 thousand. rub. for 1 m 2 .
- 2 floors. Such buildings, as a rule, are built without a basement and with an unused attic. The minimum price for erecting a frame is from 12-15 thousand. rub. for 1 m 2 .
- 3 floors. If there is a basement and attic floor, the cost of construction can be from 10-15 thousand. rub. for 1 m 2 .
The depth of the basement, the existence of a heated attic, and other space-planning considerations all affect the unit price, which varies based on the number of levels.
Here is a comparison of one- and two-story homes.
There are a few important considerations when building a home for permanent habitation or as a summer retreat. Prioritizing features like affordability, ease of maintenance, and appropriateness for seasonal use can be important for a summer cottage. As an alternative, factors like long-term comfort, room for expansion, and resistance to changing weather patterns must be taken into account when building a permanent home. Every choice has its own benefits: a permanent house offers stability and space for customization over time, while a summer cottage allows for easier design and maintenance, making it ideal for leisure. Selecting the best option that fits your lifestyle and future plans is made easier when you are aware of these differences.
Optimal solution
Considering the aforementioned factors, it can be challenging to select the ideal house because everyone has different preferences. Simultaneously, the number of identical buildings in various parts of the nation can be taken into consideration to determine the ideal private homes.
For permanent residence
The two-story houses with a heated attic, a total area of 120–170 m2, and brick cladding, composed of aerated concrete blocks, have the best design when considering price and quality criteria. With complete engineering support, a house like this is ideal for a family of three to four people.
For summer holidays
For property owners, the ultimate cost is the deciding factor because of the transient nature of such operations. As a result, people favor 100 m2 or less frame-panel homes or buildings built of pine wood.
There are a few considerations that can affect your decision when building a house for a permanent home or a summer cottage.
The most important factors to take into account when buying a summer cottage are usually affordability, ease of maintenance, and seasonal use. Many choose for more straightforward plans or prefabricated homes that are easy to assemble and require little annual maintenance. These choices are frequently made because they are practical and reasonably priced, making it possible to have a nice getaway during the warmer months without having to make a significant financial commitment.
On the other hand, year-round suitability, durability, and long-term comfort become essential when designing a permanent home. Energy efficiency, structural integrity, and adaptable design that can meet evolving family needs are usually top priorities for homeowners. This frequently entails spending more on better materials and doing more thorough planning to make sure the home satisfies both personal preferences and all applicable building codes.
Location is important, whether you’re building for a permanent home or a summer cottage. Zoning laws, the local climate, and the ease of access to amenities can all influence your choice. Design and space utilization may be more flexible in rural settings, but coastal areas might require stronger structures to withstand storms.
Building a house for a permanent home or a summer cottage ultimately comes down to your long-term goals, financial situation, and individual requirements. Before starting your construction project, carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option.