Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost to build my home?
Costs vary widely depending on the size and products selected for your home. Costs for the homes we build generally range from $100 - $200 per sqft, plus management and overhead fees. High-end custom home costs can far exceed this range. Other builders costs will vary.
What factors determine building costs?
Below are some items that are major costs drivers in home construction:
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Beyond the square footage of a home, the footprint size is a major factor because a larger footprint means larger foundation and roof line, two major cost drivers.
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Foundation costs also vary greatly – a home on a basement can cost $50,000 - $100,000+ over the same home in the same location built on a slab foundation.
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Kitchens and baths – the same square footage with larger or more kitchens and baths will drastically increase costs.
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Features and specifications – flooring, cabinets, countertops, tile and other selections have a significant effect on final costs.
What are management and overhead fees?
Billups Homes charges a variable management fee of ~20% of cost of construction depending on complexity, location, and other factors.
Our fixed overhead fee is set at the time of contract to cover licensing, insurance, transportation, legal, accounting and other expenses. While overhead is considered a fixed cost, additional overhead is required for change orders because these typically extend construction time.
How long will it take to build my home?
New home construction times vary depending on size, complexity, and other factors. COVID related delays have added months to our construction timeline. Construction typically takes 6 – 12 months from permit to completion for the homes that we build. Most lenders use 12-month terms on construction-to-permanent loans. We provide an estimate of construction duration at contract, but we do not guarantee closing dates. Closing dates are set when home is nearing completion, generally 30-45 days prior to closing.
Permitting times also vary depending on complexity of the project and municipality. The same home that may be permitted in two months in City of Decatur may take six months or longer to permit with City of Atlanta or DeKalb County.
Does Billups Homes do renovations, finished basements, decks or other home improvement work?
Billups Homes specializes in ground-up new home construction and larger renovations including finished basements, additions and structural changes. We typically reserve smaller projects and home repairs for existing customers, friends and family.
Do you do commercial construction?
Billups Homes holds the Georgia Residential Light-Commercial contractor license. Most of our commercial work involves new home construction projects that are classified as commercial structures such as multi-family homes. We also complete commercial projects related to home building operations such as land development, clubhouses, or design studios.
Does Billups Homes do charitable or community service type construction work?
Billups Homes supports community efforts to provide affordable housing and reduce homelessness through Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association's HomeAid Atlanta partnership.