When you're planning a custom home with us, many people are interested in increasing the square footage in their floor plan. It's important to understand the difference in costs for a 2-story home or a 1-story home. People typically expect a 2-story home to be more expensive than a 1-story, but that's not always the case. A 1.5-story home is actually the most expensive. Learn why below. Building a new home requires hundreds of big and small decisions. In fact, the ability to choose every single feature and amenity in your home is one of the biggest reasons to build rather than buy a house. One of the more important choices you will make will be the number of stories your home will be in overall budget. Home prices are influenced by many factors, including the number of stories in a home. You may pay more or less depending on whether you choose a one-story, 1.5-story, or two-story home In our video, John Graziose uses his expert insight to help you understand the factors that influence the cost of adding a second or half story. Watch for insights on the cost associated with common floor plans, how open-concept living impacts the way a house flows and floor plans are arranged, and why a 1.5 story home is the most expensive option for your custom home. The cost of building your Finger Lakes custom home from the ground up will depend on your choices and several factors. Many people want to compare the cost to build a ranch vs. a two-story home. You might assume that two-story homes are more expensive to build than one-story homes, but that’s not always the case. A modern single-story home usually requires a bigger foundation than a two-story and a larger roof. In addition to paying more for the materials and labor to build the foundation and roof, costs to expand heating and electric systems laterally will usually be more than vertically. Since those systems must travel through every part of your foundation, additional materials and more manpower hours will be needed, adding to the cost to build a ranch house. Although one-story ranch house plans typically cost more to execute, you might pay more for a two-story home in some instances. What floor plan fits your family? Do you prefer rooms big enough for entertaining, want a first-floor master suite, or want an open floor plan in your new home? Just as with a one-story home, a two-story house floor plans with a large main floor will require a bigger foundation, larger roof, and more extensive plumbing and electrical work in the basem*nt. You’ll also need to pay more for building products and labor than you would for a smaller two-story home and might need to buy two HVAC units to heat and cool your home. Surprisingly, a 1.5-story home can cost more than either a one- or two-story house. Just like a one-story home, a 1.5 story house needs a generously sized foundation. Although the first floor is large, the second floor isn’t quite as spacious. The dimensions of the small second-floor prevent us from using standard trusses. Trusses are pre-fabricated triangular structures that tie the outside walls together and provide support for your roof. If you choose a 1.5-story home, we have to build flooring and other structural elements out of what we call “stick frame,” which is a more expensive process. Are you ready to build a new home but having a little trouble deciding between a one-story, 1.5-story or two-story home? We offer many home styles and can help you consider all of the pros and cons. Take a look at our floor plans page for a little inspiration, and reach out to us when you're ready to start the conversation that makes your custom home dreams real!How Do You Know if Building Up or Out is Right for Your Family?
FAQs About the Cost of Building A House With 1, 1.5, or 2 Stories
Factors that Affect Home Pricing
Is a One-Story, 1.5-Story or Two-Story Home More Expensive?
Is it Cheaper to Build a 1 1/2 Story House?
FAQs
Is it cheaper to build a 1.5 or 2 story house? ›
Is it Cheaper to Build a 1 1/2 Story House? Surprisingly, a 1.5-story home can cost more than either a one- or two-story house. Just like a one-story home, a 1.5 story house needs a generously sized foundation. Although the first floor is large, the second floor isn't quite as spacious.
Is it less expensive to build a one-story house or two story? ›Our customers often ask us this question, so we decided to do an quick analysis on floor plan cost to build based on the number of floors. We analyzed our library of one-story and two-story plans to compare costs and found that two story plans are 14% more affordable to build per square foot on average).
How much does it cost to turn a 1.5 story into a 2 story? ›Home additions cost an average of $100 to $300 per square foot when you add a second story. As we noted above, the costs depend on the size of the space and which features are already included in the build. On average, the cost to add a second story ranges from $100 to $300 per square foot.
What is the difference between a 1.5 story and a 2 story home? ›What is the difference between a 1.5 and a two-story home? A two-story home has all bedrooms, including the master suite on the second floor. A 1.5-story home has the master bedroom on the first floor, with bonus space and high ceilings in the main living area.
What are the advantages of a 1.5 story house? ›- Let the kids work out the excess energy on the stairs.
- Let your bedroom be your sanctuary.
- The higher ceiling helps to open up the space and make an elegant, inviting scene.
- You might even create a lofted nap area.
“Typically, custom homeowners are looking for at least one-half acre or larger for their lot. The trend among custom home buyers is for larger (greater than one acre) lots. I believe this is the result of people wanting to change their lifestyle to one with more privacy and less noise." Grove-Reiland said.
What are the disadvantages of a two story house? ›Drawbacks of a two-story house:
The stairwell takes up square footage that can't be used for much else, and you may have to drag things like laundry or the vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs.
When it comes to pure economics, two story homes are surprisingly the more affordable option. Tall rather than wide, two story homes have a smaller footprint, which means there is less foundation for the home and also less roof structure up at the top.
Why do ranch houses cost more than 2 stories? ›When it comes to ranch-style homes, the construction costs can be higher due to the larger footprint and the need for more materials to cover the same square footage as a two-story house. Additionally, they often necessitate a larger plot of land, which can increase the overall cost.
What is a reverse 1.5 story house? ›With reverse 1.5-story house plans, instead of the half story on top of the house, it goes on the bottom! One common feature with reversed designs is 1.5-story house plans with a walkout basem*nt.
Is it cheaper to build up or out on new construction? ›
In general, building up tends to be less costly than building out. When you factor in things like digging and pouring a new foundation, building out typically carries a higher price tag (though this isn't always true, and certainly depends on the size of the room and its purpose).
What does a 1.5 story home look like? ›One and a half story home plans place all main living areas and usually also the master suite on the first floor. Additional rooms and/or loft space for children, visitors, and flex use are placed upstairs to help provide more square footage without expanding the size of the home's footprint.
How much more does it cost to build 1 story vs 2 story? ›On average, you can expect to pay 30% more when building a two story home than a one story home of comparative size. Additional costs when building an additional level to your home can include: Plans and permits to satisfy local laws and regulations. Scaffolding to aid in construction.
Which house design is the most economical to build? ›- Ranch-style homes.
- Colonial homes.
- Tiny homes.
- Kit homes.
- Off-grid homes.
- Prefabricated homes.
- Shipping container homes.
- Barndominiums.
Do single-story homes cost more than two-story homes in California? They cost less to construct, but require more land. The sale price depends more on land availability than the number of stories.
Is it cheaper to Build a house higher or wider? ›Building up is always the least expensive option for increasing your home's square-footage because it requires less material and labor.
Is it cheaper to build a double story? ›Double-story homes are generally more expensive to build, but they maximize space and can provide better views and increased resale value. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific needs and budget. It's important to consider all the factors and make an informed decision that works best for you.
What is a 1.5 story house called? ›Cape Cod-style house or Cape: a style of a double-pile one-story cottage; low, broad with a steep side-gable roof to which dormers are often added to create a second story (in some locations, referred to as 1.5-story) Dacha: cottage-type house in Russia and former union republics of the Soviet Union.
Is there such a thing as a 1.5 story house? ›What's a 1.5 story home? A 1.5 story home is a 1 story home with a partial second floor added to allow for more space.