So, you want to build your dream home in Wisconsin? While usually known for its dairy, there’s much more to this Midwestern state. The “Badger State” is a beautiful place to build your home. It also boasts many safe cities that are perfect for raising a family and can even be an ideal location for retirement.
Before getting started, there are many factors to consider, such as size, materials, location, and more.
Step-by-step Process to Building a House in Wisconsin
Budget for costs
A huge part of the homebuilding process is budgeting for all the costs. The average cost to build a 2000 square foot home in Wisconsin in 2022 is $200,000, or about $100 per square foot. However, depending on how affordable your city is and what supplies you have chosen, this price will fluctuate.
Land Costs
The first step of budgeting is figuring out where you want to live and buying land. In Wisconsin, an acre of land averaged $4,757 according to a report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Certain features, like waterfront views, will cost more.
Homeowners Insurance and Property Taxes
According to Bankrate, the average cost of homeowner’s insurance in Wisconsin is $986 annually, about is $300 less than the national average. Homeowner’s insurance rates in Wisconsin are affected by natural disasters in an area, such as sinkholes, floods, snowfall, and windstorms. Thus, you may want to consider optional coverage on things like equipment breakdown; the ever-changing seasons in Wisconsin can damage heating and plumbing units.
Property taxes in Wisconsin are a bit higher than the average. Their property tax rate comes in at about 1.68 percent, making it the eighth-highest average of any state in the United States.
Permits
The permit fees you pay will depend on what city you will call home. For example, in Madison a review fee of $0.03 per square foot when the building permit is issued (with a minimum $25 charge).
Materials
On average, materials cost about 50 percent of the overall build costs in Wisconsin. However, this price tag can go up or down depending on the quality of materials you select.
Labor
This cost will depend on the builder and their employees’ salaries. Labor costs, ranging from 30 to 60 percent of the overall build cost, tend to include labor for framing, painting, roofing, installations, and more.
Choose your builder
Choosing the right builder is a crucial part of the building process. There are many important questions you should ask prospective builders to ensure the safety of your investment. For example, you should check to see if your Wisconsin builder has proof of a Dwelling Contractor Certification, as well as a Contractor Qualifier Certification; both are required under Wisconsin law. These certifications confirm a contractor has the required insurance and is up to date with building codes and practices.
It’s vital that you have a builder you trust. Helpful websites like TrustBuilder give you reviews from actual homebuyers who have worked with different builders. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor you are considering has a record of unresolved complaints.
Select Your Home Design
After you have thoughtfully purchased the lot of your dreams, it’s time to talk with your builder and complete selections. The amount of time it takes to choose various aspects of your home will vary greatly depending on if you are building a custom or production home.
With a custom home, you’ll dive into all the details from top to bottom. Meanwhile, a production home will require less time because much of the work is done for you. Production homes have preset selections you can choose from.
Climate Considerations
Building a house from start to finish is no easy task, especially when you add climate to the mix. In Wisconsin, harsh seasons can prolong the process. Talk to your builder about what time of year they recommend breaking ground. Do not be too anxious; you want your home to be efficient, no matter which season it’s built.
Construction Timeline
As of a recent 2022 estimate, the average time it takes to build a house in Wisconsin from start to finish is about seven months. This, of course, will depend on the size, style, and house materials. In general, you can also expect a custom home to take longer to build than a production home.
Building Your Wisconsin Home
Get ready: Your dream Wisconsin home is waiting! A lot of love goes into building a home – from planning to budgeting to building, the process never gets boring, especially when you’re living in one of the best places in Wisconsin. Remember to ask plenty of questions and be flexible; homebuilding has so many moving parts and plenty of things can affect schedules. Just keep rolling with the punches and your new home will be built in no time.
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