Selecting an Area: Region / State Considerations:

Odds are that you already know where you're going to build your new home. But, for whatever reason, you may be thinking about moving to a new state or even a different part of the country, and where you choose to live will definitely affect your building cost. The local building codes, climate, labor costs, taxes, and other factors can add 30% or more to your construction cost. On the flip side, you may be able to save that much in certain areas.

On a separate note, if you're thinking about an entirely new area, most experts recommend that you consider renting for a least a year before you build. This is especially true if you've enjoyed many nice vacations there. Lifestyle, weather, and other factors may not be as pleasant at other times of the year.

Use our Region Checklist to help you decide on what part of the country you may want to relocate to.