If you think you’re ready to design and build your home, how much do you plan to spend on your house design and construction project? Estimating how much your dream house will cost can help you modify your plans to meet your budget.

Here are some tips to "guesstimate" the cost of building your new home:

1. Contact Contractors in the Philippines
Meet with builders who construct houses that are similar in size, quality and features to the home you want. They will tell you how much per square foot they usually charge for a residential construction project. Home builders can also give you an idea of how much your dream home might cost. Remember: it’s important to know exactly what is included in the price they will quote. Upon your request, some home builders in the Philippines will provide you with a list of necessary materials.
 
2. Count the Square Feet
Take a look at newly built homes that are similar in size, style, quality and features to the house you want. Get the price of the home, deduct the price of the land and divide that amount by the square footage of the house.

For example, if the home is selling for P2,300,000 and the land costs P300,000, then the construction cost is around P2,000,000. If the home is 2,000 square feet, then the cost per square foot is P1000.

3. Expect Some Features to Cost More
The most expensive areas of the house are usually the bathrooms and the kitchen. The number and the size and quality of windows can also affect the cost. Other details like vaulted ceilings and high roof pitches can increase the cost of construction. When using other houses to get an estimate, be sure the house has a similar style and features with the house you plan to build.

The cost per square foot is often higher for a small home than that of a larger home. When building a larger home, the cost of expensive items is spread over more square footage, resulting in a lower square footage cost than a smaller home. It also usually costs less to build a two-storey house compared to a one-storey house that has the same square footage because the former will have a smaller roof and foundation and the plumbing and ventilation are more compact.