Construction Law

How Large-Scale Residential Contractors Save Money by Building Two-Story Homes featured image

How Large-Scale Residential Contractors Save Money by Building Two-Story Homes

When taking on large-scale residential projects, it’s important to work hand-in-hand with the owner to determine the types of homes you are going to be building. Will you construct a series of unique one-story homes? Integrate various building styles including multifamily, townhomes, and single family homes? Recently, a push toward two-story construction has united owners and contractors. The consensus is that two-story homes offer a lot of value to owners, contractors, and residents alike. In this editorial, a Jacksonville construction attorney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants will explain why while paying particular attention to:

  • Cost
  • Efficiency
  • Versatility

If you are in the midst of entering a new contractual engagement with an owner, consult our Jacksonville construction attorneys for assistance with reviewing and revising your contract to ensure that your best interests are protected. Remember, as you take on larger projects with more risk, it’s imperative that your legal standing is pristine and all of your bases are covered. Only an experienced team of construction attorneys can provide the sword and shield protection you need to grow your business and surpass your competitors.

The Advantages of Building Two-Story Homes

Most people assume that two-story homes are worth more money than their one-story counterparts, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While two-story homes might look bigger and more expensive, and the prospect of building up seems like it would be more challenging than sticking to the ground level, two-story construction actually offers a plethora of benefits for the builder, the owner, and later, the buyer. Some advantages include:

Cost

You’re probably aware of the fact that the most expensive components of residential construction are excavating the property, laying the foundation, and installing the roof. If you can minimize the surface area of a home, these costs can be reduced significantly, and that includes the roof! Just think, a 2,000 sq. ft. single-story home will require at least a 2,000 sq. ft. roof. On the other hand, a 2,000 sq. ft. two-story home will typically only require half that amount. This lower cost trend continues throughout the lifetime of the home. For example, when the time comes for a resident to repair or replace the roof, it will cost significantly less than a similarly sized one-story home.

Related: How to Prevent Construction Cost Overruns

Efficiency

Successful contractors make efficiency a pillar of their business. That means keeping costs down, finishing projects on time, and utilizing resources in a practical manner. When building two-story homes, efficiency should always be top of mind. Fortunately, it’s easy to improve building efficiency when plumbing and wiring don’t have to travel as far to keep a home connected to the grid and local water supply. That means less time worrying about these costly and time-consuming aspects of construction and more time focusing on the little things that raise the value of your finished projects.

Related: Increasing Construction Efficiency

Versatility

If you’ve worked on large-scale residential projects in the past, you understand how important it is to design and build several different models to appease the taste of the residents that will one day inhabit them. Unfortunately, having an architect draw up a dozen single-story floor plans can be costly and overly complicated for your workforce. Two-story homes benefit from additional attachment points that give contractors the freedom to integrate porches, balconies, bump-outs, and other cosmetic flourishes to help differentiate one model from another.

If you would like to speak with a Jacksonville construction attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.