When people find out I work closely with a builder, they usually ask me "what's his square foot price to build a xxxx sq. ft. ranch?".  They are attempting to simplify a very complicated process.  Asking that question is like going into a car dealership and asking the car salesman what it costs to buy a car.  It is a difficult question to answer.

Now is the time of year when ads start to appear touting "build this house on your lot for $xx.xx per sq. ft."  Many consumers see these ads and use them as the benchmark by which they measure various builders.  Square foot pricing, however, doesn't tell the consumer anything about the amenities that are included with the house.  Many times, people find that the square foot price increases dramatically once they meet with the builder. 

In my opinion, a better approach is to contact a real estate agent who is experienced in new construction.  An experienced agent can be very helpful throughout the whole process.  Many people ask if using a Realtor will add to the cost of the building project.  I believe, if you choose the right Realtor, it will probably save you money.  Realtors are trained to negotiate and many are well versed in the building process.  These skills can be very helpful not only initially but also when you want to make changes to the project.

The square foot price isn't really significant if you build the home you want at a price you can afford.  Building a new home doesn't have to be a difficult or complicated process if you have a real estate professional helping you along the way.

Take care.