Cypress Homes recently finished building a cost-effective custom ranch home on a wooded lot in Hortonville, WI. The floor plan of this home was based off of our Cedarwood model, but features several unique changes:

• The size of the home was increased to 1,597 square feet above grade (The Cedarwood is traditionally only 1,437 square feet).
• The sunroom was deleted.
• The garage increased from a 2 car garage with 1 door, to a 3 car garage with 3 individual doors.
• The general layout was modified, adding more space to several areas.

These changes resulted in a very affordable ranch home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an open-concept layout.

Simple FOUNDATION AND ROOF

There are ways to achieve great curb appeal without having multiple gables (roof peaks) and dormers. This home features a very clean and inviting roof line. Having a simple roof also typically means a functional and efficient foundation. The straight lines on the exterior of the house minimize the amount of building materials needed and allow for a smoother building process.

All of these cost efficiencies on the exterior of the home left room in the budget for a few design features including cultured stone, square porch columns, vinyl shake siding, gable beams, and 3 individual garage doors with straps and handles.

EFFICIENT OPEN-CONCEPT LAYOUT

The kitchen, dining room, and great room provide a wide open layout with a cathedral ceiling, making the space feel large and welcoming. The open concept reduces the amount of framing to keep costs affordable. Also, the kitchen and corner pantry provide storage and workspace without going overboard on countertops and cabinetry.

The fireplace has a modern farmhouse feel with a stone surround and shiplap above the beam style mantel. Another area that provided some cost savings is the staircase featuring a half-wall with a wood cap (this was more affordable than an open railing with balusters and newel posts).

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ENTRY

There is a mudroom with built-in lockers from the garage entrance, but it also doubles as the 1st floor laundry room. This garage entry brings you to the same foyer as the front door. In addition, even the third bedroom provides a dual purpose; this room near the front of the house can be used as either a smaller bedroom or an office.

Efficient Master Suite

Building a cost effective home doesn't mean you have to squeeze into a tiny master bedroom. This master bedroom provides plenty of space and features 4 windows allowing views of the treeline on the back of the lot

Having large carpeted bedrooms does not break the bank; it's the extravagant bathrooms that pile onto the bottom line. This master bathroom provided dual vanities with a countertop linen. However, the fiberglass shower module saved thousands of dollars compared to a tiled shower with a glass door. Lastly, all of the closets in the house, including the walk-in master closet, feature cost-effective wire closet organizers instead of more expensive wood organizers.

Economical Ranch Floor Plan

The entire layout of the first floor fits efficiently into the cost effective footprint of the home. The Cedarwood model provides a unique layout where the master bedroom is right next to the 2nd bedroom. This is convenient for parents that want to be near their children (or vice-versa). Also, the master bathroom and the main bathroom are in relatively close proximity resulting in efficient plumbing lines.

Do You Want To Build A Cost Effective Home?

Overall, this home provided many of the features customers are looking for in their dream home. However, everything from the layout to the finishes kept affordability at the forefront. If you want to build a house, but also stay on budget, we'd be happy to help. Give us a call at 920-734-2324 or message us on our Contact Page and we'd be happy to provide you with price estimates and discuss the building process. If it looks like a good fit, we even go through a thorough bidding process up-front before we ask our customers to sign a build contract.