Modern farmhouses, while growing in popularity, tend to be on the more expensive side of custom homes.
Why?
With its distinct appearance and unique interior features, modern farmhouse design steps outside standard conventions in custom homes. Consequently, the defining elements of this style require future homeowners to invest more.
When working with our clients to design and build their dream home, we prioritize guiding them through the entire process with complete transparency, including the price tag. Our business and reputation were built on avoiding unwelcome surprises for future homeowners.
How much does it cost to build a modern farmhouse? Let’s dig into what comprises this custom home type’s price.
And there’s something unmistakable about this style of home. It’s an homage to a simpler way of life that doesn’t require sacrificing modern conveniences.
To be direct, modern farmhouses typically cost more than other types of custom homes.
And there’s no one component of modern farmhouse plans that we can pinpoint as the primary driver for their higher cost. There are myriad factors throughout the home’s entire design that push its final price tag up a little higher than other custom home styles.
We’ve broken down by category the answers to “how much does it cost to build a modern farmhouse?”:
Steep roofs add more material to the job and require more time to install, adding to the final construction bill. Dormers also add more material, extra windows, and require the roof structure they’re housed in to be reinforced, which, yes, adds to the cost as well.
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One of the more expensive modern farmhouse elements is their vaulted ceilings. A luxury feature, they require more framing material, drywall, and installation labor.
The modern farmhouse kitchen is typically more spacious, and thus, it does cost more than a small one. However, what goes into a large kitchen -- such as counters or cupboards -- can be done at different quality levels and price points.
Open floor plans aren’t always bank breakers but they do become expensive when they’re beneath a second story. Two-story homes require some walls on the first floor to route plumbing, electrical, and HVAC to the second story. If the home’s designer is able to plan around these essential requirements to maintain a large open floor space, you’ll encounter an added cost to reinforce the second-floor deck to span the open space below.
Resource: Before building any custom home, it’s important to have your financing lined up. Our Custom Home Financing Guide is full of the information you’ll need to make the right financing choice for your project.
Vertical batten siding -- a key design element for a modern farmhouse exterior-- is not much more expensive than standard vinyl siding. Where vertical batten siding becomes expensive is during installation.
While standard siding is installed horizontally, vertical siding is installed vertically. This adds hundreds of time-consuming and hazardous trips up and down a ladder for the installer. This added work and risk hikes up the cost substantially.
A standing seam metal roof is a great investment because of its durability. However, it costs significantly more than architectural shingles.
Colored windows, for reasons we can’t really explain, are also more expensive than standard windows.
As for the modern farmhouse doors? Using wood and craftsman doors both cost more than industry standard choices.
One of the defining factors of any farmhouse, modern or otherwise, is a welcoming covered porch. We can’t disagree with their inclusion in a modern farmhouse plan– they’re a great place to sit and relax or get into it with company.
Though covered porches may seem like a good budget option, remember: they still need roofing, lumber, and a foundation underneath. Roofing, lumber, and a foundation cost money and can easily push your budget to its limit. When all is said and done, a modern farmhouse porch is nearly as expensive to build as the home’s interior.
Though modern farmhouse-style homes are on the higher end of a future homeowner’s budget, there are plenty of ways to design one that fits within their budget.
All Barden homes are 100% customizable. In other words, it’s very possible to incorporate modern farmhouse aesthetics and floor plan elements into your home without breaking the bank.
Our 110th Anniversary Floor Plan Series, which includes nine custom home designs, does just that. Did we mention they’re 100% customizable, too? Our team of in-house designers is here to help you with that!
Here’s how our 110th Anniversary Floor Plan Series adds modern farmhouse components into their designs:
There really isn’t much of a workaround to lower the cost of a steep roof, so that feature was omitted from our standard plans. feel free to “raise the roof” on your home.
Instead, we utilized dormers in modern farmhouse plans wherever possible without needing to add too much costly structural reinforcement. We also kept the windows in the dormers nice and simple to avoid needing custom windows.
Covered front porches have been kept minimal and in line with the home’s foundation to keep masonry costs down. Rear porches are pictured but are optional.
This is where our team put a lot of thought. We needed to give the board & batten look without the cost, so we added vertical siding in select areas of the plans to give the modern farmhouse look without increasing costs. The same was done with metal roofing, as well as any decorative stone or brick.
Colored windows are an unavoidable upgrade cost. They become more affordable through other budget-minded modifications.
Simple fiberglass entry doors give the farmhouse aesthetic without the cost and maintenance of real wood. Costly wood porch posts and gable accents can be replicated with our standard lumber wrapped in patterned vinyl material without sourcing expensive timbers to do the same job of natural materials.
All of the floor plans have been made as open as possible with reasonably spacious kitchens.
Barn doors haven’t been chosen in our standard designs, but are an easy switch. The bedrooms are a split design when possible. The modern farmhouse living room is wide open, too.
The best news?
Even though the standard designs don’t feature a steep roofline, our expert engineers are able to work vaulted ceilings into the roof truss design to add this feature on a budget!
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What are the potential hidden costs or additional expenses that may arise during the construction of a modern farmhouse that are not mentioned in the article? Potential hidden costs in building a modern farmhouse can include permit fees, utility connection charges, and landscaping expenses that are not always immediately apparent. Unexpected site conditions, such as poor soil quality or the need for additional grading, can also add to the overall expense. Additionally, changes or upgrades requested during construction can lead to increased costs, especially if they require modifications to the original plans or materials. How do the costs of building a modern farmhouse compare to other custom home styles in different geographic locations or regions? The costs of building a modern farmhouse can vary significantly based on geographic location and regional construction practices. For instance, construction costs in urban areas or regions with higher labor and material prices can be much higher compared to rural or less costly areas. Local building codes, availability of materials, and regional demand for specific architectural styles also influence the overall cost. In some areas, modern farmhouses may be less expensive relative to other custom styles, while in others, they could be more costly. Are there financing options or grants available specifically for building modern farmhouses that could help offset some of the higher costs? There are various financing options and potential grants that might help offset the costs of building a modern farmhouse. Conventional mortgages, construction loans, and home equity lines of credit are common financing methods. Some regions offer special programs or incentives for building energy-efficient or environmentally friendly homes, which could include modern farmhouses if they meet certain criteria. It's beneficial to research local and federal programs, speak with financial advisors, and explore potential tax credits or rebates that could be applicable to your specific project. |
Despite being a more expensive type of custom home, modern farmhouses boast a look and feel that others simply don’t.
Inspired by homes present in almost every community, a modern farmhouse is an investment in a time-tested design with character.
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This article was originally published in November 2022 and was recently updated to reflect current industry trends.