How to cut your building costs

There are several options that can save you money, but they’re not without drawbacks, writes Paul King.

After ‘‘how much will it cost?’’, probably the second most common question I hear, once the shock has worn off, is: ‘‘How do I build it more cheaply?’’

There are a bunch of options that can save you money, but each has its drawbacks. Here are a few of the most common strategies.

123RF By far the simplest and most effective way to reduce the cost of building is to make it smaller, says architect Paul King.

UNSPLASH Having fewer fixtures and fittings is one way to save money, but be careful about sourcing cheap joinery especially in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

UNSPLASH If you want the best finish, know your limits when it comes to DIY.