How to build a starter home in a starter neighborhood.

[@jj6282]

I've said before, you should do a whole catalog of these smaller, authentic homes. Great job as always Brent!

[@BrentHull]

Thank you!

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

There are plenty of starter home plans available for basically free; all of the old kit homes. Home plans were not subject to copyright until around 1990 (only the blueprints themselves could be copyrighted) and I’m fairly certain any designer of a kit home is long dead and the companies that sold them are long gone out of business. I seriously doubt anyone would give a darn about copying an 80 year old house plan (of course you would have to upgrade and bring it up to code etc). The old house plans would almost certainly be be better than the garbage plans sold today.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

@@kurtvonfricken6829 the issue is a drafter making those old plans into construction plans would charge more than Bent would. This whole internet this is a pasion for him helping others. Maybe at one time it was marketing but I'm sure he's turning away work for the last 5-10 years. Pay him enough to cover the cost and take his kids out for dinner and an amusement park once a year and he's good.

[@tc9148]

This is over the top incredible, just what a starter home should be. - simple, elegant, classical and a joy to look at.

[@BrentHull]

Thank you!!

[@jeffpower6473]

I think the sheer fact that a production builder is asking you to design a starter home is a HUGE step in the right direction. I wish I could come work for you. 😉

[@BrentHull]

Ha, thanks.

[@danesalow3303]

I know budget is something you probably have to confront a lot, but honestly this sort of video has a lot of value for more people. I would love to have a series of videos on how to build with traditional details in mind while on a more reasonable budget. Thank you so much for the video!

[@danesalow3303]

For more context I’m a new home builder who has been trying to piece out how to do exactly this while in a starter-home price range. It’s time to get rid of the current “starter home mentality”.

[@frankjoyce76]

100 percent agreed. I really like the content of this channel but I would never spend 3-5 times the average in the neighborhood

[@renuing]

I agree, really love seeing how to work traditional, beautiful details that have been forgotten into more common place homes.

[@BrentHull]

Nice. thanks for watching.

[@robertbamford8266]

It’s actually what you set out to accomplish: “starter” home at a reasonable price. Your comments reminded me of a plaque that used to be in Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops. It featured a quote from John Ruskin: “There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey.”

[@BrentHull]

Thanks, I love that quote.

[@hankgs7]

Hi , I’m a landscape designer and love your videos. I especially love that you re-organized building materials to create a fantastic starter home. At the end of the video you said…”how to bring in more curb appeal…” I say the way to do that is with better landscaping. Install more trees for curb appeal. I think if builders used your plans along with a professional landscape designer, our world would be more beautiful. Also developers should stop cutting down our forests. People love older homes with mature landscaping.

[@BrentHull]

I agree 100%. Thx

[@MrRobd23]

I would love to see an evolution of this video for projects in other price ranges. This one was perfect for the sub 500k/sub 3000 sq ft house, but I would really love to see one in the $1M/5000 sq ft range. Showing how to take some of the building details from the custom $600+/sq ft homes and applying them to the $200/sq ft homes would be really interesting and helpful to a lot of builders.

[@BrentHull]

Ok, good idea. Thanks.

[@vecchiofalegname6149]

I’d like to start with this question: Does a “starter home” need to be 3000 square feet? With “luxury features”? I grew up in a small midwestern town where people didn’t have much money, but they owned and raised families in very modest houses. Seventy-odd years later, I live in a Bay Area neighborhood, built in the mid-1920s, mostly of 950 sf (2 BR, 1 bath) to 1250 sf (3 BR) well-built, nice, modest houses. Generations lived here, raising families and building a neighborhood. Quite a few owners have created additions, a couple bedrooms and a bathroom. And isn’t that a better model? Create a modern, well-built house without all the square footage and bells and whistles, that can be expanded and improved as homeowners become established, their families grow, and they gain equity? What do buyers want? I think they want something they can afford to own. Maybe they’d like jacuzzis and cathedral ceilings-at least the builders and developers are telling them that’s what they want-but would they settle for something less? Isn’t that what the “starter” part is all about? I’m not a developer or builder, and I don’t know the economics, but I presume that the bigger the building and the more stuff stuffed into it, the better the margin: But I think creating housing should be about more than maximizing profit. It should be about building in every sense-building houses, building community, building stronger, healthier families and ultimately building a better country, where you don't need a crippling mortgage to have a house. Forgive me for going on so long. I’m old, and dissatisfied with what I see going on around me.

[@BrentHull]

I love it. thanks for sharing.

[@eh_bailey]

Brent, I love the rest, but I feel like this is the one that is needed so much. The builders that put up the most houses are the ones that can have the biggest impact.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks me too.

[@renuing]

So refreshing to see, love it!! You did a phenomenal job of working within the parameters and making a beautiful house but not make it look out of place. Super hard challenge!

[@BrentHull]

It is hard challenge. Thank you.

[@steveklimes568]

Yes! Just what a starter home should be.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks!

[@kirstenbech9893]

I love the thought going into this! I'd be interested in seeing a variation where you design a house that is meant to be added to over time; this might let you do better finishes on the smaller square footage at the beginning. For instance: the "starter" house could have a modest bedroom and bath that is meant to become a guest room when a new primary is added; the starter family room could have a one-wall kitchen that can be converted to a bar when a full kitchen is added.

[@BrentHull]

I love it. Let me look into it. THx.

[@Dearlybeloved2024]

I was just telling my husband how awesome it would be to develop a neighborhood of new starter home cottages in an old world aesthetic… I think there is definitely a market for this very thing! Wish we saw more of it….

[@BrentHull]

I agree, i think it would sell well. Go for it.

[@Jana41951]

I love this. Symmetry is so important. I wish more homes were built this way. This brings peace to my mind.

[@BrentHull]

Agreed. Thx.

[@pmaitrasm]

I have always had a soft corner for symmetry. I am so happy to see a learned person like Brent Hull speak highly of symmetry. Sometimes, people get caught up in doing what everyone else is doing. Thank you Brent for speaking with conviction without fear or prejudice.

[@BrentHull]

You are so welcome!

[@ZachAshcraft]

Love this exercise. Less is more. Would love to see this way of thinking become the norm in new developments.

[@BrentHull]

Nice. Thanks so much.

[@rogerhodges7656]

Reading the comments is interesting. Brent is expressing a concept with details to be worked out. I think this is great. I can see and appreciate the way you are working with builder basic materials and elevating the outcome. This is head and shoulders above the awful pictures that you showed at the beginning of this clip. If they are in the same development, I would avid the area and look elsewhere.

[@BrentHull]

Ha, thanks!

[@JL-hn6hi]

Sweet. H shaped floor plan for the win!

[@BrentHull]

Ha, thanks!

[@valkyrie568]

It looks really good. You struck a great balance of authentic looking details to give it charm and keep it from looking like a double-wide, but not those nonsensical details that just make them look silly. And no front-facing garage doors really up the curb appeal! Hopefully a less complicated roofline will allow for some higher quality materials inside.

[@BrentHull]

Thank you so much!

[@statesidechippie]

I’m sure all here will be applauding this idea. As others have mentioned, and I think too on the podcast with Dan Parish, how good it would be to take those old home catalogues and redesign them for today. It’s a real eyesore to drive through neighborhoods from the early 50s and 60s and see a modern new build completely out of place. America needs more starter homes but can the market support them? As I was told at a vehicle dealership named in this video; customers care more about features than quality. Look forward to more updates.

[@BrentHull]

Well said. Thank you!!

[@stevemiller7949]

How many people in America understand the instantaneous neurological benefits that a symmetrical facade delivers? Not many. Kudos for designing an affordable variation of Mt Vernon, Monticello, and the White House, and the beloved orange roofed Howard Johnson's, now sadly extinct. The quiet stability of a symmetrical facade is not to be underestimated in it's nurturing properties. I hope the Institute of Classical Architecture recognizes you.🙂🙂💯

[@BrentHull]

Thanks and I agree 100%.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

This is why I love Brent and you should learn here also. Taking on the build on an entry level budget. I went from top tier to enrty level by choice and the challenge for me has been the lack of trainable subs. Simple things like drywall gaps around the exterior for airsealing are a fight.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks.

[@jeffreyandrus6119]

My son and I just finished building his first house. We live outside Phoenix AZ with over 50 days of 110 degree temps. We built for best performance, not esthetics. ICF walls/low SRI standing seam metal roof with gable vents/triple mini split 30 seer HVAC, energy star appliances, low U windows/covered porches on all sides except North. $300K for 2500 sq/ft, 4000 under roof. Built all the cabinets and built ins out of real wood (bourbon moth), Watched lots of you tube experts like you and Matt Risinger. Thanks!

[@BrentHull]

Well done!! Congrats.

[@dlongmore1]

Yes and Yes!!! This seems like a great way to spread the message that "craftsmanship matters". Show normal everyday people who are buying the cheap and fast crap how they can step up their game and get a better house without it costing them a fortune. When I dream about the possibilities I cannot help think of another builder that I admire Tedd Benson. I know his automation is the in direct opposition to the hand crafted look and thus he seems to be the very enemy. But the ultimate dream for me would be a combination of a factory built high quality house (Tedd Benson style) for all the infrastructure. With the outside shell and inner finishes done in Brent Hull style. Just my two cents.

[@BrentHull]

Nice, I'm a Ted Benson fan as well. Thanks.

[@Fedgery007]

Love it. I think a lot of people won’t get it it. They’ll see the single shutter and say “that window is missing a shutter!” Cuz shutters are typically just stickers on homes.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks. Noted.

[@johnanonyimous5007]

yes, looking forward to seeing this project unfold. Keep us posted.

[@BrentHull]

Will do. Thanks.

[@matthewhicks6895]

Love this idea! Can’t wait for the results. $500-$600 sq ft 😮

[@BrentHull]

More to come. Thanks.

[@miketackabery7521]

It's really charming and unique in comparison to the rest of the development.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks so much.

[@okbridges]

I'm an old-house nut and found your channel a month or so ago, and I love it! I like the ideas you are presenting here, and especially with this video. Redesigning the front elevation of the house to eliminate the endlessly pointless number of gables is great. Trying to give the house a built over time look without a lot of needlessly complex projections is also a nice touch. And what's nice is how the overall symmetry of the massing ties it together even though the left and right aren't strictly symmetrical.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks so much!

[@MarkR874]

The questions you tackle at the end are very good questions. Ones I ask all the time as a remodeler of primarily upper-middle income families. Budget drives so incredibly hard at the decisions that are made. Often times when I try to elevate a project it ends up biting me in the rear financially because the clients don’t value those upper level ideals and aren’t really interested in paying for them. They just want a few modern “wow” items and more space with new finishes. It can be so difficult to get anywhere near the master level in much of the construction market. Perhaps that is true at large historically as well. Im also in an area in Central Valley California that doesn’t have a lot of historical buildings, so that shapes the feel of the communities and expectations of the homeowners.

[@BrentHull]

Great points. Thanks for sharing. I think not having historic precedent makes it harder. I've found that building toward a master level takes years of slow improvement. Keep at it, it sounds like you're on the right track.

[@nated1971]

My wife and i are working through this same exercise right now. We got with an architect to do the design separate from the builder. Same conditioned square footage and price point.

[@BrentHull]

Nice, let me know how it goes.

[@manm2003]

Would be so awesome to have follow up episodes with the physical home built

[@BrentHull]

Coming this spring.

[@sloqlap]

More like this please.

[@BrentHull]

Ok. Thanks..

[@ddutton0]

This is great! Good design for a lower budget! Thanks for sharing

[@BrentHull]

Glad you like it!

[@amieramsey1020]

Love it! Wish this would start a trend.

[@BrentHull]

Me too.

[@skiphill9]

I hope you share the progress of this project as it evolves! Simple elegance on reasonable budget

[@BrentHull]

That's the plan! THx.

[@williampoe8658]

Very nice design! I belive you have winner at an affordable price point!

[@BrentHull]

Thx so much.

[@Kyle-vo9rp]

That’s fantastic! I would love to see more concepts of what a starter home could be. Starter home arts and crafts?

[@BrentHull]

Thanks more to come.

[@clintbremner4906]

Brent, great working leading the charge to get starter homes looking beautiful again. I watched your video last night before bed and this morning I spent several hours drawing the house based on the information presented. I’m a builder in the great state of Georgia and your video’s are inspiring and challenge me to do better. I look forward to further videos in this series and I plan to build the house based on the information you present.

[@613kc]

Godspeed!

[@BrentHull]

Awesome. We need more good small houses. Thx!

[@user-fc4ie1xm7y]

Great work; much needed. If you design a few of these starter homes it would be very helpful if you could make the complete, detailed house plans available for purchase and use by others.

[@BrentHull]

Will do.

[@st6457]

Beautiful. I hope that we get to see the finished house.

[@BrentHull]

Yes, that's the plan.

[@stefboulas]

This is a great video and so informative. Thank you Brett.

[@BrentHull]

You are welcome.

[@ryanrents126]

Worth mentioning that this "entry level" house here in the US is probably nicer than what 90% of Americans live in, and by extension probably nicer than what 95% or more of the world population lives in. Let that sink in.

[@BrentHull]

ok

[@KenYamaguchi-sg5zr]

Very nice, Brent. Appreciate your expertise focused on a modest project. Thank you.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for watching.

[@Alteasea]

You want to know what I think? It´s beautiful.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks so much!

[@dantolen3969]

This design is beautiful. Though it’s definitely more than a starter home. A starter home is more like 800-1600 sq ft, with a single roof design. Something that could be built under $200k

[@BrentHull]

Hmm, not around here. Thanks.

[@artemioquintero7866]

What a great video, if you could please do a follow up on what happens with the house. Do the clients go for it? Hope they like it we need beautiful more proportionate building in America.

[@BrentHull]

Yes, that is the plan.

[@jojohns1949]

2100 sq ft starter home That a big start home Alot to clean and keep up

[@BrentHull]

Yep.

[@marvinhaines9297]

Hi - First of all, excellent job making that "ranchy-farmhousey" style into something actually pleasing to look at. Secondly, I have a bit of critique to offer: 1. A house with a symmetrical plan should be symmetrical on the exterior. It's a mistake to think that dressing the right wing in a different window style and a jerkinhead gable hides the fact that it's the same as the left wing. Perhaps stick to true symmetry? 2. Nice job with the porch. But maybe get rid of the divided lites/muntins in the door, or introduce them to the other windows? Continuity is better. 3. The left wing should really have two evenly spaced windows instead of three. The gable needs some kind of window beneath the apron. 4. The dormer is a fine idea, but perhaps it should be wider and have three casements? Or narrower? It looks awkward to have a window that's only slightly wider than the door beneath it.

[@BrentHull]

Noted.

[@who2u333]

Will people care? I think in the same way that many people 'just know' that a McMansion is somehow off, people will know that this house 'feels' right with proper proportion and a consistency of theme. To spread the gospel of good design, there has to be a foray into more affordable price points. Otherwise, it will just be people looking at the $500/sq ft. houses thinking that it is just money that makes great design.

[@renuing]

Exactly! I think there are definitely people in this price range that care more about beauty than square feet, I'm definitely one. It's just hard to find builders and designers that serve that group. Thanks for taking this project on!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks! I agree!

[@turkeyidk4080]

The only thing I would change is making both sides the same. You really should make catalog

[@BrentHull]

THanks!!

[@chazTRAINalb]

Awesome!

[@BrentHull]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

Create interest by adjusting the skyline with a 2-story building. I want to make a 1000 sq.ft home, but to even get approval to build in San Diego is $185k in fees.

[@BrentHull]

Dang.

[@andy4717]

Love it

[@BrentHull]

THanks!

[@bradwatson7324]

Yes, this is the way houses should be built. I do wonder about the right side garage though. I understand about it being less important, but it still needs to be balanced weight wise with the left, I think, and I’m not sure the current plan does that. Good landscaping could do it, but it would be nice if the architecture could do it alone.

[@BrentHull]

Noted. Thanks.

[@johngladwell7504]

Love it !!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks

[@weekendwarrior3420]

It's simple and beautiful. I'd like to live in it. I hope the kitchen has a door. I hate open kitchens that stink up the whole house.

[@BrentHull]

Noted. Thanks.

[@WadeMcLure]

You know things are messed up in this world when $500k is a "starter home"

[@BrentHull]

ok.

[@YSLRD]

It is not. Starter for the top 5%. Real people start lower.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Brent you have a lesson to learn on the floor plan. Mortgage appraisal software doesnt like this house. It will sell for whats asked but you could get more for the same sf if you consider appraisal. Thats whats need for a design like this to be done at scale instead of a one off. Im doing a 1830sf entry with 4 bed and two bath, i looked at hundreds of plans and nothing does better in that square footage. Your work wouldnt be able to do a layout of 4 beds in the same sf but understand the financial conditions will give you something to think about. Respond to this and i can call your office and go over it with someone. Im planning on a month or two in souther Texas this winter, want to watch the Space X launch, I'll try to make a detour and see a talk. Great challenge that every architect says they want to do but almost non attempt as soon as costs are explained.

[@BrentHull]

Interesting. I'll let you review when we get the final plans made.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

@@BrentHull let's do that. Give me a couple weeks to reach out. I'll call the millwork number. Im going through my comment responses and just realized you're 5 or 6 in a row. :)

[@pointnemo369]

My 1st family house was 1232 SQFT then all you were allowed to build was 1800 SQFT in that neighbor hood. It's like portion's growing size at restaurants. Is this being driven by the Market demands, the need for builders to sell more house or to increase the tax base? Anyway interesting exercise in addressing these issues.addressing.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for watching.

[@MplsMetalwork]

I'm so inspired by this! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ubiquitous ranch-style homes. For the large number of middle-class home owners who can't easily move, are there features of the regional ranch styles like the California or Colonial ranch that could guide them in making architectural enhancements? E.g., what can be done to rebalance an L-shaped/asymmetric house or small windows with nonfunctional shutters. Are there historical details pulled from other styles that could work well with the long/low proportions to add interest to 1960s/1970s ranches without it seeming too contrived?

[@BrentHull]

I'd need to dig into but i would say yes. Very doable. Thx.

[@YSLRD]

Fantastic. Simply ending the multiple random roof angles and unoccupied dormers is a giant leap. But seriously, 2200 sq ft isn't starter. In my area, starters are updated older houses or new ones in the 12 to 1500 range.They cost somewhere in the high 180's or low 200's.

[@BrentHull]

Good to know.

[@DrWarBear]

Brent this is amazing! I too am working on a side loaded house that’s around 2000 sq Ft in size and this has been a huge inspiration! Thank you for showing this, would love to see how your team tackles this into the interior choices as well. How do you strike that balance between budget constraints while still getting the genuine details right? Where should the money be prioritized? Are there areas where not a lot of money can make a big impact? Curious if you or your team is available for consultation for smaller questions? I don’t have the budget I’m sure for a full mock up (though I would seriously love it!), but even just an hour or half an hour to pick your brain would be immensely helpful. :)

[@BrentHull]

Thanks, current back up on consultations. Sorry.

[@benjaminledford6111]

Are you really building that for $120/SF down there in Texas? I'm working with a non-profit developer here in Idaho and we're close to $200/SF and that's with vinyl siding, MDF baseboards, no interior casing on the windows...

[@ddutton0]

I am in Texas, yes, in the DFW area about 10 yeas ago you would even see track houses going for 65 a square foot for new builds. We thought it was crazy money wen we sold our 1300 sft house at $110 per Square foot. Sure it is a super basic house, slab single story, but it was brick in 3/4 of the home and was a production build that was 90% garage on the front. No basements here and all slab on grade for most new builds.

[@BrentHull]

Yes, that is our going rate.

[@tomiossi8092]

Love the symmetry, cottage style. As a northerner bungalow owner, could that be designed to allow more space in the attic with higher pitch and rafters vice trusses?

[@BrentHull]

Thanks and yes.

[@frankjoyce76]

Forgive me for sticking my nose in your business but have you considered creating blueprints for each type of house style and people can choose different price points? selling those blueprints would be a great template for people to buy

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for the feedback, this is an early stage deal. If it works out we would love to make them available.

[@lisamclaughlin430]

The kitchen should be off of the garage,so you don't have to carry your groceries along with the dirt over your great room floor, How do you access those 2 rear bedrooms, do you have go thru the rear porch or is that a little vestibule you pass thru?

[@BrentHull]

Good thoughts. I'll talk to the builder.

[@stevemiller7949]

This is so major. Crappy housing is a drag on the nation. This is an issue that needs to be owned fairly by all of us. Here's my take---- 1) Enough already with suburbs. 2) Missing Middle housing needs to start showing up. 3) Abolish single family only zoning. 4) Abolish parking minimums. 5)Reverse engineer affordable quality. 6) Density! It saves money and the planet, and creates walkability. Look at Seaside and its cousins! When it's done right, everyone wants in, and will pay a premium to get it. 7) Sure, lawns are pretty, I get it. They also create stupid outcomes, like species loss (Monarchs anyone?) Create communal lawns for Frisbee etc. I realize these ideas will get lots of pushback. So be it.🙂🙂💯 A 2 tier housing system, one for "our kind" and another for the underclass turns democracy into a joke. A model T, "everyman's" house should be a work of art and an asset to the community.

[@BrentHull]

Thank you!

[@YSLRD]

Keep your density. Humans need room to breathe. Better to have subdivisions with sidewalks and a central gathering space ( clubhouse).

[@benjambm]

I hope it works! You have talent and taste. But in my experience, people in those builder grade developments prefer Cheez-its over steak.

[@BrentHull]

That is what we hope to discover. I'm hopeful you're wrong.

[@benjambm]

I hope I’m wrong too! Keep up the great work!

[@philbrown5516]

How is this a starter home? It’s huge.

[@BrentHull]

2000 feet is not huge.

[@marisayoung796]

I love the exposed rafter tails, but I'm wondering how this is allowable by code(?). Generally, gutters are required (to prevent erosion at foundation). Or is this a California building code thing?

[@BrentHull]

I don't think that is part of our code here. I'll check. Thx.

[@a97chrjo]

Why did you put a sky light in? I couldn't see anything that's ad to the house.

[@BrentHull]

Its a dormer, I said skylight mistakenly.

[@dpf1119]

With proper landscaping, this will be killer. If it’s treated like the other homes in terms of landscaping , it will be less. Treated appropriately, it will rightfully be more.

[@BrentHull]

Noted. THanks.

[@ryansoo4000]

Hi Brent. Have you ever done an interview or collaborated with the host of HGTV's Restored show, Brett Waterman?

[@BrentHull]

I have not but I would. I think he does a good job. Not just a talking head like some HGTV stars.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Is that a Jerkinhead roof on the right? Ok on a cottage, Tudor, Queen Anne but overdone on many traditional styles.

[@BrentHull]

Clipped hip yes. Agreed.

[@piggly-wiggly]

It’s nuts that it costs more for a simple, rational house than for a gaudy, illogical house just because of economies of scale. Large scale builders should have all plans reviewed by Brent before they’re allowed to start ordering materials.

[@BrentHull]

Haha, thanks.

[@bobe3250]

Interesting video… starter home at $500K. New construction. Didn’t say much as to the build quality and materials used. More details would be necessary in order to determine yea or nah.

[@BrentHull]

noted. thx.

[@CzarinaHarris]

Any chance we see what to do with a ranch? Wanting to redo my mother’s ranch which sits perpendicular to the street, safety issues with not being able to see the street. Even the mailman isn’t seen unless they come to drop a package at the front door. So dumb to build a house that way on a lot.

[@BrentHull]

send me pics, i may be able to check it out.

[@BobbyB394]

Hey Brent, could you recommend any books on modern home building best practices?

[@BrentHull]

Modern style or modern function. I would find some build science books to start.

[@claireh.7605]

I’m renovating a starter house! Seems like having cedar siding in the northeast isn’t practical anymore vs hardie siding? Like it’s going to need scraping and repainting in ten years if it’s cedar.

[@BrentHull]

Actually it won't if it is installed properly, with an air gap.

[@ssarryo]

Are the windows, and roof point details not supposed to match on either side of the house?

[@BrentHull]

not in my mind.

[@lookup9078]

I’m being quoted $500 sqft for addition on an old 1948 house. Rip offs

[@BrentHull]

Ok. Additions on historic houses can be expensive when they are done right.

[@lookup9078]

@@BrentHull it’s by no means a “Historic” house. I shop around.

[@user-vc5wf2ox4m]

Garage gate on the side looks odd and is inconvenient , isn't it?

[@BrentHull]

Hmm, I'll review. thanks

[@user-vc5wf2ox4m]

@@BrentHull you are most welcome, sir😀

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

Do they build "starter homes" any more? Everything I see are $750,000 mini-mansions.

[@BrentHull]

Yes, but outside of town where land is cheap.

[@bdidier37]

How would you deal with rain run off from the roof on to the porch?

[@BrentHull]

Good question. round gutters for a cottage look.

[@SponsoredNot]

$500K isn’t a challenge. Try $50K. That’s a challenge

[@BrentHull]

True.

[@cw73]

Hey Brent, I own a design firm and would love the opportunity to work with you. It's a breath of fresh air to see someone who desires to build houses the "right" way. I would like to meet with you sometime. Can you let me know who to contact to set something up? Thanks for putting great content out there! Charley Munro

[@BrentHull]

Hi Charley, lets talk. [e-mail]. Just remind me of this convo in your email. Thx.

[@bestbuilder1st]

It will work if you get the details right...if you leave it to a production builder, it will look like cheap crap. I don't think they can build what you drew even if they tried (I see it in my area all the time, they just can't get anything right). Using the 8-page "playbook" is just too ingrained. Take the shutters for example, they have to look right or they will look cheap. Who will be monitoring it? The same guy who builds the other stuff. It totally can be done and the public will buy it (faster than the other stuff), but it has to be right. It might cost a little more at first but once the crew gets how to do it, the cost will come down.

[@BrentHull]

The goal is to build with close control over quality and details.

[@ryansoo4000]

Hi Brent, recently on Matt Risinger's KZbin channel he did an interview with Steve Baczek in which they discussed the differences between builders and contractors. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXq9mmSJhJdlrdE At minute 12:55 Steve starts talking about the cost per square foot for building a house and he says that he talks to builders who say "I price my build at $350/sq' and the other guy comes in at $275. I can barely buy my materials for that price so how can that include labor?" In your video you say you're building for $100-$150 per square foot. is that because you aren't including high end finishing details like the ones Steve would put into his custom homes or does that reduction in costs also mean that the basic building envelope and mechanical systems are also downgraded? Maybe you should do a collaboration video with Steve and discuss how costs can be balanced with building envelopes and finishing details?

[@BrentHull]

Good idea. Yes, starter homes have no extra features to raise costs. There are also regional differences in cost. Boston is more expensive than Texas. Thanks.

[@Haakonson55]

I think most entry level home buyers, at least in my area, don’t care because they’ve never been presented with a well designed house in the first place. If well designed houses were amongst the cookie cutters, they would care! Every new starter home here is the same, and ugly. To top it off, they’re poorly built.

[@BrentHull]

Sad but true.

[@crystalrabbon]

That's not a starter home!

[@miketackabery7521]

Times have changed. And clearly not for the better.

[@crystalrabbon]

We have an election coming up to change that. @@miketackabery7521

[@BrentHull]

ok

[@MAGAMAN]

5:30 So you have to walk into the back yard and through the storage room to get to the MBR? That floor layout looks awful, not to mention the mismatched roof peaks, the multiple roof levels and the small windows on one side make everything look off balance.

[@BrentHull]

Ok.

[@johnmarquardt1991]

$500,000 is NOT a starter home. This guy is totally out of touch with reality.

[@BrentHull]

ok.