Drafting Floor Plans For A New Construction Home With Comerio Homes

How to Build a New Construction Home on a Budget in Kansas City?

Building a new home is one of the most meaningful investments you can make and with the right plan, it can also be one of the most financially manageable. At Comerio Homes, we believe the homebuilding process should feel transparent, empowering, and aligned with your budget from the very beginning.

Whether you’re building your first home or designing your forever home, understanding how new construction homes in Kansas City are priced gives you more clarity and confidence throughout the journey.

In this guide, we’ll walk through:

The factors that influence new home pricing
How to compare builders effectively
Smart strategies to save money
How to stay on budget without compromising your vision

This overview includes insights from our New Home Pricing Guide and resources to help you build smarter.

Why New Construction?

Many Kansas City families choose to build new because it offers benefits that resale homes simply can’t match.

With Comerio Homes, we offer:

Modern, efficient layouts
Personalization and design flexibility
No surprise maintenance from previous owners
Warranty protection and peace of mind

But one of the biggest advantages is cost control. When you understand how pricing works for custom home design, you can build a home that balances both your lifestyle and your budget.

The 5 Key Cost Variables of Building a New Home

Resale homes are priced based on comparable sales. New construction, however, is priced according to the real costs of designing and building the home, especially important for buyers exploring new construction in Kansas City.

According to our Pricing Guide, these five elements shape every new home budget:

Material Costs

Materials include everything from lumber and roofing to flooring, cabinetry, appliances, and exterior finishes. These prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, and regional market conditions.

Labor Costs

Labor typically accounts for 30%–60% of the total project. Every stage, from framing and concrete work to painting and trim, affects overall cost. Rates vary depending on trade availability and the complexity of the home design.

Soft Costs

These behind-the-scenes expenses make your project possible and compliant:

- Permits
- Insurance
- Interest on construction loans
- Real estate taxes
- Marketing and sales costs

Soft costs play a major role in keeping the project legally and operationally sound.

Homesite and Site Costs

The homesite is more than just land, it’s the foundation for everything. Costs depend on:

- Community
- Lot size and slope
- Soil conditions
- Site access
- Utility hookups

Across the Kansas City area, site costs typically represent around 20% of a new home budget.

Sales & Marketing / Builder Profit

Every reputable builder includes a fair margin to sustain operations, manage liability, and support customer service throughout the build.

What Is “Base Price”?

Base price refers to the cost of the home before selecting your homesite or adding options. At Comerio Homes, our base prices include many premium standard features that other builders often charge extra for:

9′ basements
3-car garages
Granite countertops
Tile flooring in the primary bath

Always compare included features! This is essential when evaluating new home construction in Kansas City.

👉 View our included features list for a full breakdown.

Understanding “Price Per Square Foot”

“Price per square foot” is a useful but sometimes misleading metric. It reflects the base price only and does not include site costs or upgrades.
Different layouts affect overall efficiency:

Plan Type	Build Efficiency
2-Story	Most efficient – vertical build, lower cost/sq ft
Reverse 1.5 Story	Efficient – basement space is less expensive to finish
Ranch	Less efficient – large footprint = more cost/sq ft
1.5 Story	Least efficient – large main floor, high cost/sq ft

🏡 See all floor plans and pricing insights in our Pricing Guide.

How to Save Money on Your New Home

Building on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. These strategies help you maximize value: Reviewing a digital floor plan for a new construction home with Comerio Homes

Choose an Efficient Floor Plan

A 2-story home might offer more space for less cost compared to a ranch. Reverse 1.5 story homes can offer budget flexibility by keeping most living areas above and finishing less expensive basement areas later.

Pick a Budget-Friendly Homesite

Homesites with minimal slope or excavation needs typically cost less to prepare. This is an easy way to keep your overall build cost down.

Know Your Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves

Popular upgrades include:

- Covered decks
- Walkout basements
- Sprinkler systems
- Finished lower levels

On average, buyers invest about 10% of their Base Price + Homesite Cost in upgrades. Planning early helps you stay within budget.

📥 Download the Pricing Guide for upgrade estimates by floor plan.

Review Community Upgrade Packages (CUPs)

Some communities include required exterior or landscaping features that support neighborhood appeal. Understanding these requirements early prevents unexpected costs later.

How to Stay on Budget

Use our New Home Pricing Worksheet (included in the Pricing Guide) to map out:

Base Price
Homesite Cost
Community Upgrade Package (CUP)
Buyer-Selected Options
Site Cost Allowances

💡 Pro Tip: Set aside a contingency buffer for potential site conditions, such as rock removal or foundation adjustments.

Comparing Builders the Right Way

When evaluating a new construction builder in Kansas City, look beyond price alone. Compare these things:

What’s included in the base price
Warranty programs and customer service
Communication practices
Past buyer reviews and references

At Comerio Homes, we emphasize transparency, premium materials, and a collaborative design process. Always compare long-term value; not just square footage.

🔍 Learn more about our process.

Start Building Smarter with Comerio Homes

Comerio Homes proudly builds across Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, including Build on Your Land opportunities throughout Kansas City. Whether you’re designing a custom plan or reviewing Kansas City new construction homes for sale, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

👉 Schedule a Consultation
📥 Download the Full Pricing Guide
📞 Call us today: (913) 270-2871