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Do you dream of your own small and cozy accommodation, a charming summer cottage for the weekend, or a beach house? Nine hundred square feet is what you need! Despite the modest size, these houses have many benefits, and we are sure you would like to learn more about that. Well, here we go!
900 Square Foot House Features
900 square-foot houses are the most popular today, as their usability and coziness become winning rates. Indeed, this house accommodates almost everything a person needs for a comfortable life. As a rule, there is enough space to arrange up to 3 bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a spacious living room combined with a kitchen. Many homeowners also find space for a garage and a small deck or porch. What else can we desire?
Many architects and house owners recognize the following benefits of 900-square-foot homes:
- Ergonomics. You have everything at hand and do not need to wander around the house searching for a cozy corner or some device. Sensibly organized space is the first trump card of a small house;
- Cost-effectiveness. You will spend fewer materials on construction and finishing, and your budget will not be affected irreparably. Besides, you can take the best quality, and this is a crucial benefit;
- Comfort. You always feel cozy in this house, and cleaning takes up little time.
The only thing that can upset you a little is the limited architecture. Luxury styles do not combine with small residential buildings. However, you still have many options, including farmhouse, country, rustic, minimalism, and contemporary.
How Big Is A 900 Square Foot House?
We will lie if we say that 900 square feet are a lot. Yes, these are small houses with their unqualified advantages and benefits. Architects and realtors often recommend this property to singles, young child-free couples, and retirees who feel uncomfortable in a large house because of the extra space and lack of effort to care for it.
900 Square Foot House Plans
As mentioned above, you will hardly see the luxurious and exclusive projects for this footage. However, designers do everything possible to achieve a harmonious, elegant, and fashionable exterior and layout of small houses. Let’s look at a few examples of how they do it.
900 Sq Ft Contemporary House with 2 Bedrooms and a Bathroom
Source: Truoba
This small one-story house gives no reason to doubt its relevance. Simple cubic shapes, two-color wooden panels, and a skillion roof provide a casual and stylish exterior. Huge glass sliding doors and tall windows allow for an abundance of light, making homes spacious and airy from the inside. The layout is straightforward and incredibly convenient. The living room is of the proper shape, passing into the square kitchen is contrasted with two large bedrooms with a shared bathroom and storage.
900 Sq Ft 2-Story Farmhouse with 2 Bathrooms and a Garage
Source: Drummond House Plans
The designers who worked out this plan can be proud of their creations because they managed to turn something compact into something magnificent. The luxurious tall windows with semi-arched tops and voluminous frames are in harmony with the complex roof’s framing, giving the exterior a classic vibe.
One wing of the house, marked with a lower height, is given to the garage, which can also be used as a workshop. The main floor perfectly accommodates a living room, extending to the kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. The lower level will let you afford more regarding recreation, entertainment, or housekeeping.
900 Sq Ft Narrow Lot House with 3 Bedrooms
Source: Architectural Designs
Does a small house imply a small land plot? That’s not a problem! Just look at a great way out of this plan explicitly created for narrow lot offers!
The unusual elements of the roof and bay window become the highlights of the exterior and catch the eye. As for the layout, it is madly rational! The spacious kitchen and dining room share the main floor with a spacious rectangular living room equally. After climbing the stairs, you are in complete serenity, with three bedrooms and a large, cozy bathroom. The perfect solution for those who like guests!
900 Sq Ft 2-Story Contemporary House with an Upper Floor Spacious Terrace
Source: Drummond House Plans
Have you ever dreamed of watching the sunsets from above? Then you will not get this plan! The house is a gift for fans of minimalism, with its strict, clear lines, sloping roof, dark window frames, and delightful stone pillar.
The main floor layout traditionally includes the following:
- A kitchen;
- A large living room;
- A bedroom;
- A bathroom (although the laundry room will be a surprise).
Still, the upper floor has prepared something more intriguing. Upstairs, you get into the master suite with a private bathroom and then to a magnificent patio with a glass fence. This rich layout on small footage seems unexpected, but perfection is unlimited!
900 Sq Ft 2-Story A-Frame Cabin with a Bedroom and a Bathroom
Source: The Plan Collection
Houses with an A-roof are a choice of bold and extraordinary natures, and maybe you are one of those. The slopes descending to the ground may make you think of an excess blackout, but a fully glazed front will clear up any doubts!
The house looks very compact, but you can admire the richness of its layout, with a spacious living and dining area, a U-shaped kitchen, a bedroom with a closet and storage, and a full bath. Vaulted ceilings are a logical part of this architecture, though this does not diminish the excitement.
The top floor is under the so-called balcony room, where you can watch what is happening on the main floor or arrange another intimate corner for relaxation.
How Much Does It Cost to Build A 900 Square Foot House?
Building a 900-square-foot house is a great idea, as you can do it yourself. However, we would not recommend taking matters into your own hands when it comes to a house for permanent residence, but you will surely succeed in a summer cottage or a beach house!
And now some words about the price. If we focus on the overall cost of construction of $100-200 per square foot, we can assume you will spend $ 90,000-180,000 on a 900-square-foot house, depending on the location, the complexity of the plan, and the class of furniture and appliances you choose. However, the cost is like a puzzle as it comprises fragments; therefore, you may go beyond. You can see this by looking at the table below.
State | Cost to Build a House |
Alabama | $87,000-106,300 |
Arizona | $109,000-133,000 |
Arkansas | $83,000-102,000 |
California | $126,500-154,600 |
Colorado | $111,000-136,000 |
Florida | $88,000-107,000 |
Georgia | $92,000-117,000 |
Idaho | $104,000-127,500 |
Iowa | $112,000-137,000 |
Kansas | $109,000-133,000 |
Kentucky | $93,000-114,000 |
Maine | $139,000-170,000 |
Massachusetts | $185,000-226,000 |
Michigan | $115,000-140,000 |
Mississippi | $87,000-107,000 |
Nevada | $119,000-145,000 |
New Jersey | $177,000-217,000 |
New York | $173,000-212,000 |
North Carolina | $86,000-105,000 |
North Dakota | $117,000-144,000 |
Pennsylvania | $154,000-188,000 |
South Carolina | $88,000-108,000 |
South Dakota | $101,000-124,000 |
Texas | $89,000-109,000 |
Utah | $105,000-129,000 |
Virginia | $88,000-108,000 |
Washington | $128,000-157,000 |
Wyoming | $110,000-135,000 |
As you can see, the pricing range is impressive. The reasons for that are pretty obvious, and not all of them can be explained by location. Everybody sets his own estimate depending on the definite house plan, and building expenses include several aspects to spend your budget on.
Land: $5,000 – $7,000
Small spending on a land plot is another benefit of a 900-square-foot house. You do not have to look for a place to swing; a cozy and modest lot will be enough for you. Besides, you can consult a real estate agent to find the best offer for a plot of land that suits you in every sense.
Site Work: $2,000 – $4,000
Buying the land plot is a big step, but it’s just a step that begins the journey of a thousand miles. Now you need to prepare the purchased lot for construction. Besides permits, the list of issues includes:
- Excavation;
- Soil testing;
- Installing or clearing the structures and systems;
- Sometimes the demolition of old buildings.
The lived-in area will require fewer expenses, but if you purchase uncultivated land, be ready to invest more.
Floor Plan: $2,000 – $2,500
Nine hundred square feet doesn’t suggest a swing. However, the designer can be more ingenious in defining the location of the rooms, the bathroom, the kitchen, the pantry, or, if necessary, a patio or a porch. Make sure to take advantage of the services of a specialist, as only a talented pro can find the perfect balance between your desires and needs and the footage you can afford. Be sure to tell him about your vision of the house in detail so that he will find the perfect solution.
Foundation: $5,000 – $7,000
So, you’ve moved on to the foundation, which means it’s already started! In this case, the builders’ task is to construct the most reliable base for your home, while the right choice of its type is your responsibility.
A 900-square-foot house can be built on the foundation of three types – basement, crawl, and slab. The first type is less common for small houses, as it is the most expensive, although more ergonomic, thanks to the ability to equip more living spaces. The crawl foundation assumes the house will be lifted, so consider whether you need it. Installation of the house on a concrete slab is the most popular and cheap solution for a small house. Besides, they are robust and suitable for construction under any seismic conditions.
Framing: $20,000 – $30,000
The outer structure of the house is one of the most expensive aspects of construction, but it is impossible to skimp on it. You have many things to decide. How much wood, steel, and iron will you need? Will you have a traditional gable roof, or would you like a gambrel or skillion one? What kind of sheathing materials are both preferable and affordable? Your house plan will always come to the rescue; otherwise, the spending will be difficult to control here.
Exterior: $30,000 – $40,000
Working on the look of your home is just as far from being cheap. It covers walls, doorways, windows, and ornaments like columns, trims, and beams if provided for in your home plan. You and your construction crew (if you have hired any) should focus on maximum quality to get a safe home and its incredible view for years to come.
Systems Installation: $30,000 – $35,000
Each house’s list of vital systems includes electricity, plumbing, and HVAC. If you have taken care of the expertise and the installation schemes in advance, let us express our sincere admiration for you as a visionary person! Indeed, the preparations are at least 80% of success in this case.
Interiors – $45,000 – $50,000
Ooh, it’s the icing on the cake when it comes to the interior of your house. The owners admit that this is an exciting process. The choice of cabinets and cabinets, doors and glass panels, wall paint, flooring, lighting, and appliances turn into an expensive and stunning quest. You have to pass it successfully, as you are to win the best prize – a beautiful, functional, and comfortable house.
Additional Costs: $2,000 – $15,000
There is only construction with some extra expenses. Landscaping, decks and patios, paths, and driveways are only a few items from this list. However, turn only some of these additions down, as they provide comfort and personality.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy A 900 Square Foot House?
So, you are single, or you two are living together, and you don’t want to get involved in all this construction stuff? Well, buying a house is exactly what you need! We believe that you will find a lot of offers both to taste and pursue, but the company of an innovative retailer will be helpful.
As for the prices, Zillow gives the following info on 900-square-foot houses:
- Arizona – $175,000-300,000
- California – $210,000-275,000
- Colorado – $185,000-210,000
- Florida – $180,000-250,000
- Illinois – $180,000-225,000
- Massachusetts – $160,000-230,000
- New Hampshire – $189,000-250,000
- Utah – $195,000-250,000
- Vermont – $170,000-220,000
- Washington – $135,000-300,000
- South Carolina – $150,000-250,000
- New York – $230,000-260,000
When you start your search, make sure you have selected the right housing type. Summer and beach 900-square-foot houses are cheaper because of the more straightforward design and modest amenities. Homes for permanent residents are more comfortable and sound, so their price is correspondingly higher.
Conclusions
A 900-square-foot house is small. But who said that small is bad? This footage is enough for both comfort and aesthetics. Besides, many couples and singles require little living space. All you need is a well-designed plan and a little patience in search or construction. Approach this issue with love; everyone will see that happiness lives here!