This default site cost is at the low end of your market.  You can change this number if you choose to.  

Site costs typically include:

1. Civil engineering plans and surveys
2. Permit fees (grading and building)
3. Tear Down of existing home (if needed)
4. Excavation and dirt removal
5. Erosion control and tree protection fencing
6. Tree removal
7. Utility installation and municipal tap fees
8. Stormwater systems (rain gardens for example)
9. Site Grading
10. Landscaping area above what is included in the landscaping package
11. Driveway area above what is included in the driveway package

Costs in the DC region typically range from $100k - 200k.  Ziberty's home prices are guaranteed, but site costs cannot be guaranteed until the grading permit is issued by the proper municaplity.  We can estimate your site costs by reviewing the lot.  We can fine tune the site cost estimate after the engineers create the grading/site plan.  When the grading permit is issued, we can then provide a guaranteed price becuase the scope of the site work has been finalized.

Some site related costs are included in Ziberty's home cost (all based on set sizes/area).  They are:

1. Landscaping
2. Driveway
3. Front walkway
4. Deck/patio if selected
5. Exterior lighting

These are costs that are not typically included in the home price, which is something to consider if you are comparing Ziberty's price to a competitor.

The framing type is primarily how the above grade exterior walls are constructed.  Regardless of the framing type selected, the foundation walls of all Ziberty homes are poured concrete.  

Conventional Wood Framing

Conventional wood framing is how the vast majority of homes built in America (outside hurricane zones) are constructed.  The exterior wall structured is primarily 2x4 or 2x6 wood studs with OSB sheeathing on the outside.  The sheating is wrapped in a moisture resistance barrier or comes with the moisture reistance baked into the OSB.  

SIP Walls

SIP stands for structural insulated panel.  The panels consist of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two structural facings, typically oriented strand board (OSB).  The primary benefit of SIP Wall is improved energy efficiency of the home as compared to a conventional wood framed house with regular batt insulation.  To learn more about SIPs, we recommend SIPs.org (click here).  

Insulated Concrete Forms - ICF

Insulated concrete form walls (ICF) have hard foam on the exterior and interior side of the wall with pourced concrete and rebar in in between.  The walls are built using hollow hard foam blocks.  The blocks are stacked on each each other to form the walls, rebar is placed in cavities of the blocks, and concrete is poured into the concrete.  ICF walls are very energy efficient, strong, quiter, highly wind resistant, and fire resistant.  To learn more about ICF walls, we recommend ICF Magazine (click here).  For a quick video, check out this ICF Video (excuse the pitch by this particular brand of ICF)

Timber Framing

Timbrer Framing is the use of heavy timbers (posts and beams) for the structural framing of the home.  The timbers can be held together with heavy duty metal brackets or with wood joinery, such as mortise and tenon.  The sections in between the posts can be framed with regular conventional framing or SIP Walls. In the 21st century, the primary reason people choose timber framing is for the beauty of the wood exposed on the interior.  The vasty majority of timber framed homes have the timbers exposed on the interior.  To learn more about timber framing, we recommend TFguild.org (click here)

Very Few

-No curves or change in angles 

Few

-Some 45' angles 

Moderate

-Some curves

Many

-Increased amount of curvature

Very Many

-Extensive curvature 

Very Simple

Gable Roof

Simple

Double Gable

Normal

Hip Roof or equivalent

Complex 

Multiple Hip and Gable

Very Complex

Flat Roof (structurally complex to support snow and prevent leaks)

Front Garage Entry

Side Garage Entry

Courtyard Garage Entry

Basement Garage Entry 

House Plans

If you select "House Plans", we'll use your selected floor plan characteristics as a starting place for designing your home from scratch while working with with one of our preferred architects.   We can also gladly work with your own architect of choice or start from any floorplan you already have in mind (do not select House Plans in this case)

Engineering

After the home design is completed, the engineers will create the structural plans. If you select House Plans, then Engineering is automatically selected because we will use one of our preferred engineers if we are working with one of our preferred engineers (the architects and engineers are usually from the same firm).  If you have your own set of plans or architect, but the plans do not include structural drawings, then you can select Engineering and use one of our preferred engineers to create the structrual plans.  If you already have a structural set of plans, then you do need to select Engineering.

Interior Designer

Access to a kitchen and bath designer is included at no charge with all of our kitchens and master baths above the bronze level.  Selecting Interior Designer here provides access to an interior designer for house.  The level of involvement of the designer is determined by the chosen level of the interior designer package (Home Packages step).