Pricing
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Building Your Future with Transparent Pricing
Typically, contractors charge between 15% to 20% of the total project cost to manage a build. For example, if your custom home costs $500,000 to construct, a contractor’s fee could range from $75,000 to $100,000.
Our pricing structure is different. We charge 3 to 5% of the total build cost, excluding the cost of land. For instance, if your land costs $100,000 and your build costs $400,000, resulting in a total project cost of $500,000, we only charge 3% to 5% of the $400,000 build cost. We also offer land and design consultation upon request, helping you select the perfect property and design elements to fit your vision and budget.
A Transparent Breakdown of Our Fee
1% upon signing the contract
1% every 90 days thereafter
0.5% upon receiving your Certificate of Occupancy
How owner builder consulting pricing Works
Owner bullder consulting gives you professional guidance throughout your home-building project while allowing you to remain in control of the build. Instead of paying Empower Builds to act as your general contractor, you receive consulting planning, and project-management support designed to help you make informed decisions throughout the construction process.
Our consulting fee is generally 3% to 5% of the home build cost, excluding lond costs. The exact scope of support can vary because every project is different. Project complexity planning requirements, construction timeline, and the amount of guidance you need con all influence the consulting relationship.
What Do You Get With Owner Builder Consulting?
Empower Builds provides virtual consulting and project guidance to help you understand and organize the responsibilities
Involved in building your own home. Depending on your project, support may include:
-
Construction budget planning
and cost tracking -
Construction schedule
and project organization -
Subcontractor vetting
and bid review
- Permit and documentation guidance
- Blueprint and project document review
- Construction loan and draw guidance
-
Buildertrend
setup and support -
Land and planning
guidance -
Help understanding project decisions
and next steps
- Empower Builds provides consulting and virtual support and does not act as your general contractor, hire labor, perform construction work, or supervise your job site.
Owner Builder Consulting vs. Traditional Builder Costs
One reason homeowners consider becoming on owner builder is the opportunity to have greater control over how their construction budget is managed. With a traditional builder, you pay for them to monage the project. With the owner-builder approach, you take responsibility for managing the build with professional guidance.
| Approach | Typical Fee Range | How It Works | Your Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Builder | 15% – 20% + | Builder manages the project | Lower day-to-day involvement |
| Owner Builder | No builder fee | Homeowner manages the project | Higher involvement and control |
| Owner Builder + Empower Builds | 3% – 5% + | Homeowner manages with consulting support | High control with expert guidance |
What Can Affect Your
Owner Builder Consulting Cost?
No two home projects are the same. Several factors can influence the overall scope of consulting, including:
- Size and complexity of the home
- Construction budget
- Stage of planning and project documentation
- Number of subcontractors
- Financing requirements
- Construction schedule
- Amount of ongoing guidance needed
- Your level of experience
Is the Owner Builder Approach Right for You?
Owner builder consulting can be a good fit if you want greater control over
your budget and decisions, are comfortable coordinating subcontractors, have time to remain involved, and want professional guidance.
You do not need to know everything about construction, but you shouldunderstand that managing your own build means taking responsibility
for the project and decisions.
Why Homeowners Use Empower Builds
Empower Builds helps homewoners manage the complexity of building their own homes without taking ownership
of the project away from them. Our consulting combines construction planning, budgeting, scheduling, subcontractor
coordination, bid review, documentation, Buildertrend, permits, construction draws, and project guidance.
Save 20-30%
on builder fees
Make informed
decisions
Avoid costly
mistakes
Stay organized-
throughout the build
Frequently Asked Questions About Owner Builder Consulting Costs
Empower Builds typically charges 3%–5% of the total construction cost, excluding the cost of the land. The exact fee depends on the size and complexity of the project, the stage of planning, and the amount of consulting support required.
No. The consulting fee is based on the construction cost of the home, not the purchase price of the land. Land acquisition costs are excluded from the fee calculation.
It can be. Traditional builders may charge around 15%–20% or more of the construction cost, while Empower Builds typically charges 3%–5% for consulting support. Actual savings depend on your project, subcontractor pricing, material selections, and how effectively the build is managed.
The consulting fee can include guidance with construction budgeting, scheduling, subcontractor vetting, bid review, permitting support, Buildertrend setup, project documentation, construction financing, design decisions, and ongoing project organization.
Empower Builds helps you evaluate subcontractors, review bids, organize schedules, and understand the hiring process. However, as the owner builder, you remain responsible for hiring, communicating with, and managing your subcontractors.
Yes. Empower Builds can review the current stage of your project and provide consulting support based on your existing plans, budget, schedule, contractor arrangements, and project documentation.
No. Empower Builds provides professional guidance to help homeowners make informed decisions and control costs, but specific savings, construction costs, timelines, or project outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
The level of support depends on your experience, project complexity, construction stage, financing requirements, number of subcontractors, and how involved you want to be. A consultation can help determine the right level of guidance for your project.