Summit's price per square foot, or vertical build pricing, is project-specific, but it covers materials, labor, site preparation, concrete, utilities, propane and/or natural gas lines made ready for service, septic if required, interior and exterior finishes, cabinetry, mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), permits and inspections, engineered and architectural plans, appliances (water heater, furnace, AC unit, stove, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, washer and dryer), front yard landscaping including one tree and yard hydrant, improved driveway, and contingency.

The land and over-excavation if required are not included in the vertical build square foot pricing but will be rolled into your construction contract.

The following is what should generally be budgeted for beyond the vertical build price:

Offsite utilities and land, if it has not yet been purchased, are the first additional costs.

Though generally handled separately, where a municipal water source is not available, a well will need to be drilled; your lender will require a working culinary water source to be connected to the property.

Extensive over-excavation, if your parcel requires it, is another cost to plan for, as are extensive landscaping and furnishings.

Summit begins working through all of the details with you at your first consultation so your complete construction contract is built around a budget you are confident in.

The vertical build price covers the materials, labor, and finishes required to build your home.

The construction contract is the complete picture — the vertical build plus the land if it has not yet been purchased, offsite utilities, the well where required, extensive over-excavation if your parcel requires it, extensive landscaping, and furnishings.

For many clients, the difference between the two numbers is smaller than expected. For clients building on rural parcels that require offsite utilities or a well, the gap can be more significant.

Either way, Summit works through both numbers with you at your first consultation so you know exactly what your total project will require before the contract is made.

Home size and finish level are the two primary drivers of the vertical build price per square foot.

Larger homes generally have a lower price per square foot because fixed costs such as engineering, permits, and mechanical equipment are distributed over more square footage.

More elaborate finishes, such as custom cabinetry, premium countertops, high-end tile, and luxury fixtures, increase the vertical build price proportionally.

For instance, a 2,400 sq ft semi-custom home with standard finishes and a 2,400 sq ft semi-custom home with premium finishes throughout can differ by $50 to $80 per square foot in vertical build cost.

The most accurate cost estimate for your home is one provided by a builder who knows the soil conditions and infrastructure needs of your parcel, the home type, and the finish level you have in mind.

At your first consultation, Summit works through all of this with you and provides a realistic vertical build price range per square foot to plan around while the full project details are worked through.

If you do not have plans in hand already, Summit will draw and engineer them for you — designed to your vision while meeting the code requirements for your specific parcel.

Once the site has been evaluated and your plans are approved, Summit provides a complete construction contract based on everything your project requires.