We don’t offer a “price guarantee” because
we believe in giving you the real picture.
Everyone wants to know what it costs to build their home, all-in. We can come close, but that’s about it.
We don’t offer price guarantees. We offer reasonable estimates, because every single house is different. Sure, we can pre-build and pre-cut all the lumber and steel in our factory, but that’s only half the battle. The real challenges happen when we start dealing with variables. What variables you ask? Alright, let’s talk about them…
Archielle Frontier Complete Kit Estimated Costs
Below is a cost table for the common items included in our “Complete Kit” package for Archielle Frontier barndominium-style homes. These costs are educated estimates based on current market conditions and are intended to be very close to actual prices. However, market fluctuations can occur, so prices may vary slightly. The estimates are for low-end, “builder grade” items, and some items may be sourced from countries such as Mexico, India, China, etc. We can source items made in the United States, but those may carry a higher cost. The decision is always up to you.
Labor is excluded from these estimates, because labor varies greatly by market and the time of year, which is why our price estimates offer a wide range.
If you don’t see an item on this list, please ask your representative about it.
Kitchen
Item Estimated Cost
Upper and Lower Kitchen Cabinets (RTA style) $3,500
Kitchen Sink (Stainless Steel) $200
Kitchen Counters (Laminate Style) $1,500
Kitchen Fixtures (Lights) $150
Kitchen Subtotal $5,350
Bathrooms
Item Estimated Cost
Bathroom Cabinets (RTA style) $800
Bathroom Sink (Builder Grade) $100
Toilets (Builder Grade) (×2) $300
Bathroom Subtotal $1,200
Bedrooms
Item Estimated Cost
Bedroom Fixtures (Lights) $200
Closet Doors $800
Bedroom Doors $600
Bedrooms Subtotal $1600
Entry
Item Estimated Cost
Front Door $600
Appliances
Item Estimated Cost
Washer $500
Dryer $500
Dishwasher $400
Refrigerator $800
Tank Hot Water Heater $600
Appliances Subtotal $2,800
Total Estimated Cost: $11,550 (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom)
This is our starting point for our kit home price, and it’s included in the estimate you see, and we also provide a rough estimate for labor.
Note: The above costs are estimates for low-end, “builder grade” items. Not all items will be made in the United States; some may be sourced from countries such as Mexico, India, China, etc. Market conditions can change, so prices should be viewed as educated estimates that are very close but not guaranteed.
We know many people will want to upgrade some items, but perhaps not others, which is why we break down these estimates this way.
What Is Not Included (Prices Not Included)
Foundation. Utilities. Septic. Wells. Anything that could be considered site-related. Every single property is different and it’s our most commonly asked question.
• Paint
• Flooring
• HVAC
• HVAC Ducting
• Electrical Wiring
• Plumbing
• Shower/Bath Finishing (tile, laminate, etc.)
• Kitchen Finishing (backsplash, etc.)
• Oven/Range
• Windows
• Trim
• Closet Finishing (rods, organization)
If you don’t see an item on this list, please ask your representative about it.
The biggest one: Land cost
We have no idea what kind of land you’re going to be building on, or how much land you intend to buy. Buying 20 acres to ride around your dirt bikes on is different than buying 0.5 acres from your cousin Teddy to save costs.
We hope this doesn’t come as news to you, but if you decide to buy $400,000 in land, that’s going to make your mortgage payment higher than buying a $20,000 piece of land.
More about land.
Building on flat land versus a steep slope can have a big impact on your overall cost. Sloped land may require extensive grading or retaining walls to create a level building surface, and these adjustments can quickly add to your expenses.
If you need to remove a ton of trees, that’s going to cost more. Perhaps you need an engineer to come take a look at how water flows across your property, just to make sure we’re not creating foundation issues later.
Then there’s just the soil itself. Different soil conditions can change what it costs to pour your concrete foundation.
Utilities in rural versus urban areas
When building in a city or suburban area, connecting to city utilities is usually the more affordable option up front. The cost of hooking up to city water and sewer typically ranges between $1,500 and $5,000, and the installation process is straightforward. Once connected, you’ll have predictable monthly bills for water usage and sewage, and there’s very little ongoing maintenance required. Overall, city utilities offer convenience and lower initial costs, making them an easy option if they’re available in your area.
On the other hand, if you’re building in a rural area, you’ll likely need to install a well and septic system. These systems can cost between $10,000 and $25,000 combined, depending on the depth of the well and the type of septic system required. While you won’t have monthly utility bills, you will need to budget for occasional maintenance, such as pumping the septic tank and replacing the well pump every so often. Though the upfront costs are higher, wells and septic have lower ongoing costs.
Materials and components.
The materials you choose for your home can make a huge difference in the overall cost. High-end materials, such as custom tile, hardwood floors, or granite countertops, will significantly increase costs compared to standard, builder-grade options.
We include builder grade materials in our base prices, but items such as custom tile work, exotic wood cabinet upgrades, built-ins, and other upgrades will increase the cost of your home.
Inclement Weather & Delays
Weather can also play a role. If you’re building in an area prone to heavy rain, snow, or extreme temperatures, this could lead to delays and added costs for protection and work interruptions.
We’ll let you know when our patented Weather Control Machine 5000 is finally built. Until then, we can’t control the weather.
Home upgrades.
The base price of the home includes all the essentials, but you might want to upgrade certain features. For example, a tankless water heater is more expensive upfront than a traditional tank-style heater but can save money in the long run. Similarly, you can choose builder-grade appliances or splurge on higher-end options depending on your budget and preferences.
Logistics and Rental Costs
Logistics are another key consideration. Our factory is in Branson, Missouri. The closer you are to Branson, the less it costs to get our home shipped to you. (It all arrives on a single semi-truck.)
Then there are local logistics costs; For example, pouring a foundation might seem like a standard expense, but the cost of concrete varies by region. The farther your home is from the nearest concrete plant, the more expensive it will be to transport the concrete to pour your slab foundation.
You’ll need to rent a boom truck, and while boom truck rentals are usually close in price, market to market, the rental cost still depends on local supply and rates.
Labor costs. Your market may vary.
Construction labor rates also fluctuate depending on where you are building. Some areas have higher labor costs due to demand, while other markets might offer more competitive pricing. That’s why labor isn’t a fixed cost, and it’s something to consider when budgeting.
When you tell us where you’re going to buy land, we’ll help connect you with our trusted contractor network to get quotes on labor.
In some markets, we have pre-existing agreement with general contractors, so ask our team members about working with a preferred contractor.
HVAC… not included?
When we say every home is different, we mean it. If you’re building in South Texas, you probably can’t image a world without air conditioning — but about 55% of homes in the California Bay Area don’t have it. Heck, some houses in Southern California don’t have heat or air conditioning. If you’re planning on building in Montana, you may skip air conditioning and only install heat.
Secondly… heating options vary. You may want natural gas from a local utility, or the rustic charm and rugged durability of a wood burning stove.
Since every air conditioning and heating setup is different, it’s not included in our base price.
Add-ons and Customization
Adding features like solar panels, a detached garage, or custom landscaping will increase the total cost of your home. We believe in giving you control over these choices so that you can prioritize what matters most to you, and we’ll be transparent about how each upgrade affects your final price.
Our commitment to transparency and managing expectations.
At the end of the day, building a home is an investment, and we’re committed to helping you navigate the costs clearly and openly. Our goal is to give you a fair and accurate estimate without any surprises, so you can focus on creating the home of your dreams.