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Custom Homes

Building on your own lot in Butler County and the Pittsburgh suburbs.

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Articles in this category

Covered outdoor living space with a stone wall at a custom home built by BCU
Additions & Remodels
8

Second-Story Addition vs Ground-Floor Addition: How to Decide

Deciding on a second story addition vs ground floor addition? John "JT" Minarik covers structure, setbacks, cost drivers and disruption so you can choose with confidence.

Finished open office space with desks and modern lighting
Renovations & Build-Outs
8

What Drives Tenant Build-Out Cost per Square Foot

Tenant build-out cost per square foot depends on shell condition, layout, systems, code upgrades and landlord rules. Here is what drives the number before you sign.

Concrete frame of a commercial building under construction
Commercial Construction
9

What Drives Commercial Construction Cost per Square Foot in Pittsburgh

Commercial construction cost per square foot in Pittsburgh depends on use, site, structure, systems and code. Olivia Minarik explains what sits behind the number.

Drone view of a graded new construction site in Western Pennsylvania, showing the site work that determines excavation cost in Pittsburgh.
Excavation & Site Work
10

Excavation Costs in Butler County and Pittsburgh: What Drives the Price

How excavation contractors price work, the eight cost drivers in Western Pennsylvania, Butler County Conservation District and PA DEP rules, and what to have ready for a quote.

Piles of cleared trees and brush on a newly cleared lot
Excavation & Site Work
10

Land Clearing and Grading Cost in Western PA: What Drives the Price

What drives land clearing and grading cost in Western PA, from trees and stumps to slope and E&S rules. John "JT" Minarik explains each cost driver before you get a bid.

Commercial interior renovation in progress, illustrating how long a commercial build out takes from framing to finishes.
Renovations & Build-Outs
10

How Long Does a Commercial Build-Out Take? Realistic Timelines by Space Type

Typical build-out timelines by space type, the phases every project moves through, what causes delays in Pittsburgh-area municipalities, and how to shorten the schedule.

Open-concept interior of a finished home addition, showing the kind of project that drives home addition cost in Pittsburgh.
Additions & Remodels
10

How Much Does a Home Addition Cost in Pittsburgh? A Room-by-Room Guide

A room-by-room look at what drives home addition cost in Pittsburgh and Butler County, from clay soil and hillside foundations to permits that change by township.

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