America’s housing shortage is pushing homeownership out of reach for millions. But amid this crisis, there’s a powerful and often overlooked tool we can use to unlock more affordable housing: better design.
Not just design for design’s sake—but smart, efficient, human-centered design that makes the most of every square foot and dollar.
At Nested Home Plans, we believe great design doesn’t have to be expensive. By reimagining the process of designing a home—starting with high-quality, customizable pre-designed home plans—we can bring beautiful, functional homes within reach of more people.
Why Custom Design Costs So Much—and What to Do About It
Working with a custom residential architect can be a dream come true, but it’s also one of the most expensive parts of the building process. Full-service design fees typically range between 8–15% of the total build cost, often adding tens of thousands to your budget.
What if you could get custom-quality design—without the custom price?
That’s the idea behind ready-made home plans.
How Pre-Designed Plans Make Housing More Affordable
At Nested, our plans are created by architects who specialize in custom homes. Each plan is crafted with real people in mind—designed to be lived in, not just looked at. And they’re easily customizable, giving you the freedom to adapt the layout to your lifestyle without starting from scratch.
Key advantages:
- ✅ Dramatically lower design costs
- ✅ Shorter timelines to break ground
- ✅ Simpler permitting process
- ✅ More predictable construction costs
- ✅ Designs that live large, even on a small footprint
Good Design as a Housing Solution
We believe design has the power to solve problems, not just express style.
At Nested, every home plan is developed with the goal of making good design accessible—so more homes can be built faster, at lower cost, without sacrificing quality or livability.
- Smart spatial layouts reduce wasteful circulation.
- Multifunctional spaces support growing families and remote work.
- Energy-conscious design cuts long-term costs.
- Timeless architecture promotes long-lasting value.
Other Ways to Make Building a Home More Affordable
While using thoughtfully crafted home plans is a great start, there are other strategies that can significantly lower the total cost of building:
- Right-size your home: Choose a smaller footprint with efficient design rather than maximizing square footage.
- Simple rooflines and shapes: Complex forms cost more. Clean geometry saves money.
- Local materials: Reduces shipping costs and supports the local economy.
- Prefab or modular construction: Paired with good design, these systems can be efficient and high-quality.
- DIY or hybrid builds: Some homeowners save by taking on finishing work themselves, guided by clear construction documents.
Let’s Build Smarter, Not Just Bigger
We’re not going to solve the housing crisis by building more of the same. We need homes that are more thoughtful, more efficient, and more affordable—homes that use design as a tool to maximize value.
That’s exactly what we’re doing at Nested Home Plans: delivering high-quality home plans created by experienced custom architects, optimized for real life and real budgets.
🏡 Ready to Get Started?
Browse our collection of customizable home plans today and take the first step toward building a home that fits your life—and your budget.
