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Building designers charge between $2,000 and $50,000, depending on project scope, complexity, and customization.

The most idyllic building material that encapsulates the feel of Federal architecture is a brick facade, often with bricks alternating between long side and short side. Palladium and arched transom windows are also prevalent, as are flat, white window lintels. More ornate Federal architecture buildings also include columns on either side of the front door. More important than most of the finer details, though, is the symmetry from the exterior. On the interior, ornate plaster moldings and plaster ceiling medallions are indicative of the style.

Above all, the downside to building a new house is a longer timeline. You need several months to finish the build, depending on the supply chain and labor availability in the meantime. Building a home compared to buying one is also more expensive, both in the building process and when it comes to mortgage rates and property taxes.

Federal and Colonial architecture are similar in that they both appear mostly utilitarian and symmetrical, but Federal architecture is a bit more ornate. Federal design often includes decorative palladium windows, window lintels, and, sometimes, columns surrounding a more decorative portico. Inside, Federal architecture is set apart by its centrally-located oval room. Additionally, Federal homes tend to have brick facades, whereas Colonial homes more often have wood siding.