How much to build a new home?

[Neesy228]

I'm wondering if anyone has picked out their own floor plan and builder to build a new home. If you did, could you tell me how you arrived at the cost to build the home you wanted?

We have a floor plan, and are considering a small local company that does quality work, not quantity work, so there isn't a catalog of prices for this and that. It's not like we are going into an existing builder-owned subdivision. So, I'm worried that costs will get out of control and I don't want to go into this blind...

If you did build and had a good estimate, where did you get that from and how much did you go over when it was all said and done? Would you do it again? Did you enjoy building and feel like it was worth it in the end?

Thanks for your advice. I'm losing sleep over the thought of building this house!

 

[Kae]

I'm wondering if anyone has picked out their own floor plan and builder to build a new home. If you did, could you tell me how you arrived at the cost to build the home you wanted?

We have a floor plan, and are considering a small local company that does quality work, not quantity work, so there isn't a catalog of prices for this and that. It's not like we are going into an existing builder-owned subdivision. So, I'm worried that costs will get out of control and I don't want to go into this blind...

If you did build and had a good estimate, where did you get that from and how much did you go over when it was all said and done? Would you do it again? Did you enjoy building and feel like it was worth it in the end?

Thanks for your advice. I'm losing sleep over the thought of building this house!

I had a few builders give me an estimate. I gave them the floor plans & they called me back. and we set up meetings.

kae

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

We are almost done with our build! Yay!! We figured out the cost by talking to each contractor for prices. Are you going to be your own general contractor? Or hire one? Will you do a lot of the work yourself or have others completely do it? All if this affects the price to build.

We have been over 2 years from deciding to build and completing our house. 1 year was due to creating a division of the property with town regulations and surveys, etc.

Would I do it again? Absolutely!! We designed the whole house, built it how we wanted. And so far wouldn't change a thing!!

 

[Darcy03231]

Your builder will give you an estimate based on your plans. Make sure you got over everything with a fine tooth comb and pick out what you want for all your finishes, trims, lighting, cabinets, doors, counters, etc.

Once you have a final price add 15%. If you don't change anything you should come out just about right.

DH and I did a major remodel on our house and even knowing everything we know we went over 10% on the contract price by making a change midway through construction and upgrading a couple of things.

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear Neesy228

I have been Licensed General Building Contractor working in California since 1982. I have a little time this morning so I try to help you the best I can.

I'm wondering if anyone has picked out their own floor plan and builder to build a new home. If you did, could you tell me how you arrived at the cost to build the home you wanted?

The Best way to start a project is to find yourself a reputable Architect.
Most people know someone who has gone though the process. Word of mouth works the best. Most Architects have a list of preferable Contractors. Ask only for the names of his top three. These Contractors should have a long working relationship with the Architect.

Next you should put down your likes in order of the type of home you are looking to build

The number of bedrooms, Baths, single story or two story, style of home.
Any Info you can provide the architect will be helpful.

Before signing a contract with an Architect ask to hire him on an hourly basis that is to provide you with a floor plan on a 1/8th scale.

Let him know what you drop dead budget is. He needs to know this.

Your budget should contain Directs and Indirects.

Your Direct Budget contains every item needed to construct the building envelope and everything in it.

Your Indirect Budget contains everything outside of the building envelope
Such as

Architectural Fees
Engineering
Blueprints
permits and Fees
Grading
Underground Utilities
Temporary Facilities
Temporary power and heat
Debris removal

Pm me your email address and I will send you a templet of a budget I use.

Roy

 

[tms295psu]

Unless your are in the construction industry or have extensive experience do NOT be your own general contractor!!! Hire one!

Hubby owns an excavating business, and he will automatically charge home owners trying to be their own gc more... Not to make money off their lack of knowledge but to make up for all his time they waste! Scheduling your subcontractors takes knowledge to do efficiently. Excavators, framers, plumbers, electricians, masons, etc all overlap in the process if building. If you don't know the exact order things need to be done you waste alot if people's time coming out to do their work that they end up not bein able to do because if the work another sub needs to or is trying to complete

 

[tms295psu]

Also in our area northeast pa, the average septic/sand mount and foundation run about $30000

 

[gracie1]

I was the GM for the house I built, but I knew what I wanted and how it should be done because I work in that field.

I passed on having an architect and all that jazz because the contractor was able to do the drawings. If you plan on having separate architects, etc., then your cost is definitely going to go up.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I was my own GC. I had my father help with the GC stuff and building. I did 50% of the work myself electrical, plumbing, the easy insulation work, buying all the supplies, and making sure contractors and county inspectors were on task. My father had congestive heart failure but thank god his brain still worked great. He helped each of his kids build a home. What a wonderful gift -- not the home-- the time we had doing this together. Dad passed a few years after the house was built. What I would not give to talk to him and my mom one more time, just to say I love you, Thank you, I now understand.

If you are getting a building loan know that most lending co. will insist on a General contractor. You can get one that will let you be a sub GC but those are few and far between.

I know I saved over half buying supplies on sale. I then stored until we needed them. LOL I got such a great buy on ground fault plug-ins Every receptical in and outside of home is GF. Since they were less money then the regular ones I got all GF. I bought all the building supplies. I was a very good shopper.

Good luck-- Make sure you get it in writting-- and once started make no changes--- get a finish date with a clause if it is not finished on a certain date there is a pentalty. Builders have to keep working so they will start another home even before yours is finsished that is just how it goes.

PM the poster that is a contractor he had lots of info.

 

[wiigirl]

Your builder will give you an estimate based on your plans. Make sure you got over everything with a fine tooth comb and pick out what you want for all your finishes, trims, lighting, cabinets, doors, counters, etc.

Once you have a final price add 15%. If you don't change anything you should come out just about right.

DH and I did a major remodel on our house and even knowing everything we know we went over 10% on the contract price by making a change midway through construction and upgrading a couple of things.

Agreed...we built our current house about 10% over and that with me and my husband watching them like a hawk.

 

[manning]

I was the GM for the house I built, but I knew what I wanted and how it should be done because I work in that field.

I passed on having an architect and all that jazz because the contractor was able to do the drawings. If you plan on having separate architects, etc., then your cost is definitely going to go up.

In our town, maybe even the county, the house doesn't get built unless the plans have been drawn/approved by a licensed architect. Don't know why as I have never done it.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

We built a couple of years ago and we had a good experience. We had a general plan that we liked and then met with a couple of builders and got a general idea of what the cost might be. We picked a smaller, custom home builder. He met with us several times to get a feel for what type of house we wanted and what we were looking for before we got the final budget numbers. We talked about all kinds of things- finishes for things like floors, cabinets, trims, etc, the overall style we wanted, any custom touches that were important to us, etc before we got our final estimate.

We had a budget number of what we wanted to do up front and the builder we chose was very upfront with us about what we could and couldn't do within that budget. If you meet a builder and they promise everything you want within a limited budget, run. they are not being honest with you.

We didn't go over budget by much at all, maybe 5% tops. The biggest thing to keep the budget down is to not make a bunch of changes once you have already started the project. Really take the time before you start building to make sure you know what you want and go over everything early on. It really helps.

 

[SGB13]

Your builder will give you an estimate based on your plans. Make sure you got over everything with a fine tooth comb and pick out what you want for all your finishes, trims, lighting, cabinets, doors, counters, etc.

Once you have a final price add 15%. If you don't change anything you should come out just about right.

DH and I did a major remodel on our house and even knowing everything we know we went over 10% on the contract price by making a change midway through construction and upgrading a couple of things.

We finished our new home in August. We absolutely went over budget, in part because I did not get specific enough with what was included in our contact. A little over here and there adds up very quickly.
It was still worth every penny!