Replies

1. 
   Mark_Helling | Nov 10, 1999 05:18pm | #2

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   Hey Mike,

   Try this site: http://www.buildahouse.com

   He has a section entitled "Cost Sheets"

2. 
   Guest_ | Nov 10, 1999 10:32pm | #3

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   Mike

   I recommend "The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home" by Dave McGuerty & Kent Lester, Betterway Books. It has different sections for the DIY'er that covers consepts (Legal & Financial, the Lot, House Plans, Making changes, etc) to Project Management (pre-construction, foundation, etc) to forms & checklists (masterplan, scheduling, estimating, agreements, etc). It is not an all encompassing book, but should get you on the right track. Go to your local bookstore and browse thru the books they have and go from there.

   As a home builder, I get alot of calls from people that have tried to build their own home that were not prepared for allo the questions, scheduling, time involved, etc. wanting me to give them an estimate to finish the job. It is not a job for the faint of heart. If you have any doubts, I'd recommend finding a quality builder and have them do up an estimate. I charge a fee for this and if the customer choses me as the builder, I refund/deduct that fee from the final cost. If they don't chose me, I give them all my figures, estimates, etc. and they can try to do it themselves or get another builder.

   Vince

3. 
   Guest_ | Jan 04, 2000 11:30pm | #4

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   I am going to build a home this next year and I was wondering if anyone knows where I could lay my hands on a checklist I could use for material and budget planning.

1. 
   Guest_ | Nov 10, 1999 10:07am | #1

   *Mike:Such a list would have to be pretty long to cover all possible types of construction. I mean, what are you building? An igloo, a teepee, a brick colonial or a ICF house? Seriously though, building methods, requirements, and materials are so widely varied that a list wouldn't work too well. At the very least, it would probably have to be topical to the type of building you want to do. Also, how could such a list address site development items such well, septic (water/sewer) driveway and grading?A better alternative might be to go to the building supply you plan to use and get a takeoff done from your plans. Usually, they will do it for free, if you buy your materials from them. Such a takeoff would likely be limited to the materials that the building supply sells.Or another, similar but more comprehensive idea would be to take your plan to a takeoff service. In my area, for about $250 they will do a (almost) complete takeoff that addresses budget issues too. You still have to supply the site requirements, etc. They give you a ~30 page+ budget/materials/labor report that is broken down into categories such as Overhead, foundation, framing, HVAC, Plumbing, Elect, Drywall, floor covering, siding & boxing, roofing, paint, etc, etc.