Replies

1. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Nov 09, 2000 01:02am | #1

   *
   Ken..

   If you buy a home that exists...it comes with land with a worth of say...$___.00 and full landscaping w/ driveway and walk...worth maybe $___.00 (fill in the blanks for me.)

   That being said and being the least expensive route...I bet an upscale home
   b without the above
   ...will run $125 minimum to $200 with the niceties
   b (just for the home without the land & landscaping as priced above)
   ...You know...sub zero SS fridge and all that goes with that...

   SO tell us now your budget and the sqft you desire, and whether it will be a subzero & commercial range kinda home....

   Cost-wise, the skies the limit...near the stream,

   aj

1. 
   pat_white | Nov 09, 2000 04:28am | #2

   *Ken, I believe the " ballpark " in the Seattle area cost around 20 million, Arod's on the free agent list so prices could be higher. loving it in the rain.pw

1. 
   Boss_Hog | Nov 09, 2000 01:47pm | #3

   *The average home price last year was around $78 a square foot, if I remember correctly. I think that's from the NAHB, but I'm not sure.....

1. 
   Norm_Kerr | Nov 09, 2000 07:31pm | #4

   *There is a wonderful magazine published in the UK for DIY Classic Car ownership, repair and resoration. They, of course, feature many articles about vehicles that have been restored AND THEY INCLUDE WHAT IT COST.Now, we all know that every project will be different, but this kind of information provided over that large a sample of projects makes it so much easier to get the 'feel' for what it costs, as Ken is trying to do.I have not seen any of the building magazines do this and I find it frustrating. Most articles in Fine Homebuilding, This Old House, Old House Journal, etc. etc. never mention cost. Sometimes there will be one mention of it, but it seems to not be thought of much by the writers.So I what to make a request of Fine Homebuilding (my favorite source for building information and-I'm-not-just-saying-that): Please include more cost information in your articles for building projects!My thinking HAD always been, "well, since every city will have different labor, land and material costs, and every project will have different factors then the cost of one won't help anyone out all that much, or be misleading or confusing for the readers". But since I have seen how WELL it works in Practical Classics magazine for low-to-medium cost classic car ownership I now wish that other Information Based Magazines would adopt it for projects.By the way- love the tool comparisons (they include costs) and the articles on clever, new (or explaining frequently misunderstood) building techniques (they include costs). thanks for letting me get that off my chest, it had been building up for some time now :o)

1. 
   bobl_ | Nov 09, 2000 08:15pm | #5

   *There is a major reluctence to provide that kind of information, I believe mainly because it can be misconstrued.Some things to consider (taken out of context) Sonny Lykos "I FINALLY CHARGED FOR AN ESTIMATE!" 11/8/00 9:37pmhttp://www.b4ubuild.com/books/estimating.shtml

2. 
   Chris_Robb | Nov 09, 2000 11:09pm | #6

   *When I was in the Sea/Tac area, 75/80 depending on area (Tacoma) and up to the sky (Check Bill Gates place out sometime up in Bellevue) Blogett would know, he's up that way.

3. 
   Harris_ | Nov 15, 2000 09:32pm | #7

   *Norm Kerr, I couldn't agree more. I know there are too many variables to mention that can affect this number but that could even be part of the number. $100/sf +/- $2, $5, etc. I've gotten the subliminal meesage over the years that the point is, "If you have to ask (know), you can't afford it." But I imagine some contractors/architects don't even want to go there - defending the cost of the house. It certainly would help to plan for certain items and options if a person could see if they were even in the ballpark.

4. 
   Tim_Kline | Nov 16, 2000 02:35am | #8

   *b WBA At Your Service I think everyone has answered your sq. ft. cost question. As far as your cement foundation goes... Cement is an ingredient of concrete, which is used in foundation walls. In PA we are paying around $125 per yard for a finished wall and footer. In your case, I count 130lf at 10" thickness for wall and 2' wide footer, 40 cu.yds. at $125 or about $5000. This is not for a basement with 27 corners in it, like the one we did a few years back. Slabs get done for $2 to $3 per sq. ft.

5. 
   HomeBldr_ | Nov 19, 2000 10:33am | #9

   *For those that want to know new home construction costs here ya go. In central Iowa, a starter home in a standard subdivision (ie.) vinyl siding, very little to no brick, oak trim, gas fireplace, whirlpool tub, vinyl floors, hollow-core doors on a standard lot (35-40K) about $100.00 a sf..... Now pricier lot, brick, tile and wood floors, solid doors, fireplace with marble surround, corian tops and GE Profile appliances around $125-135 a sf. These prices are for 2 story homes. Ranches and 11/2 story homes start at about $125 a sf. Poured walls 8ft tall, 8" thick are $36 a linear ft and footings at $7.00 a ft. Flat work is $2.50 a sf for basements and garages. Walks and drives are $2.00.There you go, anyone interested in building in central Iowa, there are the prices. Waiting for sales contracts via e-mail.....

6. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Nov 19, 2000 06:12pm | #10

   *homebuildr...your costs do not include land, septic, a well, landscaping, permits?...Or do they?...What is the selling price of the complete packages.../sqft for the examples listed?...Then your post is useable info....Thanksnear the stream,aj

7. 
   HomeBldr_ | Nov 19, 2000 09:23pm | #11

   *adirondackJack... Those prices include the lot, most of our sewer is city sewer and is included in the price. All standard lots are fully sodded. Large lots are sodded 35 ft around house and remaining seeded. Some landscape is included, maybe planting bed with a few bushes, some of our subdivisions require street trees in the covenants and are included also.The prices I listed include it all, house, lot, sod, landscape, deck, permits and services installed. These prices even reflect appliances installed; range, over-the-range microwave and dishwasher. No fridge, washer or dryer.If we build a custom where septic is needed, we usually use a Multi-flo system and that raises the cost by about 8-10K depending on what's needed.Still waiting on those sales contracts.....LOL

8. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Nov 19, 2000 10:03pm | #12

   *Thanks....Foundations...Your numbers are close to 200/yard...Ours are 125 to 165....My latest home to build will sell for about your numbers...but the foundation will cost $4500 less.nearly frozen by the stream,aj

9. 
   nathan_wegemer | Nov 20, 2000 05:32am | #13

   *look in the times or the p.i., sunday real estate guide.

2. 
   Ken_Berg | Nov 20, 2000 05:32am | #14

   *
   Greetings all,
   My boss is considering building a new home. Since I've been touting what a wonderful resource this discussion board is, he's now called my bluff. His question to you all (well, those of you in the Seattle area)is - (1)What is an "average" price per square foot of a new home? (2) And broken out further - What might be the cost of a cement basement aprox. 24'x40'x8' tall? I very familiar with the concept of "It Depends" but any ballpark costs would be appreciated.
   Thanks,
   Ken