My wife and I bought property over looking a beautiful lake in British Columbia about three years ago and planned to build our retirement home on the property. Since the time we bought the property the cost of construction has skyrocketed (so I have heard). I was wondering if there is any forms or check off list that you can get to estimate our cost of building. We just don’t want to get in over our heads and have to sell our dream home.
Thanks Rawky
Replies
It will never cost less to build than today...
So True!
I just worry that it will cost too much when I build what I want.
Thanks again!
Rawky
Sorry I can not give you some direct answers. I do have a spec sheet and price schedule, but give me some info so I can help as possible. If you are interested in the spec sheet and price schedule email me [email protected]
Are you building your own home and not using a builder?
If you did have a check off list, how would you determine cost?
How long, after you determine feasibility from cost, will it be before you build?
What is your plan in determining cost if you are building your own?
Are you paying cash or going through a bank, or trying to pay cash as money is avaliable?
Have you pre-qualified with a bank?
Are there any new homes in the area that you can refer to in estimating your local cost? Check with relators for comparables / new homes, as older homes may be sold for less per SF than the cost to build. Try to seperate build cost from lot cost..
If you are using a builder, get four sets of plans and ask for bids from 3 builders.
I am a builder and our bids are good for 45 days when finalized, we then have a right to review. Cost can go up almost overnight, so if you get bids today and do not build for 6 months..........
If you have cash or are prequalified, you should be able to get a guaranteed price from a builder, but be ready to go if all conditions are favorable.
Also, if you are inexperienced and want to act as your own builder, keep in mind that you will probably not get builder pricing and service from subs and suppliers. It will probably take longer and may cost more than if you had a builder.
I'll shoot myself in the foot.
You are likely in the park of $200.00 per sq ft of heated living space. (+-)
Find a GOOD builder in the area. Invite him over for dinner or take him out and have a chat with him.
Eric
[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Here's one good, detailed checklist I know of: Issue 171 of FHB (Summer Houses issue, 2005), page 88. The title is "How much will it cost?" I was going to reccomend that you make some sketches or at least lists of what you desire, and I still do, but this article (and it's 27 item checklist) will probably help you quantify some of the things you should be paying attention to.
You'll still need to come up with a general sq. foot number to use, so you're not going to get an answer that doesn't require you to do some homework.
I would take txlandlord up on his offer of a checklist too- the more the better.
zak
Here is a site that will (supposedly) estimate your building costs for you. I punched ours in and while some items (windows, concrete) were really low and some were high, the overall cost was within about 5% of our final cost. Friend of mine recently built a spec house and the overall cost of his was within about 10%.
Take it with a grain of salt, but it might give you a rough number.
http://www.building-cost.net/
Thanks for that site
it will be a great help in determining whether or not we can build.
Thanks again
Mark Rawkins
The attached file doesn't give you costs, but it does give a check list of items to account for. I use it to compare bids and total costs. Some of the items you won't use, but it is pretty complete.
How much does it cost to build a new house in _______ ?
A new house will probably cost between $45 and $150 per square foot...
http://www.b4ubuild.com/faq/faq_0002.shtml