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re: Advice on building a house?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:03 pm to Neil Caffrey
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:03 pm to Neil Caffrey
Renov costs are typically more per sq/ft than new build....you never know what you're going to find once you start demo, and you must deal with the existing infrastructure. It's not as fast, clean, or straightforward to add on/renovate as it is to build from scratch.
1
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:18 pm to man117
3cm granite on all bathroom counters. We looked into a cheaper option for the kids bathrooms but it wasn't really worth the savings. Soapstone (wifes ides) and butcher block in kitchen.
Master shower is 5x8 wall to ceiling ceramic tile. Saved about $6000 on the shower alone by using ceramic rather than natural stone. Only down side is we had to do the rest of the bathroom is ceramic because it would not have looked right.
Travertine in foyer & kitchen/breakfast area. Engineered wood throughout the rest of the house with the exception of bathrooms(ceramic) and bonus rooms (carpet & rubber matting in soon to be gym)
Windows are all energy efficient, the few facing the street are expensive, I went cheap everywhere else.
Outdoor area has a wood burning fireplace, TV , built in grill, fridge and sink (no cooktop, never used it at the old house). I didn't go cheap here, its my area.
Built in storage in entry way to garage (mud room), built ins in living room.
Recessed lighting in just about every room.
Built in speakers in living room, Dining room, master bed/bath(another wifes idea) and outside.
Im somewhat handy in construction so I did save by doing some things myself. Most of the crown was down by myself and a friend. I saved on HVAC by using a client and I helped him with the labor (if it was a summer build, Im not sure if I would have done that). Re-designing the roof created more bonus space and saved about 20k.
Im sure there is plenty more, if you want something more specific, just ask.
Master shower is 5x8 wall to ceiling ceramic tile. Saved about $6000 on the shower alone by using ceramic rather than natural stone. Only down side is we had to do the rest of the bathroom is ceramic because it would not have looked right.
Travertine in foyer & kitchen/breakfast area. Engineered wood throughout the rest of the house with the exception of bathrooms(ceramic) and bonus rooms (carpet & rubber matting in soon to be gym)
Windows are all energy efficient, the few facing the street are expensive, I went cheap everywhere else.
Outdoor area has a wood burning fireplace, TV , built in grill, fridge and sink (no cooktop, never used it at the old house). I didn't go cheap here, its my area.
Built in storage in entry way to garage (mud room), built ins in living room.
Recessed lighting in just about every room.
Built in speakers in living room, Dining room, master bed/bath(another wifes idea) and outside.
Im somewhat handy in construction so I did save by doing some things myself. Most of the crown was down by myself and a friend. I saved on HVAC by using a client and I helped him with the labor (if it was a summer build, Im not sure if I would have done that). Re-designing the roof created more bonus space and saved about 20k.
Im sure there is plenty more, if you want something more specific, just ask.
This post was edited on 7/31/14 at 4:21 pm
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:34 pm to SippyCup
quote:
Master shower is 5x8 wall to ceiling ceramic tile. Saved about $6000 on the shower alone by using ceramic rather than natural stone. Only down side is we had to do the rest of the bathroom is ceramic because it would not have looked right.
I have statuary marble Ba countertops and quality cultured marble shower & tub surround...it looks fine. Mixing materials works, you just have to pay very careful attention to actual color & texture. I had a custom tile shower in my previous house...I'm never scrubbing grout ever again.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:40 pm to hungryone
quote:
Renov costs are typically more per sq/ft than new build....you never know what you're going to find once you start demo, and you must deal with the existing infrastructure. It's not as fast, clean, or straightforward to add on/renovate as it is to build from scratch.
Seriously? Even if all i'm doing is reconfiguring the walls and redoing the floors? The roof, foundation and exterior framing will all stay the same.
Would like to hear someone's experience with renovation/addition costs.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:41 pm to Neil Caffrey
House is raised so, i'm assuming that the relocation of plumbing would be very minimal.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:46 pm to Neil Caffrey
Yes renovation costs are more than building from scratch, way more
Posted on 7/31/14 at 4:49 pm to Neil Caffrey
quote:
Even if all i'm doing is reconfiguring the walls and redoing the floors?
You also mention in another post that the house is raised. So, I'm assuming it is an older home. Which is another kettle of fish: peeling back the walls will reveal god knows what. Unless you built this house, you have no idea what's under the sheetrock/paneling. After living in a string of older houses and undertaking renovs of various sizes, you have to be prepared for anything from massive termite damage to substandard electrical requiring an upgrade to asbestos, plus a laundry list of other possibilities.
In my last house, I gutted a bathroom and replaced all of the surfaces. Sounds simple, right? It never, ever is. New joists, new plumbing, new sewer line: in short, $8K more than I planned to spend going into the project. And yes, the very competent contractor had thoroughly inspected prior to costing out & starting work. Stuff happens, esp in old houses.
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