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Started By
Message
What’s the going rate to build a house these days?
Posted on 8/9/19 at 12:14 pm
Posted on 8/9/19 at 12:14 pm
I got a price of $120.00 a square foot a month ago. I have a piece of property I want to build a small house on and I’m wondering if I should subcontract it myself.
9
Posted on 8/9/19 at 12:28 pm to Groundscrew85
That's probably a reasonable estimate as long as you don't go too high end on extras or really custom work. Also, location might have a small effect on it.
Posted on 8/9/19 at 12:39 pm to Boudreaux35
Thank you. It’s in Jefferson Parish.
Posted on 8/9/19 at 12:56 pm to Groundscrew85
It depends on the fixtures and add ons or upgrades. If you use a builder it’s going to be more like $150/sf.
Posted on 8/9/19 at 1:07 pm to Groundscrew85
I know this isn't the OT but i'll say tree fiddy solely because I've never gotten to before.
Posted on 8/9/19 at 1:22 pm to Groundscrew85
80 to 400 a foot
Posted on 8/9/19 at 1:34 pm to Groundscrew85
Seems a bit high honestly if you are supplying the land. Of course if you build a 3 bedroom 3 full bath and nice kitchen the cost per sq ft of bathrooms and kitchens is much higher than normal living space so that pushes overall cost per sq ft up.
Finish details can also add up. If this was builder grade stuff it sounds a bit high. Lots of details missing so $120 could be right.
Finish details can also add up. If this was builder grade stuff it sounds a bit high. Lots of details missing so $120 could be right.
This post was edited on 8/9/19 at 1:35 pm
Posted on 8/9/19 at 1:44 pm to ItNeverRains
quote:
80 to 400 a foot
Accurate.
Need way more details. But to your actual question, “should you subcontract yourself?” It’s even more complicated. There’s been a few threads regarding it recently.
Posted on 8/9/19 at 3:31 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
Need way more details. But to your actual question, “should you subcontract yourself?” It’s even more complicated. There’s been a few threads regarding it recently.
The 1st question answers the 2nd.
Posted on 8/11/19 at 9:27 pm to Groundscrew85
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/21/19 at 12:02 pm
Posted on 8/12/19 at 8:34 am to chalupa
Little guest house I am building, my cost is about $13.50 a SF. 
Little house has a lot of custom wood work in it.
Little house has a lot of custom wood work in it. 
Posted on 8/12/19 at 9:15 am to LSUtigerME
quote:
But to your actual question, “should you subcontract yourself?” It’s even more complicated
120/SF is not bad. Subcontract it yourself and your material cost increases considerably. You're not a volume builder and your material cost will reflect that from every supplier.
My Dad is a contractor and we struggled to keep my cost at $110/SF and that includes me paying cash for some of the things I considered "extras" like security cameras, all LED lighting and outdoor kitchen.
But, its all relevant because it depends on the finishes.
ETA: I owned the land out right
This post was edited on 8/12/19 at 9:25 am
Posted on 8/12/19 at 10:35 am to Supermoto Tiger
$120 living or total?
Posted on 8/14/19 at 4:12 pm to Groundscrew85
I’m looking at building a house on MS gulf coast. Does it make a big difference with the 20’ elevation requirement? I imagine it does.
I’d like a middle of the line semi custom home and have my budget set at $150/ft total under beam.
Land purchase separate.
Would that be possibe?
I’d like a middle of the line semi custom home and have my budget set at $150/ft total under beam.
Land purchase separate.
Would that be possibe?
Posted on 8/14/19 at 4:36 pm to SlidellCajun
Per square foot is just a flawed way of valuing homes.
If you are at all picky about finishes and the quality of the work, I think you should assume that the price/sq ft is going to be a lot higher than what houses are selling for in the area.
Everything is expensive these days. Every sub has trouble finding reliable workers, so has to pay a lot for people who will do quality work.
We did a whole home remodel a couple of years ago, and what I learned was that my expectations are higher than my pockets are deep.
What I’m trying to say is that if you don’t either have real connections to get stuff cheaply or know how to do lots of stuff yourself, then you should expect to take a beating, and you should not ask for anything you don’t really need.
If you are at all picky about finishes and the quality of the work, I think you should assume that the price/sq ft is going to be a lot higher than what houses are selling for in the area.
Everything is expensive these days. Every sub has trouble finding reliable workers, so has to pay a lot for people who will do quality work.
We did a whole home remodel a couple of years ago, and what I learned was that my expectations are higher than my pockets are deep.
What I’m trying to say is that if you don’t either have real connections to get stuff cheaply or know how to do lots of stuff yourself, then you should expect to take a beating, and you should not ask for anything you don’t really need.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 6:40 am to uway
The issue becomes about budgeting for the job. I need to have some sort of benchmark rate and then know what to expect from that rate.
ie
$120/sq foot= slab, 9’ ceiling, no customization, and bottom tier appliances and fixtures. No garage.
$140/sq foot= raised on slab, moderate customization, mid grade appliances and fixture, one car garage.
$175/ sq foot= raised on slab, all custom, upper tier appliances and fixtures, two car garage.
$200/sq foot= all the above and built in gym and garagmahol with built in beer taps
Or whatever...
Someone must know how this stuff plays out.
I want a house raised 12 feet, on a slab, with semi custom cabinetry and high end appliances. 10’ ceilings. Hardwood flooring. No elevator.
ie
$120/sq foot= slab, 9’ ceiling, no customization, and bottom tier appliances and fixtures. No garage.
$140/sq foot= raised on slab, moderate customization, mid grade appliances and fixture, one car garage.
$175/ sq foot= raised on slab, all custom, upper tier appliances and fixtures, two car garage.
$200/sq foot= all the above and built in gym and garagmahol with built in beer taps
Or whatever...
Someone must know how this stuff plays out.
I want a house raised 12 feet, on a slab, with semi custom cabinetry and high end appliances. 10’ ceilings. Hardwood flooring. No elevator.
This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 8/15/19 at 9:38 am to uway
quote:
Per square foot is just a flawed way of valuing homes
Its just the starting metric used by appraisers to determine how hard they will have to work to hit the number needed by lender to underwrite the loan.
Posted on 11/14/20 at 7:37 am to SlidellCajun
quote:
I’m looking at building a house on MS gulf coast. Does it make a big difference with the 20’ elevation requirement? I imagine it does.
I’d like a middle of the line semi custom home and have my budget set at $150/ft total under beam.
Land purchase separate.
Would that be possibe?
I'm in the same boat. Curious if you have answers to your questions 15 months later.
Posted on 11/14/20 at 3:17 pm to Groundscrew85
My wife and I are getting ready to build next month. Waiting to close on construction loan. We are paying 120 sq ft in st Tammany. That’s custom, all brick, custom cabinets, 12’ celilngs, granite (have to pay extra for quartz or quartzite), 2 car garage, 12x20 shop, 12x30 covered and paved boat storage. Considering building costs are up 38%, I feel like that’s a pretty good deal.
This post was edited on 11/14/20 at 3:19 pm
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