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Started By
Message
Building a home and just received the first bid.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:03 pm
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:03 pm
The wife and I are building for the first time. Our house is 2484 living and 3900 total with 4br and 3 full baths. I am supplying appliances and all plumbing fixtures along with landscaping out of contract. We have an outdoor fireplace on the back patio. The first bid came back at $145 sqft. This is for the build only no lot. I was shocked to say the least. I showed my preliminary plan to the builder a month ago and he ball parked it at $126 sqft. This build is in Zachary north of BR. I have 2 other bids coming in next week. Am I crazy for thinking it's too high considering I am supplying 25K outside the contract that would normally go in a build? This puts my build at $178 a,sqft when you consider all expenses.
This post was edited on 6/10/15 at 4:24 pm
16
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:20 pm to lsufan1971
No you are not crazy..that is a little high. Did you hire a general contractor or are you subbing it out? Also, where'd you get the plumbing fixtures?
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:21 pm to lsufan1971
quote:
This puts my build at $173 a,sqft
How much do similar homes sell for in that area?
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:22 pm to lsufan1971
So much depends on quality of materials...and on things like complexity of roofline, more costly detailing like dormer windows, specialty brick detailing, size/number/quality of windows....for decent quality finishes, $140-175 isn't out of line (stone countertops, tile or engineered hardwood rather than carpet), even with the landscaping out of contract.
Some houses are more expensive to build than others...style/floorplan/roofline can contribute to elevated cost.
Some houses are more expensive to build than others...style/floorplan/roofline can contribute to elevated cost.
This post was edited on 6/10/15 at 4:23 pm
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:23 pm to McNasty23
quote:
Also, where'd you get the plumbing fixture
My wife works for a plumbing distributor.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:27 pm to McNasty23
Hiring a GC. I can't sub it myself in this subdivision unless I put up a 10k bond. My house at $178 a sqft would be the highest price house in the city per Sq ft that is in a subdivision based on the MLS today. I am not using spray foam, tank less hw, or any fancy shite. We are going with engineer Hardwoid flooring in the bedrooms along with the living area. They quoted Lincoln vinyl windows ( I have 18 windows). Roof is a hip roof that doesn't have any crazy lines.
This post was edited on 6/10/15 at 4:31 pm
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:27 pm to lsufan1971
LCR, Southern or Coburn's?
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:29 pm to McNasty23
LCR
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:32 pm to lsufan1971
lol me too
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:34 pm to lsufan1971
Can't tell how high that really is. Would need to know more about the build of the house. It could be really high or pretty fair
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:35 pm to tom
Two new houses for sale right now that are similar to mine are going for $153 sqft.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 4:55 pm to lsufan1971
quote:
Two new houses for sale right now that are similar to mine are going for $153 sqft.
Well, if you add another $10 to the sq/ft that is almost another $25K.
Puts you very close to that without the land.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 5:03 pm to lsufan1971
quote:
We have an outdoor fireplace on the back patio. The first bid came back at $145 sqft.
Construction costs have crept up.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 5:06 pm to lsufan1971
Definitely seems a little high.
Keep in mind though, the items you are supplying aren't really going to save you any money unless you just got a ridiculous deal. The contractor is not making his 10-12% on that $25k and now has to deal with issues that are out of his control. He's charging for that still. He probably just disregarded the items provided by you altogether... Maybe not, but as busy as everybody is right now it wouldn't surprise me at all.
Definitely get some more bids!
Keep in mind though, the items you are supplying aren't really going to save you any money unless you just got a ridiculous deal. The contractor is not making his 10-12% on that $25k and now has to deal with issues that are out of his control. He's charging for that still. He probably just disregarded the items provided by you altogether... Maybe not, but as busy as everybody is right now it wouldn't surprise me at all.
Definitely get some more bids!
Posted on 6/10/15 at 5:24 pm to lsufan1971
based on our experience, around $145/s.f. of living area seems in the ballpark for mid range complexity and finishes. $175-$200/s.f. would be the range for upper end finishes, complex rooflines, all brick vs. stucco and architectural features like antique beams, stone fireplace surrounds, etc. We also had extra costs to remediate the soil before the foundation could be poured and a few other non-routine extra costs.
Good luck to you and hope you can get a good interest rate since they appear to be ticking up.
Good luck to you and hope you can get a good interest rate since they appear to be ticking up.
This post was edited on 5/12/18 at 2:23 pm
Posted on 6/10/15 at 6:17 pm to lsufan1971
I am awaiting bids to come back on my plans as well. How long did it take you to get bids back once you gave the contractor your plans?
Posted on 6/10/15 at 7:42 pm to daviddsims
We are in the beginning of the building process as well, ascension parish. Took about 2-3 weeks for bids to come back for us.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 8:13 pm to lsufan1971
Seems high. $125 for a high quality home.
Posted on 6/10/15 at 8:52 pm to WhoDatTigerStripes
About 2 weeks
Posted on 6/10/15 at 9:56 pm to lsufan1971
CALL Tim Smith and Harvey Smith Builders. Second generation home builder- Builds custom homes with excellent quality. His price will tell you where you should be-- You may wish to consider him also
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