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New Construction Costs in New Orleans

Posted on 4/3/22 at 3:04 pm
Posted by hey benji
new orleans
Member since Sep 2013
397 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 3:04 pm
We’re looking to build in Lakeview.

Cost of our home just went from $750k- to over 1 million.

We own the lot free and clear. Really not interested in putting out another 250k.

Our builder is a good guy. We saw his builds and had great feedback from past clients. I have not shopped our plans but I’m considering it now.

Could things settle within the next 6 months - year?
This post was edited on 4/3/22 at 3:13 pm
Posted by TitleistProV1X
Member since Nov 2015
3515 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 3:24 pm to
Did he say specifically what is causing him to have to tack on an extra 33% I’d definitely shop
It around. There’s a lot of great builders in/around Lakeview
Posted by hey benji
new orleans
Member since Sep 2013
397 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 4:23 pm to
We’re at 4800 under beam, 4300 ac area.

I know our lumber package had a big jump, sheeteock, flooring, roof, etc. just higher across the board.

We’re aren’t breaking the bank in the kitchen or bathrooms either; both are relatively simple and the kids bathrooms are a reasonable size.
This post was edited on 4/3/22 at 5:21 pm
Posted by southerntiger83
Metairie, La
Member since Aug 2008
100 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 6:37 pm to
Benji

Are you, me?

We’re looking to build in Lakeview. Already own the lots free and clear. Hired an architect months ago and while discussing the design, we talked about the sqft price range he was seeing. He told us $175 a sqft. Finally got around to pricing it up using the contractor that was recommended came in at $225 a sqft. We designed a 4200 sqft under beam, 3200 sqft living house. Nothing fancy at all.
We will now be getting at least two more quotes.
If you don’t mind sharing, who’s the contractor you got a quote from?
Posted by tigeraddict
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2007
11821 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 6:42 pm to
I know last summer/fall when lumber prices we high then a builder I knew told me a 2000 sq ft house cost $20-22k more just for the framing. Did not factor in other costs.

But Looking around in BR houses from non custom builders are going $200/sq ft. And up, but that is with the lot….
Posted by HailToTheChiz
Back in Auburn
Member since Aug 2010
49023 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 6:42 pm to
Posted by bayoutiger225
Member since Nov 2009
466 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 7:07 pm to
We are self contracting. The cost of using a builder right now is adding 20-30% costs to already expensive builds. Depending on your job I would highly consider this. We are building in Lafayette however so looking to get around $150 per Sqft by self contracting.
Posted by southerntiger83
Metairie, La
Member since Aug 2008
100 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 9:09 pm to
Bayoutiger225

In my past life I ran multiple commercial construction jobs ranging from 1 million to 15 million. I am completely capable of running a residential job but I’m slightly worried about getting the subs to do what I want, when I want it done as I’m not their primary source of work. I completely understand that the job will take longer but the cost savings seem to be worth it.
Posted by saderade
America's City
Member since Jul 2005
25746 posts
Posted on 4/3/22 at 10:44 pm to
Obviously prices are elevated from the supply side but I also think there is so much construction work in the city that GCs are charging top dollar. Finding someone to oversee the build may be the best option, but it probably won’t be built very quickly.
Posted by SulphursFinest
Lafayette
Member since Jan 2015
8754 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 5:00 am to
Interested to get your feedback when you’re done to see if it was worth it or not.

I’ve been considering self contracting for a future build
Posted by hey benji
new orleans
Member since Sep 2013
397 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 1:05 pm to
Southerntiger,

You sound just like me man.

We just need to make the numbers work and I'm not sure if that means waiting for interest rates to rise so costs assumably fall. ( we're going to use mostly cash to build so rising rates aren't a factor )
This post was edited on 4/5/22 at 12:56 pm
Posted by TigerVizz87
Member since Dec 2021
164 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 2:06 pm to
quote:

We are self contracting. The cost of using a builder right now is adding 20-30% costs to already expensive builds. Depending on your job I would highly consider this. We are building in Lafayette however so looking to get around $150 per Sqft by self contracting.


If you have the patience to add an additional 6 months to your project self-contracting isn't a bad way to cut some costs. I think people who self-contract don't typically account for scheduling delays with subcontractors. There is a significant labor shortage for skilled crafts and they are loyal to their GCs who give them repeat business. You may have someone scheduled for a certain day, but if their GC calls with a problem on a job you will most likely get bumped.
Posted by griddle
Member since Jan 2017
142 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 4:46 pm to
quote:

We are building in Lafayette however so looking to get around $150 per Sqft by self contracting.

Is $150 sq ft a current price or almost finished construction?

I have a buddy that is about to start his home, self contracting, and he went from ~$150 to ~$175 per sq ft over the last 60 days. (He owns the lot, so that is just building material and labor)
Posted by bayoutiger225
Member since Nov 2009
466 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 8:06 pm to
We had a family friend who just finished his self contracted build in arnaudville and his exact words were 150 square foot can build a very nice house.

We are young but this will be our forever home. One thing we are doing is making the downstairs nice but the upstairs will have cheaper furnishes due to the kids rooms and having them grow up there.

We own the lot as well so the 150 is basically for the downstairs and the upstairs we’ve penciled in around 115.

We’ve got most of our subs lined out and want as few people to touch the house as possible.

So our contractor who does the foundation also frames the house. The contractor that does the sheet rock also paints it so there’s a vested interest not to do poor work.
Posted by bayoutiger225
Member since Nov 2009
466 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 8:10 pm to
We are planning on having the build take 12-18 months. Currently living at the in laws and we are very blessed to be able to do that. It’s a large home and we essentially have our own “wing” of the house.

I work from home and go to the lot every day so I’ll be able to stay on top of most things. My in laws have self contracted two homes and a camp so they have some great experience with what not to do and what to do.

I honestly wouldn’t be upset if the project took a bit longer as that allows us to pipe more money away and try and see if material costs drop.
Posted by moock blackjack
Member since Apr 2008
96682 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 9:18 pm to
Don’t build now
Posted by mettematt9
Austin
Member since Oct 2010
672 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 9:57 pm to
How many freaking kids you have for 4300 sq ft?

How about you build a 3200 sq ft house for $750k?

Unless you have 6 kids my answer should do.
Posted by southerntiger83
Metairie, La
Member since Aug 2008
100 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 10:21 pm to
quote:

How many freaking kids you have for 4300 sq ft? How about you build a 3200 sq ft house for $750k? Unless you have 6 kids my answer should do.


Why does it matter if he has 2 or 6 kids? Maybe there’s other reasons for a larger home than just the amount of children living there. Keep in mind that removing 1000 sqft means significantly reducing the size of the house and forcing the removal of rooms or area needed.
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75259 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 10:24 pm to
quote:

other reasons for a larger home


You tell me, like what?
Posted by southerntiger83
Metairie, La
Member since Aug 2008
100 posts
Posted on 4/4/22 at 10:30 pm to
A decent size area for parents or in-law or laws to live in for a while
This post was edited on 4/4/22 at 11:33 pm
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