Construction costs

[dunenfool]

What was the permit, architect and engineering cost on that example?

 

[Surf and Dune]

What was the permit, architect and engineering cost on that example?

I'd guess about 50-60k. This was just  first round numbers to put together a rough bid based on plans. Cost ended up being about 200k more with changes and extra costs from Covid (Lumber virtually tripled)

 

[Sierra4x4]

Alta Loma is running about $620 a sq ft these days

 

[ChEFF]

I'm building a 6700 sq ft Dream Home. SEE: "chEFFs Dream Home Build" TOPic in General Chat Forum. We guesstimated $1,200,000.00 Anxious to see where it finishes at. My guess is $1.5mil. You too can guess. Winner gets a Grand Prize. 2400sqft is Garage. Builder guesses approximate costs. Then turns you loose to pick out the goods. Counter Tops / Fixtures / Appliances / Insulation / Paint / Windows / Floors etc..........My suggestion, have the builder meet your wife before the BID process. In our situation, she gets the inside, I get the outside. Peace

 

[Surf and Dune]

One thing people need to realize is that the cost to build a house , especially a new one, does not increase in price by the same metric. In other words. a 3000sq' house does not cost 1/3rd more than a 2000sq'house, 4000sq' is not twice as much etc. Its much less. That's why I never would use price per sq' when people ask. too many variables. 

 

[MWB]

One thing people need to realize is that the cost to build a house , especially a new one, does not increase in price by the same metric. In other words. a 3000sq' house does not cost 1/3rd more than a 2000sq'house, 4000sq' is not twice as much etc. Its much less. That's why I never would use price per sq' when people ask. too many variables. 

I know guy's who sq' projects all the time and every one of them has been bit in the ass at least once.  

 

[LegitDuner]

 Yeah I am amazed how quickly costs add up. Here's a spreadsheet I did for a house I built last year. 2900sq' new house on the water. Other than a elevator, not a lot of bells and whistles. I worked out a cash deal and lowered my rate. This will give a lot of you guys some idea how it all adds up.

View attachment 28232

View attachment 28233

What's the 8 Grand in general liability? 

 

[Surf and Dune]

What's the 8 Grand in general liability? 

The owner wanted a "job specific" policy. If a contractor has a million dollar general liability policy, and he gets sued by a client and wins, then there's only X amount left to cover any defects on a different project. If you pay extra for a job specific policy then your project will always be covered by the full amount.

 

[Verea1999]

I'm in the market for land myself in San Bernardino county. I've even submitted an offer that was laughed at. Anyway, I have seen construction costs between $250 and $500 a square foot. Good luck on anyone taking your money though unless you are building a mansion. Anyone that can swing a hammer (Boy, that dates me) has more work than they can do in a month of Sundays. They are cherry picking the most lucrative jobs. I was planning on a modular or manufactured home. Prices on those have nearly doubled in the last year. When looking at land, keep in mind your construction costs. The land I bid on was asking $399K. I offered $100K which I thought was fairly close to market value. It sold in 4 months for $299K. Running the numbers, $299K plus the low of $250 per sqft construction cost gives a final cost of $800K for a 2000sqft house before any landscaping, concrete work, etc. The completed house wouldn't be worth that much where I am looking. At the high figure of $500 per sqft, the final value would be $1.3 million. The numbers just don't work unless the land is closer to market value. I have a feeling that the people who bought the land I bid on haven't thought that far ahead and will sit on or take a loss on the land.



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ou're definitely not alone in facing these high costs, especially with modular or manufactured homes. The price increases in the last year are shocking, and it's frustrating when the construction costs are so high compared to the expected market value of the completed home.


Your experience with bidding on land is a good reminder to really consider all aspects of the project. The $100K offer was definitely a bold move, but as you found out, the land prices don’t always align with expectations, and the seller was likely holding out for something closer to market value. It’s unfortunate when people overpay for land without factoring in construction costs and the final value of the house, as that can leave them stuck with an expensive investment that won’t pay off.


It might help to keep looking at different areas, especially where land is priced more reasonably, or where construction costs might be a little lower. Also, modular or manufactured homes can still be a viable option if you can find a good deal on the land, even with the price increases.