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Breakdown of expensess and allowances on new home build?

15 years ago

We would like to know the normal breakdown of expenses and allowances in a new home build. I know so much is figured for foundation, and so much for lumber. Is there an actual way to figure this out? It doesn't have to be exact, just something we can go by.

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Comments (6)

muddypond
15 years ago
I don't think it can be broken down without being much more specific. For example, a walkout basement foundation on a twisty, rocky San Francisco hillside would likely be a much higher percentage of the total project costs than would a slab on grade in a billiard tabel flat part of sandy Florida.

Perhaps if you would post full descriptions of the proposed house and lot, then forum members with similar situations could give you a percentage breakdown of their builds.
rhome410
15 years ago
I'm afraid there is no 'normal.' Your choices and mine might be different, even if just a little bit, all the way down the line, it'll be a big difference by the end. As muddypond pointed out, the site will make a big difference, and as far as framing lumber, there are differences in wall heights, complexity of the exterior and interior layout, etc, that can cause huge variations in price. Past that there are so many materials and finishes, number, sizes, and brand of windows, heating system differences, complexity of wiring you want/need, etc, etc and on and on. The area of the country you live in will make a difference, too. Unfortunately, there's no real way to guess without estimates for your particular project. If you're working with a builder who has built a house similar to what you want in your area, he/she may be able to give ball park percentages.
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david_cary
15 years ago
Items Completed %
Clear lot - rough grade 2
Footings 2
Foundation 3
Floor: ÂÂ Slab ÂÂ Framing ÂÂ Sub Floor 4
Walls: ÂÂ Studs ÂÂ I/S Studs ÂÂ Wall Sheathing 7
ÂÂ Roof Framing ÂÂ Roof Sheathing 5
Outside Doors/Windows 4
Plumbing Rough In 3
Heating Rough In 3
Electrical Rough In 3
Fireplace 2
Outside Trim (Boxing) 2
Siding/Veneer 7
Roofing Shingles 2
Insulation: ÂÂ Walls ÂÂ Ceiling ÂÂ Floor 2
Inside Walls & Ceiling Sheetrock 6
Inside Trim: ÂÂ Windows ÂÂ Doors ÂÂ Inside Doors 6
Kitchen Cabinets/Tops 4
Ceramic Tile: ÂÂ Floors ÂÂ Walls 3
Interior Painting Complete 2
ÂÂ Water/Well ÂÂ Sewer/Septic 3
Plumbing Fixtures: ÂÂ Tub ÂÂ Lav ÂÂ WC ÂÂ Sink 3
ÂÂ Furnace ÂÂ Air Conditioning 3
Electrical Fixtures Set/Wiring Complete 3
Concrete: ÂÂ Drive ÂÂ Walks 2
Decks/Pour Porches/Porch Rails 2
Exterior Painting Complete 2
ÂÂ Finish Grading ÂÂ Landscape 2
Main Floor: ÂÂ Hardwood ÂÂ Carpet 4
Appliances 2
Screens/Storm Windows/Gutters 1
Misc: ÂÂ Wallpaper ÂÂ Hardware ÂÂ Mirrors ÂÂ Clean Up 1

Total % Complete: 100

Hey it copied ugly but you get the idea on %'s. It is a draw sheet which is certainly not exact but it gives you some idea. It really is just based on reality....

Our 540 cost has 50 in basement/foundation; Framing is 65; Those were the 2 big ticket items.
User
15 years ago
You just asked for a recipe for a cake without even specifying if it's a plain yellow sheet cake or a diabetic carrot cake. There are just as many variables unaccounted for in estimating an unknown home as there are ingredients and proportions in different cakes.
sue36
15 years ago
The bank can provide you with a breakdown that they use for disbursements. In my case that breakdown wasn't very accurate because it was based on building in the south, while we are in Maine.

There is no such thing as a breakdown for allowances. Allowances are just items you haven't picked out before the contract is signed, so an amount is plugged in. There is no standard. Some people only have allowances for just a few items, like lighting fixtures, appliances and kitchen cabinets, others end up with allowances for a large number of things. No allowances is the best way to go, if possible.
meldy_nva
15 years ago
If you must use a contract with allowances, keep in mind that most bidders will offer the minimum because that makes the total cost look lower; while most owners will actually want something considerably more than minimum and then will suffer sticker shock at all the upgrades. The only way to avoid severe sticker shock is to make all your selections BEFORE the bid and to make sure the labor is realistically estimated.

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