From another thread in this forum, while I was looking for the same thing as you, have a look here... (thread: http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/load/build/msg0623402928410.html?13) (Open the link below and then 'save as') Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Persnickety's world famous cost-tracking spreadsheet

Like everyone else, I've got a rather elaborate spreadsheet going. We are building cost plus, the first column is the original estimate by our GC. The second column is "Probable". This holds the actual number when we pay a bill or my best estimate as we move forward. For instance, I know that we want more than the bid number of paint colors in the house, so I've adjusted the original quote up. I know that we adjusted where different floor coverings were going, so the "Probable" column holds the updated numbers. The grand total of this column is where I believe the final cost will be. The third column is the difference between the two first columns so I can readily see where we have money to spare and where we have gone over budget. The next column tracks my "Estimated Out Of Pocket" expenses. These are things we are paying for as we go instead of taking a draw from the bank. The next two columns are our "Paid Out Of Pocket" expenses and "Remaining Out Of Pocket Expenses". This ensures we have enough money in our "House Fund" to "finish" the project. From there, I have a column for each Draw from the bank and then "Total Expended" and "Final Difference" column. The supporting numbers for the probably columns lie off in many other pages on the spreadsheet devoted to lots of different items like plumbing fixtures, flooring, lights, cabinetry, windows, door hardware, etc. Basically, our life is on this spreadsheet, but it is extremely helpful and at least lets me feel like I have a little bit of control on the purse strings. Like others have said, communication with your GC is the most important part. Each month, when a draw request comes in, I make sure I understand what each item is and if I can expect any more invoices from the subs in that area. For instance, this month, we paid for our hardwood floors. The bill was REALLY low, but upon speaking with our GC, the invoice was for 75% of the total amount, the rest to be billed after the floors were site finished. This put the number back in line with my estimates and made the spreadsheet God's happy.

me too........me too! if you are still sending them, then please send one to me! thank you so much!! cloud-stepper@comcast.net

Oh my gosh, ya'll!!! I was giving a friend a link to the board and thought I'd see what's going on while I was here. I cannot believe the spreadsheets are still going around! LOL There were only two of them that I was sending out, but I had bunches...plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, doors/knobs/pulls, flooring, subs, etc. All of the dollar figures from the individual catagories were kept in a "master" that had the running total so I could keep track of the actual amounts I was spending. We Ob'd and the spreadsheets were very specific to our build. I picked out everything before we broke ground and put my "wish list" items on the spreadsheets with the cost. Then I bargain shopped. Every time I got something from my list I'd fill in the info on the spreadsheets about where I got it and what I paid for it. It really helped keep me focused and on budget! They certainly wouldn't work for everyone, but feel free to tweek and make them your own! :o)