Hi Bren! It sounds to me like you will OBing, correct? We're doing the same thing. You're very wise to start planning so early! We've been researching, planning, and purchasing for 1 1/2 years and are just starting the build itself. There are so many variables to the questions that you asked. A lot of it has to do with where you are building. I can give you a couple of general ideas based on the estimates that we were given, but keep in mind that they probably won't accurate for your area. Anderson 200 series windows varied a good bit depending upon where we priced them. For example a 244DH2860 (2'8" X 6'0") was $329 at one dealer and the same window was $248 at another. It doesn't sound like much per window, but when you need 35 windows it adds up quickly! We didn't price Marvins...they're out of our budget range. Are you wanting pre-hung interior doors or slabs? Wood or MDF? What sizes? The size and type of French Doors will make a big difference. The metal roof that we priced was approximately 2 1/2 times the cost of asphalt shingles. Will your framer be hanging the Hardi? Ask them to include the labor cost in your framing bid. Your lumber supply house can tell you how much the prepainted Hardi is running per square. :o) ElDorado is running $15.50 PSF installed here. For a VERY rough idea on appliances you can check eBay. Keep in mind that some of the dealers sell scratch & dent and used items. For budgeting purposes I'd check out the ones from dealers selling only new items. I do suggest that when purchasing high end appliances you get them from a local dealer. You will get far better service if you ever have problems down the road. They might cost a little more than the prices you see online, but alot of our local dealers will match the prices for new items. Just ask! :o)

3-year old thread...com'on folks--all construction pricing is local. It's a combination of materials, labor, overhead and profit. And guess what? These change regularly each year! How can any web site anywhere know the difference between Peducah and Kalamazoo? List to Millworkman!

I'm looking at using either Systems Estimating(accurate to +/- 15%) or Unit Price Estimating (accurate to +/-10%. how do i find out the published cost estimating guide for the area i live in? were do i go to find out the labor rate standards for the sub contractors in my area? thanks

Start talking to your neighbors down there. Keep a journal on prospective builders and subs. Now is not too soon to start. Ask who built their homes and what kind of problems they had or may still have. Ask about the subs, too. Ask how close the allowances were to reality. Ask how long the build took. Some builders can manage things well enough that their average build takes six to eight months. Others can't build anything in less than a year or more. Material prices fluctuate with supply and demand, which are affected by global economic conditions and changing regulations. There is no realistic way you can project those out two years. As an example, some materials, such as drywall, are currently much cheaper than they were a couple of years ago, while some items, such as concrete, are actually higher, despite the economy cratering. Labor rates and what the subcontractors charge vary as well. Right now, subs want work and generally bid very competitively. Most have had to lay off people, and of course, kept the best. Now is a very good good time to build. Two years from now will probably be quite different.