You can apply fiberglass insulation inbetween the joists and then do a double drywall ceiling. You will also need to specially insulate vent holes and the like.

Our home is 2178 sq ft and we are building it for $220,000. We told the GC we really wanted to keep it at or around $200,000. Now, the GC knows my sister and he is doing a lot of work himself. We also are going with laminate counter tops, and no 'extras' right now, like crown molding, etc. We went with a shingle roof instead of metal roof. We limited our paint colors and we are painting DD's room ourself (she wants a themed paint). We wanted to be able to do a little bit higher end but it is always something we can change/add later on down the road. We really wanted something we could afford right now and I really am not a fan of granite but I love natural stone. Can't afford that right now! LOL! The only problem we see so far is the flooring. We are on a VERY tight budget and I know we will go over on that. Our cabinets, the builder is staining them himself instead of the cabinet maker. We also have been buying light fixtures here and there out of pocket and the plumbing fixtures I plan on getting off of ebay. Where there is a will there is a way! Oh, that price also includes our septic, and well. We own the land. I really think it all comes down to your choices on things as to really how much you are going to spend.

Personally, I'd never use propane in a basement. Propane is heavier than air. If there's a leak, the gas flows downhill (like a liquid) and so would fill a basement space. The first spark or flame it encounters - a pilot or starter on a water heater or furnace, a light switch turned on, etc. - kaboom. Natural gas is safer in this respect because it is lighter than air and so rather than pooling in a low space, it escapes upward. Get your oil system fixed to eliminate the odors and be happier with the safer alternative.

Sounds like you are dealing with my builder! They say the offer zero allowances - so if you pick outside of their picks you pay full price and then some with no reduction in price. P*$$es me off. But, I've managed to get much of what I want - I can be persistent when necessary. As for the granite - I picked it out here where I live (in CA) and then asked to have it shipped to AZ (where new build is). Then I did the "What? I can't believe you won't let me ship the granite I picked out to AZ. After all, I selected it from the local yard of the chain you use in AZ. And, (luckily for me) they don't have any in AZ, so whatever was I to do?" I paid (only) about $4,000 for 2 slabs of Alaska White, including shipping, so they did end up giving me some allowance but I don't know how much. Just something else to keep in mind when dealing with a PITA builder... everything that can be easily changed out I will be changing out. Standard lights going in, standard faucets, no BS (you don't need one for CoO), standard paint, standard door hardware, you get the picture. I have all my lights sitting here in this house and will hire someone to switch them out after close. This is because they were going to charge me twice retail for the things I wanted. Nah. I'm not that dumb. Thanks guys. Cheaper to buy it and hire someone if necessary, although most I can do myself. But countertops I didn't want to mess with having to have them pulled out. I agree with you on that one. I won't even go into the appliance or paint color issues! :) I will say I did learn you have to have a range/oven for a CoO. But all the appliances will be pulled after close. And the already out-dated stainless ;o) will be going in. And I have a construction loan like Bee mentioned. Maybe that is helping me some? Not sure. Think it's more that the sales guy is trying to the best of his ability to help me achieve the look I want for the house. It's the builder who lacks some flexibility. Good luck. As others have said - go look at your slabs. I got AW, which looks a lot like BA, because the BA out here was slightly pink. Delacatus looks similar too if the BA is pink where you are.