Is this a good estimate to build a foundation?
B J
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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B J
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Foundation walls using ICFs-how to estimate cost?
Comments (1)STAY AWAY from Superior Walls - they don't guarantee their product - and do you want a paper-thin sheet between you and water? ICF's price vary with the brand name, but you can negotiate a lower price. I'm building with an large addition with all ICF - but when I was planning I was considering SIPS (it was coming in much cheaper). The ICF guy negotiated with the manufacturer and got me a matching price. Have some guys out, tell them what you can get from someone else, and watch them scramble....See MoreHome Building software ( estimating )
Comments (3)Some of the Home Designer series will provide that information. Check their website to see which packages provide the information. I know the more expensive versions have cost estimating capabilities, but I'm not sure about the less expensive versions. You will still have to provide the program with local material prices. The program will then calculate the material price bases on quantities reuired by the design. I don't know if any of them handle labor costs. Here is a link that might be useful: Home Designer Sofware...See Moreevaluating lot - estimates for septic, well, foundation
Comments (8)I agree- a septic test in 2007 may not be valid today. We are in SC, and got a septic permit in 2006. The permit specified the size of the tank and field. We got the system in just before the permit ran out (5 years), and the guy doing the work said that that system wouldn't pass under a new permit. As for a topo map, see if the county has a GIS site- most do. Here in Greenville County, we can get topo, flood zones, soil types, crime stats, etc. You can also zoom out to see what else is nearby. You'll probably need an 'expert' for the well info. Wells can range all over the place for cost and difficulty, and only someone with a lot of local experience can give you a guesstimate, and even that could be way off, depending upon what they have to drill through, and how deep they have to go. In truth, they won't really know until the dig the well. Unfortunately, wells, septic, and foundations are separate disciplines, and will require different contractors. You have a great opportunity to ask questions now, before buying. Do all of the due diligence you can. Don't trust the realtor to answer questions. They might not know, or may out-and-out lie. They are trying to sell real estate, period. Once you buy your lot, please, PLEASE ask questions before committing to a design. I can't tell you how many folks come here, or to other forums with last minute questions that should have been worked out months ago. Study up on energy-efficient building techniques, too. Might as well build the best house you can!...See Moreestimated cost increase for foundation like this?
Comments (7)There really just isnt big tract build subdivisions in my area. This is a smaller town that we are trying to build in. looking about an hour away, yes there's tract homes within our budget that have the needed square footage. Besides that, i really dont think its a good comparison. The price on a tract home isnt factoring in all the work ill be putting into this house. I mentioned in the other thread, ive looked pretty thoroughly for homes that could work for us in this area and there just arent any. They are either too big, too small, or just cant be split the way we want. As for the sweat equity, yes i could do some of the work like adding kitchen cabinets in an existing bi level. My expertise is mostly cabinets, door building, door hanging, trim, tile, flooring, sheet rock, things like that. Im not a roofer, electrician, plumber, hvac specialist, septic specialist, well specialist. I honestly feel that my sweat equity can be much better taken advantage of in a new build where all the things i can do are needed, and all the things i cant do will be brand new and not possibly needing maintenance in the near future. An older existing house is more likely to need work in areas where my skills wont do much good. As for the sloping lots, thats just whats available at lower cost. For a nice flat lot, price jumps up another 30k or so. there just isnt much available in the area. My builder is the one that suggested a walkout basement could be an efficient way to get the space we need for lower cost. A sloped lot allows for a basement with plenty of light, perfectly livable, and 1 floor above. On a flat lot, you would still need 4 feet of crawl space, then 2 floors above it. With sloped and walkout, your adding another 4 feet of foundation, pouring a slab, and eliminating a whole floor. This second layout with fill is obviously not as efficient as the dug down walkout, and also definitely to the point of more expensive than building on a flat lot. The question is, how much more expensive? Just very rough estimate. Would it be cheaper to spend an extra 30k for a flat lot? As for classifying it as a "budget build", lets change that to building on whats available with budget in mind. Even if we end up building on a lot that has a not so budget excavation and foundation, im still going to do what i can to reduce cost where possible. Cadet heaters, laminate flooring, vinyl siding, etc. Another thing, ive been talking with bank and the budget could possibly be up closer to 300k....See MoreGN Builders L.L.C
3 years agoB J
3 years agoJJ
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3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoCharles Ross Homes
3 years agoB J
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoB J
3 years ago3onthetree
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoB J
3 years agoGN Builders L.L.C
3 years agoworthy
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoBLDG Workshop Inc.
3 years agoGN Builders L.L.C
3 years agoB J
3 years ago
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