04-22-2008, 07:51 PM
We're finally getting closer to starting construction. We now have plans approved by planning, health, and engineering departments and are now just waiting for building to approve.
We also have estimates for most everything. Just need plumbing, site prep, and septic estimates. Including my "guesstimates" for those three and real estimates for everything else, we're at about $75K to build our 672 sf, single-wall, raised up 8 ft post and pier home with small (6x12) screened-in lanai.
Most of the windows will be special order because I want the kind that slide up and down, instead of from side to side. So, the things that are adding a bit more expense are the windows, the amount of overhang (3 ft.) and steeper pitch (5/12) of the roof, the 9 ft ceilings and being raised up 8 ft.
To keep costs down, I decided to do without the five panel interior doors that look like the old style that we have in our existing plantation style home. We're going with inexpensive bathroom sink, shower, fixtures, etc. and going with stock cabinets for the kitchen.
So, a bit of give and take on cost versus wish list. Our target not-to-exceed cost is $70K and I'm still hoping we can hit that number. I've guesstimated plumbing, septic (no leach field needed, will drain into our existing cesspool instead), and minimal site prep at $5K each. I don't expect plumbing to come in under $5K, but the site prep may be a bit lower. We have estimates for finish carpentry figured in, but may decide to do that ourselves in order to stay within budget. We're definitely going to do all of the painting ourselves. We'll have to see how are energy and sanity is holding out when we get to that point.
Anyway, I'll give updates as we get more information that may be helpful to someone else who is just starting the process.
We also have estimates for most everything. Just need plumbing, site prep, and septic estimates. Including my "guesstimates" for those three and real estimates for everything else, we're at about $75K to build our 672 sf, single-wall, raised up 8 ft post and pier home with small (6x12) screened-in lanai.
Most of the windows will be special order because I want the kind that slide up and down, instead of from side to side. So, the things that are adding a bit more expense are the windows, the amount of overhang (3 ft.) and steeper pitch (5/12) of the roof, the 9 ft ceilings and being raised up 8 ft.
To keep costs down, I decided to do without the five panel interior doors that look like the old style that we have in our existing plantation style home. We're going with inexpensive bathroom sink, shower, fixtures, etc. and going with stock cabinets for the kitchen.
So, a bit of give and take on cost versus wish list. Our target not-to-exceed cost is $70K and I'm still hoping we can hit that number. I've guesstimated plumbing, septic (no leach field needed, will drain into our existing cesspool instead), and minimal site prep at $5K each. I don't expect plumbing to come in under $5K, but the site prep may be a bit lower. We have estimates for finish carpentry figured in, but may decide to do that ourselves in order to stay within budget. We're definitely going to do all of the painting ourselves. We'll have to see how are energy and sanity is holding out when we get to that point.
Anyway, I'll give updates as we get more information that may be helpful to someone else who is just starting the process.