2014 pricing on packaged homes

[Tink]

I think that would be a good starting point as there are variables that can drive up the cost pretty quick. Remember the cost to build pays for the materials, the workers wages, taxes, liability and workers compensation, so the price per square foot includes all overheads. The variables are if Engineering is needed for the foundation, or if, per se you wanted to leave out a wall, add to the cost for the revision drawings and approvals, cost of labor and materials. Kitchens and bathrooms are usually a credit, but in a kit some come with the basic plumbing fixtures and appliances if included. If you want to upgrade cabinets, countertops, or the basic fixtures, add to the cost again.

Community begins with Aloha

[csgray]

Somewhere in the archives of Punaweb you will find a list of some of those things and what they cost, that someone who had just built house posted no more than a few years ago. A friend who built several kit houses here said that if you are using mid grade finishes, and run into no unusual factors that run your costs up (like a lava tube in the middle of your lot) that her rule of thumb was to 3X the kit cost for the price excluding the land if she was the contractor for her build, and 4x if she hired a contractor.

Carol

[Luke Duke]

Thanks, Carol. Using Argus prices, that comes out to abut $117/sf. That seems low.

[HI_Someday]

This seems to be the part that confuses me and that I will eventually figure out by calling a few contractors recommended by one of the kit suppliers: some kits are shell only (i.e. Argus), while others (i.e. Honsador) include 98% of the materials. If the contractor price, which as stated above includes materials, labor, insurance, etc... is xxx $ per square foot - would that SF cost vary depending on the kit?

If I buy Hansodor and 98% of the materials are part of the price I wouldn't think the SF cost from the contractor would be the same as one from Argus, as the contractor would have to buy the materials. I'm probably overthinking this and would guess the contractor would account for what is in the kit when he bids the project.

It would be nice if someone who has gone through building a kit home within the last year or two could comment. One of the things I found strange when talking to the person at Honsador was when I asked if they had any pictures of a finished Oneki (house model I like) and she said no. Makes me wonder just how many of these kit homes are actually being built?

[Luke Duke]

HI Someday, have you got estimates from Castleblock yet? No termites and low fire risk would be worth a few extra bucks per sf. My understanding is that they price to customized designs, not the cookie-cutter designs that are pervasive in Puna.

[Rob Tucker]

Castleblock is my company. I depend on my clients for ultimate cost information. Most recently a client reported to me that his Castleblock home cost about the same as a stick built home. Just more bang for the buck.

Asking how much it costs to build a home is a bit like asking what does a car costs. Lots of variables. How fancy? Who is doing the work? Is the job carrying the burden of worker's comp and general overhead? Obviously an owner builder can achieve lower dollar costs by doing much of the work themselves. Some are better at this than others.

For my part I concentrate on a 'lockable weather tight shell' and stay away from finish details. I have watched a lot of people burn up a lot of cash at the alter of interior decorating. But the main focus for me is that this is your home and your money and it should be what you want. That is my goal. So I do most all of my estimating on custom or client provided designs.

Castleblock homes have superior engineering, are well insulated, termite proof, low maintenance and can be well constructed by first time owner builders.

[kalakoa]

Rob: How about a ballpark figure for a 20x20 Castleblock shell?

In both dollars and time, if you please.... thanks!

[Rob Tucker]

Most of our shell sales go for approx. $30 to $35 psf.

Time? Too many factors to provide a simple answer.

[Luke Duke]

Thanks! We're learning from the man himself! Do you have an online gallery of completed Big Island homes using your system?

[Rob Tucker]

My web site photos are quite old. You remind me that I need to add photos from the past several years. Most of my shots are during construction. Once completed I try to leave my clients in peace. It is often a year after I am done that the house and grounds are done, landscaped and settled in.