construction cost

[dick]

Am ready to commit; love the directness of this forum but ask for guideline on time and cost; FAQ kinda dodges by saying, It Depends. Pls suggest time and cost: structure and sufficient interior to inhabit (no site, no clearing, no septic, etc), assume buy logs from logger, two man crew having taken your course (no labor cost except maybe exotics like redi-mix), plans and other ancillaries, buy fixtures, 1500 SF; perhaps give range based on students' experience.

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Low end: $7,000 & 8 weeks.
High end 15 years and $350,000.

I asked Skip the same question. He said "How much does a decent car cost?
(Used Kia...maybe $3,000, new Aston Martin, $250,000).

Two builders can put up identical log homes right next to each other, but one can
cost twice as much and take five times as long to build. There are so many variables.

Amenities and time to build may not have a lot of effect on the price. My stick framed
storge shed is close to finished. It will be $17,000. I could have (should have) made
it from logs. The price would have been at least $7,000 less, and would still have all
the amenities (radiant heat oak floors, excellent windows, wood trim, etc.).

When, & where, and how are huge factors. I'm soon to get most of my ceiling insulaton for
free. I was planning on about $800. Really, it all just depends. Patience is a big factor.

-Rick

[StressMan79]

$7,000 & *15 years*
$350,000 & *8 weeks*

that is more realistic. you can interpolate between these two points and get a ballpark figure (with a log-log scale chart). anyway, the old addage that time is money is definitely true, but as they say around my desk, "nine women can't make a baby in a month."

In short, it doesn't matter how much money you have, you aren't going to finish a home in less than a week ("extreme home makeover') and it doesn't really matter how long you have, it still won't be free, even for famously frugal Rick.

I find it really depends on how many people you have to help you out (for free). If you know a foundation guy with a backhoe next door, who is a really friendly guy and you get on well, you'll spend very little on site work and foundataion. If you want to build in the hamptons, you are going to pay out the nose for help like this even if the lot is free. In short good neihbors and local people can really help our your bottom line.

It also depends on how much work you consider to "finish" the home. I consider first floor covered, roof done and chinking done as "first stage complete." I can finish the interior walls, fixtures, etc at my leisure, but I would like the major structure to be up in the first year of work. I have two guys coming for a month, and one member has said that he's be happy to come out for a week or more. I'm sure that other members will drop by for a day or two. However, this still requires a lot of planning on my part to make sure everything goes smoothly (goiing log shopping this winter, have to find foundation forms, telehandler for rent, backhoe for rent or hire excavation, find cement truck guys, etc. I also have a bunch of stuff I still need to get including insulation, plumbing, electrical, temporary housing (trailer), etc.

In short, if you are unemployed and have lots of money, you can do this fairly quickly, but if you are like the rest of us, it will take longer and cost more. Sorry I can't be more specific.

-Peter

[ChainsawGrandpa]

"you aren't going to finish a home in less than a week ("extreme home makeover')"

But it only takes Norm Abrams six hours! 1/2 hour week x 12 episodes.

I once got some excavation work done for a case of beer.
The price was right. Hope his didn't enjoy his payment on the way home.

-Rick

[rreidnauer]

I'd say from a very generalized perspective, figure on three years once you have property. The first year would be site work. (septic, well, driveway, power/phone) The next year, foundation and structure under roof. Final year, finish and interior work. (of course this can be +15/-2 years. :-D)

Cost? Well, doing everything you can yourself and budgeting very carefully, probably

[Basil]

Personally, it has been 3 years and three months since I laid my first log on the foundation. If you count cruising timber, peeling logs, site prep, etc. it's been over 4 years. It's been five years since I took the class. Depends on when you consider I "started". As far as costs, I can only say that I have about 100,000 to $120,000 in mine. I built too big, too grand. I've got over 3000 square feet of porches and decking for a house with 2800 feet of interior space. I've got a 25 foot high vaulted ceiling in my great room and natural stone tile all over everything. I got my cert. of occupancy about 2 weeks ago but haven't moved in yet, still trying to clean up and finish a few chink lines.

That's one man's experience, YMMV

[WillandHelen]

My house is a timberframe that I cut myself, but it is 1200 sq ft and I built it mostly myself. I've got less than 10k in other people's labor in the house. The rest is materials. It is true that a house costs as much as you want it to. For example. I got a quote for a 2k metal roof and bought a 5k metal roof. I just wanted the best stuff when the best makes a big difference. All in all I spent about 65,000 on the house. I used all new stuff though, which is expensive...but man is it easier and less time consuming than looking around for wire and pipe and stuff. If you are willing to start years ahead and collect all the neccessary items from cheap sources then you could save a ton. I think timeframe has alot to do with the cost...and your ability to collect material. But if you buy all the "neccessary" items from a store. I can't see you building for less than 30k.

ALSO...don't make unreasonable financial plans! THe hardest part of building is coming up with cash when you are in the middle of your project! Plan it out!