Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Building new home, mostly studio, what type of building is best?

djbrough · 27th February 2008

You can build something nice for 125K; just contract the project yourself. Contractors generally charge $90-$120 per square foot for basic buildouts. You can save yourself up to 40% by contracting the job yourself.

If you can keep it simple, you can build the place for around $60/sqft. That will give you over 2000 sqft of home. If you don't need a garage, leave it out. That gives you more room for the studio on the first floor.

Definitely go for a wood-framed home. The supplies are cheaper, and contractors generally have more experience in this area. This means that the work will be cheaper. Rules of thumb:

Get at least 3 bids from sub-contractors on all phases of the project (Foundations, framers, plumbers, electrical, roofers, drywall, & HVAC).
Buy the materials for building yourself.
Never pay anyone until they finish the job
Make sure that no trash gets buried on your property
Make the contractor gives you good compaction on your subgrade
Schedule a meeting between all of sub-contractors pre-construction. This will help them schedule around eachother.

If you do these things and stick to a simple plan, the house can be done in a few months. Get a couple of friends together and set up your own gear. Treat them to some cokes and a bucket of chicken afterwards

It's definitley possible. JUST DO IT.

27th February 2008	#20
djbrough Gear addict Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 398	You can build something nice for 125K; just contract the project yourself. Contractors generally charge $90-$120 per square foot for basic buildouts. You can save yourself up to 40% by contracting the job yourself. If you can keep it simple, you can build the place for around $60/sqft. That will give you over 2000 sqft of home. If you don't need a garage, leave it out. That gives you more room for the studio on the first floor. Definitely go for a wood-framed home. The supplies are cheaper, and contractors generally have more experience in this area. This means that the work will be cheaper. Rules of thumb: Get at least 3 bids from sub-contractors on all phases of the project (Foundations, framers, plumbers, electrical, roofers, drywall, & HVAC). Buy the materials for building yourself. Never pay anyone until they finish the job Make sure that no trash gets buried on your property Make the contractor gives you good compaction on your subgrade Schedule a meeting between all of sub-contractors pre-construction. This will help them schedule around eachother. If you do these things and stick to a simple plan, the house can be done in a few months. Get a couple of friends together and set up your own gear. Treat them to some cokes and a bucket of chicken afterwards It's definitley possible. JUST DO IT.