several weeks ago there was some lively conversation here about low-cost construction in BCS.... what was it?? 20/30/ per sq. ft. FINISHED.... I would
be curious to get an update/status report on how that project is going... any changes to the cost claim?????gnukid - 8-19-2010 at 01:04 PM
The more you do yourself, the more willing you are to settle for rough quality, the better chance of lowering the cost.
I am certain you can build a house at any cost level you decide, you just need to decide to do it and do it yourself. You could build a house for
$0/sf and many do of recycled materials.
You can use the search tool on BN to review projects, obviously you can learn a great deal from the links, photos, etc... of Juan and Shari's awesome
projects, the cobb house was quoted $20-30/ft, astrobaja's place, etc... George's blog, there is a woman who built her house in San Jose with plastic
bottles.
Oldjack, start now to do your own study, use the search tool here and on the web, make your design plan and budget for your home construction at
$20-30/ft and create your detailed plan and share it here with others? You would answer your questions, learn, document and achieve your project. Then
you could run free classes where you explain to others and teach others how anyone can build a simple home for $20-30/sf or less.oldjack - 8-19-2010 at 01:36 PM
gnukid...
you went off the deep end.... I just remember all the postings and my curiosity was renewed.... just looking for an update .... not a life lesson on
what to do.........gnukid - 8-19-2010 at 02:29 PM
Old jack the answers are here in the links and if you search, the project in particular which mentioned $20/sf was described as a cob house, very
interesting linked at http://cobworks.com there are links to the other projects in progress as well. Many cost effective solutions use materials available locally. The
links to George's updates are following a mainland home at $40/sf with on site video and interviews which answer construction questions in detail.
You might need to look around a bit... and it would really help others if you compiled what you find out and posted it here. Good luck.Bob and Susan - 8-19-2010 at 03:36 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by oldjack
... low-cost construction in BCS.... FINISHED....
finished cost would include stucco or painted block,
kitchen cabinets, cupboards, tiled floors or painted floors,
light fixtures, fans, switches etc etc
turn keycapt. mike - 8-20-2010 at 07:57 AM
unless you want to live like a peon figure $75 a foot in remote mexico.
if it comes in at $50 you win big.
$$/SF costs are so arbitrary i won'y even discuss them with clients anymore - i take their plans and simply bid them. too many variables affecting the
denominator of cost split over size.MitchMan - 8-20-2010 at 08:54 AM
After doing extensive cost analysis and using my own experiences, I have determined that the materials cost is about $25/sq ft and the labor cost is
about $25/sq ft if you have at least one good abanil spearheading the work.
According to my analysis, when you hire a contractor, anything over $50/sq ft goes directly into his pocket. and he doesn't have to supply any of the
manual labor himself. He can limit his involvement to oversight and management (and many do just that). Contractors can have several jobs going at
the same time. You would be surprised how much money a contractor can make per hour this way - more than my Newport Beach attorney by far. You'd be
surprised how much money per actual hour of actual involvement he can average on just one job.
Not arguing against the contractors' ability to make as much money per hour as they can, I am just putting out the numbers so that you know.
If you can get the construction done for $50/sq ft, a nice 1,000 ft two bedroom home will cost $50,000 for construction. You can buy a nice 5,000 sq
ft lot in a very decent location for under $40,000. There you have it, $90,000 USD for a 1,000 sq ft new home on a decent sized lot. Not bad. If
you paid a contractor to do it so that you don't have to be involved in the construction, that you cost you at least $130,000 - still not bad.Pompano - 8-20-2010 at 09:18 AM
One example:
Block walls.
If you are handy..or can even ramrod a crew of 2 semi-skilled laborers..do it yourself.
Bids on a ordinary concrete block wall project I added to my Baja Sur home ran from $7000-$10,000 USD. Way, way too high. I can't really blame the
contractors..the time's are what they are.
I hired two local amigos who I knew were good skilled workers...The M Crew.
My finished wall..better than I had hoped for...cost me $2800. It's a beauty and I call it The Silk Purse Wall.
This is not rocket science..BUT IT IS a helluva lot of FUN!
