Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Construction costs are 1.5-2x a more traditional home. We’re in the same boat, so I’m interested in other viewpoints. DH is a home builder and for a colonial we’d budget about $150/SF for construction (at builders cost, not retail), for a contemporary, we’re budgeting around $250/SF and trying to manage to budget carefully to keep it that “low”. DH thinks it may swell to more like $325/SF We don’t do ANY contemporary homes, so part of the increased cost would be outsourcing more than usual.

Just to be really clear though- we have actually BUILT colonials in the $2-2.8 range at $150-175 per SF, including the wolf range and hardie siding, shingles (not slate/faux slate), Andersen 400s, wired for speakers, theater room, etc. etc.

The 150-175 up to 325 per SF cost: I assume these are you actual costs that don't include land acquisition and development?

Anonymous wrote:Construction costs are 1.5-2x a more traditional home. We’re in the same boat, so I’m interested in other viewpoints. DH is a home builder and for a colonial we’d budget about $150/SF for construction (at builders cost, not retail), for a contemporary, we’re budgeting around $250/SF and trying to manage to budget carefully to keep it that “low”. DH thinks it may swell to more like $325/SF We don’t do ANY contemporary homes, so part of the increased cost would be outsourcing more than usual.

Just to be really clear though- we have actually BUILT colonials in the $2-2.8 range at $150-175 per SF, including the wolf range and hardie siding, shingles (not slate/faux slate), Andersen 400s, wired for speakers, theater room, etc. etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Construction costs are 1.5-2x a more traditional home. We’re in the same boat, so I’m interested in other viewpoints. DH is a home builder and for a colonial we’d budget about $150/SF for construction (at builders cost, not retail), for a contemporary, we’re budgeting around $250/SF and trying to manage to budget carefully to keep it that “low”. DH thinks it may swell to more like $325/SF We don’t do ANY contemporary homes, so part of the increased cost would be outsourcing more than usual.

Just to be really clear though- we have actually BUILT colonials in the $2-2.8 range at $150-175 per SF, including the wolf range and hardie siding, shingles (not slate/faux slate), Andersen 400s, wired for speakers, theater room, etc. etc.

Builder too but I am seeing reverse trend in the industry. Prices are a bit soft and coming down due to less down. I would say $180-200/sqft is more of a trend for premium or luxury custom builds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Total newbie here. We like our house now but dream about building something custom further out one day. (Not modern.)

I don't want a house over 4000 sq/ft. Looking at the above estimates, that comes out to about 700k, which seems really low. What are the average costs on top I should have in the back of my dreamer mind? Understand it may vary so wildly depending on the lot, etc. that hard to answer.

You’ll need to factor in site costs. In the DMV you’ll need to hire a civil engineer to develop drainage plans, sediment control plans etc and then install dry wells or rain gardens on the lot. And then there will be additional landscaping/ hardscaping costs.

Anonymous wrote:Total newbie here. We like our house now but dream about building something custom further out one day. (Not modern.)

I don't want a house over 4000 sq/ft. Looking at the above estimates, that comes out to about 700k, which seems really low. What are the average costs on top I should have in the back of my dreamer mind? Understand it may vary so wildly depending on the lot, etc. that hard to answer.