My 6000 sqft house has the same heating bill as my neighbors 1950 rambler

OP, I ask this respectfully, why do you NEED a 5,000 sq ft house? Scientists say we have less than a decade to turn around the climate crisis. That size of house is going to consume an awful lot of energy to produce and run. Americans use more energy per person than any other people in the world. If the rest of the world lived like we do in our daily lives- enormous houses for small families, air conditioning, heavy use of clothes dryers, etc - our Earth would be in worse shape than it's in. Really think about what you need before you design and remember to think like a globalist, not an American, which means, ideally, every space would be used multiple times a day. A small-ish, beautifully and thoughtfully designed home is going to be better for you and the environment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI. Currently working on NoVa project (architect). Interior renovation and substantial addition. Trusted builder we’ve worked with many times just gave proposal coming to $257/sf. And he wants this project.

This is almost to the dollar what we are paying right now for an addition plus interior renovation in Arlington.

Isn’t it less expensive to build new per sf vs renovate/add!

There is a materials variable that you can’t ignore.

We have roughly same number of windows as our neighbor he just re did all of his windows for 35k. Our window package was 250k. Do we have the same windows, no. Did either of us get ripped off, no.

Hmm, that may be debatable,

PP here. Neighbor has basic vinyl windows. All of ours are custom steel European windows. I have worked with clients who have purchased these, I know how much they should cost, I know how much I paid. Didn’t get ripped off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI. Currently working on NoVa project (architect). Interior renovation and substantial addition. Trusted builder we’ve worked with many times just gave proposal coming to $257/sf. And he wants this project.

This is almost to the dollar what we are paying right now for an addition plus interior renovation in Arlington.

Isn’t it less expensive to build new per sf vs renovate/add!

There is a materials variable that you can’t ignore.

We have roughly same number of windows as our neighbor he just re did all of his windows for 35k. Our window package was 250k. Do we have the same windows, no. Did either of us get ripped off, no.

Hmm, that may be debatable,

NP no.. People are referring to the cost/sf for construction costs. What you are referring to are the total project costs.

NP. Looking for a clarification. When cost per sq is cited in this forum, is this the construction cost for home square footage above ground (does not include finished basement) AND does it also include site work, design, professional, fees, etc. Site work, plans, finished basement costs can easily be $200k. I’m not sure everyone is on the same page.

Anonymous wrote:is there a lumbar shortage? why is lumbar so high

Yes, and demand is far outweighing supply. And imports from other countries are thin because demand is spiking around the globe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you know, plywood is like $94 per sheet now. Lumber is 2.5x what it was a year ago. And carpenters, nowhere to be found. Crazy times

Lumber is not the main cost of a house. It’s labor.

Increased lumber cost is a sign of demand. That demand will/has driven up labor costs as well. Not to mention that the contractor premium is usually a % of cost, so that goes up in real terms.

Anonymous wrote:you know, plywood is like $94 per sheet now. Lumber is 2.5x what it was a year ago. And carpenters, nowhere to be found. Crazy times

Lumber is up 300% from a year ago.

Anonymous wrote:is there a lumbar shortage? why is lumbar so high

Lumbar is the lower back, not the upper back. I hope you're not short on any vertebrae.

is there a lumbar shortage? why is lumbar so high

Anonymous wrote:you know, plywood is like $94 per sheet now. Lumber is 2.5x what it was a year ago. And carpenters, nowhere to be found. Crazy times

Lumber is not the main cost of a house. It’s labor.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience with MR custom homes?

We recently built with them and despite their recent surge in projects, had a great experience. Happy to answer any questions.

you know, plywood is like $94 per sheet now. Lumber is 2.5x what it was a year ago. And carpenters, nowhere to be found. Crazy times

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for the recommendations. The budget given is just for home construction as lot is already purchased.

This should be easy with your own lot. We built with MR for way less than this.