Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Home Build

I am looking at building a home in the near future. This will be my first build so it will all be a new process. I know costs are significantly higher than a few years ago but am in a position where this will be my best option going forward. I am wanting a rough estimate as to what my cost for complete build will be from those with experience. Note I am located in Baldwin County.

2000 sq foot living
Farmhouse style preferably but this is debatable
3 bed/2 bath
Walk in closets
Walk in pantry
Decent sized front porch for sitting
Big enough back porch to fit a few grills, tv, patio furniture
2 car carport with storage area for lawn equipment, tools, etc
Will need septic tank
Will need driveway install approximately 200 yards preferably crushed asphalt

For the home builders and those with experience shoot me an estimate as to what yall think I am looking at paying?
Also what is the average cost per sq foot these days?

I can't imagine a new home build being much under $200/ft these days. Especially with the big porches that you're talking bout. That adds to the under-roof space, but not to the heated/cooled square footage. Best of luck with the build!

Will it have site finished hardwood , working fire place, lot of tile work, solid surface counter tops , custom cabinetry ? How will the outside be finished ? Are you going to hire / contract all the work to be done by others?

$200/sf MINIMUM.

Vinyl wood flooring, no fire place, tile in kitchen/bathrooms, solid surface countertops, no custom cabinets. Board and batten siding. The work will be done through a custom home builder.

$200 +/- $10 SF , not counting that long driveway .

Not sure of the market down there but assuming this is on a slab we built custom higher end finishes 3 years ago in the bham area for less than $160/sf so it is possible. Get a few builders to give you an estimate. Just know you will end up over budget regardless.

I’m almost 4yrs into the land I bought to build on. I haven’t even pushed the first bit of dirt yet. If things don’t change it’s possible that I won’t. We have about 3 plans we’ll have to narrow down to 1, but either way from everything I’m hearing from people it’s going to be $185-$200 sqft. Interest rates haven’t changed much either. Good luck to you I hope you find somebody that can build your house at a reasonable rate.

Will you need to clear a spot too or is it already cleared? A buddy of mine built a home that had a semi cleared spot and the prep work to cut a driveway in, finish clearing, leveling, and getting it ready to build was nearly $20k before they even started. Your going to be at a minimum of $200.00 sqft

This seems obvious, but I'll say it anyway. If you buy an existing house, the land is included in the price. If you build, the land isn't. So it's never an apples to apples comparison. It seems that buying an existing house is always cheaper and less headache. I've had many old men tell me to never build, and I've listened

The bigger the porches and garage, the more the living area dollar per sq/ft also goes up. To answer your question, lock and key around my neck of the woods I would guess your looking at around $400-$450k price excluding land cost and site prep not being too big of an issue. Contractor is gonna make 80-100k of that, so anything you can do yourself will save you that much and maybe more. Too many variables to nail down exact costs.

Make sure plans have a storm shelter or a safe room? Hopefully never need it.

Land is inherited and is flat open field so money is being saved there.

The answer is - whatever you are planning for, add about 25 - 50% for change orders. I can pretty much guarantee you that you and or your wife will want additional electrical outlets, data connections, higher end appliances, AC + duct work, changes to the doors and handles, counter tops...etc (you should get the picture). It is ridiculous what it costs to build a house. Believe it or not - electrical will eat you alive.

Building:
Builder's grade $180+ sf (stick to the plan - laminated counter tops, DO NOT add/move electrical (standard 200Amp electrical service), finished drywall, standard molding, hollow doors, standard cabinets, LVL flooring.
Custom $250+ sf - custom cabinets, all of the outlets you will want, good paint job, solid doors, insulation on the inside walls to reduce noise,..etc.

Just went through it 3-years ago - our change orders were close to 30% and we planned on a lot of custom work.

I’m still in the same ole House I bought way back when houses were considered cheap in 2009-2010… but the houses I see now, for sale, that I like, are starting in the 700k range. One I really
Like is sitting at 799k right now 😬

Wife keeps sending me random listings that she likes.. I’m trying to buy as much time as I can.

Please PM me your home plans, I’m interested in giving you an itemized quote. Thanks !

If you have a regular box house no crazy pitched roof and dont go extravagant on the inside you can build for $160 sqft around here right now according to a builder I talk to. Now where I work try $245 plus a sqft.

There’s a builder down here claiming she builds them for 125 a sq ft.

If they aren’t in the shitty soil like 85 south you can build wayy cheaper. I’m talking custom home builds. Ask leroycn

We went to a builder supply type store and got a quote on our plans, I drew up myself. Doubled that and that's really close to closing costs. Already owned the land.