| The first thing most people think about when building | | | | granite counter tops. The other homeowner would |
| a new home is the cost. You may have seen a cost | | | | prefer only a brick front and siding on the sides and |
| per square foot calculator of some sort on a few | | | | rear, the economy line appliances, chrome plumbing |
| house plan broker sites and home designer websites | | | | fixtures, carpet flooring, stock cabinets, and laminate |
| showing you the averages of building a particular | | | | counter tops. The difference in price would be |
| home in the south, north, east, and west coast. | | | | several thousands of dollars. |
| Unfortunately, the cost per square foot method | | | | As a rule, you should not rely on the CPSFM. The |
| (CPSFM) tends to mislead unaware homebuyers. | | | | most effective way to narrow down the cost of |
| When calculating square foot cost of say a 2,000 | | | | building a home is to have your builder prepare a bid |
| square foot home, you are able to compare the | | | | with a complete estimate done based on take-offs. |
| numbers on home builders who use this method to | | | | Take-offs is a process by which homebuilders would |
| quote you a price to build. As you will find, the | | | | disassemble a house plan (1 set of house plans such |
| estimates can be very different. | | | | as a study set) and calculate the cost of seperate |
| Here are several reasons why the CPSFM is | | | | components of the entire home. Seperate |
| ineffective: | | | | components includes every item used in building the |
| (1) Home styles – A country house plan with | | | | home. Some examples are lumber, concrete, |
| wood siding and a traditional house plan with brick at | | | | masonry, windows, doors, appliances, drywall, |
| the same square footage would not cost the same | | | | finishes, mechanical and electrical systems. There is |
| to build. | | | | much more but these are a few of the items that |
| (2) Home type – One story house plans and | | | | would be included in a take-off. |
| two story house plans of the same square footage | | | | Performing a take-off estimate is a lengthy task that |
| would not cost the same to build. | | | | can take a week or two depending on the builder. |
| (3) Specifications – This is the true tale of | | | | Some builders do it the old fashion way using a |
| why the CPSFM is unreliable. Take a 2,400 square | | | | calculator, pencil, and paper. However, more builders |
| foot house plan for example. Two different home | | | | are using computer software designed for take-off |
| owners, one who wants an all brick home with | | | | calculations in order to cut there bidding time in half, |
| stainless steel appliances and plumbing fixtures, | | | | improve price accuracy, and present you with an |
| hardwood and marble floors, custom cabinets, and | | | | easy to read cost breakdown of building your home. |