what is cost breakdown of labor verses materials for residential home building?

Question

just looking for labor and materials not lot costs or land. southwestern US.

Answer 1

Obviously this depends on the costs for your contractor in your area and labor. Materials will vary in price as well. A good place to research that would be at a place such as Home Depot (for your materials) Once you cost them out, you can shop for lower prices. Permits also need to be costed in as well as cost for blue prints, septic systems or sewer; whether or not the lot has electric to the boundries or if you have to put in it; etc. Take your time and research it before you settle on a contractor. There are so many ways to go; stick built, pre manufactured, kit (for log cabins) design simple or complex; single story or townhouse. I did a lot of research on the internet and was never bored. Learned a lot. Have fun.

Answer 2

Home Building Cost Breakdown

Answer 3

I you own the land, if you do not have expensive tastes, figure about 85.00 per sq. ft to have it professionally built. IF you go nuts in the kitchen and baths, that price can escalate to 120.00 per foot very quickly. IF you get it professionally built, make sure that the contractor is licensed and bonded, pay 1/3rd up front, and always retain at least 10% upon closing to insure the job was done right. Get references, do not go with the cheapest bid, for their are always reasons someone is way below the other's bids! Set a start date and a finish date in the contract! IF the job goes over, the contractor begins to pay you! That way, the contractor will not work one day a week on your job, and have 4 others going on at the same time! He arrives at 7AM or 8AM, works the entire day, cleans up and leaves at 4 PM EVERY DAy that is workable. This is a very important piece of advice! Otherwise, your home will start off with a bang, he will ask for more money, and then things will slow down to a crawl. I would also insist that as soon as under roof, ALL materials purchased with your money be on site, set up security immediatley...you do not want your money being spent on another home...too many contractors rob Peter to pay Paul while working, run out of money and cannot finish the job. Be very careful here! Goldwing