Help with Cost Estimates

feb · 10-18-2006, 07:35 AM

As someone said here recently, this place is better than Google.....

I am toying with the idea of tearing down my 50 year old seasonal cottage and putting up a smaller (say 2000 sq/ft) permanent home. I have 1/2 an acre with 1/4 clear and 1/4 wooded. I would need to impede into the wooded section a little bit I suspect.

I have absolutely no idea what some items such as designing a new septci and installing, architecture fees, selectively clearing 1/4 acre for construction leaving as many trees as possible, drilling a new well. Would also be interested in typical cost per sq/ft for a regular framed house, not timber frame or anything out of the ordinary.

If anyone has any idea what these types of tasks would cost, could you please share . Any numbers, estimates, previous experience, etc. would be appreciated. I'm just curious if we're talking 5k, 10, 50k, or 1000k. I'm trying to draw up a budget to see if it's doable or not.

Thank you.

ApS · 10-18-2006, 08:21 AM

Two possible budget-saving alternatives have been done in my neighborhood in the past year:

1) Build a second, winterized, floor on top of the existing structure. (This was done to a 60-year-old cottage with a marginal concrete-block basement).

2) Lift the entire existing structure, and put a poured concrete basement under it. (Only $50K—and also a 60-year-old existing cottage—I may have this done to my cottage).

Both turned out beautifully. If no additional bathrooms are added, the existing septic may get OK'd.

Also, new construction may limit the number of seasons that you can use it while it's under construction. For example, a "new" house next door is still not finished, and next season will be its fourth year "under construction".

Paugus Bay Resident · 10-18-2006, 09:11 AM

In terms of new construction, it depends on three things:
1 - the site (i.e., how easy is it to work on, what site work needs to be done, etc.)
2 - the amount and type of square footage (a 2000 SF rectangle will cost less to build than a 2000 SF hexagon)
3 - the level of fit and finish you want (from the heating system, coutertops, flooring, fireplaces and on and on)

All that being said, typical stick frame on the low end, around $100 per SF. You should be able to get decent fit and finish for $125, but as I mentioned it all depends.

We often start with the customer's budget and work backwards. PM me if you need some specifics. I've got quite a few estimates that I can share.

Weirs guy · 10-18-2006, 12:07 PM

Not sure how you feel about modular or log cabin kits, but there may be some time and money saved there. Acres per Second also raises some good options, a lot of the older cabins at the Weirs get the basement and insulation redo with good results, plus you don't need to learn your way around a new house!

cappy56 · 10-23-2006, 06:22 AM

do yourself a big favor , first talk to your building inspector , zoning , to see if you can do what you want to do . this has to be done first and it's free !

good luck cappy56

10-18-2006, 07:35 AM	#1
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 213 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Help with Cost Estimates As someone said here recently, this place is better than Google..... I am toying with the idea of tearing down my 50 year old seasonal cottage and putting up a smaller (say 2000 sq/ft) permanent home. I have 1/2 an acre with 1/4 clear and 1/4 wooded. I would need to impede into the wooded section a little bit I suspect. I have absolutely no idea what some items such as designing a new septci and installing, architecture fees, selectively clearing 1/4 acre for construction leaving as many trees as possible, drilling a new well. Would also be interested in typical cost per sq/ft for a regular framed house, not timber frame or anything out of the ordinary. If anyone has any idea what these types of tasks would cost, could you please share . Any numbers, estimates, previous experience, etc. would be appreciated. I'm just curious if we're talking 5k, 10, 50k, or 1000k. I'm trying to draw up a budget to see if it's doable or not. Thank you.

10-18-2006, 08:21 AM	#2
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,938 Thanks: 2,205 Thanked 776 Times in 553 Posts	While you're "toying"... Two possible budget-saving alternatives have been done in my neighborhood in the past year: 1) Build a second, winterized, floor on top of the existing structure. (This was done to a 60-year-old cottage with a marginal concrete-block basement). 2) Lift the entire existing structure, and put a poured concrete basement under it. (Only $50K—and also a 60-year-old existing cottage—I may have this done to my cottage). Both turned out beautifully. If no additional bathrooms are added, the existing septic may get OK'd. Also, new construction may limit the number of seasons that you can use it while it's under construction. For example, a "new" house next door is still not finished, and next season will be its fourth year "under construction". __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.

10-18-2006, 09:11 AM	#3
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 93 Times in 51 Posts	In terms of new construction, it depends on three things: 1 - the site (i.e., how easy is it to work on, what site work needs to be done, etc.) 2 - the amount and type of square footage (a 2000 SF rectangle will cost less to build than a 2000 SF hexagon) 3 - the level of fit and finish you want (from the heating system, coutertops, flooring, fireplaces and on and on) All that being said, typical stick frame on the low end, around $100 per SF. You should be able to get decent fit and finish for $125, but as I mentioned it all depends. We often start with the customer's budget and work backwards. PM me if you need some specifics. I've got quite a few estimates that I can share. Last edited by Paugus Bay Resident; 10-18-2006 at 02:27 PM.

10-18-2006, 12:07 PM	#4
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Not sure how you feel about modular or log cabin kits, but there may be some time and money saved there. Acres per Second also raises some good options, a lot of the older cabins at the Weirs get the basement and insulation redo with good results, plus you don't need to learn your way around a new house! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

10-23-2006, 06:22 AM	#5
cappy56 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: weirs beach Posts: 3 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	do yourself a big favor , first talk to your building inspector , zoning , to see if you can do what you want to do . this has to be done first and it's free ! good luck cappy56