Home building costs

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allin4clones

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Jan 7, 2021
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In the process of pricing both houses and pole barns. Located in south central Iowa. Figures coming in from $220-$250 per main level sq ft. $120-150 for 2nd story, and $35-60 for finished basement sq footage.

Pole barns are min $30/sq. Concrete is $5-5.50/ft and spray foam averaging around $3.25/ft.
 

BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
Thing about pole barns is a longer one is more economical. A wider one depends on common truss length. Also height makes a big difference. What type of door are you wanting. If you plan to finish it, then you need more trusses and bracing to handle the added weight. Nothing is cheap.
 

dafarmer

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Mar 17, 2012
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SW Iowa
Just got money for hail and windstorm. Now to get it replaced, big farm house, full basement,2 story and full attic. I am not about to crawl up that high to do any work.
 

SCNCY

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Sep 11, 2009
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We had 3 quotes done.

1st-composite 28K wtf
2nd- treated wood w/ metal railing 10K
3rd-12x20 treated wood deck with wood railing 7K

You should ask for a breakdown between materials and labor. That seems way high compared to the second one, assuming same design and layout. The labor between the two should be the same, so the materials should be the only cost difference.
 

CoachHines3

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You should ask for a breakdown between materials and labor. That seems way high compared to the second one, assuming same design and layout. The labor between the two should be the same, so the materials should be the only cost difference.

I should of added- it was 3 different contractors. The 3rd one is from a guy who did our house remodel and is a good family friend- we'll probably just role with him.

But yeah, in that 28K it was about 50/50 labor/materials I think. Idk, I saw the number and was like eff you man.
 

SCNCY

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I should of added- it was 3 different contractors. The 3rd one is from a guy who did our house remodel and is a good family friend- we'll probably just role with him.

But yeah, in that 28K it was about 50/50 labor/materials I think. Idk, I saw the number and was like eff you man.

Might be worth having a contractor to put in the posts and joists of the deck and install the composite floor boards yourself.
 

MJAnderson

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We had a meeting with one of our insurance carriers and they are seeing building costs close to $300/square foot. Wasn't that long ago it was under $200. They just paid $494K to rebuild a home (fire) that was insured for about $300K (with guaranteed replacement cost.) **** be crazy
I own a small lumber yard in Northern Iowa and $300/sqft might be on the lower end. It also obviously depends on the plan and materials you choose.
 

BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
We built in 2003 for around 105-110 with a 2.5 car garage and several things done in the basement to get it finish ready.
 

cowgirl836

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Sep 3, 2009
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Really glad we built 7+ yrs ago and refinanced last summer. Do have a cedar pergola going in shortly and that went up 50% in price between the quote last fall and placing the order this spring.
 

MJAnderson

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Is it ever going to come back down?
Great question. I don't see lumber, building materials, and the overall cost of building coming down anytime soon (at least a year or two). I do think that they will eventually come down though, I'm just not sure it will ever get back to where it was a couple years ago.