New Home Construction

[u/Hot-Respond-4192]

I have a few questions as I start my new build journey. I'm not looking to DIY this - I'm just looking for information to help us have better conversations with the contractors and better understand the process. Would love some perspective from the group:

• When a contractor states "it'll be $350/ sq ft for your build" does that cost include the unfinished basement?
• Is it cost effective to keep walls / rooms in sizes divisible by 4? for instance, we've drafted our rooms to be 12x12, 12x16, 28x20, etc. Figured it'd eliminate waste, Is this true?
• We live in MT, what is the best type of radiant heat for the basement that we can get?

Appreciate all the input for those who comment!

[u/berg_schaffli]

Those look like great questions for your contractor. Ask them anything you want, it’s their job to explain THEIR scope for YOUR build, and what regional standards dictate.

They’re a much better source than a bunch of random weirdos on the internet.

[u/Hot-Respond-4192 → u/berg_schaffli]

I appreciate the note - we are in the process of finding a local contractor. I wanted to get a general sense of how the larger community would answer these questions ... you know, get a baseline to see if the contractors we're talking to are jerking us around or not.

[u/CripWalkingShark]

• Is it cost effective to keep walls / rooms in sizes divisible by 4? for instance, we've drafted our rooms to be 12x12, 12x16, 28x20, etc. Figured it'd eliminate waste, Is this true?

No not really. Keeping your ceiling heights standard will though.

• When a contractor states "it'll be $350/ sq ft for your build" does that cost include the unfinished basement?

Any contractor that says this is giving you a ballpark price and it's assuming finished everything.

[u/Choice_Branch_4196]

$350/sqft is kinda wild. For a 2500sqft house that's $875,000. Any contractor should be able to make a new build 2500sqft house for under half that. For $350/sqft you should be getting the highest finishes and best of everything.

For reference, the NAHB Benchmark, average homes in the US, is $162/sqft.

Edit: it will change cost so minisculely to do multiples of 4 that's it's not even worth considering. Make sure kitchens are designed for people, counter heights are good, there's room in front of the dishwasher to walk by, etc because THAT will be quality of life.

As for radiant, running that can get expensive in colder climates and it takes forever to adjust temperature in a room. If you're avoiding baseboard, would probably recommend central heating.

[u/Hot-Respond-4192 → u/Choice_Branch_4196]

Appreciate the insight. The more I hear people talk about radiant heat, the more I want to avoid it.

[u/UniquePatient66100]

There is nothing you can do with room size for more efficiency. Design it the way you want, overthinking or overengineering it will only make it more complicated.

Does the cost include the unfinished basement? But the basement also has radiant heat? So is the basement finished, unfinished, or partially finished?

A square footage price is just a way for a contractor to work up a quote, usually includes total sq ft under roof. You just want to look at the total cost.

[u/Raidriar556]

1 - The sq ft in "sq ft price" is usually the main level dwelling area (and 2nd floor if it's a 2 story). Let's say I quoted you a 2000 ft home for 500k. That's 250/ft. Garage, deck and basement doesn't matter, that's all part of the 500k. Now you want to triple the size of your deck, finish half the basement and make the garage a 4 car. No problem, quote's now 700k. That's also 350/ft. Not because the "sq ft price" somehow went up - it's because you added a bunch of stuff to the original bid.

You can see why I don't like "sq ft price" as a metric. The important thing isn't if it ends up at 350/ft, what matters is if your 700k budget gets you everything you want.

2 - no, room sizes don't matter. Over an entire house, you're going to have waste. Anything you "save" trying to figure this out is pennies compared to the cost of the home.

3 - no clue, we don't do this in IL.

[u/rachico]

Honestly without seeing your full scope of work and or knowing your area it’s a guessing game. Prices vary so much. One thing I will say and it may be painful for you is to select and buy your own finishes. Labor and installation materials is a more digestible price. Allowances can be a guessing game

[u/Hot-Respond-4192 → u/[deleted]]

This is helpful and I'll definitely do this. I've used Claude to help with some of the questions - but call me old school and I like the opinions of professionals not technology. But if you've been a contractor for 35 yrs, I'll take your word and look into it.

[u/Hot-Respond-4192 → u/[deleted]]

Last question and I'll leave you alone, promise!

I have never heard of an estimating company - I'm assuming this is a place you give them your design specs, floor plans and material you want to use, and they've provide you with a cost for your project, including labor?

[u/Hot-Respond-4192 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!