House Size Matters

House Size Matters

From: Sam

Can I be greedy and ask two questions, well 3 with this?

I am looking at building a custom home, roughly 5 - 6.5k living space.

You have $/SF examples all over the place, but if you are stepping it up, what can one expect ($/SQ) for a high end home?

Nothing crazy like imported Italian marble etc, but nice mill work, well appointed kitchen and great quality materials.

Two, I've toyed with the idea of an elevator but then went against it.

Now I've found your site and the reasons for gel with mine, so I'm for again. I want to build a house I may spend the rest of my life in and not have to move b/c of age.

Problem is, I have young kids and guess where the playroom will be if I had an elevator?

Thanks, Sam

Well Sam, the examples I have on "Cost to Build by State" should help, but the "cost to build calculator (# 5) on my "Getting started" page, will be even more beneficial.

You can play with any hypothetical house, changing square footage, upgrades, shape, and other ingredients that make up construction "cost factors', all day long...and it won't cost you a penny, just your time.

In theory, houses cost less per square foot as they increase in size, but then theory goes out the (more expensive) windows with mill work, Aga stoves, convection cook tops, geothermal heat pumps, number of bathrooms, etc., AND, of course, elevators.

As to elevators, they only require "stacked" closets, about 3' X 4" in size, for future installation (see http://byoh.com/elevator.htm).

There is a floor in each closet (and doors) that can be removed easily when you are ready for the elevator.(Check with a local Residential elevator company)

In the meantime, who can't use more closet space, especially with kids.

By the way, what was question #3?

Carl