I recently built a house using the Not So Big books as a guide. Of course I went over budget but I am happy with the results. I designed the house and acted a GC on the project. I have 1700 sq. ft. covered but only 1200 heated. Given the house cost 140k to build ,how does one go about determining the cost per foot or is it irrelevant? The house is very large inside with very high ceilings so cost per foot doesn't seem a good indicator of where the money went.

Ah... comparing home costs per square foot. I built a home a couple years ago (as an investment) and took great pride in tracking the costs of every brick, nail, and 2" paintbrush. In the end, I was quite satisfied with my $/sf and made a fair profit on the sale. When friends asked about the numbers I'd recite them all and, unimpressed, they'd respond, "Oh really? My cousin's friend builds houses and she says that he turns a 30% profit on each one." Then they change the subject.

I used to fret about it, wondering, "Does her cousin's friend count transportation costs for trips to the build site? How 'bout property taxes paid during construction? Realtor's commission? Title fees?..." I was always dissappointed that people weren't more impressed with my numbers. But I've learned to live with it.

The fact is, those people don't know what it really takes to build a home - not like you and I do. If you built a custom home you are happy with for a reasonable price (and it sounds like you have) then take pride in that.

And if someone asks about the numbers... LIE Take the simplest total of materials and direct labor, divide it by the most generous possible estimate of square footage (don't forget cellars, carports, and tree houses), round down a few dollars and proudly say, "I spent about $70 a square foot!" If anyone doubts you, tell them how you found some great bargains on cabinets, tile, etc... who knows... maybe they'll ask you to be GC for their next home!

M,

The traditional way to figure the "cost per sf" is to add up all the costs of the house only, not the cost or development of the land, and divide it by the finished square footage that you can live in. This does not include garages, and attics. Highly finished porches and decks can go either way. I usually include porches in both the cost and SF, but exclude both the cost and SF of decks. I disagree with Ken. All those people who lie are misleading friends and acquantances, who will then have their hopes dashed when they get ready to build, or worse, their finances dashed after they start. Instead of trying to win the tightwad contest, take pride in your costs as a measure of the quality you provide.

Wendy