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construction-dad t1_izum8fh wrote

Like others have said, $300 is a good target. Contractors are going to give you a better idea of budget. Architects and designers are good at what they do, which is design. Don’t let an architect be your estimator

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autosuggest123 OP t1_izuok96 wrote

Dumb question but how do you get a builder to estimate the cost of the build if you haven’t already had full plans drawn up by a designer or architect? All the builders I called asked me is I had building plans, which I don’t. Which is also why I’m trying to gather more info (albeit somewhat generic) so I know what to tell the designers to design…

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construction-dad t1_izupxjm wrote

Not a dumb question. Start with the truth. “I’m trying to gather more info to determine if I can move forward with this project.” Then after describing what you’re thinking, ask them if they’d be willing to share what level of finish and what the $/sf was on there last few projects.

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autosuggest123 OP t1_izuqntz wrote

Thanks yeah, I called a few builders about a year ago when I first started my research but I basically got the impression that they were all so slammed and didn’t seem to want to even waste their time with someone who didn’t already have plans in hand. Maybe that has changed or maybe there are builders who aren’t as busy but that is how I started—I called builders first and they all told me I needed plans for them to give me a meaningful estimate. Maybe I need to think outside the box, not sure what that entails but I need to build something for my aging parents and custom design/build is really all I can think of. All this feedback is much appreciated.

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