Current stick build price per SF

[derek_m]

Those that are currently building or have built within the last year or so, what kind of $/SF are you seeing?

I'm in middle TN, after calling at least a dozen contractors I only have one that actually came out and gave me an estimate.

30'x36', 12' walls. 4" 3000psi fiber slab with 20"x12" thick footings, 3' high 8" block perimeter, with 6' high 8" block at rear for hillside with draintile (have to build into hill). 2x4 stud walls, (1) 16x8 door, (1) 8x8 door, (1) 36" man door. Shingles on the roof, vinyl soffit, board and batten siding. No electrical, no insulation, empty shell of a building. Pump truck for concrete and roof uses standard attic trusses. This came in at $129k, rough $120/SF.

Local pole barn company this size is approx. $35-40k, but I don't have the space to rework my grade, need a retaining wall.

I was expecting somewhere in the $50-60k range with this hillside, have no clue what to do now. Am I way off? I know cost of everything has been up, but this seems excessive.

 

[rktinc]

I am guessing the hillside is an issue for you. Probably adds 25% to the cost. I would wait for the recession to hit. Keep saving.

 

[alien]

In Mass I am trying to get a 30' X 24' with 12' walls built. I am getting prices between $85-95,000 insulated, 2 X 6 framing, I will be doing the electrical. I bet I would save $10,000 + waiting until next year but I need it this year.

The foundation/footings need to be 4' below frost line. Due to a slope in the property that I am going to have leveled half of my foundation will be 7' with 3' above the leveled ground. The other 2 sides will be 4'. I wanted bigger but I am within a foot or two of all the setback requirements.

 

[Walkers]

I would expect in the $60k range as well. I think so many builders are throwing huge numbers out there because they are getting the jobs with them. Do your own contracting by hiring your own subs. It also gives you the ability to do some of your own work.

 

[Showkey]

Do your own contracting by hiring your own subs. It also gives you the ability to do some of your own work.

If you doing 60-90% of the work……hiring subs can work……..but, the subs are crazy busy wiith their established contractors. Dealing witha one and done job………your NOT getting the best price and not getting on any time line that yours……..you get their time line. As in last in line

Trying to beat a $100/sqft is very challenging and impossible in many areas. Not likely to change much for years.

 

[ddurrett896]

20x24, 10' walls, 2 courses of block, all brick at $80/sqft. Only sub was brick labor, roof shingle labor and garage door install.

 

[m6z]

The housing market is cooling off. I'd wait a year. Prices/demand will fall.

 

[jonnmtjuliet]

Any Luck on the project Derek_m? I'm still in a holding pattern hoping to see some prices coming down but I doubt we'll see much slow down in the trades for middle tn. Last couple times the economy dipped the housing market here really didn't move much as I think we are a bit insulated to the swings with our local economy.

 

[derek_m]

Any Luck on the project Derek_m? I'm still in a holding pattern hoping to see some prices coming down but I doubt we'll see much slow down in the trades for middle tn. Last couple times the economy dipped the housing market here really didn't move much as I think we are a bit insulated to the swings with our local economy.

No luck. Still calling contractors, most with zero response. Tried another pole barn outfit, came in about $90/SF, again just an empty shell with foundation and slab.

What's even more frustrating is I have questions for the local zoning department because their new regulations just went into effect and don't align with some of their permitting paperwork and they have yet to call me back when I asked about it.

I'm hoping things slow down here but I agree, doesn't seem like it will. Housing inventory and time on market is increasing so there's a slow there, but contractors seem to be full steam ahead on new builds.

 

[jonnmtjuliet]

Hopefully, you find a path forward. Everything is really expensive right now. I have ~36K in my project so far but like you I'm dealing with a lot of slope and we are sitting on limestone over here in Mt Juliet so that adds to the costs as well. What county are you dealing with for zoning?

I think there are a hand full of folks in our same situation in middle tn. Maybe we should start a timeshare group that helps each other raise our shops...

 

[derek_m]

Hopefully, you find a path forward. Everything is really expensive right now. I have ~36K in my project so far but like you I'm dealing with a lot of slope and we are sitting on limestone over here in Mt Juliet so that adds to the costs as well. What county are you dealing with for zoning?

I think there are a hand full of folks in our same situation in middle tn. Maybe we should start a timeshare group that helps each other raise our shops...

I'm in Columbia. I'm now actually looking into the option of hiring an architect to provide stamped drawings and just have the concrete work done, then build the rest myself. Do you have a build thread on here? Curious what your site conditions look like and how you did your foundation.

 

[jonnmtjuliet]

I do though it’s not had any activity in way too long but it’s HERE

 

[Higgins]

Those that are currently building or have built within the last year or so, what kind of $/SF are you seeing?

I'm in middle TN, after calling at least a dozen contractors I only have one that actually came out and gave me an estimate.

30'x36', 12' walls. 4" 3000psi fiber slab with 20"x12" thick footings, 3' high 8" block perimeter, with 6' high 8" block at rear for hillside with draintile (have to build into hill). 2x4 stud walls, (1) 16x8 door, (1) 8x8 door, (1) 36" man door. Shingles on the roof, vinyl soffit, board and batten siding. No electrical, no insulation, empty shell of a building. Pump truck for concrete and roof uses standard attic trusses. This came in at $129k, rough $120/SF.

Local pole barn company this size is approx. $35-40k, but I don't have the space to rework my grade, need a retaining wall.

I was expecting somewhere in the $50-60k range with this hillside, have no clue what to do now. Am I way off? I know cost of everything has been up, but this seems excessive.

Had been looking to build a PB back in TN for several yrs. 1st filling in and providing a level grade is on you. In my case eat at $50 to 70K. PB was to be approx 36x 32 one 16x8 door plus SVC door. Several companies did not provide large door. On me to take care of $ 3-5k with 6 month delivery, so that was $75-90K. Then the concrete forming and apron work was on me for another $ 28K (that’s if concrete prices didn’t go up!!!

I could have built a house for more than what it would to build a pole barn. And don’t get sucked into one or the BIG major companies toughting they provide a turnkey PB build. It doesn’t happen.

We sold the house with a furnished PB, insulated, electrical, and finished apron!!

So now I have more $$$$$ for play toys.

AL

 

[Higgins]

Had been looking to build a PB back in TN for several yrs. 1st filling in and providing a level grade is on you. In my case eat at $50 to 70K. PB was to be approx 36x 32 one 16x8 door plus SVC door. Several companies did not provide large door. On me to take care of $ 3-5k with 6 month delivery, so that was $75-90K. Then the concrete forming and apron work was on me for another $ 28K (that’s if concrete prices didn’t go up!!!

I could have built a house for more than what it would to build a pole barn. And don’t get sucked into one or the BIG major companies toughting they provide a turnkey PB build. It doesn’t happen.

We sold the house with a furnished PB, insulated, electrical, and finished apron!!

So now I have more $$$$$ for play toys.

AL

Sorry, we purchased a house with a existing PB along with a sheshed for our tractor and garden tools .

 

[cliffcharb]

Everything has shot up over the years. In Florida last year I was getting quotes of around $100/sq ft for a 36x42x12 stick built. I decided to build myself and only farm out the concrete. Needless to say its been a waiting game for sure. My pad prep was completed in May, and I've been waiting ever since to have the slab poured.
The most affordable option was a metal building with slab for around $60k installed.

 

[eegger]

Everything has shot up over the years. In Florida last year I was getting quotes of around $100/sq ft for a 36x42x12 stick built. I decided to build myself and only farm out the concrete. Needless to say its been a waiting game for sure. My pad prep was completed in May, and I've been waiting ever since to have the slab poured.
The most affordable option was a metal building with slab for around $60k installed.

This is also the route I've taken, I'll end up around $55sq ft for fully finished 32x40x10, other wise if would of been a 100K+ build to have someone else do it. The slab + 2in foam came in at 12k

When did you hire out the concrete, I had about the same timeline, but I had the concrete guys lined up probably in Feb-March, for a late June pour.

 

[billconner]

Watching this thread. I'm shooting for under $20/sf on a 28 x 32 doing it all myself: cmu footer and stem walls, Amish rough sawn lumber including rafters not trusses, barn board siding, asphalt shingle roof, no insulation or mechanicals other than electrical.

 

[dougf]

Watching this thread. I'm shooting for under $20/sf on a 28 x 32 doing it all myself: cmu footer and stem walls, Amish rough sawn lumber including rafters not trusses, barn board siding, asphalt shingle roof, no insulation or mechanicals other than electrical.

Whenever you do this, I would love to see pictures as you progress. I'm sure everyone else would too, sounds like a really fun build.

 

[billconner]

My build thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/2-car-detached-build.484830/

Last picture is 2 days ago. Sidetracked by hard scape prompted by garage - terrace, steps, sidewalk, apron, (and eventually garage floor).

 

[njk4o5]

i am doing a 30x40' in Maine right now here are my costs so far:

Lumber, Asphalt shingles roofing, vinyl siding: $12,500
4' concrete frost walls and excavation/backfill $9900
Framing, roofing, siding contractor $7500

I still have to pour the floor im guessing $6-8k, I'm pulling electrical to it and running circuits having a friend tie it into the panel, and i will insulate and sheetrock as time goes on. My plan is a woodstove for heat.

Lumber has come down quite a bit it is a pretty good time to buy now

 

[yeldogt]

I'm at $200sf for a fully done simple two building +1500sf. Nothing crazy .. no vinyl -- one garage door and three windows. It looks like two offset garages with one a higher roof. The three windows face the main house. I want lots of wall space

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm in Columbia. I'm now actually looking into the option of hiring an architect to provide stamped drawings and just have the concrete work done, then build the rest myself. Do you have a build thread on here? Curious what your site conditions look like and how you did your foundation.

Sweat equity is where you will save you the biggest chunk. That means more for your money.

I'd also suggest 2x6 walls.