First Material Estimate

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

OK, I stopped into my local Carter Lumber a couple weeks ago without any drawings and asked for them to put together a material estimate for my 28' x 32' garage w/ Attic trusses and 14' x 14' breeze way.

Includes all framing lumber, Attic Trusses, Doors (3- mandoors, 2- 9'x8'insullated), windows, roofing (30 year laminate) Nails, etc.

The estimate was for materials only (Exept garage doors are installed) $12,106.34


I will be shopping around alittle but how does this stack up? I will be pricing out my concrete seperate and doing all the work myself, with help from family & friends. (Father In Law is a licenced contractor in Michigan so any questions he can handle)

 

[ryaninmichigan]

seems hi but those attic trusses are spensive.

 

[Lloydthumper]

Do some comparitive shopping I got estimates from 4 building supplies 2 local and 2 big box stores and they varied greatly the one that I felt like knew there stuff best was a local store but they were the highest as well. I took my lowest estimate back to them and told them I would really rather do business with them but the bottom line ment alot to me I gave them the estimate from Home Depot and the come back with a estimate 10% lower than Home depot and I told them to order the stuff it saved me close to $1,600 the best I can tell. They could do it because they built there own trusses and had there own saw mill all of the lumber was from older pine and alot heavier than what come from Lowes or Home depot but it is taxed stamped just like theres. I built a 30x40x12 all building materials for $9000 not including my floor that was with standard trusses though vinyl siding and a Metal roof to match my house. I have a total of $16,000 in it and that is floor which was a big ordeal. The electrical which I did myself and the lights garage doors everything. But I bargain shoped everything. and did everything myself except for the floor it's self I did do the footing but outside contractors did my block wall and the floor.

 

[carcruse]

Break up the estimate to the various areas. I got the lowest truss price from Carter, lumber from local lumber co., windows and doors from Home Depot, and roofing supplies from Wimsatt. Didn't add up the savings but probably over $2000. Also, you can save quite a bit by using open center trusses instead of true attic trusses and still have plenty of storage up top.

 

[mpraddict]

Doesn't sound all that bad considering it includes doors, windows, and roofing.....although you don't mention how many windows and what type of overhead doors

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

That quote was a first pass, to get an idea of where I am. I will be doing a drawings and having 3-4 places bid the project, more than likely I will buy it through my Father in Law as he does alot with one of the local places. Take advantage of his discount and also his relationships if anything happens during the project. I'm just another home owner trying to build his own garage, he is a customer that is in their facility every week building someone elses stuff.

Over head doors are nothing special 9x8 7825 Insullated door (Installed) http://www.gadco.com/products/residential/pioneer.asp
I will more than likely source these seperate as I will do one of the styles that look like old barn doors with windows. Our house is vintage 1868 so the garage has to have some extras to make it not look like a wart on the side of the house.

Walk through Doors are nothing special either, steel 9 light for entry & steel 6 panel for garage to house and garage to upstairs.

I thought the rafters were not to bad at $96.28 each. One of the reasons it adds up so quick is I have Hardie plank siding on the project and Hardie plank soffits and trim. Like I said earlier has to look like it belongs or I'm not going to do it.

I guess the next week during the holiday slow time I'll have to do my drawings so I can get some firmer #'s from all players in town.

Thanks,

 

[PAToyota]

Definitely get some drawings together and shop those around - if you go and just ask four people for a cost with a basic description you'll get four different numbers and end up with four different buildings... Drawings will mean that you end up comparing apples to apples...