can somebody help with a ballpark cost to build estimate?

[corndogggy]

So this is the house we want:

http://www.eplans.com/french_country_house-plans/HWEPL57716.hwx

This is our second choice:

http://www.eplans.com/ranch_house-plans/HWEPL06069.hwx

However, for it to be what we want in terms of functionality, I'd have to modify it to be like the drawing below.


Some of those dimensions in the text aren't right but most are pretty close. Question is... would we really be saving all that much, assuming the quality of variables like flooring is the same? Without buying the first plan and fully drawing the second and getting contractors to bid on them I really have no idea. Any thoughts? All I'm wanting is a qualified person to say that the French country house will probably cost X amount more than the other. I know contractors are going to say $110-$120 a square foot but seems like there should be more variables than that... roof lines, porch/garage size, etc. Not asking for anything detailed at all, just a quick glance over.

[corndogggy]

Or, maybe I'm kidding myself and the french house is out of my league. So, would anybody care to comment on the modified plan that I drew? See anything that looks stupid?

[ZehBOSS]

Corn Doggy,

Your question has no simple answer.

Average base spec home is maybe $110 per foot. This is maybe $50 labor and $50 materials and 10% profit above costs.

Materials can very from $40 to $1000 per foot. You have connected to pictures with many upgrades.

Cabinets, countertops, floors, coving, lighting, HVAC, etc. Some of these upgrades could cost $20 or move per foot.

You have no specification, and you have not mentioned the most important parts of building a house, how energy efficient and what toxin level you are going to build to.

For an extra $5 a foot you can make the home self heated and cooled saving $100,000s of dollars in utilities over the life of the home.

Brian