Does this bid seem reasonable? Please help.

[Babayaga]

Can someone out there tell me if I'm overreacting? I've been in dialogue with a contractor here in Northern California who is going to assemble our panelized home kit. We've been talking for well over a year - maybe 2, it has taken so long to get permits in the area we want to build. He told me many times that it would cost 15/sf to assembly kit. Roof will be another 10K and foundation another 10K. 1200 sf = 18,000. Suddenly he is telling me that it will be another $42,000 to attach the trim, facia and sofet materials plus construct the deck that comes with the kit. Suddenly it is $80K in addition to the $58K for the kit itself. I think that that is crazy! I think he's making it up because he knows we really like him and will just go for anything. Please tell me if I am off base. What should it cost to just get up a weathertight shell for a 1200 sf house (extremely simple design)?

Thanks so much.

Baba

[Rich]

It does seem a little steep to just construct the shell. No drywall or interior finishes included in that?

[Babayaga]

None. And the framing is done before he begins. My understanding is that the material arrives neatly stacked and it is stood up and attached. Then the trim, facia and sofet go on. You know, my big question is this? How much should it cost, reasonably for the coast, to install those items? Is $42,000 a little high?

Baba

[Cole]

Hell Yeah it is high!!!

[Rich]

Yeah - just looked back at the 15 / sf for the kit.. that's outrageous IMO. I can get stick framed for that easily.. unless it's timberstrand (engineered) lumber.. then it might bump up to close to 20 / sf.

[owensremodeling]

Where you are located in the country can play a big role on the cost of Labor and building materials the same house built in calf and say NC will have drastically different end $ amounts.

[Babayaga]

Thanks . I am aware of that factor & I took it into consideration. However, even here in California it is steep. Long story but as it turns out we were being taken for such a ride. Never could get a contract, no worker's comp., never would give us even an estimate and when we got a bill it was double what we were told. I just couldn't get any where near a bottom line so that I could arrange financing. Anyway, we have a great builder now! He isn't cheap either but he is reliable, honest and gave us a contract immediately so that I know what money I'm going to need. He has a great reputation. I can finally sleep at night! Thanks for your reply.

[Cole]

Good for you.