How much does it cost to build a house in Missouri?

Answer 1

It really depends on how you approach the situation. With lumber prices as high as they are you should approach it by being your own contractor. Allowing a contractor to build a home from foundation to roof will cost a lot more. For example you know a gury who is great at flatwork (concrete foundation) You tell him you will supply the materials and he pours your foundation. In the meantime you find someone to start framing and you buy the materials and he puts up the frame. While he is doing this you take bids on windows, siding or brick, drywall, and roofing. You have to shop around. Go to your local lumber company and get a quote from the material list that your contractor supplies you and then take it to Lowes or Home Depot and get a quote. Take it back to your local hardware store and get another quote. The big retailer will beat the little guy out...they do not tell you that after you accept the bid you are entitled to a 10% contractors discount. Remind them of that. They will break even getting your business, because they know you will need something extra here and there and they can make a little money that way. They also have the funds to lose money to anticipate gaining future business from you, although you may never walk in to their store again...they do not need to know that you are the builder, let them think you are the contractor, and you build houses. This will save as much as 30-40 a aquare. The average price of doing this yourself is about 55-60 a square vs. 85-95 a square from a contractor who essentially is going to do the same thing you are. They contract and add a price on top of that. This is a for instance. I had a contractor building a house for me and he quoted me 3500.00 to roof the house. I bought the materials for 1200.00 and a guy roofed it for 300.00 and he did a great job. You can find deals like that, but always check some of the previous work they have done, and talk to the homeowner and ask if they have any problems or any regrets. You can get in trouble this way if your not careful. This is the best way to go about it. Figure how many square you have and multiply that times 60 and you have your answer, if you do your own contracting. I say 60 because you may run into wanting a little extra something here and there, like that in house filter on your heating and air or that certain light fixture. When you go to the bank for the loan take a couple of contractor bids from actual contractors, and ask for that amount for the loan. You will get the loan for the 90.00 a square range, and you can take what is left and apply it to the principal or pay your down off. A bank will loan the money in increments as you build. When your done you will have money left, but put it toward the house or take it off the top of the loan.