HOME HELP, ANYONE good at estimating construction??? (i always choose best answers!)?

Question

I need to know around how much it would cost to make an extra room in my basement, I have someone who will do it for free, but i just want to know ahead of time how much everything will cost, I want to turn half the basement into a spare room. The basement is about 10x10(the side i want to do is 10x10, not the whole basement), it needs sheet rock on three walls, and we need to make a new wall splitting the basement in half (one side is the room, the other side is for storage and laundry,), new paint, ceiling, carpeting, and anything else you think i will need,

Can anyone please tell me around how much this might cost? Thank you, and i will promise to choose the best answer TONIGHT : )

Answer 1

A lot of what you want to do can be figured out by going to a home improvement store such as Home Depot or Lowes and pricing things such as sheet rock, carpet, paint, lumber for framing the dividing wall.  Also if you need electrical wiring run for lighting/electrical outlets you will need to include the materials for this.  The person who is offering to do the labor can help you write up a list of quantities of each item you may need.

Also, there is a good posiblities you will need to get building permit(s) and have inspections so this will be an additional cost.

Answer 2

Let's see (assuming 8' high or less & that drywall can go right on the ceiling):

some lighting & outlets? ($300 for an electrician?)

any windows or ventilation?

16  - sheets of drywall ($7.15 ea = $105.44)

16 - 2" x 4" x 8' ($2 ea = $32)

1 - door ($50?)

1 - passage set ($20)

1 - 10' x 10' carpet pad (11 yds @ $3/yd? = $33)

1 - 10' x 10' carpet (a matter of quality - allow $150)

mud, primer, paint - $100

misc baseboard + trim - $100

These are all guestimates, and prices will vary around the country and obviously with the quality of the item, like flooring (and I might've forgotten something).

Answer 3

Hi Chelsea,

Without pricing actual individual pieces of material, you could use the basic square foot cost of a house in your area.  A complete shot in the dark would be under $1000, as that is a safe average ($100/sf).  Don't forget electrical and possibly heat and air (depending on your climate).

Answer 4

When contractor's are invited to bid a project they work from "as built" & new construction drawings.

Usually scaled 1/4"  to the foot. the drawings show extent of work to be done.

In "normal "construction , a breakdown of material cost is done by measuring the drawing  (eg, 12' wall 8' high will require 6 4x8 sheets of drywall to cover both sides & some quick figuring will give the number of studs on 16" centers , top & bottom plates etc.

The area of the interior space gives square footage requirements for underlayment, floor covering paint ,drywall , vapor barrier, insulation etc.

The drawing should show size & location of any doors, electrical outlets , lighting fixtures & controls.

Easy enough to do on graph paper & a "shopping list " of materials needed can be derived  from it down to screws , nails, drywall tape & mud, electrical boxes ,switches, cable etc .Write in as much detail as possible for each item you think you might want or need.

Free is a good price for labor.

Really wild guess including fixtures, mid grade carpeting & installation....$ 1,958.39..... more or less.

Best regards