We wan to build an addtion, family room and bathroom I got quote from builder 300sq no bath 45,000 DIY projet?

Question

We have a small cape, and we would like to add an addition from our kitchen with family room, so we can have open kitchen with family room. Also want to add a bathroom in the addition. My husband is very handy, we can a lot ourselves, what is the cheapest to do this? Anyone have experience building their own addition? Of course, some job, we have to hire pro to do that. I got a quote from a builder for 45,000 300 SQ feet no bathroom.

Answer 1

I don't have enough info to tell you if that price is good or not. And no you cannot build a 1500 sq. ft. dog house for that.

It sound as if you have a high pitched roof, along with other areas this could be why price is $45,000.

I would not try this yourself.

Go over the bid with your contractor - just ask him what is it that makes the price that high. You still need 2 other prices.

Contractors like myself want to do these kinds of jobs, but many conditions add to the price. Do utilities need relocated, is your electrical service panel big enough ? Did you pick out expensive windows, doors. Does a load bearing wall need to come out? Is your HVAC system large enough to handle the extra load?

The only misconception home owners have about saving money by doing some work themselves is - they always choose the easiest part of the work to do themselves-therefore it is the part that the contractor has the least amount of hours in. Once a homeowner told me he would hang all the interior doors (11) and trim them out himself. I gave him a deduct of $770. It would have taken one of my carpenters 2-1/2 days (20hrs) to do this. He thought it should have been more of a deduct.

Co-ordinating this type of job is the big thing. People forget we do this as part of our General Contracting. A good General not only does good work, he makes sure all the subs do good work for him and he runs the whole show.

You can do it I'm sure-but remember A general contractor has much more leverage with subs he works with day after day, than you will have as a one time G.C.

Talk with your contractor-he may be able to do some value engineering to help get costs down.

Answer 2

Well I hope you dont go with the guy looking for $45K!! you could build a 1500 squarefoot building for that!  Anyway the best thing to do is look for someone who maybe finishes basements or does "sun rooms" etc... Look for a local company that will let your husband do some of the work, just come up with an agreement on who is doing what and make sure it is in writing.  We did our entire basement in this manner and did it for under $10K (2000sqft completely finished with a bathroom) in this market people are willing to do it.  Also look to yout local church or ask a neighbor if they know of anyone who has the ability but is looking for work.  And good luck

Answer 3

Get a few more quotes and SPELL OUT what you will do and what they will be responsible for doing.  For example, if they are to do the framing, roofing, electric and plumbing and you will do the drywall, painting and trim work...let them know that.

Answer 4

that would be very high in my area. the bath could be $8- 10,000. unless you have some unusual foundation or site problems the room should not cost more than $30,000. make up a complete sketch and specify your materials and get more quotations. be very careful about selection of builders. make sure he has proper insurance, pay no more than one third down and hold final payment until job is finished to your satisfaction. specify all work to be done according to building codes.

Answer 5

I built my 3200 sq. ft. home for roughly  22,000.   45,000 for 300 sq. ft. and with no bathroom sounds extremely high. If its just basically a square addition. Do the math, as far as materials. Your local lumber supply companies can give you and estimate if you give them dimensions. I dont imagine, for just the shell of a 300 sq. ft. additon  (dried in) would be more than 5,000 (material cost)