Quote:
Originally Posted by javadog
mreid,
I think you're getting hosed on some of your costs. I've prepped hundreds of sites out in the middle of nowhere and never had costs like that. You do make a good point, in that lots of people don't think about things like that and most residential builders do a lousy job of site work. I couldn't count the number of times I've seen them grade a site after building the house.
Back to metal studs, few residential builders will have a clue about them and if you don't take advantage of their other features (running electrical in conduit, etc.) I see no point in using them for the average house. They are better suited to very contemporary designs. The issues mentioned above, like hanging a TV on a wall, are non-issues if the house is designed and built properly. There's really no difference there with a wood-framed house. Some trim is a little tougher but anything can be done if you know what you are doing.
It's impossible to generalize about costs. I could build you houses that cost $50/ft, $250/ft, or a $1000/ft. There would be differences, for sure, but they are all in the details and without getting pretty deep into those, it's a pointless question. Sort of like, "How high is up?"
If you choose wood-framing, take note that the average residential builder will use fairly crappy wood and not be too concerned with how it gets slapped together. I'm amazed how poorly many houses are framed these days. Choose your builder very carefully. Then, specify all of the details and make sure they are followed.
JR
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Hey, what can I say, its New York!
We did shop around, but on a protected body of water in NY, at the end of 15 acres of heavily wooded property (think long and narrow as it runs between the lake and a ridge) where we have to build a storm water retention basin and pump sewage up a hill to the leech field, the costs are higher. I'm sure it's cheaper in GA. Anyway, my point was consider the all in costs as they add up quickly.