House building question - any builders here?
#1
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Thread Starter
House building question - any builders here?
We're in the process of building a new home, and among the myriad of choices, we are wondering about the cost benefit of 10' ceilings on the main floor (vs. 9).
I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.
Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?
Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.
Thanks!
Matt
I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.
Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?
Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.
Thanks!
Matt
#2
Rennlist Member
We're in the process of building a new home, and among the myriad of choices, we are wondering about the cost benefit of 10' ceilings on the main floor (vs. 9).
I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.
Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?
Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.
Thanks!
Matt
I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.
Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?
Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.
Thanks!
Matt
I'd be more concerned about proportions. When we did our last custom build we did 10' on the main floor as there were large rooms 18'x40' for example that supported the height.
Interior doors BTW are dirt cheap. An 8' solid wood 2-panel door is $250 custom made.
#5
new /revised architectural drawings, structural engineer and other consultants would be needed as well. In all, there is no formula per se to form an universal calculation of this 1' difference. I would take an educated guess of around $15,000 (in all) as the minimum to do this change.
#6
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks guys for the ideas. I agree, scale is most important - the main floor will have a 400 square foot 'great room', and 10 feet looks really good esp. when you consider ceiling details, coffered, etc.
My builder is making the point that there are ton of variables - it's not the length of the gyprock at all - it's EVERYTHING on and in the walls, from the stone down to the paint, including taller windows and doors throughout...
She will not be doing 2 quotes (down to each of the subtrades), so my inclination is to stick with 10 on the main floor for now and try to make that work. 9 ft upstairs I think is very reasonable.
Cheers
Matt
My builder is making the point that there are ton of variables - it's not the length of the gyprock at all - it's EVERYTHING on and in the walls, from the stone down to the paint, including taller windows and doors throughout...
She will not be doing 2 quotes (down to each of the subtrades), so my inclination is to stick with 10 on the main floor for now and try to make that work. 9 ft upstairs I think is very reasonable.
Cheers
Matt
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#8
We're in the process of building a new home, and among the myriad of choices, we are wondering about the cost benefit of 10' ceilings on the main floor (vs. 9).
I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.
Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?
Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.
Thanks!
Matt
I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.
Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?
Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.
Thanks!
Matt
#10
I don't really think anyone is building with 9ft ceilings on the main floor for custom builds anymore. 10ft is the standard. The ceiling height makes a huge difference in the house, visually, the main floor will feel a lot larger as well.
It's worth the extra cost
It's worth the extra cost
#11
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No matter what, build the house you want.
Took us a bit longer to sell our custom post and beam but we loved it for 33 years first.
And Nat deserves what she wants (you too)
Took us a bit longer to sell our custom post and beam but we loved it for 33 years first.
And Nat deserves what she wants (you too)
#12
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Thread Starter
Truer words never spoken Rick! We're heading to LCMT on our anniversary for the umpteenth time... 23 years, apparently it works. Nat's digging helmet and HANS out of the closet now
Thanks everyone for the thoughts - 10ft. will be locked in.
Cheers
Matt
Thanks everyone for the thoughts - 10ft. will be locked in.
Cheers
Matt
#14
Rennlist Member
I AM A BUILDER
I NEVER BUILD BELOW 12' FIRST FLOOR
If you have plans that are approved You cannot just decide to change the height as it will affect the overall height of the structure
Your plans might need a committee of adjustment to comply , be very careful in this area!!!
Consult your bylaws to comply!
as the structure get higher on the first floor you will need to have structural members too keep the wall straight
LSL studs 30% upgrade
the trades such as electrical ,plumbers and drywall will charge a premium on the heights
you will also requirehigher doors to balance the appearance of the room ( custom)
Good luck in your build
SC
I NEVER BUILD BELOW 12' FIRST FLOOR
If you have plans that are approved You cannot just decide to change the height as it will affect the overall height of the structure
Your plans might need a committee of adjustment to comply , be very careful in this area!!!
Consult your bylaws to comply!
as the structure get higher on the first floor you will need to have structural members too keep the wall straight
LSL studs 30% upgrade
the trades such as electrical ,plumbers and drywall will charge a premium on the heights
you will also requirehigher doors to balance the appearance of the room ( custom)
Good luck in your build
SC
#15
Drifting
heating and cooling costs?
8' ceilings vs 9' vs 10'?
8' ceilings vs 9' vs 10'?