Help Me Estimate the Cost of My Future House!

Padawanbater2

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member


So this is it! Might not look like much at only 800sq feet of living space, but this is all that I would need to live an extremely happy life!

I was hoping I could get some people with some experience in construction or building materials to maybe give a rough estimate on costs. I really don't know how much this would cost, I'm trying to build it for the cheapest amount and as environmentally friendly as possible! I plan to buy some land one day and build this for myself, from the ground up, kind of a dream I've had for a long time. I want to eventually become 100% self sufficient, food, water, energy, transportation, everything. No house payment, no utilities bills, complete freedom. I saw a guy build a 14' x 14' cabin very similar for under $2,000, so I know it can be done!

So what's in it? Here are some specifics;

-Solar powered system + batteries (not sure how much energy I'd need, I need to do some more calculations to get an accurate measurement)
-21 electrical outlets (11 downstairs, 10 upstairs)
-2 sinks, 1 shower, 1 toilet
-7 ceiling lights (as energy efficient as possible)
-1 water heater (not shown, also need to determine how large it would need to be)
-2 beds, 1 queen + 1 twin for guests (+ couch/bed downstairs)
-Insulation
-Electrical (what grade wire would be most effective?)
-Plumbing
-Cost of getting a water well put in?
-Electrical generator (just in case)
-4 2' x 2' windows, 1 3' x 2' window
-2 external doors (inside/outside) 1 internal door (bathroom door)

Appliances I plan on having (not being used at the same time of course)

-Refrigerator (possibly a mini as they use less power)
-3 small desk lamps
-2 TV's (don't need one, could even do without)
-DVD player (same thing, could use it but not a necessity)
-PC
-Hair clippers (would most likely invest in a battery operated set if it was more cost/energy effective)
-Toaster
-Microwave
-Coffee maker
-2(3?) ceiling fans


Also if anyone might know how much energy would be used in this setup, that would be a lot of help! (haven't even added in the grow setup, but I'd most likely build a giant fence and grow outside anyway!

Man.. one day I hope this will come true...

Have any of you ever had an idea like this? Ever done anything like this?

I really don't see how doing this would cost more than paying rent for an apt or house for 10 years or why more people don't do stuff like this.. Seems like a great idea, plus you own it, it's yours!

I read somewhere they still have a similar kind of 'homestead' act in Canada, any of you Canadians shed some light on that? Is that true? Could I go claim a spot of land and build on it, live there for a certain amount of time then I own it?

All comments welcome
 
Nusky

Nusky

New Member
wheres the dedicated flowering and veg room? How could you forget the most important part of the house? Also don't you need doors or something to the rooms or do you plan on teleporting?
 
Nusky

Nusky

New Member
I don't know about canada but I know brazil has a 5 year squatters rule. If you squat on a land for 5 years you can't be kicked off. I'm pretty sure in Canada its 5 or 10 years too. It doesn't sound like a good idea to do though. I'm sure the government would sell unused land pretty cheap. If you plan on building your own house it'll be pretty cheap but you gotta have your skills and its to your advantage to be up to code for fire insurance reasons. Specially if you're planing to do your own wiring. I think its Home Depot that has little courses on this stuff. You could also get a job as a house framer, that'll get your foot in the door and its good money, like $15 an hour at least and a work day is up to 12 hours long. No experience or schooling is required too
 
ganjames

ganjames

Well-Known Member
first off, why is your laundry on the second floor? if your doing to bring water up to the second floor you might as well put in a master bath to go with it.

second, no garage?

third, what the fuck do you plan on putting in that giant entrance?

fourth, where are you going to eat? you're going to carry food all the way back to the living room?





fifth, why is your shower connected to the sink?
 
ganjames

ganjames

Well-Known Member
the problem is he's trying to keep it simple by using a 4 square design, not getting enough out of the space that he has available.
 
canuckgrow

canuckgrow

Well-Known Member
You can buy a program that will help you design and build your own house...Lots of helpfull tips and tools in the program that will help you avoid mistakes like what was already mentioned.
You want to be cost effective...Use some used building materials. Up here we have a re-store in almost every town where they sell good used building materials for less than cost.

I think it is a great idea and dream so don't lose sight of it.
 
smokinheavy79

smokinheavy79

New Member
divide the hypotenuse by the product of the sum. Then add 3 zeros and divide by pi. That is roughly the cost. I used to work at Ralphs so I should know.
 
dirtsurfr

dirtsurfr

Well-Known Member
I remodel houses for a living and can tell you that the prices will not be the same in a few years.. Also hire a contractor to build you pad..
you will be better off having a pro do it than you. I know it looks so easy on TV and all but when you make a mistake you have none to call on it.
 
RyanTheRhino

RyanTheRhino

Well-Known Member
And a novice mistake is you did not factor in the with of the walls. just saying that subtracts 8" from each room if you are building the standard 2x4 walls
 
Padawanbater2

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
All fantastic feedback guys! Thanks to everyone whose replied, I appreciate it!

The entrance, FUCK! You're right, it's essentially useless, so that's a design error I need to do something about.

Also didn't add in the stove... forgot about that, so that's another appliance. Hopefully I can go electronic with that too, or maybe even find another more efficient solution to cooking food entirely.

Also didn't notice the flaw in the shower head, that'll probably have to go on the opposite wall.

3' x 3' is all you need for a shower man! I'm going compact to the max! That's what the whole rest of the house is for! lol

What do you think of when you hear 800sq feet? Do you feel like that would be too small or would you like more space? I'm trying to understand the appeal behind having a HUGE house, I've always wanted something small like this. The best part about it is there's no 30 year commitment to the bank! How can most people be happy living their lives day by day just working for some company to make enough money to put 70%-80% of it in the house, and not even on repairs to the house or to improve the living conditions, just to LIVE in it.. shit BLOWS my mind. It's like me living in this house and keeping a steady job, then every other Friday going out back and throwing my paycheck into the hole in the ground. I've always felt like it was a huge waste of money, especially these days where rent or mortgage payments are unbelievable in California (probably everywhere)! To live in a place like I designed where I currently live would probably cost about $1,300-$1,600/month! You live there for ONE YEAR and you've already spent enough money paying rent than it would have cost you to build the whole damn house in the first place! Why don't more people do things like this??
 
cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
800 square feet would be fine for me, so long as there was a large garage/shop on the property. I lived happily in 600 square feet, but I had my shop right next door.

That big entrance would make a great place to park the Harley. ~grin~
 
neosapien

neosapien

Well-Known Member
Padawanbater2 said:
All fantastic feedback guys! Thanks to everyone whose replied, I appreciate it!

The entrance, FUCK! You're right, it's essentially useless, so that's a design error I need to do something about.

Also didn't add in the stove... forgot about that, so that's another appliance. Hopefully I can go electronic with that too, or maybe even find another more efficient solution to cooking food entirely.

Also didn't notice the flaw in the shower head, that'll probably have to go on the opposite wall.

3' x 3' is all you need for a shower man! I'm going compact to the max! That's what the whole rest of the house is for! lol

What do you think of when you hear 800sq feet? Do you feel like that would be too small or would you like more space? I'm trying to understand the appeal behind having a HUGE house, I've always wanted something small like this. The best part about it is there's no 30 year commitment to the bank! How can most people be happy living their lives day by day just working for some company to make enough money to put 70%-80% of it in the house, and not even on repairs to the house or to improve the living conditions, just to LIVE in it.. shit BLOWS my mind. It's like me living in this house and keeping a steady job, then every other Friday going out back and throwing my paycheck into the hole in the ground. I've always felt like it was a huge waste of money, especially these days where rent or mortgage payments are unbelievable in California (probably everywhere)! To live in a place like I designed where I currently live would probably cost about $1,300-$1,600/month! You live there for ONE YEAR and you've already spent enough money paying rent than it would have cost you to build the whole damn house in the first place! Why don't more people do things like this??
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Don't forget that most people don't have the TIME to build their own house, let alone the money. Where will you stay while building this? Your temporary quarters will cost money. Getting a nice lot to build on somewhere is going to cost 10k easy. Permits and pain in the dick inspectors cost money. And with any project of this magnitude there are ALWAYS losses somewhere, shingles, boards cut wrong. Not trying to stomp on your dreams at all, just saying most things are obtainable but nothings ever easy anymore.
 
W

WestSide Ukiah

Member
I had this conversation with a General Contractor friend of mine several years ago. So the info may be out the window considering the current housing issues. But, the rule of thumb around here is a modest home will run between $100-$150.00 per square foot to construct. You will save by using your own labor, but material prices seem to be way up. So it's probably a wash.

A solar array large enough to power an indoor grow will cost you several times more then the cost of the house itself.

Where will you be building? Have you considered building a cob house, Or maybe a straw bale house? Tree house? Mendocino County in Northern California is pretty acceptive to these alternative building techniques. Plus you will be in the Emerald Triangle so just grow outdoors!
 
Padawanbater2

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
neosapien said:
Where will you stay while building this? Your temporary quarters will cost money.
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That's one of the issues I'm facing. I'd like to live somewhere and go build this little house/cabin during the time I'm not sleeping, or hell, even erect some temporary living quarters first, just something to sleep in away from the elements then deconstruct it and use the materials for the house! I'm not sure exactly, any ideas are welcome!

neosapien said:
Getting a nice lot to build on somewhere is going to cost 10k easy. Permits and pain in the dick inspectors cost money.
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Do you think it would be more cost effective to buy a bare spot of land, no running water, no electricity, etc. and put those things in myself, or buy a more expensive piece of land with them already installed and save some money on doing it myself?

Was doing a little research, it looks like it's pretty hard to find acres for under about $2,000 each. Saw a guy selling 5 acres for $1,500, best deal I've seen..

neosapien said:
And with any project of this magnitude there are ALWAYS losses somewhere, shingles, boards cut wrong. Not trying to stomp on your dreams at all, just saying most things are obtainable but nothings ever easy anymore.
Click to expand...
Absolutely, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Bound to be issues here and there, just gotta roll with em.

puffenuff said:
No master bathroom?
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Bathroom's a whole other issue entirely! Still have to figure that out.

WestSide Ukiah said:
But, the rule of thumb around here is a modest home will run between $100-$150.00 per square foot to construct. You will save by using your own labor, but material prices seem to be way up. So it's probably a wash.
Click to expand...
That's pretty much what my dad said, he's been in construction for 30 years. I ran this idea by him and he gave a basic estimation of around $20,000 (one floor). I was sad.. How can we cut the costs? What would be a good idea to go small on for now and improve upon later? How much do you think it would cost to simply frame the walls and attach plywood + add a foundation (doesn't have to be a full concrete slab, think as cost effective as possible!), essentially, just a shed. How much would that cost?

WestSide Ukiah said:
A solar array large enough to power an indoor grow will cost you several times more then the cost of the house itself.
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Scratch that idea then, outdoor growing it is

WestSide Ukiah said:
Where will you be building?
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I'm not sure, I'm open to anywhere really, just as long as I would be able to live in a small structure/tent/cabin while building the main one, so places like Alaska or northern parts of Canada are probably out.. think CHEEEAP! lol

WestSide Ukiah said:
Have you considered building a cob house, Or maybe a straw bale house? Tree house? Mendocino County in Northern California is pretty acceptive to these alternative building techniques. Plus you will be in the Emerald Triangle so just grow outdoors!
Click to expand...
Not really, I'm pretty set on wood construction. I'm familiar with it and I like the way it looks and how suitable it is for buildings. But, I'm open to ideas too.
 
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