Build Cost Per Sq Ft in Hill Country?

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Mama Grey

My dad is moving in with us and we're planning to build a 900-1,000 sq ft casita/ADU with attached 3 car garage on the back of our property. We've started conversations with several builders and architects. I fell out of my chair when an architect told us $500/sq foot! In your experience, what is typical right now for $ cost/sq ft to build?

We're in Wimberley and are not looking for luxury finishes. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath. We can plumb into city water but would need septic and propane for cooktop only.

That is a very small house for a custom build. And architects frequently charge 50,000 and up, so you will be spending a lot of money to design such a small house.

Hiring architects and custom builders drives prices up.

[Mama Grey]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

That is a very small house for a custom build. And architects frequently charge 50,000 and up, so you will be spending a lot of money to design such a small house.

Hiring architects and custom builders drives prices up.

What is the alternative? Open to all suggestions. We’re happy to pivot to a home designer but what other option do we have that’s not a custom builder?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Mama Grey

What is the alternative? Open to all suggestions. We’re happy to pivot to a home designer but what other option do we have that’s not a custom builder?

even prefab will be 250/sq ft. but will be done a lot faster.


what exactly do you HOA rules say? Some prefab companies will do enough custom on site to pass HOA rules.

[Mama Grey]

Thanks for everyone's guidance. We found a residential designer (through word of mouth recs) and she's very reasonable compared to an architect. We absolutely do not need an architect for this project.
Builders bids have been coming in between $350k and $425k all in.

[cheeva]

Originally Posted by Mama Grey

My dad is moving in with us and we're planning to build a 900-1,000 sq ft casita/ADU with attached 3 car garage on the back of our property. We've started conversations with several builders and architects. I fell out of my chair when an architect told us $500/sq foot! In your experience, what is typical right now for $ cost/sq ft to build?

We're in Wimberley and are not looking for luxury finishes. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath. We can plumb into city water but would need septic and propane for cooktop only.

Originally Posted by Mama Grey

Thanks for everyone's guidance. We found a residential designer (through word of mouth recs) and she's very reasonable compared to an architect. We absolutely do not need an architect for this project.
Builders bids have been coming in between $350k and $425k all in.

You were initially quoted $450K to $500K, and you're down to $350K to $425K. That's small change in the grand scheme of things. If you don't have experience building a home, hire a third party inspector to make sure you are getting what you paid for.. Make sure your builder is running permits, too. There are a thousand ways for a builder to cut corners, and they will try all of them. Trust me.

[Mama Grey]

Originally Posted by cheeva

You were initially quoted $450K to $500K, and you're down to $350K to $425K. That's small change in the grand scheme of things. If you don't have experience building a home, hire a third party inspector to make sure you are getting what you paid for.. Make sure your builder is running permits, too. There are a thousand ways for a builder to cut corners, and they will try all of them. Trust me.

The $500/sq ft quote we were given initially was from a Gucci architect whose finishes were high level. We do not need that level of finish out on our project and are looking at mid range finishes and other value engineered ways to keeps costs reasonable.

The builders we have whittled our choices down to have excellent community and mutual personal contact references. But a third party inspector isn’t a bad idea.