Building square foot costs in Mobile area (Steele, Grant: budget, custom home)

[yellowtownhouse]

Hey all,
Hoping someone can help us estimate the square foot costs of building in the Mobile area. We are looking to semi-retire here and want to possibly build a very small home (800-1000 sq. ft.) Our budget will be very tight and we're just not sure where to begin. We sort of hate to start with contractors or realtors at this stage without having a clue. Can anyone help? Also, we do not want a large lot.....just enough for a bit of grass and some flowers. Is this even possible there? Thanks so much for any and all opinions.
June

[BobKovacs]

The difficulty comes from the small size of the home- many of the items that cost the same regardless of home size (like bringing sewer and water to the house, or even something as seemingly minor as the cost of appliances) drive up the cost/SF on smaller homes. To get a good ballpark idea, I'd find the cost of a new 1,200-1,500 sf house in a development near where you'd like to live. While that cost obviously includes the builder's profits, etc., you're not going to buy land as cheaply as a developer will, and you're also likely to pay a premium for materials/services over what a builder does.

[Keeper]

Check here.
Alabama Models

They build a good home. My sister's MIL had one built on their land. They might also be able to direct you to some property.

If I needed a home built, I would go with them.

[7spider]

You might want to consider looking at Adams Homes they have several subdivisions in Mobile and Baldwin counties. They are a volume builder, but most of their subdivisions are nice. If you're looking for something small and priced right look at their patio homes. Check there website to find subdivision locations. Good Luck!

[unstoppablemobile]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Check here.
Alabama Models

They build a good home. My sister's MIL had one built on their land. They might also be able to direct you to some property.

If I needed a home built, I would go with them.

Me personally... lol, I think most of SS Steeles homes look like something from 1950's novels on their website. Granted their a good home, but even those styles HAVE to get updated once in awhile you would think.
Id say for what your looking for, go with a Katrina Cottage...
Lowe's Home Improvement :: The Katrina Cottage

Or if you want a homebuilder which is very well respected, try also Heritage Homes... Heritage Homes - Prices & Sizes

[Keeper]

I agree the styles haven't changed but the OP wanted an inexpensive home to be built. SS Steele builds good quality homes although maybe not the most up to date exterior.

[Keeper]

I guess we should ask.. What is your price range?

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by unstoppablemobile

Me personally... lol, I think most of SS Steeles homes look like something from 1950's novels on their website. Granted their a good home, but even those styles HAVE to get updated once in awhile you would think.
Id say for what your looking for, go with a Katrina Cottage...
Lowe's Home Improvement :: The Katrina Cottage

Or if you want a homebuilder which is very well respected, try also Heritage Homes... Heritage Homes - Prices & Sizes

Hey, I'll have you know SS Steele built my house (my grandparent's at the time). That was back in the 70's though, and you're right, they still look kinda the same. I think they're intent (today) is to avoid the steeply pitched and multi angled roofs, which allows for a lower cost. All in all, you get a sturdy brick home for a reasonable price and most of them are built in rural areas.

[downtowndoll]

Hah! That reminds me of when my husband and I were younger, about 25 years old; we were building a custom home in 1995 for about $80 a sq ft. We had built one before about 2 years previously.
We were having all kinds of problems building it with labor, lumber prices, etc. and hubby was talking about it to his boss.

His boss, who lived in Spring Hill in what is probably worth $800K house, said ,"Why don't you build an SS Steel home?" Hubby was like,"Why don't YOU live in an SS Steele home?" He didn't reply. Hubby left them a long time ago. Guy went bankrupt.

Benchmark homes have had commercials; homes look good. Heritage Homes were, I think , the ones who built the home for ABC's show "Extreme Homes" here in Mobile.

[unstoppablemobile]

Originally Posted by downtowndoll

Hah! That reminds me of when my husband and I were younger, about 25 years old; we were building a custom home in 1995 for about $80 a sq ft. We had built one before about 2 years previously.
We were having all kinds of problems building it with labor, lumber prices, etc. and hubby was talking about it to his boss.

His boss, who lived in Spring Hill in what is probably worth $800K house, said ,"Why don't you build an SS Steel home?" Hubby was like,"Why don't YOU live in an SS Steele home?" He didn't reply. Hubby left them a long time ago. Guy went bankrupt.

Benchmark homes have had commercials; homes look good. Heritage Homes were, I think , the ones who built the home for ABC's show "Extreme Homes" here in Mobile.

Yeah Heritage Homes has a LOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGGGGG waiting list