I know building cost are crazy now...

But what is a reasonable cost per sq ft for a ~3500sf, custom build, water front home on Lake Conroe? I already own the land so just looking for a budget number for construction.

What level of finishes? Outdoor kitchen, pool, boat house, dock? You might get answers all over the board but I think there's really no answer without a lot more detail.

taba82 said:

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I know building cost are crazy now...

But what is a reasonable cost per sq ft for a ~3500sf, custom build, water front home on Lake Conroe? I already own the land so just looking for a budget number for construction.

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'Forever home' level finishes I assume would be $250 a sq ft. But its going to vary widely. If you want a pool, custom patio, bulkhead and dock those are going to be stupid expensive.

I'm going through this right now. Already own the land. Factoring in Architect and engineering costs to the mix, I'm currently at just over $267/sq. ft. Project isn't complete yet, so it'll just go up from there. We're in the home strech though, so I'd guess we'll be below $280/sq. ft. once complete.

That being said, my house is small, so I can't spread the costs of big ticket items over 3500 sq. ft.

We were thinking of getting into the same endeavor, but Austin $/ft doesn't go as far as elsewhere in the state.

What were some of the biggest +$ adders to your total, if you don't mind me asking? Some builders are quoting numbers with $50,000 appliance packages.

I know flooring: wood vs tile vs carpet is a big one of course and kitchen/bath finish-out.

Appliances: $50k is pretty close

Roof: Standing seam, custom color

Cabinets: We used an exotic wood, and wanted a specific grain.

Windows: Those windows you love in architecture photosthey cost a billion dollars. If you broke it down by sq. Ft. Per window, it was around $120 sq./ft.

Wall and ceiling texture: Instead of blowing orange peel up in 3 hours, someone hand scraped mud, and it took a week.

We spray foamed everything, but that might pretty standard these days. Flooring and countertops can get wild, but the things above are what really stuck out to me.

vmiaptetr said:

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Wall and ceiling texture: Instead of blowing orange peel up in 3 hours, someone hand scraped mud, and it took a week.

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in other words, some dude got paid $10 bucks and hour to skim your ceilings and the contractor charged you $10K.

Of course. Didn't mean to suggest otherwise.

I'm just amazed at the margins we pay for labor here.

Can you share your builder? Did you hire architect separately or do design build all in one?

My in-laws have built 2 on lake Conroe and based on what I've heard Morris Builders is the top dog on the lake and probably who you should use.

pdawg10384 said:

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My in-laws have built 2 on lake Conroe and based on what I've heard Morris Builders is the top dog on the lake and probably who you should use.

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Did they hire their own architect or did they use Morris as the architect as well?

Wait, where is the land? You said you've had it for a while? I didn't think there was any lakefront left. And I mean TRUE lakefront, not stuff being built down canals. No offense intended, but I just don't consider that lakefront like the realtors do.

12thMan9 said:

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Wait, where is the land? You said you've had it for a while? I didn't think there was any lakefront left. And I mean TRUE lakefront, not stuff being built down canals. No offense intended, but I just don't consider that lakefront like the realtors do.

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We purchased our lot in Kleimann Estates (just north of FM1097, on the NE side on a peninsula) over 8 years ago. Our lot was 1 of only 2 remaining which were true lake-front lots (our view is of the Sam Houston National Forest)

Wait...do people still want textured walls and ceilings???

Just write a million dollar check, abd pay the rest when they are done.

If you can't do that, it isn't time to build, it's time to work harder