How Much Does It Cost To Build a House in Massachusetts

Good afternoon Carl, I have to admit, I love the posts you have up here as
they are very informative to me.

My wife and I have selected a house plan to build from Don Gardner plans.

The plan is The Manchester - House Plan# W-718.

Would you be able to use this as one of your examples?

Thanks!
Michael
Hi Michael,

Sure, I’d be glad to.

You chose an attractive “Traditional” house plan from Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc.

They define a traditional home plan as a home that “typically features multiple gables, hipped roofs and covered entryways with a clapboard or brick façade creating a grand appearance.”

Their traditional house plans (Don Gardner plans) feature open floor plans in various sizes from 1600 - 5000 square feet.”

The Manchester is a 3 bedroom 2.5 bath Traditional home that has 2,261 Sq. Ft. of total living area and a Bonus room of 235 Sq. Ft.

I ran a cost to build estimate for this home plan for Pittsfield, MA 01201 (is that west enough?) with brick veneer and an unfinished basement and came up with a total cost to build of,$319,147 (including a General Contractor’s markup of $38,596) or $ 141 per sq ft of heated living area.

Without the brick veneer (using Hardboard or inexpensive stucco siding) I came up with a total cost to build of $288,760 (including a General Contractor’s markup of $34,700), or $128 per sq ft of heated space.

Except for the brick veneer (Quality Class # 2) and the unfinished basement (quality Class # 5 or better), I used the quality class # 6 throughout (Minimum Standard Quality) for all the other categories,

Single-family homes vary widely in quality and the quality of construction is a major cost variable.

These estimates are "rough" estimates for May, 2010.

Land is NOT included in the estimated costs to build.

Well Michael, by using the “cost to build calculator” found on my “Getting Started” page you can perform your own cost analysis, varying the quality of construction to fit your budget.

Have fun,
Carl

Pollen Clouds Hazing Up the Memorial Day Weekend Skyline

Pollen Clouds Blanketing New Hampshire

By Mark J. Donovan

I looked out my front windows late this morning and saw this thick haze over Lake Winnipesaukee. It was as if it was late July with 90 degree temps and equal humidity levels. The only difference was that this haze had a yellow tint. It was pollen.

We've had very little rain in central New Hampshire for the past several weeks and the pollen from the trees is just blowing all over the place. Its like watching large low level clouds float by.

The pollen is also coating everything on the ground. Its as if a volcano errupted and spewed an ash cloud over us.

Hopefully we'll get some rain soon to wash this pollen away.

Cleaning Your Deck

By Mark J. Donovan

If you want to keep your deck looking like new then you should plan on cleaning your deck a few times a year. On top of that you should at least sweep or hose it down once every few weeks depending upon the time of the year. In the spring, for example, when the pollen is blowing off of the trees you should plan on hosing down your deck once a week. Otherwise you'll find yourself walking on a coating of yellow pollen dust.

Cleaning your deck involves some time and the proper tools. To learn the specific techniques and tools for making your deck look like new see my full article at: Deck Cleaning and Maintenance.

Cost to Build a House in Utah

This compact yet spacious house from houseplansandmore.com (House Plan #592-007D-0086) is open and airy.

There is an L-shaped front porch that leads to a spacious entrance foyer.

A super-sized great room enjoys a vaulted ceiling, fireplace and opens to the breakfast room with snack bar and an ideal kitchen that has an abundance of cabinet storage.

A luxurious first floor master bedroom has an oversized bath and there are two roomy bedrooms on the second floor

There are 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths totaling 2231 square feet, with 1,586 square feet on the first floor and 645 square feet on the second floor.

There is also a 2 car garage and, a 1586 sq ft unfinished basement!

Houseplansandmore.com estimates that this house would cost $245,410 to build in Ogden Utah. That is equal to $110 per sq ft, including a General Contractor’s markup.

I ran the house through the "Cost to Build Calculator" on my "Getting Started" page and came up with a cost to build of $241,861 (including a General Contractor's markup of $31,907), or $108 per sq ft.

Three things to keep in mind as to these estimates:

1. I selected the minimum quality of custom home building materials all the way through the house. Single-family homes vary widely in quality and the quality of construction is a major cost variable.

2. Both estimates are "rough" estimates for May, 2010.

3. Land is NOT included in the estimated cost(s) to build.

Solar Cooling - Air Conditioning From the Sun

by: Hans Dekker

At first glance, solar cooling looks like an oxymoron. However, the same energy that can provide heat in the wintertime can also provide cooling during the summer.

Several passive cooling systems have been developed and tested. At their simplest, they rely on a coolant that absorbs and dissipates heat from the house. This could be a pool of water on the rooftop which absorbs seat from the inside of the house as it evaporates on exposure to the sun.

More sophisticated passive solar cooling systems have a solar collector which is shaded during the daytime. A storage medium collects heat during the day and dissipates it at night by exposing the solar collector to the cool night air.

Since the solar collector must be shaded, a retractable awning or overhang extension can be installed. Since the system can be reversed in the winter months, it is important that the solar collector can be exposed to sunshine if needed.

Solar panels can also be used to operate traditional air conditioners. As it happens, the periods of intense heat correspond to the periods of peak electricity production from photovoltaic cells. As long as you have solar panels which generate sufficient to electricity, you can operate air conditioners at no cost.

Solar cooling that does not take advantage of high technology is another possibility. The Romans used a system of running water to cool down exterior walls of their houses. The heat of the sun causes the water to evaporate and dissipate the heat within the house. This kind of system can be used on walls or on rooftops.

Heating and cooling are two of the biggest expenses for most households. Using solar energy to reduce this expense makes sense financially as well as ecologically. The less dependent we are on fossil fuels for heating and cooling the cleaner the environment will be.

About The Author

Hans Dekker is author at http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ the energy site for "non techies".

Improving your home and your life only at Home Improvement Idea : http://home-improvement-idea.blogspot.com

Modern Bedroom Design Furniture with Cherrywood in Orange by Arredamentidiotti

Orange and white color combination become a beautiful theme in a modern bedroom, see these beautiful bedroom furniture set, designed by Arredamentidiotti, a company that create several modern bedroom furniture set. They Selling world-famous and less reknowned brands is complemented by direct production in their artistically laboratory, thus allowing a winning fusion among customization needs, the most recent trends of important designers and keeping costs low.

Deck Maintenance

How to Properly Maintain a Deck

By Mark J. Donovan

Regular deck maintenance is a necessity, face it or not. So the main question to ask yourself is do you prefer to perform minor deck maintenance work regularly, or wait and deal with more significant and expensive deck maintenance problems down the road. I prefer the former, as I like to save money and I like my decks looking like new as much as possible.

Maintaining a deck regularly involves cleaning the deck every couple of months with a deck cleaning solution and a garden hose, and at least once a year pulling out the broom and/or brush and really scrubbing the deck surface.

In addition, proper deck maintenance means inspecting the deck periodically for damaged boards, popped nails and peeling deck sealers and paints. As soon as you discover these types of deck maintenance issues, they should be addressed. Old damaged decking boards should be replaced, popped nails replaced with slightly larger nails, and peeling decks stripped and resurfaced.

By keeping up with these basic deck maintenance activities you should be able to keep your deck looking like new and extend the life of your deck dramatically.

Resale Value

We are building our own home that we may resell.

Can we expect more money from installing natural gas utilities or by just pointing out that natural gas is available?

Henry

Henry,

No, you can’t expect more money for installing natural gas utilities (utilities = heating, hot water, & cooking, etc.). Nor can you expect more money for installing electric utilities.

Utilities of one kind or the other are expected by a potential buyer and an appraiser gives no plus or minus $ adjustment for one or the other when comparing prior sales in the area.

What you can expect if you do resell and you “picked” the utility that is popular at the time as well as for the area in which you built, is potentially a quicker sale.

You are wise to wonder in the planning stage if something will later affect resale value.

Check with a Realtor who specializes in the area in which you are building and find out which is more popular.

If you still aren’t sure which is more popular, gas or electric, or you want one or the other for your own personal use, install one and prep the house for the other…not too costly to do during construction.

Good Luck,
Carl

Going Bananas For Bamboo

Bamboo is everywhere these days, whether its products made from bamboo or decor that displays bamboo. There are hundreds of different species of this fast growing, tropical plant. Not only is bamboo appreciated by many for its beauty and visual appeal, bamboo is also a valuable material for creating home decor and even textiles because of how sustainable it is. Bamboo is known as an eco-friendly material because some species can grow as fast as 1 meter per day! It is also extremely adaptable to different climates, so bamboo can be easily grown in different eco systems. Many economically challenged people living in rural areas of developing countries have been able to sustain themselves by growing and harvesting bamboo. This versatile plant turns high amounts of carbon dioxide into oxygen and needs less water than plants like cotton. Bamboo is also naturally resistant to most insects, enabling growers to avoid using pesticides.
Bamboo fiber textiles have other advantages over cotton textiles. Bamboo fiber is naturally anti-microbial, making it odor resistant. Bamboo fiber is so soft, it is often compared to cashmere. Because it is a natural, cellulose fiber, bamboo yarn is 100% biodegradable, needing only microorganisms and sunlight to break down back into the earth. Bamboo's naturally occurring resistance to odors makes it a popular choice for textiles such as bath towels, robes and sheets.
In honor of my favorite house plant, (I have two bamboo plants cleaning the air around my desk) I am featuring some of the many bamboo home decor items available at HomeTreasureCove. Some of these products simply display this beautiful green plant while others are made out of this wonderful, renewable resource. So please enjoy the rest of this post as we "Do some Boo!"

Much of the world's native bamboo comes from the tropical and mountainous regions of Asia, so bamboo is a common design element in Asian decor. Here are some examples of bamboo designs found on these imported pieces from China.
16x36 Rosewood Jade Decorated Wall Hanging-Bamboo

Oval Green Bamboo Hanging Paper Lantern


Bamboo Designs Towels



8-Piece Artistic Tea Sets- Panda Tea Set- Bamboo is what t hese beautiful and endangered bears feed on in their natural environment in China. These hand crafted decor products imported from China are actually made from bamboo. As you can see, bamboo is a versatile material that looks beautiful in so many different ways.

11x14 Bamboo Wood Wall Hangings


14 Inch Round Bamboo Wood Collage Plaque
Bamboo of Peace & Comfort Fan







Bamboo Coasters Set

Traditional Bamboo Tea Serving Tray




Pot Style Bamboo Rattan Weaved Hanging Lamp

Bamboo Boxed Desk Lamp






Bamboo Woven Hexagonial Side Table
As I mentioned earlier, bamboo fiber textiles have become an in-demand, popular household furnishing. Bamboo surpasses cotton for producing luxurious, soft, odor resistant bath towels, kitchen towels, robes and bed linens.
Bamboo Bath Towel Set

Bamboo Kitchen Towel







Pure Collection Bamboo Bathrobe



Bamboo Bed Sheets





Bamboo Duvet Covers


Bamboo is also an excellent choice for the kitchen cutting board. These Old Mountain Bamboo Cutting Boards have been specially treated, making the bamboo wood harder than maple and beech. This means less nicks and cuts in the surface of the board where bacteria tends to grow.








If you have other helpful information about the benefits of bamboo, please feel to leave a comment about it.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP Modern Office Interior Design with Natural Daylight, New York

A modern office interior design, these beautiful office is the office of  Seyfarth Shaw LLP, designed by Gensler, a law firm's office with 100,000 square feet on three floors of The New York Times Building. Gensler’s design accentuates transparency, capitalizing on the building’s glass curtain wall to maximize natural daylight and frame skyline views. Perimeter private offices feature clear glass fronts, and all workspaces have visual access to windows. Public areas feature a rich, warm palette of brown, white and deep red, with walnut, anigre and zebrawood. A great room on each practice floor provides a welcoming space for informal conversation or quiet reflection.

Planning to Build a House

Carl,

My wife and I have a goal to build a home in 5 years in northern Utah.

We're hoping that gives us some time to save up some cash to have on hand.

We know what land we'd like, but don't have the money to do it now.

In any case, how early is too early to start planning things?

I know material, land, and labor costs change over time so what I find out now, may not be what I get closer to building time.

Do you have general time-line recommendations for how early to start some of the initial leg work and research?

Thanks a lot for your great information on your site and for "Ask Carl".

J.P.


Hi J.P.

How early is too early to start planning things?

It’s never too early to dream and dreaming IS planning.

Planning is a wise thing to do for just about every endeavor.

I’ve seen people take longer than 5 years!

Good planning helps prevent mistakes down the road and saves you money in the long run, especially when building a home.

First of all, guesstimate what your total budget will be in 5 years. (Cash + borrowing power = budget…see Home Building Budget)

Figure that at least 25% of that total will go for land and the balance for your house.

Always plan on fitting the house to the land, not the other way around, so looking for a building site in that “land you like” should be a little higher priority.

Perhaps you could even find a (land) seller who is willing to finance the land cheaply…it is after all, a “buyer’s market”.

But first, talk to a local lender to see if you can use land equity as your down payment when you get ready to build.

Your land equity should be the difference between what the land is worth, or what it cost (the lesser of the two), and what you still owe on it.

Paying for land has been a great way for people to save for building a house…it is sort of a forced savings plan…and, you lock in the land cost.

Land will certainly appreciate over 5 years and cost more, whereas building costs should remain a little more stable as the housing industry recovers.

If the cost of your building site rises too much before you are ready to buy land, you can adjust the house size to compensate for the higher land cost.
(Remember-Size & design = cost)

Good luck,
Carl

Virtual Windows Technology

Waking up in the same place every morning is boring. Thankfully, there’s a solution in the form of Winscape virtual windows.

The idea is fairly simple: take two 46 inch full-HD TVs, put them on their side, and then bolt them to the wall. Add a façade over the front, some window frames, and you’ve got yourself a pair of embedded displays that appear to be windows. The system is smart enough to track your activities in infrared as you move about the room, where it will adjust the vision accordingly.

Could be great for basements too!
Thanks to D.K. for sending us this, Carl

Arches

I wanted to know the advantages and disadvantages of arches in architecture.

When are they "needed", and could you give some examples?

I would really appreciate that.

Thanks,
Batool

Batool,

Arches were originally developed to span openings with masonry units such as bricks or stone blocks, and they are still widely used for this purpose.

As building technology developed, arches were also formed from concrete and assembled from cast or rolled steel components. Arches are still a method of choice for constructing long span structures from these modern materials.

Arches are not "needed" for wood construction which relies on columns and beams to span openings, and most residential structures in the US are wood framed.

Arches are generally used in houses for aesthetic effect because they appear graceful and elegant while providing a counterpoint to plainer, rectangular forms.

Entire books have been written on the topic of arches. For starters, you may want to look at Wikipedia

David Moore, AIA
Original Home Plans

Dear Readers,
Do you have a question for David?
Click here to Ask the Architect.
Carl

Amalia Hotel Cafe and Restaurant Lighting Design, Simple, Elegant and Modern

Lighting is an important thing in room arrangement, a simple, luxury or modern lighting system will affect in to the perform of the room, here are several sample of lighting design of Amalia Hotel cafe and restaurant. Amalia's decadent 7,000-square-foot bi-level layout is comprised of multiple distinctive rooms each with its own flair and unique vibe. The Portrait Gallery boasts intimate and richly textured enclaves evocative of a Baroque-inspired European palace. Amalia Bar has striking architectural elements with its leather clad barrel-vaulted ceilings accented with dramatic black Murano glass chandeliers, original brick and custom stone wall surfaces contrasted by a modern bar of glowing glass inset with antique lace. Saunter down the one of a kind backlit floating staircase to super sexy D'Or lounge, with its lustrous gold faced bar and its own private entrance for the ultimate VIP experience. All the facets for one of the hottest New Year's Eve parties in Manhattan are here for your pleasure to make your festivities shimmer and shine. newyearsevecentral