current cost of building house in midcoast Maine (Garland: 2013, countertops)

[Suziebs]

We are considering building a 3 BR (1500-1800 sq. ft) home in Harpswell. We want solar for water heating. It will partially be within the 75 ft. setback from the water. It needs to be insulated. Does anyone have even a ballpark figure for what it costs to build nowadays?

[sugatam]

I was quoted $200/sq. ft for building in Harpswell. This was on a waterfront lot, and the builder(s) claimed that the extra weatherproofing contributed to the price.

[LordSquidworth]

^^ Certainly get another quote...

[Submariner]

Our 2400 sq ft home is insulated to R-60, and cost us around $30 per sq ft, in 2007. I did most of the labor myself. If you are going to contract it out I would expect to double the cost.

One of our posters here just had a home custom built for her in Garland, this spring. All timber was from trees felled on-site. It is a beautiful 2 story home. Maybe she will post her comments about it.

I think it ran her around $70 per sq ft.

[TwinbrookNine]

I have the same question regarding building a custom home in the northern Great Lakes area. So far, I have found that there are modular homes that are easily customizeable, look like a stick-built house (architecture et al, i.e., don't look at all like a manufactured home), and excluding what you'd have your own contractor add in, run about $70-90/sq ft. It would not be a bad idea to google up modular homes and have a look see. Reason I mention this is that contractors are talking $150-200/sq ft for a custom built house about 1500 sq ft and with relatively simple outlines which I think is too much, especially siince I am planning on quite a bit of "add-on" stuff.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"We are considering building a 3 BR (1500-1800 sq. ft) home in Harpswell. We want solar for water heating. It will partially be within the 75 ft. setback from the water. It needs to be insulated. Does anyone have even a ballpark figure for what it costs to build nowadays?"

There are much lower cost alternatives. You will need a variance to build anything inside a water setback. This could be hugely expensive and take years in court depending on the town and who is on the planning board when you apply.

As to building, when you finally get a building permit, here is a web site where you can get a beautiful and low cost home: Distinctive Timber Building Kits Inc.. I don't work for these people, but I know of several very satisfied homeowners that have post and beam homes. They are very energy efficient, cost about a third or less than log homes and are quick to build.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Harpswell

We are currently out to bid on a 1900 sq.ft. home in Harpswell. When we interviewed architects we were told to expect around $150./sq. ft. It will be an insulated 3 BR, 2.5 bath home that is partially within the 75 ft. setback. Heating will be radiant or baseboard. Open floor plan with large covered porch, screen porch and a sleeping porch. Engineered wood for flooring, wood countertops and quartz countertop on island. Wood burning fireplace. Roofline contains two gables. Any guesses at what the bids will come in at? Does anyone have suggestions on how to cut costs in new home construction in Maine? If you have any advice please share!

For a simple basic layout, I am not sure that you need an architect. Every home-builder should have a few dozen plans on hand, and any of them can be modified.

I have a friend who bought a parcel of land in Garland, she contracted a local builder there. He cut trees on-site, milled the wood on-site and made a very nice home for her using only the wood that had been growing there. She used to post a lot on this forum, have not seen her posts for a while.

The simpler you make it, and the more you do yourself, the less expensive it will be.

[gf2020]

I suspect the $200 per square foot price quoted in the post from 2013 above is probably more accurate.

Certainly don't skimp on your infrastructure costs (construction, windows, insulation, mechanical systems) but you can save money on new home construction by going with less expensive interior finishes. Cabinets, countertops, flooring and interior trim can always be upgraded later.