New house estimate

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Mike Lang

Mike Lang

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
I just finished up an estimate on a 6895 sf ft house and was wondering if you guys used software for your estimates? I see one place called Candels and was always wanting to try out their one free estimate deal to see how I compare to them.

I just add every outlet, switch and light up to get my price but things have changed for me in NJ because we now use the 2008 code. I added more money for the AFCi breakers and the TR / WR receptacles and some other stuff.

I know some companies go by sq footage to get there number. I usually check it with that too to see how close they are.
 
S

satcom

Senior Member
Mike Lang said:
I just finished up an estimate on a 6895 sf ft house and was wondering if you guys used software for your estimates? I see one place called Candels and was always wanting to try out their one free estimate deal to see how I compare to them.

I just add every outlet, switch and light up to get my price but things have changed for me in NJ because we now use the 2008 code. I added more money for the AFCi breakers and the TR / WR receptacles and some other stuff.

I know some companies go by sq footage to get there number. I usually check it with that too to see how close they are.
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Square foot may work for a production tract home, with an experience on the build, but a 6895 sq home is in a class of it,s own, and usually requires some experience in working with larger custom builds. a custom home this size in some parts of New Jersey, can be up there in price, depending on what many things, and a unit outlet estimate may not even come close to the cost, the lighting alone may be 50K and then add communications wiring, or special rooms, or outdoor lighting and you coud be well over 100K and that may be just the bottom figure. But getting additional estimates is a good idea, and if you have an offer, it may be worth the effort to give it a try. Over the years I have seen many guys get in trouble bidding custom jobs, that are under bid, and they get started and then realize they are way over their head, get a few opinions on your target price, befory you jump in, you don't want to loose your license, over a job that went bad.
 
laketime

laketime

Senior Member
Custom homes should (in my opinion) only be bid by a device count and lighting package, no square foot cost at all.
 
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