For the most part, rough labor
averages between $10.00 to $18.00 a sq. ft for construction on a simple home
design. A mid level home can vary between $16.00 and $25.00 dollars a sq. ft.
and a complex building project will go for between $25.00 and $40.00 dollars
per square foot of space. Once again, remember that such things as local labor
costs and location can impact the rough figures here.
Using the above criteria
figure the total square footage of your home and times it by the rough-in
labor costs. In this example you would see a formula like this:
TOTAL HOME SQ. FT. __________ X ROUGH-IN
LABOR = BUDGET. Now with this figure in hand lets
move on to finish labor costs. Remember to bring along your rough in figure.
Very much like the other
parameters of costing out construction on your home, finish labor is broken
down into the three categories of effort. Simple, Mid level, or complex.
National averages indicate a range of about $5.00 to $20.00 per sq. ft. on
finish labor with an average of $9.00 not uncommon. We suggest using the
average to calculate your finish labor cost. That would be
TOTAL HOME SQ. FT.______ X FINISH LABOR = BUDGET.
Now take your two figures,
TOTAL ROUGH-IN + TOTAL FINISH, to get your TOTAL
LABOR BUDGET for your home. For your convenience
we have included some basic average prices on the following page from an
exceptional and knowledgeable resource. You may use them to further simplify
the process of getting a good "Ballpark" figure on building your log
cabin dream home. Noteworthy is the fact that as an owner-builder you can have
a great impact over these costs by doing some of the work yourself. Even if it
is merely painting your own walls or hanging your drywall.
Rough-In Labor Estimates are
Based On Home Square Footage.
SIMPLE
- $8. 00 to $12. 00 per sq. ft. (average = $10.
00)
MIDLEVEL
- $13. 00 to $18. 00 per sq. ft. (average = $15.
00)
COMPLEX -
$19. 00 to $25. 00 per sq. ft. (average = $22. 00)
Finish Labor Estimates -
Based On Home Square Footage.
$3. 00 to $7. 00 per sq. ft. (average = $7.
00)
ESTIMATE FORMULA
Total Home Square Footage X
Rough Labor = $Budget Estimate
Total Home Square Footage X
Finish Labor = $Budget Estimate
Rough Labor Total + Finish
Labor Total = Total Labor Budget Estimate
Prices and
other formulas are based only on national averages and industry guidelines.
Costs can vary considering other parameters.
