Hi guys, Take a peak at www.houseplans.com and input plan # 500-1. Kicking around shrinking it a bit (get to say 1250sq ft, size is fastest way to save $$), move windows to the southside. I've got a contact for 4x8x3 1/4" foil faced polyiso for $16/ea, or could double stud it with dense cellulose. Goal is to build around $75/sq ft. :) 3000 sq foot houses around here with fancy stone facades, 3 car garages, etc... all in (including land etc) sell for $250k, so I believe that price is easily doable by ditching central HVAC, huge garages, etc....reinvesting into the envelope. Interested to start a discussion on options, ideas, etc...

That looks like a lot of money for those plans. For $2,800 you could have an architect draw up exactly what you want. You could probably pay some net 0 designer to make plans specific for your needs and site.

Cute house. For a plan that you want to make changes to, it is a little pricey.

I completely agree, we're not going to buy these plans necessarily, just use this houseplan as a design starting point.

The plan is pretty efficient. Will it have a basement? You will need somewhere to put your "stuff". Attic storage or a basement will solve that problem.

Where are you building? - costs vary quite a but around the country. Recycled materials will help but may take more labor to use. I'm also looking for affordable ways to build good homes, but they will cost more (than similar built-to-code structures) simply because we are using more materials and labor. A home like this is inherently less expensive because the structure is simple, so it is a good starting place. You are on the right track, though; cost as always will be the driver for mass acceptance of better buildings.

Existing homes are going for a sizable discount here as well. Just a function of the market. I would have thought it would be difficult to get under $100 sq ft assuming a lot of own input.

Looks similar to this: http://www.jshow.com/y2k/listings/57.html

I like the layout.

I'm in Eau Claire WI, I've also scored a deal for 3.25" 4x8' polyiso foil faced insulation for around $16/ea, which is around 25% retail which is turning me a bit away from my original plan of double stud dense pack.

Figuring an OVE framed 2x6 wall dense packed w/9.75" (3 sheets) of polyiso will get me where I want to be both in R-value and air sealing relatively cheaply.

Wondering anyone's advice on ways to shrink this plan up a bit, was always shooting for around 1200-1250 sq ft as the best way to save $ is to downsize. Particularly upstairs, the master bedroom is bigger than we need (i.e. two closets is silly), but the main floor I can't seem to brainstorm a good space saving strategy. You can see the minimal kitchen cabinets will keep costs there low, but the pantry will be a huge necessity. Could move the laundry upstairs where the master closets are, but then I've got separate plumbing runs since it's on the opposite side of the house as the upper bath?

Also plan on removing the bump out to save $ and better envelope sealing and moving all but one of the north windows to the south and cutting the E & W windows by about half and moving them to the south as well.

And I pretty sure I'll do a basement for utilities, storage, future....

Thoughts?

Down and dirty but it does work! Laundry has to go into the basement or you need to give up something else. Remember that the smaller the house the high the sq. ft. cost will be.

Any thoughts at shrinking the upper main bedroom (too big for my wife and I) to incorporate upper laundry? You can buy 3000sqft 3car garage houses w/fiberglass windows, lot, etc...all in for $250k around here, so really crossing my fingers to stay around that $75/sq ft for this place with proper sourcing, simple design, small kitchen/bath, etc...

Posted By bemana on 02 Mar 2011 08:13 PM
Any thoughts at shrinking the upper main bedroom (too big for my wife and I) to incorporate upper laundry? You can buy 3000sqft 3car garage houses w/fiberglass windows, lot, etc...all in for $250k around here, so really crossing my fingers to stay around that $75/sq ft for this place with proper sourcing, simple design, small kitchen/bath, etc...

Yes but can you build for that?? This reflects upstairs laundry. The plan works if you don't breath to deeply!! It would be helpful to know your south and view.

Ground floor is a stick built at level basement that is plumbed and wired if we desire to finish it in the future. Second story is a custom designed modular and the main living area. 1399 sq ft per story.

Images
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171985&id=665372917&l=35a6857cce
Details
http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/21/aft/76819/afv/topic/Default.aspx
Cost details in my 20 Dec post in this thread
http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/21/aft/72727/afv/topic/Default.aspx

Bottom line, 30X46 2 story with good insulation and sealing, radiant floor, all decks, furnishings, appliances etc, under $80/ft2

Biggest thing I would add if I could, would be 1 inch of foam on the outside under the siding to cut down on thermal bridging. Sounds as if you have enough inexpensive foam board to put that in the plan.
-Rosalinda

So I'm thinking that could leave the original plan bedrooms as they were as they'd all be south facing. Wondering though adding laundry where the master closets are as the existing plan bedroom is way too big to me. Thinking instead of going crazy, since I've got a great deal on 3 1/4" foil face polyiso (R-7.5 or so) that I'll just do an advanced frame 2x6 with polyiso infill insulation with SIS sheathing for another r-5, then wrap w/one more sheet of 3 1/4". Relatively uncomplicated, high r-value?

Do you really want the bedrooms to be the ones facing south, since you usually use a bedroom at night. Wouldn't you want the daylighting and warmth in the rooms you use most during the day?

-Rosalinda

Rosalinda - the upper bedrooms would be on the south side as compared to the closets and bathroom is what I'm thinking. the main floor is all south facing given the 20x34 orientation