The total cost of construction from clearing land until we were able to move in was about $157,000. This doesn’t include the $60,000 to purchase the quarter acre lot. This final cost also does not include Spartan Giordano’s labor. We received $15,100 in rebates and tax incentives bringing the total cost down to $141,900. Using the 141 number, our 1500 square foot house cost $94.60/SF to build.
Cost breakdown by type of expenditure
| Materials | $90,245.09 |
| Labor | $60,655.35 |
| Permits, fees, engineering | $4,490.70 |
| Equipment and tool rental | $2,973.18 |
| Fuel | $1,559.44 |
| Trash, disposal costs | $384.61 |
| Other | $290.36 |
Cost breakdown by construction type
| Doors, windows, interior window trim, and extension jambs | $18,787.55 |
| Framing | $17,840.95 |
| Insulation (labor & material, includes foundation insulation) | $15,946.51 |
| Foundation for home and garage | $15,248.53 |
| Siding, soffit, exterior trim | $13,965.51 |
| Sitework | $12,460.50 |
| Plumbing (labor and material) | $10,218.69 |
| Other | $6,933.52 |
| Electrical | $6,868.67 |
| Roof (Material and labor both sheathing and metal) | $4,801.80 |
| Porch | $4,010.37 |
| Drywall | $3,255.16 |
| HRV & Ductwork (material only, no labor cost) | $2,793.22 |
| Paint (labor and material) | $2,738.45 |
| Heat pump (material and labor) | $2,600.00 |
| Floors | $1,901.39 |
| Stairs | $1,643.28 |
| Driveway | $1,475.00 |
| Tiling bathroom and kitchen counter | $1,353.52 |
| Create lumber from trees from site | $740.36 |
| Solar hot water (after rebates and incentives) | $269.45 |
Design & Construction of Spartan & Hannah's Home 
Very Cool! Great to meet you yesterday. I would love to try that scrap granite floor- your thoughts?
~Best,
RobertRadish
Ive been trying to find a granite saw like the one pictured on the first page of your article. uou call it “12″ 3′ sliding compound wet saw”. It looks kind of like a bridge saw but much smaller. I don’t see a brand name in your photo. Can you tell me the manufacturer and, generally, the cost? Thanks, Gary
We bought the Raimondi saw used on Craigslist for a fraction of the retail cost. I am not sure, but I think it is a $1500 saw.
http://www.raimondiusa.com/sa_80_ts_2008.html
Spartan,
How did you end up financing the house? Was it through a bank that provides the construction loans?
– Bill
We financed the project with loans from family. Once we had an occupancy permit we essentially refinanced with a local bank.