Any of you guys try to price new homes by the square foot? I'm trying to come up with a square foot price for basic electrical wiring according to code.

Would you figure it by the square foot area of habitable heated floor space, or by the total measured floor space from the dimensions of the home?

I'm bidding on a new house, below are the sq ft areas...

The first floor is 2340sq ft, 2nd is 2744sq ft and a finished basement of 1040sq ft. The garage is 26' x 34' for 884sq ft and a future attic of 800 sq ft. Also there is 1300 sq ft of unfinished basment area (2340 minus 1040)

1st + 2nd + basement= 6124sq ft of finished area...

So, I estimate the house will take 300 man hours to wire and $6000 in material for basic electrical to code.With a man hour rate of $65 an hour plus $6000 material, I have $25500 for the basic price without extras.

$25500 divided by 6124 sq ft = $4.16 per square foot.

What do ya think?

shortcircuit

That's what I use as a rough estimate.

$4.25/sq ft.

However, I don't count in attic space.



[This message has been edited by Dnkldorf (edited 03-11-2005).]

Sounds reasonable. Depends where in MA you are. In my area I have heard $1.50 (I'd rather work at Home Depot) to around three bucks. Closer to Boston I hear $5-$9.

Sounds like a large home. What size service are you planning? I like the $5 per sq ft figure but the service can break the deal. Is it underground, 200 amp or 400 amp, heating and cooling system wiring should be accounted for as well.

Oh yes...its a large home. My basic estimate includes items such as...

Wiring plugs to code, 9 foot ceilings,5 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens with wall oven, gas cooktop,hood fan,microwave,sub zero ref, island with dishwasher,disposal,pendant lights. Five bathrooms with 5 exhaust fans, venting included, multiple vanity lights.Five interior stairwells with 3-way switching, cuzi tub in large master bath, 3bay garage wiring with 12ft ceilings including garage door openers, 3 flood lights, 3 exterior plugs,typical wall lighting by exit doors, 2 post lights with plugs, Boiler with 4 zones with seperate pumps and DHM storage tank.Also wiring lights in the unfinished parts of basement and lighting in the walk-up attic. Also 16 drops of cat-5 and catv roughed only.

Does not include additional charges for...

Recessed lighting, paddle fans, dedicated circuits for additional appliances such as ref in garage, central vacuum, etc. Ceiling lights in bedrooms,air conditioning,under cabinet lighting.Future electrical circuits for 3rd floor.I also add a upgrade charge of $1300 for a 400 amp service not including the underground trench work.

This house is 6200 square feet of heated living space that is custom in nature...but about 9000 square feet of wired floor area.

shortcircuit

Where is the house. I am thinking over five based on that list. Who trenches for the post lights. I never do. I also never vent bath fans. That could be a formula for disaster if you hev to go through the roof. To me wired to code is just that, the basics and a few phone and catv outlets, you are going beyond that.

This is in the Medfield area...the builder trenchs everthing.I just install the wire, conduits,etc...

These houses sell over 7 figures. I bid almost $35000 for the package with 30 recessed lights(which some of my associates concur is low) and the builder is thinking (dreaming) mid 20's...I estimated 400 man hours and $8500 in stock.

I am well aware that real estate in New England has soared to some of the highest levels of this country...and so has the cost of living here too. All materials have increased as of the New Year as well as overhead expenses.

I estimate if I wired the house for the mid 20's, I will be doing it for $20 an hour by the time I'm done. I'd rather sit home.

I just wanted to see what others here think...

shortcircuit

First thing that comes to mind is where did the builder come up with his numbers? Second thing, some sap will probably do it for that. Third (and this might jog your memory) "I'm Peter McNeely from Medfield Mass, on march 15th I'm gonna kick Tyson's asss" As history showed, that didn't happen.