Rob,

As you know there is a great range in property prices, so that will be your biggest variable.

You are pretty much right about the cost/s.f. of nicely finished construction. Keep in mind material costs are on a steep slope up recently, so $120/s.f. is fast becoming a lower threshold to construction costs.

Also note that GC fees are a PART of that cost/s.f. as are permitting fees, which in Austin are essentailly negligible, not like in CA.

Arch/Engineering fees are in the range you stated, but PLEASE keep in mind that there is far more involved in those fees than just providing drawings. A good Architect/Designer will provide the above mentioned drawings but ALSO a significant amount of contract administration, which allows them to keep track of the actual construction process and HELP the contractor keep to the Contract Documents. Too many times to count, I've seen clients think they could do this part on their own, and too many times to count I've seen them HAVE to live with details the contractor fudged. If you are working with alternative materials or methods it becomes even MORE important to have the Architect/Designer stay on the job until completion. You won't be sorry you did. Remember the Architect/Designer is the part of the team that is YOUR representative and is there to look out for YOUR and the projects best interest during the construction process.

Regards,
Mark Meyer

My husband is absolutely bent on moving to Austin -- we currently live in Northern Virginia. I have no idea about the school districts or anything, and we have a son who will be starting high school when we move, which will be June 2008. I want to build something simple but liveable, and love the modern homes, but again, does anyone have any kind of estimate for what it will actually cost? He has to work; I will be pulling in a pension. We will have, at a minimum, about $250K in equity from our current home to apply to a house in Austin. Will we be looking at half a million to build something within commuting distance?

Beth

It's really hard to predict what things will look like 2 1/2 years from now. Forecasts have the national housing market leveling off, but who knows what that means for Austin. I think you'll just have to wait and see. It also depends on what you mean by commuting distance. Currently, there are some really affordable areas quite close in to the east. (The science magnet high school and junior high are east.) But people do drive from much further away.

There's a new modern development starting up soon called Agave, which will be at the east edge of town (which is much closer than the other edges of town!). There's a thread about it here:

http://www.livemodern.com/forums/geographic/austin/275780496565

All architect-designed homes, many quite affordable.

Good luck,
-KP

Based on the info from folks on this list and many others - I would be able to build a VERY nice modern home in the 2000 - 2200 sq ft range for $500K and well within a 10 - 15 minute drive to the center of town (MUCH less if you buy a lot on the east side of town). This includes good quality finish out. In general, the school on the west side are considerably better than the east.

If you don't need quite that much space (say 1600 - 1800 sq ft) and only want to spend $180 - $250, the Agave Community will be right up your alley (as it seems to be ours). They are planning a few homes at or just above 2000 sq ft, but most I believe will be smaller. BTW, Agave is in the MAnor School district, not Austin. I don't know as much about those, but based on ALL the new building going on on that area, the schools will be growing a LOT in the near future!

I wish I had half a million, but the lottery has not been my friend yet!!!!!

Best of luck!
Rob