An online log home community for log home enthusiasts.

How do i price a log home shell?

Since i built my own log home, i have had requests to build a few smaller cabins for people, but i am not sure of the formula for calculating building and labor cost.

I would be building weather tight shell's, under 800 sq. ft.

I would like to venture into this area, but need a little assistance.

Thank You

Steve

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Raymond Wengerd on May 9, 2012 at 8:46pm

Umm..... I could tell you, but then I would have to bill you!

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Permalink Reply by Steven Adler on May 10, 2012 at 12:06pm

Well, thats interesting. First time i ever seen a bill for an answer on a forum.

Whats the terms? :)

Steve

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Permalink Reply by Raymond Wengerd on May 11, 2012 at 5:18pm

Yeah I dropped the bill bomb! haha

On a serious note. It is very hard to advice somebody on how to charge. Not knowing your standards, your goals, your local economy.

One word of advice if you are just starting out, don't sell yourself short. You can not afford to lose money, and you can not afford to do things half fast to meet budgets. Bid to do things properly, even if it means hiring well qualified subs to do things properly if you personaly don't have the know how or resources in the said field.

And allow yourself a reasonable profit margin, because projects tend to over run budget (especially if you are new to the trade) and people typically do not respond well to overages, so you need to be the one footing it.

And lastly, don't expect people to get your translation of specifications verbally, people forget things or misinterpret them. Take the time to do detailed specs and straight forward contracts as well as detailed plans or drawings so you have something to go back to.

Ray

www.ohiologhomes.net

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Permalink Reply by Steven Adler on May 12, 2012 at 10:32am

Thanks Ray

I wasn't sure if you would have to bill be or kill me if you told me. LOL

This is the only part holding me back Lots of good advice, thank you.

Does Amazon or somebody like that sell books specifically geared towards log homes?

Or is the a data base of councils, groups or something that helps guide you through the process? I know there are a ton of books on starting up a specific type of business that are pretty handy getting people started out.

Thank you Ray

Steve