"fees"

10 years ago

When researching to make an initial budget to see if we're just dreaming or if building is something we could take on, I can't find any clear information on the generalized "permits and fees." I've found the schedule of fees, but it's still hard to know what would apply to us for our situation. We'll likely be building on raw land in a somewhat mountainous region. Any insight to what these fees might add up to? Some very general overestimate for first pass budgeting? Thank you!

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amberm145

10 years ago

I think I'd need more context. Where are these fees being referenced?

If this is referring to city/county fees, there are numerous fees in my jurisdiction that are not listed in any schedule. For example, we were required to buy a "home warranty", which is a BS insurance program against our builder going bankrupt at a tune of $14k. But that's not paid to the city, so the city won't mention it except for some small print that you need to have your warranty paperwork when you apply for a building permit. We were also required to put in a new water/sewer connection. The city charges the contractor something like $10k, and the contractor tacks that on to the actual cost of $8k for a grand total of $18k. But since you don't pay the city directly, the city doesn't list it in the schedule of fees.

There are also survey costs, which will vary based on the company you hire. And depending on whether you need to haul in dirt, or haul it away, there will be significant costs there too, which nobody would be able to predict for you. Heck, even an excavation company looking at our lot couldn't predict what the trucking would cost. Nobody on the internet would be able to do it.

Other costs that people here have mentioned that I didn't encounter would be soil testing, environmental studies, water treatment systems, etc.

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Comments (12)

mojomom
10 years ago
Check your county or city building departments. Often they will have a schedule of fees (though often difficult to decipher.
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mushcreek
10 years ago
Here in rural SC, our septic permit was $280, and the house building permit was $400. That's it. About the only way it could be cheaper is if you built in an area with no building department, and thus, no permits at all. By contrast, a friend that built on environmentally sensitive land in CT paid $66,000 in fees and permits. Yes, that's sixty-six THOUSAND dollars! Only your local building authority can begin to give you an accurate idea.

As amberm145 pointed out, there are a lot of other costs involved in developing raw land. Survey, clearing, driveway, bringing utilities in, septic, etc., before you ever start the actual house.
loto1953
10 years ago
Missouri here.....I believe our building permit was $450.00, septic permit was included in building permit, and $400.00 to the county for road impact fee and that was it...did have to pay electric company $750.00 for setting 2 new poles, 400 amp service, and running about 750' of electrical line.
User
10 years ago
All depends. We had a Shoreline Permit fee. Septic. New Address fee. Environmental fee. We had to pay for a rainwater management plan from an environmental engineer ($3,000), plus pay to have it installed ($15,000), then pay again to have it inspected ($500). Connection fees (water, power, etc). We had to pay for a survey and file that at the county. It adds up.
gregbradley
10 years ago
Adding a pool house across the street from me was $28,000 for the permit. Much of it due to an additional bathroom connecting into the EXISTING sewer for the house. Want to build a house in California?
chispa
10 years ago
Adding a guest/carriage house, a few years ago, to our house/property in CA, cost us about $10k in permits/fees.
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Virgil Carter Fine Art
10 years ago
As you can see from the previous postings, there are all sorts of fees and expenses. There are no "general" rules of thumb unfortunately. These vary wildly (really!) from one jurisdiction to another. One has to begin by visiting the applicable local building department or agency(s) to find out what their requirements and fees may be. In addition, they may require a range of professional services and reports in order to obtain a building permit and/or an occupancy permit--professional services and reports (and expenses) furnished by others such as engineers, architects, civil engineers, surveyors, testing agencies, etc., in addition to building department or agency regulatory fees and expenses. There may be zoning and architectural review submittals, hearings and fees. In addition, there may also be a wide range of required programs and fees by the lending institution ranging from title company services and fees to flood insurance expenses. Property taxes will have to be calculated and paid. Then there are real estate fees, home inspection fees, cable and internet fees, etc. It pays to really do one's due diligence, especially if budgets are tight. Good luck on your project!
mrsfiremangw
10 years ago
Building 2700 sqf house in central California, fees paid only to county were around 27000.
twall717
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone! I guess there was a reason Google was failing me. I am just in the very beginning of planning, and see if it is even something we could consider. I was referring to the permitting and other city related fees. We've received some very general information from contractors and modular home builders, and I know it's all very site specific, just trying to see if it's feasible before I dig in deep.
User
10 years ago
Fees, hidden fees, and land development costs are location specific. It all adds up to more money spent in building than buying an existing home though.
amberm145
10 years ago
When I asked where this was referred to, I meant, did a contractor mention it? In that case, ask him what fees he's thinking of. Or, were you looking at plans, and there was a "price to build, excluding permits and fees" quoted on it? In that case, they're quoting the cost of the plan, and a ballpark cost of materials and labour. But since they don't know where you're building, they can't tell you what site specific costs you'll incur.

If this was a modular builder who used the term, he might be referring to the cost of building your foundation, which they generally expect you to get ready while they're building your house. Or the cost of moving the house. Or the permit fees for moving the house.

Saying permits and fees again doesn't answer the question of what fees you're referring to.