Estimated Cost of custom house design and construction in Bellevue, WA

10 years ago

We have been looking for a new home a specified area for a while. We are looking for something that is not older than year 2000 but nothing has come in our budget. We are looking for something around 2000-2500 sq ft. Since most of the houses that have come are older or smaller with large lots. We are thinking that we can buy one of these smaller and/or older houses in larger lots which are half of our budget and make a custom home. However we dont know if this is a practical idea and lies within our budget. I have heard something around $250 sq ft as the expected cost of construction for an average house (no bells and whistles). Does that sound correct or its higher? Thanks. Any inputs from local folks? Thanks

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PRO

Lampert Dias Architects, Inc.

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Another option is to buy one of those older homes on a large lot, and then add the extra square footage that you need to bring the house up to the size that you want.

If you buy an older home that is in reasonably good shape, you can live with the old section for a few years and improve it later as your budget allows.

I did that with my own house. I added 2000 square feet and then later went back and improved the old 900 square foot portion of the house with a new kitchen and bathroom. It took a few years, but we did it and worked within our budget.

Prices have been going up in Southern California and I assume that is true for the north as well. We are finding that the cost of construction is $350 to $400 per square foot.

Find yourself a good Architect who will work with you and who has a realistic understanding of the costs of construction and who also knows some good contractors.

Also, if you are doing an addition to an existing house rather then brand new construction, you will very likely save on permit fees as well as fees for new utilities etc.

Here is a photo of my house before and after.........

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Comments (6)

User
10 years ago
Higher in that area. Million dollar project. Easily.
User
10 years ago
We live in Vancouver BC and it's seems $250 is on the low end. It can be done but very simple design and definitely no bells and whistles. Our budgeting suggests that $280-300 is more realistic if you want more custom things. That said we have also been told that the difference in city rules makes a huge impact. So Vancouver is very expensive but going to North Vancouver is less and $250 is more possible. I think you could call around to a few builders and get an idea or even go on here and find some pros to ask. As you likely know the difference in $250 and $300 is quite big all in.
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PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
10 years ago
Bellevue WA is under the same pressure (albeit a little lower) as Vancouver BC. You are going to be on the "entry level" materials for $250/sf. I mean the lowest level of drywall finish. Basic laminate flooring. Ugly tile and "off the shelf" cabinets with laminate counter tops. Basic electrical. Basic bulk-buying lighting. Low-end windows and doors.

This will be a "cookie cutter" with low-end finishes type of home. It won't be custom in anyway. It will look like thousands of other homes in the area. Remember: demolition is going to eat a significant amount of money...so be prepared to have to come up with those extra few dollars to tear down the home you just purchased. And hopefully there isn't any asbestos or lead in the house. Containment during demolition can double or triple the cost of demolition.

Have fun...this could take a while. You could wait until the bubble bursts...but that might be a few more years in the making.
Kathleen Korpela
10 years ago
We live in Seattle and are in the planning process of building a new house. Construction cost will run you $250-$300/sq ft; that does not include all your soft costs of the project like permits, design, and various other preconstruction items. For 2,500 sq ft you're likely looking a somewhere shy of $1million, including demolition of the existing property but not including the cost of acquiring the existing property or land.
Scott
8 years ago
Now in 2018, we've been hearing $400-500 sq ft for mid to higher-end projects in the Seattle area. It's bonkers... A housing bust would help.