The extra 1' in ceiling height will not change the cost of the drywall that much. Where it will impact the budget is in the labor costs to either add 1' to an 8' piece of drywall (more taping and mud) or to cut 3' off of a 12' piece (which results in more waste). The extra foot height will also impact the framing package.

Costs are so different across the country that it is really difficult to determine whether your $60K bid is high, low or right on the dot.

This is new construction and you have this one chance to make the home the best it can be. No contest on the ceilings. Go for the 9’. If you need to skimp, do it on something which can be changed out easily down the road. One of my grrrrrr’s lately is the cost of kitchens. Research and smart shopping can save a lot of money there.

Here is an interesting houzz article:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/breakthrough-budgeting-info-the-houzz-real-cost-finder-is-here-stsetivw-vs~13875690

I personally find that the added 1' in ceiling height adds so much to the home. I can't comment on the cost of doing 8' vs 9' as our home had the 9' ceilings included but also keep in mind the price of having 8' doors instead of the standard 7'. You can keep the doors at standard height but I find a taller door really accentuates and emphasizes the higher ceilings... but at a cost that most people don't take into account when doing calculations.

PLUS, since it's structural, you might regret not doing it in the future as it can't be added after the fact (at least not without a huge price tag).

I have looked at tons of homes the past 2 years and I immediately notice now when ceilings are 8' versus 9'. As a result, my new home will have 9'.

You can change so many cosmetic items after you build (kitchen, baths, paint, flooring, landscaping etc) but you really wouldn't be able to change the ceiling height at a later time. There is a huge difference in 'feel' of the house with 9' ceilings rather than 8'. Go simple on some of your finishes before you cut the ceilings down.

Is this GC under contract? Best to get competitive bids too.

Thanks. That is how I feel too, it is something I can't go back and change later. The hard part is we are already going pretty basic in most areas. Our only splurges are insulation, windows, and siding. And I don't think I can get my husband to go lower quality in any of those areas, and I understand his reasoning. I really don't want to have to redo plans to cut square footage but it looks like it is either that or chose to go over budget.

I have been designing homes for a number of years. I always say that the higher the ceiling the greater the appeal. Of course, when you are talking 11 + plus ceiling height, then the heating expense comes into account as well. As mentioned here by many well informed people, 9 feet versus 8 feet is nothing you need worry about. 9 foot ceilings will definitely be more appealing and makes for better resale if you choose to sale down the road. We feature many house plans on our website but also design plans according to your specific ideas. And our website is secure. http://www.houseplansbydsms.com/ Be sure to take a look.

Windows will need to be taller with taller walls to look right. Who says you need taller walls to have a taller ceiling? A tray ceiling , coffered, vault, etc. can be built into trusses. Every room doesn't need to be taller, just the bigger ones.

I would go for the 9' ceiling. We have 9' downstairs, but upstairs, the bedrooms are 8' and I can tell. The main part of the master, for example, has a tray ceiling so it is taller and I like how it looks, but the seating area has 8' and it feels very low.

It is well worth it to go for 9' ceilings.

Go with the taller ceiling. Husbands and contractors sometimes stick together on decisions regarding spending money - yes they do! There will be other ways to trim the budget.

grobby, you are so right!

A thing to consider when selecting ceiling heights and cost, is the doors and windows. If the ceiling gets one foot taller, do you want to make the doors and windows one foot taller too?

I believe that 8 foot ceilings are a thing of the past..........It is time for all ceilings, doors and windows to be taller. After all, there are so many tall people and they are getting taller with each generation.

One solution is to leave the 8 foot plate height but to open up the ceilings to make them volumes. You can also do "Tray" ceilings to gain height without changing the plate height. If you leave the plate height and just increase the ceiling heights with volume ceilings or tray ceilings then you don't have to raise the door and window heights, thus saving some on costs.

Please don't settle for 8 foot ceilings in your new custom home........