> ” Builders try to make us believe if it weren’t for the environmentalists and government regulations, they could build affordable housing.?
I’m not a builder, but after doing my own general contracting on my house projects, I am convinced this is the case. A good unlicensed contractor (yes, they exist) costs about 60% of a licensed one and the detailed govt BS they have to deal with is staggering. Very difficult to appreciate until you have been through it.
Still, building costs don’t explain why in 1998 I purchased my house for $190,000 and could have built it for $90,000 ($75/sq ft*) while last year it could have sold for $650,000 and only cost $180,000 ($150/sq. ft*) to build.
*sq ft costs estimated (i.e. wild guess). Sale prices are based on good market knowledge.
