[UCGal]

Construction is more expensive than you’d think – depending on finishes…

We are finishing building a detached companion unit. The first contractor did most of the grading before abandoning the job. (That was a nightmare!) The second contractor came in to a site that already had the slab poured and the bulk of the expensive grading done – so it’s comparable to a semi-tear down. We shopped contractors (trust me – I’ve talked to or gotten bids from over 30 contractors.)

The square footage price with the 2nd contractor was high – $275-300/sf. And, as I said, we shopped contractors!!!

It might be *slightly* lower for the scenario you describe since, theoretically, you would not have any utility trenching, or sewer/water connections. But that’s such a small part of a project.

A friend recently did what you describe – bought a lot that had already demolished the house, then built a custom home. They paid close to $300/sf.

I naively thought we’d get bids for $200/sf when we started this project. Our first round of bids (5 contractors) were closer to $400-450/sf. These were big name folks that you hear on the radio.

[UCGal]

Construction is more expensive than you’d think – depending on finishes…

We are finishing building a detached companion unit. The first contractor did most of the grading before abandoning the job. (That was a nightmare!) The second contractor came in to a site that already had the slab poured and the bulk of the expensive grading done – so it’s comparable to a semi-tear down. We shopped contractors (trust me – I’ve talked to or gotten bids from over 30 contractors.)

The square footage price with the 2nd contractor was high – $275-300/sf. And, as I said, we shopped contractors!!!

It might be *slightly* lower for the scenario you describe since, theoretically, you would not have any utility trenching, or sewer/water connections. But that’s such a small part of a project.

A friend recently did what you describe – bought a lot that had already demolished the house, then built a custom home. They paid close to $300/sf.

I naively thought we’d get bids for $200/sf when we started this project. Our first round of bids (5 contractors) were closer to $400-450/sf. These were big name folks that you hear on the radio.

[UCGal]

Construction is more expensive than you’d think – depending on finishes…

We are finishing building a detached companion unit. The first contractor did most of the grading before abandoning the job. (That was a nightmare!) The second contractor came in to a site that already had the slab poured and the bulk of the expensive grading done – so it’s comparable to a semi-tear down. We shopped contractors (trust me – I’ve talked to or gotten bids from over 30 contractors.)

The square footage price with the 2nd contractor was high – $275-300/sf. And, as I said, we shopped contractors!!!

It might be *slightly* lower for the scenario you describe since, theoretically, you would not have any utility trenching, or sewer/water connections. But that’s such a small part of a project.

A friend recently did what you describe – bought a lot that had already demolished the house, then built a custom home. They paid close to $300/sf.

I naively thought we’d get bids for $200/sf when we started this project. Our first round of bids (5 contractors) were closer to $400-450/sf. These were big name folks that you hear on the radio.

[UCGal]

I’ve been thinking about what to answer here…

I’m a native. Born in what used to be Doctor’s Hospital (now Cabrillo) in Loma Portal. Lived in Clairemont till age 4, when we moved to University City. Hey, fast times at ridgemont was MY highschool class. I’m as local as you get.

But, I’ve also spread my wings. I’ve lived in Bellingham Washington, Atlanta GA, and outside of Philly – where I met my husband.

I love San Diego because it offers the lifestyle that works for me. Beach, mountains, good weather. Lots of outdoor living. I live close enough to the coast to not need AC in the summer or even much heat in the winter.

I love San Diego because it’s a great place to raise my kids. They are growing up learning to boogie board, ride bikes year round, and never have it too hot or too cold to play outside.

For me, it took living in other states to fully appreciate what San Diego has to offer.

[UCGal]

I’ve been thinking about what to answer here…

I’m a native. Born in what used to be Doctor’s Hospital (now Cabrillo) in Loma Portal. Lived in Clairemont till age 4, when we moved to University City. Hey, fast times at ridgemont was MY highschool class. I’m as local as you get.

But, I’ve also spread my wings. I’ve lived in Bellingham Washington, Atlanta GA, and outside of Philly – where I met my husband.

I love San Diego because it offers the lifestyle that works for me. Beach, mountains, good weather. Lots of outdoor living. I live close enough to the coast to not need AC in the summer or even much heat in the winter.

I love San Diego because it’s a great place to raise my kids. They are growing up learning to boogie board, ride bikes year round, and never have it too hot or too cold to play outside.

For me, it took living in other states to fully appreciate what San Diego has to offer.

[UCGal]

I’ve been thinking about what to answer here…

I’m a native. Born in what used to be Doctor’s Hospital (now Cabrillo) in Loma Portal. Lived in Clairemont till age 4, when we moved to University City. Hey, fast times at ridgemont was MY highschool class. I’m as local as you get.

But, I’ve also spread my wings. I’ve lived in Bellingham Washington, Atlanta GA, and outside of Philly – where I met my husband.

I love San Diego because it offers the lifestyle that works for me. Beach, mountains, good weather. Lots of outdoor living. I live close enough to the coast to not need AC in the summer or even much heat in the winter.

I love San Diego because it’s a great place to raise my kids. They are growing up learning to boogie board, ride bikes year round, and never have it too hot or too cold to play outside.

For me, it took living in other states to fully appreciate what San Diego has to offer.

[UCGal]

I’ve been thinking about what to answer here…

I’m a native. Born in what used to be Doctor’s Hospital (now Cabrillo) in Loma Portal. Lived in Clairemont till age 4, when we moved to University City. Hey, fast times at ridgemont was MY highschool class. I’m as local as you get.

But, I’ve also spread my wings. I’ve lived in Bellingham Washington, Atlanta GA, and outside of Philly – where I met my husband.

I love San Diego because it offers the lifestyle that works for me. Beach, mountains, good weather. Lots of outdoor living. I live close enough to the coast to not need AC in the summer or even much heat in the winter.

I love San Diego because it’s a great place to raise my kids. They are growing up learning to boogie board, ride bikes year round, and never have it too hot or too cold to play outside.

For me, it took living in other states to fully appreciate what San Diego has to offer.

[UCGal]

I’ve been thinking about what to answer here…

I’m a native. Born in what used to be Doctor’s Hospital (now Cabrillo) in Loma Portal. Lived in Clairemont till age 4, when we moved to University City. Hey, fast times at ridgemont was MY highschool class. I’m as local as you get.

But, I’ve also spread my wings. I’ve lived in Bellingham Washington, Atlanta GA, and outside of Philly – where I met my husband.

I love San Diego because it offers the lifestyle that works for me. Beach, mountains, good weather. Lots of outdoor living. I live close enough to the coast to not need AC in the summer or even much heat in the winter.

I love San Diego because it’s a great place to raise my kids. They are growing up learning to boogie board, ride bikes year round, and never have it too hot or too cold to play outside.

For me, it took living in other states to fully appreciate what San Diego has to offer.

[UCGal]

There are a lot nicer houses in the shores area.

Even if I had the money (which I don’t) I wouldn’t buy a house ON La Jolla Shores Drive… No parking (beach goers grab it all up), serious traffic, a nightmare to get in/out of that gated driveway.

I’d rather buy Cindy McCain’s aunt’s condo across from Kellog park.

[UCGal]

There are a lot nicer houses in the shores area.

Even if I had the money (which I don’t) I wouldn’t buy a house ON La Jolla Shores Drive… No parking (beach goers grab it all up), serious traffic, a nightmare to get in/out of that gated driveway.

I’d rather buy Cindy McCain’s aunt’s condo across from Kellog park.

[UCGal]

There are a lot nicer houses in the shores area.

Even if I had the money (which I don’t) I wouldn’t buy a house ON La Jolla Shores Drive… No parking (beach goers grab it all up), serious traffic, a nightmare to get in/out of that gated driveway.

I’d rather buy Cindy McCain’s aunt’s condo across from Kellog park.

[UCGal]

There are a lot nicer houses in the shores area.

Even if I had the money (which I don’t) I wouldn’t buy a house ON La Jolla Shores Drive… No parking (beach goers grab it all up), serious traffic, a nightmare to get in/out of that gated driveway.

I’d rather buy Cindy McCain’s aunt’s condo across from Kellog park.

[UCGal]

There are a lot nicer houses in the shores area.

Even if I had the money (which I don’t) I wouldn’t buy a house ON La Jolla Shores Drive… No parking (beach goers grab it all up), serious traffic, a nightmare to get in/out of that gated driveway.

I’d rather buy Cindy McCain’s aunt’s condo across from Kellog park.

[UCGal]

I would think that after the bottom hits areas that are closer in will do better than areas further out… And schools matter.

Perhaps it’s my bias, but the new construction vs older construction thing doesn’t hold as much water. There are plenty of 20+ year old homes in UC, Point Loma, Mission Hills that will hold their value and bounce back, despite being older because they have good schools and are close in.

Of course if gas goes back to under $2/gallon, my theory falls apart.

[UCGal]

I would think that after the bottom hits areas that are closer in will do better than areas further out… And schools matter.

Perhaps it’s my bias, but the new construction vs older construction thing doesn’t hold as much water. There are plenty of 20+ year old homes in UC, Point Loma, Mission Hills that will hold their value and bounce back, despite being older because they have good schools and are close in.

Of course if gas goes back to under $2/gallon, my theory falls apart.

[Author]

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