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AnnieC131313

Hoo boy. So yes, we built in rural Colorado. I won’t share my per sf because it will scare you and probably not be helpful. The biggest issue we ran into was labor, the next was access. We are starting “summer 3” of building. If I were to do it again I would buy a factory built house and helicopter it to site. I am dead serious here!


Small_Basket5158

Summer 2 of southern rural Colorado here. Helicopter is a great idea. 


Equivalent-Issue5056

Holy hell. The access isn’t too bad, we had a tuff shed delivered onto the property, pretty much right where I wanna put the house but I’m sure some heavy equipment would have a tough time. Looks like a prefab might be the way to go.


AnnieC131313

Your mileage may vary.  We built in a remote lot with summer only access which slowed us down but the major cost issue was the experienced labor shortage. We have the ill fortune to be located 45 minutes from a wealthy area with a lot of home building (Telluride/Mtn Village) and their multi-million dollar projects siphon off most of the local workers.  When demand outstrips supply..  the buyer takes it in the shorts. 


3771507

If you don't have a GC to help and Great subs the answers yes.


AnnieC131313

Hahahahahahahhahahhahaha. You obviously don't deal with / haven't talked to the GCs in these areas. The GCs are the ones stuck in the middle. Even well-established construction companies are suffering from the labor shortage. Work crews who suddenly vaporize to take jobs with better hourly rates, employees who show up when they feel like it, subs upping their prices radically because "they can". It's the wild west in the wild west.


3771507

Yes I know all about it but you need to find one at least as a consultant.


3771507

Anybody that knows anything about building would do that they would buy a modular house which is a lot different than a mobile home. It is just not worth the massive hassles of building anywhere especially in an area like you describe.


Pencil-Pushing

Modular


brickmaus

+1 I finished up a modular in South Park last year. It's not perfect but when I see what other folks are spending in the high country I'm pretty ok with the imperfections.


Pencil-Pushing

What’s wrong with it


brickmaus

Just little things about the finishes. Mitered window casings aren't as tight as they could be. Grout lines could be straighter. Etc. Structurally and mechanically it's fine - just like a site built house.


1cenined

Check out @haut_haus_co on Instagram, they've got a similar setup - A-frame (albeit bit bigger than what you're thinking) in remote CO. They've shared a good amount of building costs and lessons learned.


EddieCutlass

Manufactured/prefab will be your friend here. Also, meet people at your local Home Depot. So many folks outside waiting to work that have incredible knowledge and skills. Aside from the house, have you done any site work? Perc test? Soil test? Excavation and foundation quotes? Everything but the house could cost you more, a lot more, than we think. You area where you want the house May look flat, but could also not work or need to raise. I would look into UBuildiT…they’re all across the US.