Resources for Planning Your New Home

These lists are the methods I used when I was building houses to keep track of selections and should provide a good idea of the kinds of choices that will need to be made. They can be modified to fit any particular project.




This is how I used to have my accounting system set up. It shows most of the major costs associated with building a house

Cost Estimate Worksheet
Heated Area:
Porch Area:
Garage Area:
Total Covered Area:


01 Preparation
   011 Lot Prep
   012 Permits
   013 Plans
   019 Extras
Total 01 Preparation

02 Foundation
   021 Concrete
   022 Fill Dirt
   023 Foundation Labor
   024 Foundation Materials
   025 Termite Treatment
   026 Pump Truck
   029 Extras
Total 02 Foundation

03 Framing
   031 Framing Labor
   032 Framing Materials
   033 Vinyl Siding
   034 Decorative Finish
   035 Structural Steel
   039 Extras
Total 03 Framing

04 Windows
   041 Windows
   049 Extras
Total 04 Windows

05 Exterior Doors
   051 Exterior Doors
   052 Garage Door
   059 Extras
Total 05 Exterior Doors

06 Roofing
   061 Roofing Labor
   062 Roofing Materials
   069 Extras
Total 06 Roofing

07 Masonry
   071 Masonry Labor
   072 Masonry Materials
   079 Extras
Total 07 Masonry

08 Electrical
   081 Electrical Wiring
   082 Light Fixtures
   083 Appliances
   089 Extras
Total 08 Electrical

09 Plumbing
   091 Sewer & Water Tie in
   092 House Plumbing
   093 Plumbing Fixtures
   094 Septic System
   095 Water Well
   099 Extras
Total 09 Plumbing

10 HVAC
   101 HVAC M&L
   102 Exhaust Vents
   109 Extras
Total 10 HVAC

11 Insulation
   111 Insulation M&L
   112 Insulation Materials
   119 Extras
Total 11 Insulation

12 Drywall
   121 Drywall Labor
   122 Drywall Material
   129 Extras
Total 12 Drywall

13 Trim & Cabinets
   131 Trim Materials
   132 Trim Labor
   133 Cabinets
   139 Extras
Total 13 Trim & Cabinets

14 Painting
   141 Exterior Labor
   142 Exterior Materials
   143 Interior Labor
   144 Interior Materials
   149 Extras
Total 14 Painting

15 Fireplace
   151 Fireplace M&L
   159 Extras
Total 15 Fireplace

16 Hardware
   161 Hardware Materials
   162 Hardware Labor
   163 Misc. Items
   169 Extras
Total 16 Hardware

17 Glass & Mirrors
   171 Glass & Mirrors M&L
   179 Extras
Total 17 Glass & Mirrors

18 Flooring
   181 Tile
   182 Wood
   183 Carpet & Vinyl
   189 Extras
Total 18 Flooring

19 Specialties
   191 Security System
   192 Com. System
   193 Vacuum System
   194 Blinds & Shutters
   195 Sprinkler System
   196 Swimming Pool
   199 Extras
Total 19 Specialties

20 Landscape
   201 Grading
   202 Flatwork
   203 Fences
   204 Decks
   205 Plants
   206 Masonry
   207 Gutters
   209 Extras
Total 20 Landscape

21 Cleanup
   211 Cleanup
   219 Extras
Total 21 Cleanup

22 Business
   220 Insurance
   221 Attorney
   223 Tax
   224 Interim Interest
   225 Survey
   226 Closing Cost
   227 Homeowners Ins.
   228 Realty Fees
   229 Extras
Total 22 Business

23 Bathroom
   231 Vanity Tops
   232 Tile or marble Shower
   239 Extras
Total 23

24 Flashing
   241 Flashing M&L
   249 Extras
Total 24 Flashing

25 Kitchen and other Countertops
   251 Countertops
   259 Extras
Total 25 Kitchen and other Countertops

26 Wallpaper
   261 Wallpaper M&L
   269 Extras
Total 26 Wallpaper

27 Temporary Service
   271 Electric
   272 Porto-Can
Total 27 Temporary Service

90 Change Orders
Total 90 Change Orders

95 Warranty
Total 95 Warranty


Land
Total Land

Demolition
Total Demolition

Misc. Labor
Total Misc. Labor

Unclassified
Total unclassified






Finish Schedule
You can make a list like this to record most finish selections.
                                                                                                                               
Exterior:
Stone-
Mortar-
Siding-
Stucco-
Paint-
Sconces-
Flood lights-
Other-
                           
                                                 
Front Porch-
Flooring-
Lights-
Other-


Rear Porch-
Flooring-
Lights-
Other-


All Rooms:
All interior doors unless specified-
Door knob style-                                                                         
Ext. knobs-
Ext. deadbolts-
Elect. switch style-
Switch color-
Other-


Entry:
Ext. door:
Flooring-
Base Moldings-
Door & Window Trim-
Crown Molding-
Other Trim-
Light-
Paint/Finish-
walls-
ceiling-
trim-
Other-



Living Room:
Ext door:
Flooring-
Base Moldings-
Door & Window Trim-
Crown Molding-
Other Trim-
Cabinet Material/Finish-
Cab. pulls-
Fireplace-
Fan/Light-
Other Lights
Paint/Finish-
Other-



Bedroom 2
Flooring-
Base Moldings-
Door & Window Trim-
Crown Molding-
Other Trim-
Fan/Light-
Cabinet Material/Finish-
Cab. pulls-
Paint/Finish-



Dining:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Rec. Lights-
Light-


Office:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Shelves-
Fan-
Door-


Kitchen:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Under cab. lights-
Island lights-
Over cab. lights-
Sink-
Ovens-
Dishwasher-
Vent hood-
Cooktop-
Refrigerator-
Countertop-


Utility:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Sink-
Sink faucet-


Utility Hall:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Light-


Stairs:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Light-
Handrail-


½ Bath
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Sink-
Sink faucet-
Toilet-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Vanity lights-


Garage:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Water heater-
Garage doors-
Door openers-
Util. entry door-
Lights-


Bedroom 1:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Fan-


Bedroom 1 Hall:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Light-


Bathroom 1:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Sink-
Sink faucet-
Toilet-
Tub-
Tub faucet-
Shower-
Shower faucet-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Vanity lights-
Ceiling light-


Bedroom 2:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Fan-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-


Bathroom 2:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Sink-
Sink faucet-
Toilet-
Tub-
Tub faucet-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Vanity lights-


Bedroom 3:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Fan-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-


Bathroom 3:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Sink-
Sink faucet-
Toilet-
Tub-
Tub faucet-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Vanity lights-


Bedroom 4:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Fan-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-


Bathroom 4:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Sink-
Sink faucet-
Toilet-
Tub-
Tub faucet-
Cabinets-
Cab. pulls-
Vanity lights-
Attic Door-


Bonus Room:
Flooring-
Walls-
Moldings-
Fan-
Attic Door-




Here is an old Set of Specifications.
Every Builder will have their own system for making specifications allowances, finish choices, etc. but this will give you some idea of the choices in actual construction.



Material Specifications

Address: 
Legal:
Job Description:
Homeowners:


SITE PREP:
   Remove top soil at foundation area

SITE UTILITIES:                   
    Septic: city sewer system
    Sewer: 4" Stub out
    Electric: 200 amp service 
    Water: 3/4" line tied  in to existing service
    Gas: Natural gas

FOUNDATION:                                                     
    Foundation Type: monolithic slab with piers     
    Concrete: 5 sack 3000psi
    Steel type: Grade 60
    Perimeter Beams: 6 -#6 rebar            Depth: 36"
    Interior Beams: 6 - #6 rebar                    Depth: 30"-36"
    2x2x#6 corner bars at T’s and corners
    Slab: #3 rebar 12" each way Depth: 4.5"
    Vapor Barrier: 6 mil poly     
    Termite Protection: by certified applicator

PLUMBING:
   Water piping under slab:  type K copper fully sleeved in utility grade plastic         pipe, hot water lines insulated
   Water piping above slab: type L
   Sewer piping:  Schedule 40 PVC
   Exterior Faucets: three
   Water Heater: two - 40 gallon Natural gas
   Natural Gas Locations: water heaters, fireplace,  HVAC, dryer, cooktop,  3 ext.     stub outs
 
ELECTRICAL: 
     220v Service: Dryer, Oven,
    Outlet and Switch Style:
    Service Location and Type:
           
FRAMING:                                                                     
   Exterior walls: 16" o.c. 2x4 syp with foam plate sealer
   All Base plates: Treated
   Interior walls: 16" o.c. 2x4 syp
   Sheathing: 3/4" foil face insulative sheathing over all exterior walls                       Sheathing Tape: Parsec aluminized solar-type film tape
   2nd Floor Joist: 2x12 sy p
   2nd Floor Decking: 1-1/8" t&g plywood
   Joists/Rafters: #2 SYP size per code/plan
   Roof Decking: ½" OSB with foil face
   Cornice: Hardiplank
   Soffit: rough-sawn 3/8" Hardiplank 
   Soffit Vents: continuous
   Roof Vents: continuous ridge 
   Siding: Stone and Stucco


EXTERIOR DOORS:
   All exterior doors: adjustable aluminum threshold, double bore, steel,  built in      foam weatherstrip
   Front Door: owners choice


WINDOWS:
   -Pella  -aluminum exterior, natural pine wood interior, double glaze, tan finish, double  hung,  fiberglass        screens


HVAC: 
   Make: York
   Duct Material: Flexduct
   Efficiency: 12 SEER
   Size: 6 ton
   Heat Type: Natural Gas
   Outside air vent heat exchanger

FIREPLACE:
   Type: zero clearance, gas starter, gas log set
   Trim: stone, 8" high raised hearth

MASONRY:
   Brick Size/Type: natural Stone
   Mortar: type S white
   Special Details:

INSULATION:
    Exterior walls: R-16 blown cellulose
   Ceilings: R-30 Blown in fiberglass
   Will comply with College Station Good Cents requirements

ROOFING:  Owners choice of color             
   Type: Elk 30 year High profile or equivalent
   Felt Paper: 30 pound
   Drip Edge: Style D galvanized
   Valleys: weave

FLASHING:
   18ga. Paint grip galvanized aluminum

SHEET ROCK:                                                                 
   Interior Walls: ½" Ceilings: ½"
   Outside Corners: metal
   Special items: rounded corners, stucco texture in living areas




APPLIANCES:
   Included:  cooktop, dishwasher, venthood, double oven, microwave, built-in Refrigerator



SYNTHETIC MARBLE:
      Sink Style: ceramic drop in
  Bathtub/Shower: tile


FINISH CARPENTRY:  See Plan and Finish schedule

PAINT:    See Plan and Finish schedule


COUNTERTOPS:
   Kitchen: granite or solid surface
   Utility: plastic laminate

DRIVEWAY and SIDEWALK:
   Finish: exposed aggregate
   Thickness: 4"
   Concrete: 5 sack 3000 psi
   Reinforcement: #3 rebar 16" o.c. each way
   Control Joints: aluminum  no more than 12' on center
 
GLASS and MIRRORS:
   Bathtub/Shower Door: only in bath 2
   Mirrors: 36" tall, full width over bathroom sink vanities

FLOORING: See Plan and Finish schedule

ROOF GUTTERS: over front and rear porches only

HARDWARE: See Plan and Finish schedule



LANDSCAPING:
      Owners choice within allowance

SPECIALTY  SYSTEMS: 
Lawn Sprinkler System:   yes
 
Speaker/surround sound System:
 
Vacuum System: yes
 
Security System: prewire
 

FENCE:  not included

PATIO/DECKS:
 
LIGHT FIXTURES: See Plan and Finish schedule

PLUMBING FIXTURES: See Plan and Finish schedule

WALL PAPER: See Plan and Finish schedule

WINDOW COVERINGS: owners choice within allowance