I would like to find out in general (without having a specific plan)
what the price/cost of building a house is in Los Angeles county (more
specifically San Fernando Valley, more specifically in Woodland Hills,
Tarzana, Encino, Chatsworth, West Hills, Canoga Park, Studio City).

I am looking for any articles that describe how much it costs to build
a house, how much a particular house cost to build, price per sq. ft.
and what it depends on, what are the things that influence the price,
mentions of any good general contractors, and everything else that
relates to buying land in Los Angeles, building a house, and cost of
building a house. Any articles, online materials, book titles, etc.
would be highly appreciated. Any material on building a custom house
in Los Angeles area will be appreciated.

---

Clarification of Question by bublikus-ga on 09 Jan 2004 13:29 PST

I am particularly interested how much more it costs to build in the
hills... For example, 2000 sq. ft. house in the hills in Woodland
Hills... maybe someone know a specific contractor who builds in that
area... Thank you

<Cost of building a house.

The Mountain Tech Builders site has a good explanation of the costs
involved with a custom built house. They are California based
contractors. As a starting point they quote $75.00 per square foot for
a basic house, $20/sq ft for an attached garage and $25/sq foot for a
detached garage as a starting point.

The basic house comprises a square or rectangular floor plan with a
small kitchen, one bathroom and attached garage. It is built on an
insulated concrete slab with sheet plywood siding and a single ridge
line roof covered with asphalt shingles. Permits and utility costs are
paid by the owner.

Materials used are:
Aluminium or vinyl windows, manufactured wood composition lap siding,
25 year asphalt shingle roofing, LP gas forced air furnace and water
heater, fibreglass tub shower units, floor coverings at $22 per square
yard, factory built hardwood door cabinets and Formica counter tops.

Additional costs:
Using an architect adds 10-20% to the cost.
A sloping lot of greater than 1-2%  adds 10% to the cost. If the slope
is over 10% then an extra 20% need to be added to the cost.
Utility connections and permits ? I have seen quotes on other sites of
$10,000 ? the costs very much depend on what is available on site as
regards easy connections to utilities.
A floor plan that is not square or rectangular adds to the cost.
A more complicated roof is also more expensive.
Alternative materials ? the site explains how the use of different
materials changes the cost. For example if you want more expensive
windows or a roof made with longer lasting materials. The choice of
more expensive bathroom and kitchen fittings can also push up the
price.

The site gives an explanation of  how the price will change for your
specified materials.
http://www.mountain-tech-builders.com/owners_guide.htm#Costs%20and%20Cost%20Factors%20....

For a house of 2000 sq foot, basic building costs at $75/sq foot are
$150,000. The budget for permits and fees adds an additional $10,000.
This gives a price of $160,000. This is just for the building and does
not include the price of land.

-------------------------------------------------


Building your dream home 101
http://2working4you.com/building_a_custom_home.htm

The case for hiring an architect.
http://gardenhomearchitects.com/04-05-The_Case_for_Hiring_an_Architect.htm

Home Design ? A Design of Your Own by Tom Stephani.
http://www.homebuilder.com/customhomes/Articles/hb_ch_story14.asp?poe=homebuilder

Custom home building check list.
http://www.sundquistassociates.com/custom_checklist.html

Building the dream home by Greg Bistram looks at the legal
practicalities. http://www.prairielaw.com/articles/article.asp?articleid=1369&channelId=16


Books to get you started on your new house.
http://www.katherinesalant.com/articles/article.php?nav=6,2&id=54&pid=15



-------------------------------------------------
Contractors providing testimonials.

George Hess Construction.
http://www.ghessconstruction.com/testimonials.html

Pinnacle Custom Homes.
http://www.pinnaclecustomhomes.org/testimonials.htm

Musson Building
http://www.mussonbuilding.com/testimonials.htm

-------------------------------------------------
Buying land.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers advice
about buying land on its website. It advises buyers to take great care
before agreeing to buy a plot of land.

The Interstate Land Sales program protects consumers from fraud and
abuse in the sale or lease of land.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ils/ilshome.cfm

Advice on buying land from a developer.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ils/buyinglots.pdf>


<Search strategy:>

<"custom built" "per sq ft">
<://www.google.com/search?q=%22custom+built%22+%22per+sq+ft%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N>

<"building a custom home" california testimonials>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22building+a+custom+home%22+california&as_q=testimonials>

<"buying land" tips>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22buying+land%22+tips>


<Hope this helps.>

Look at the home exterior section at www.pricesearch.org/exterior.html
that may have some detailed answers