For all of our projects, Comet Studios helps our clients develop a comprehensive Project Program that involves creating and maintaining realistic Project Budget goals and objectives. As part of this service, Comet Studios introduces important construction cost information to help establish a realistic Project Budget that is then monitored and maintained by ongoing project cost analysis. 

Confused about where to begin, what to do & how to get there? Comet Studios can help by working with you every step of the way!

Whatever stage you are in with your project, we look forward to an opportunity to help you establish and achieve your financial goals with realistic solutions that provide a better quality of life while at the same time protecting and enhancing your investment. Drawing on our substantial experience and insight, we can offer flexible, cost effective and efficient support that is custom tailored to each individual project’s requirements, regardless of project size.

To help you get started, Comet Studios offers the following construction cost information. 

 

Green Building Construction Cost Guide

Download the PDF Comet Studios Construction Costs PDF»

Following Construction Cost Guidelines are provided for the Santa Fe & Taos area. Taos Ski Valley costs will run higher regardless of home type, due to location, high altitude climate, snow load requirements & weather conditions.

 

construction costs green building guidelines0. Typical Santa Fe Custom House Cost at the lower end of what is possible:

Onsite Utilities (builder’s cost): $20,000
2,000 s.f. home @ $200/sf (builder’s cost): $400,000
300 s.f. attached portals @ $115/sf (builder’s cost): $34,500
500 s.f. garage @ $100/sf (builder’s cost): $50,000
Subtotal: $504,000
15% Profit & Overhead: $75,675
8% Gross receipts tax: $46,374
Grand total: $626,049

 

Even in these changeable economic times, construction costs and the cost of living continue to go up, making it more and more important to establish a realistic and affordable construction budget that adequately covers all relevant project costs. The following detailed cost information is provided to help you program your project in a manner that fully meets your needs and financial requirements. 

* indicates material only, uninstalled Contractor’s profit/overhead and gross receipts tax not included. p.s.f = per square foot

 

comet1a1. GENERAL COSTS

 

• Economy merchant-built home: $150-$190 p.s.f.
• Low-end custom home: $200-$225 p.s.f.
• Mid-range custom home: $225-$275 p.s.f.
• High-end custom home: $300 p.s.f. and up,
• Taos Ski Valley rates are significantly higher for all custom home types due to cost of building in snow country
• 2×6 garage, insulated, slab, stucco, sheetrock: $85-$120 p.s.f.
• Typical portal w. slab floor: $85-$100 p.s.f.
• Typical carport w. slab floor: $85-$100 p.s.f.
• Typical kitchen: $300-$350 p.s.f.
• Typical bath: $250-$300 p.s.f.
• Typical LR or BR: $150-$1750 p.s.f.
• Permits per $1,000: $2.50-$4.75
• Workers Comp insurance: 15-20% of payroll
• Contractor profit & overhead: typically 15% , can be 10% on 10%
• Gross Receipts tax: Taos town 8.1875%, Taos Ski Valley 8.6875%, Taos county 7.125%, Santa Fe County 7.0%, Angel Fire 7.7708%
• Annual price increases: historically 5-7%,  recently lower

 

comet1a2. SITE DEVELOPMENT

 

•  Waterwell w. PVC casing $28-$34 p.f.
•  add for steel casing $5-7 p.f.
•  typical pump/wire/control package:  $5,000-$7,000
• 300’ waterwell complete: $15,000-$20,000
• 750 conc. tank for well housing: $1,250
• 1,000 gal. septic system: $4,000-$6,000
• 1,500 gal. septic system: $5,000-$7,500
• 3” sewer line  with trench: $6.50-$8.00 p.l.f.
• 4” sewer line with trench: $7.50-$9.00 p.l.f.
• 1” natural gas line  with trench: $6.00 p.l.f.
• 1” LP gas line with trench: $6.00 p.l.f.
• 1” wirsbo water line  with trench: $8.00 p.l.f.
• 1” Sch. 40 PVC w. trench: $7.50 p.l.f.
• Primary underground electric line*: $3.95 p.l.f.
• Electrical transformer: varies• 100amp meter base with disconnect: $800-$1,200
• 200amp meter base with disconnect: $1,200-$1,600
• Secondary underground electric cable*: $3.50-$5.00 p.l.f.
• 14’ wide roadway (graded, 6” base course): $14-$16 p.l.f.
• 18’ x 12”culvert: $400-$500
4’ deep utility trench: $4.00-$7.00 p.l.f.
• Backhoe/bobcat per hour: $80-$100
• Underground telephone line: $0-$2.00 p.l.f.

 

comet1a3. UNIT COSTS

 

• 2’x 2’ footing trench: $3.50-$6.50 p.l.f.
• 10”x 24” concrete footings: $14-$18 p.l.f.
• 8” CMU stem wall, three courses: $22-$25 p.l.f.
• Concrete slab including subgrade:  $10-$15 p.s.f.
• 1” insulation beneath slab: $1.00-$1.50 p.s.f.
• 2” insulation beneath slab: $2.00-$3.00 p.s.f.
• Complete typ. foundations through slab: $24-$28 p.s.f.
• Tinted concrete: add  $1.00 p.s.f.
• Acid stained concrete: add $5.00-$8.00 p.s.f.
• 11-¼” joisted TJI subfloor w. ¾” ply: $8.00-$10.00 p.s.f..
• Wall systems: see #6 below
• 2×4 partitions: $12-$14 p.l.f.
• 2×6 partitions: $14-$18 p.l.f.
• Drywall ½” taped/textured: $2.00-$2.50 p.s.f.
• Windows*:  3248 clad casement, lo-e: $400-$450 economy 3248 clad casement: $200
• Skylights: 22”x46” and 46”x46”*: $140/$180
• 2246 operable skylight*: $350
• 2246 Velux roof window*: $775
• 10” Solatube skylight*: $325
• 8” vigas*: $6.00 p.l.f. 
• 10” vigas*: $6.50 p.l.f.
• 12” vigas*: $7.50 p.l.f.
• 6×8 roughcut beams*: $4.00 p.l.f.
• 8×8 roughcut beams*: $6.00 p.l.f.
• Ceilings p.s.f.:  10” viga/herringbone aspen latilla: $15-$18 10” viga/coved plaster: $16-$2010” viga/herringbone roughcut: $12-$14 10” viga/herringbone T&G: $11-$14 deduct for 6×8 beams: $1.00
• Roof framing:  2×8 sys. with ⅝” CDX: $9-$11 p.s.f.
• Engineered trusses*: $7-$9 p.l.f.
• ⅝” CDX Roof Deck: $1.75-$2.00 p.s.f
• Canale w. galvanized flashing*: $325
• Canale w. copper flashing*: $475•
 Extended viga canopies, copper: $65-$85
• 2” rigid polystyrene insulation (walls):  $1.00-$1.20 p.s.f.
• 2×6 R-19 batt insulation: $.80-$1.00 p.s.f.
• 2×10 R-30 batts: $1.00-$1.25 p.s.f.
• 2×12 R-38 batts: $1.25-$1.50  p.s.f.
• R-38 blown-in: $1.25-$1.50 p.s.f.
• 2” spray foam insulation (walls):  $2.50-$3.00 p.s.f.
• Typ. insulation package for 2,000 sf 2×6 home:  $4,000-$6,000
• Brai roofing: $2.25-$3.50 p.s.f.
• “Pro-Panel” metal roofing: $2.25-$2.75 p.s.f.
• 5” foam roof system: $6.00-7.00 psf.
• 26 ga. galv. corrugated roofing: $ 4.00-$7.00 p.s.f.
• Interior chicken wire for plaster: $15-$18 per square yard (9s.f.)
• 2-coat floated structolite plaster w. wirecoat:  $36-$40 p.s.y.
• 3-coat hardtroweled interior plaster w. wirecoat: $40-$55 p.s.y.
• Tinted plaster add: $.50-$.85 p.s.f.*
• 2-coats interior paint: $.90 – $1.10 p.s.f.
• Stain/seal per 2,000sf  house: $12,000-$15,000
• Seal/stain wood ceiling:$3.50 p.s.f.
• Door finish, 3 coats: $165
• Wood window finish, 3 coats: $150
• Exterior stucco netting for plaster: $12-$15 p.s.y.
• 2-coat  stucco system w. wirecoat: $36-$40 p.s.y.
• 3-coat conventional plaster system w. wirecoat : $40-$45 p.s.y..
• 3-coat elastomeric plaster system w. wirecoat:  $45-$50 p.s.y. add for reinforcing mesh: $ 1.50 p.s.y.
• Super saltillo tile: $7-$9 p.s.f.*
• Labor p.s.f. for floor tile: $7-$9•
 2-¼” brick pavers on slab: $8.00-$10.00 p.s.f.
• Flagstone on slab:  $20-$24 p.s.f. and up
• #2 red oak strip flooring with baseboard:  $12-$15 p.s.f.
• Base custom cabinets: $275-$375 p.l.f.
• Prep for countertop: $5-$9 p.l.f.
• Upper custom cabinets: $225-$275 p.l.f.
• Granite/marble slab countertop: $100-$175 p.s.f.
• Sandstone slab countertop: $100-$150 p.s.f.
• Talavera tile countertop: $12-$16 p.s.f.
• Tumbled marble countertop: $15-$20 p.s.f.
• Maple countertop: $12-$15 p.s.f.
• Caesarstone countertop: $100-$120 p.s.f.
• Typical shower pan w. mudbed: $350-$500
• Talavera tile surround: $10-$12 p.s.f.
• Tumbled marble tile surround: $15-$20 p.s.f.
• Prep surfaces for surround tile: $4-$6 p.s.f.
• Typical labor charge for kitchen/bath tile: $10-$15 p.s.f.
• Tiled bath nicho: $200-$300
• Typ. bathroom fan: $400-$500
• Cedar deck including posts and railing:  $20-$25 p.s.f.
• 8”x 8” glass block: $18-$20 p.s.f.*
• Typ. shower door: $275-$350
• Frameless shower door: $800-$1,500
• Mirrors: $7-$8  p.s.f.• Closet systems: $15-$50 p.l.f.
• Nichos each: $200
• Arches each: $300• Pre-hung 2868 doors $250-$750 and up  exterior 3068 doors $500-$900 and up
• Door hardware  $40-$150* and up exterior $350-$1,000 and up
• 7’x16’ garage door: $1,200-$2,000*
• ½ h.p. door opener: $325*
• Corner fireplaces: $5,000-$7,500
• CMU core for stone fireplace $7,000-$12,000
• Stone fireplace finish: $10,000-$20,000
• Woodstove: $2,000-$3,000*
• Woodstove chimney system: $300-$500*
• Gas space heater: $2,000-$3,500*
• Stairs, oak: $275-$425 per riser
• Anasazi stone veneer: $25-$40 p.s.f.
• Random stone veneer: $40-$65 p.s.f.
• Refrigerator: $750-$2,000* and up
• Cooktop: $750-$1,500* and up
• Double wall oven: $1,000-$2,000* and up
• Slide-in range: $500-$1,200* and up
• Dishwasher: $300-$700* and up
•Microwave: $150-$300* and up
• Clothes washer: $500-$1,200* and up
• Clothes dryer:  $500-$1,200* and up
• Hot tub: $3,000-$7,000* and up
• Central vacuum systems: $2,500-$5,000

 

comet1a4. PLUMBING & HEATING

 

• 30 gal. pressure tank: $400-$550*
• Water softener: $1,200-$3,000*
• Backwashing sediment filter: $500-800*
• Cartridge sediment filter: $100-$250*
• Whole house activated carbon filter  $2,000-$3,000*
• Reverse osmosis system: $500-$1,500*
• Radiant heat 12” centers. tubing only:  $2.00 p.s.f.
• Radiant heat 6” centers, tubing only:  $3.00 p.s.f.
• Hot water baseboard p.l.f: $12-$15
• Controls/valves per heating zone: $600-$700
• Boiler for typical 2,000sf house: $4,000-$6,000
• 40 gal. hi-recovery hot water heater:  $800-$1,000*
• 40 gal. “Sidekick” hot water storage tank:  $1,300-$1,600*
• Swamp cooler: $2,000-$2,500
• Air conditioning: $18-$22 p.s.f.
• Recirc pump and piping for hot water:  $600-$800
• 120 BTU on-demand water heater:  $1,000-$1,500*
• Floor drain: $300-$400
• Rough-in per fixture: $750-$1,000
• Installation per fixture: $350-$500
• Ductwork per bathroom fan: $170-$210
• Ductwork per range hood: $225-$325
• Frost-free hose faucet: $100-$150
• Frost-free standpipe faucet: $200-$300
• Typical cast iron bathtub: $600-$800*
• Typical tub/shower valve: $175-$350*
• Typical shower valve: $250-$500*
• Typical lav faucet: $150-$250*
• Typical toilet: $400-$600*
• Typical 2-basin stainless kitchen sink:250-$300
• Typical kitchen faucet with sprayer*: $250-$400
• Typical vitreous lavatory*: $125-$200

 

comet1a5. ELECTRICAL WIRING

 

• 100 Amp breaker panel: $600-$800
• 200 Amp breaker panel: $800-$1,200
• Rough-in and dacora trim per switch or plug:  $80-$110
• Rough-in per light fixture or 110.v appliance:  $80-$110
• 220v 50’ to oven or hot tub: $600-$800
• 220v 50’ to dryer: $300-$400
• Typical bathroom fan less ductwork: $90-$110
• Typical bathroom fan/light/heater less  ductwork: $300-$450
• Floor devices–electrical or telephone:  $250-$300
• Central surge protection: $400-$600
• Rough-in per doorbell and chime: $250-$350
• Rough-in and trim per audio speaker:  $150-$200
• Rough-in and trim per telephone jack: $80-$100
• Rough-in and trim per TV jack: $80-$100
• Rough-in and trim per Cat-5 outlet: $95–$115
• Typical dimmer installed: $100-$135
• Typical recessed light installed: $100-$135
• Typical LV recessed light installed: $175-$250
• Low voltage transformer installed: $250-$325
• Surfacemount light fixture installation $65-$90*
• 18” closet fluorescent: $35*• Ceiling fixtures, basic: $20-$75*
• Wall sconce, ceramic or copper: $50-$175*
• Monopoints: $40-$75*
• 8’ track: $60-$80• Track light fixtures: $50-$150*
• Lo-voltage track fixtures w. transformer: $150-$250*
• Exterior floods: $40-$50*
• Bathroom bar lights: $50-$150*
• Bathroom valances, copper: $100-$250*
• Doorbell and chime: $40-$125*
• Ceiling fan: $150-$300*

 

comet1a6. COMPARATIVE COSTS:  

 

Wall systems
(for 8’ high plaster-prepped wall from slab to and including bond beam: R-value adjusted to reflect actual performance)
• 14” rastra $130-$135 p.l.f. (R=40)
• 12” rastra $125-$130 p.l.f. (R=36)
• 10” rastra $120-$125 p.l.f. (R=32)
• 14” adobe with 2” insulation $100-$110 p.l.f. (R=22)
• 10” adobe with 2” insulation $90-$100 p.l.f. (R=19)
• 14” pumice-crete $95-$105 p.l.f. (R=24-28)
• 18” strawbale with timberframe structure  $55-$60 p.l.f. (R=46-48)
• 2×6 frame, drywall int., plywood ext.  $60-$70 p.l.f. (R=19)
• 2×8 frame, drywall int. plywood ext.  $65-$80 p.l.f. (R=24) • 2×10 frame, drywall int. plywood ext.  $70-$80 p.l.f. (R=30)

 

comet1a7. SPECIALTY SYSTEMS

 

• Typical security system – rough-in only:  $350-$875
• Typical security system – complete:  $2,000-$3,000
• Security monitoring: $30/month
• Satellite TV– usually free  w. subscription• Satellite internet: $100 to install plus $50-$70/mo.
• Whole house cellular interface: $500-$1,000 Smart thermostats: $300-$500* Data panel for low-voltage interface:  $300 – $500*
• “Structured” wiring for audio/video/telecom:  $275-$375/drop
•  LCD TV: $700* and up
• Home theater components: $250* (basic)  $1,000* and up (quality)
• Whole house state of the art audio-video:  $20,000 and up
• Fire suppression system: $15-$20 p.s.f.
• Central vacuum system: $3,500-$4,000

 

comet1a8. LANDSCAPING

 

 (installed including soil amendments)
• 1-gal. plant: $11-$15
• 5-gal. plant: $48-$55
• 15-gal. plant: $150-$215
• Bluegrass sod  w. 4” topsoil: $4-$6 p.s.f.
• Pinon per foot: $25-$30*
• Pine or spruce per foot: $25-$30*
• Fruit tree, 5 gal.: $50-$60
• Fruit tree, 15 gal.: $150-$200
• Shade tree, 15 gal.: $200-$250
• Weed barrier installed: $.35 p.s.f.
• 4” topsoil: $ .75 p.s.f.
•Shredded bark topping installed: $.56 p.s.f.
• typical 4-zone drip irrigation timer/filter/valvesfrom underground supply: $1,500-$2,000
• Drip irrigation per plant: $3-$6
• Water features: $1,500 and up
• 6’-8’ latilla fence: $20-$30 p.l.f.
• 6’ masonry wall: $50-$200 p.l.f.
• Mossrock walls per s.f. of face: $25-$30
• Boulders: $100-$600
• Flagstone on sand: $15-$20 p.s.f.
• Flagstone on concrete: $20-$25p.s.f.
• Brick on sand: $10-$12 p.s.f.
• Low voltage lighting per fixture: $20-$120

 

comet1a9. RELATED COSTS

 

• Appraisal per plans/specs: $500-$750
• Appraisal of house: $500-$750
• Certified home inspection: $275-$500
• Builder’s Risk insurance per $100,000:  $20-$42
• Water test, local: $75-$100
• Water test, National Testing Laboratories, $325
• Realtors’ commission, improved property: 6%
• Mortgage: may qualify for loans up to 80% of  value of property. Costs and rates vary.
• Survey, typ. house on 2 acre:$1,000-$1,500
• Improvement location report: $400
• ½ acre topographical survey: $1,000-$1,200

 

comet1a10. GREEN BUILDING AND  RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

 

 

A. Electricity
• Photo-voltaic system w. batteries for typical 2,000 sf house: $18,000-$28,000*
• 12KW automatic back-up generator:  $3,000-5,000*
• Gridtie PV system for 2,000 sf house:  $10,000-$20,000*
• 500 watt wind turbine: $700 and up*
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs: $10-$30*
• Solar-Ready Rough-in: $3000

B. Hot Water
• 120K BTU tankless water heater: $1,000-$1,500*
• 80 gallon hot water storage tank w. heat exchanger: $1,200-$1,600*
• 4×8 solar hot water collector: $1,000-$1,500*
• Basic 80 gallon active solar hot water system: $5,000-$7,000 installed
• State-of-the-art active solar heat and hot water system for 2,000sf house: (seven panels, controls, tank & heat exchanger, radiant tubing on 6” centers) $35,000-$45,000 installed less tax credits.
• 60 gallon passive solar water heater in clerestory: $1,500-$3,000

C. Water Systems
• Underground plastic cistern $1.50-$2..00 per gallon installed
• 30 gallon pressure tank: $300-$500*
• Solar waterwell pump packages:  $3,500-$7,500*
• Whole house filtration for roof catchment supply: $1,250-$1,750

D. Wastewater and Solid Waste
• Complete graywater system (per NM code w. dedicated septic tank, split black/graywater lines, aeration/circulation, storage tank):  $15,000-$25,000
• Plastic water tank only: $1.50-$1.75 gal.
• Cost of split black/graywater lines only:  $2,500-$4,500
• Interior wetlands planter for graywater treatment: $4,000-$6,000
• Composting toilet: $1,200-$2,500*

E. Energy-efficient Appliances and Add-ons
• clothesline: $5.00• Conserve energy-efficient refrigerator:  $1,000-$1,400*
• Sunfrost 19 c.f.energy-efficient refrigerator: $3,500*
• Staber energy-efficient clothes washer:  $1,400-$2,000*
• Premier spark ignition ranges: $500-$1,500*
• LP refrigerator $1,200-$1,600*
• insulating window coverings: $15 p.s.f and up
• hot water tank insulating jacket: $25-$40*
• weatherstripping, typical exterior door: $7-$15

F. General Construction / Healthy Home
• Typical 4’w. x 8’ h. section of trombe wall  (6” CMU plastered two sides; 4676 PDR glazing):  $200-$225 p.l.f.
• Two-coat adobe interior plaster system, no wire coat: $25-$35 p.s.y.
• Micaceous clay slip coat: $10-$12 p.s.y.
• Adobe floor: $10-$12 p.s.f.
• Radon abatement system: $1,500-$2,000 for  typical 2,000sf house.
• Reverse osmosis water filter: $400-$1,800*
• Whole house activated carbon water filter:  $2,000-$3,000*
• Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system for supertight homes or people with environmental sensitivities: $7,000-$10,000

 

comet1aESTIMATED REMODELING COSTS:

 

Demolition is approximately 10% of improvement costs and is included in the following:
• Typical whole house remodel: $75-$150 p.s.f.
• Radical whole house remodel: $150-$225 p.s.f.
• Complete bathroom remodel: $200-$250 p.s.f.
• Complete kitchen remodel: $200-250/p.s.f.
• Typical bedroom/living room remodel:  $50-$100 p.s.f.

comet1aGreen Remodeling Improvements

 

Top-rated For Cost-effectiveness And Performance:

Insulation:
• add 2” of foam roofing over the existing roof (adding R-11): $6 p.s.f.
• weatherstripping replacement $50 per window  or door

Heating:
• complete active solar system for radiant heat  and domestic hot water: $25,000-$35,000  for a 2,000 s.f. house
• passive 60 gallon hot water pre-heater in clerestory: $5,000-$7,000

Daylighting:
• 10” Solatube $400*
• 14” Solatube $500*
• Solar greenhouse (site-built; fully glazed south wall, partially glazed roof): basic working shell: $125-$150 p.s.f.

Window coverings:
• industry-standard Hunter-Douglas duettes;  $25-$40 p.s.f.

Water Quality:
• Whole-house activated carbon filter  $2,000-$3,000*• point-of-delivery reverse osmosis: $500-$750*

Natural Cooling: 

• Portals over east/west windows $95-$115 p.s.f.

• convective cooling, included as part of the green building design usually at very little or no additional construction cost. 

  

For more information please visit other areas of this website or contact John directly by email at comet@cometstudios.com or call: 505.231.1454.