New house cost?

[AGDAlum]

What's an approximate price for a new chapter house? I'm thinking new construction, capacity 60.

I don't have anything in mind; just curious.

[AOIIalum]

There are a LOT of variables involved. IIRC, I think a bunch of the recent new build sorority houses I'm aware of have been in the $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 range.

Some of the variables include:

Land cost (which could be higher or lower depending on region of country, physical location and if there is even land available or not.)

Type of structure (multi-floors, full or partial or no basement, handicap access, etc.)

Physical systems (furnace/boiler, hot water tanks, wiring, a/c, etc.) This can be really costly, but worth it to put in the top quality available. Also, do not skimp on electrical outlets in bedrooms!!! With the amount of electrical stuff most college students use, be as generous as possible in this area!

Furnishings (definitely lower or higher based on what you already own.) If you have to purchase everything new, you'll need a LOT! Beds, dressers, desks & chairs for 60; dining room furnishings to accomodate chapter dinners; kitchen appliances and accessories; living/parlor and rec rooms; house director apartment; and so on. If you plan to do a computer room or a workout room, then there's even more you can spend

Does any of this even close to answer your question? Hope it helps a little!

[Kevin]

When you construct one, DEFINITELY spend the extra $ to make the thing last. Instead of wood frame/sheet rock type construction, consider steel frame and poured concrete -- saves lots of renovation $ over time.

Our Delta Epsilon's chapter house over at Oklahoma University is one of those more resiliant structures. Their living room floor is made out of this damned near indestructable stuff, so each year, there is a party in which they unload a truck of sand in the living room.

The rooms are poured concrete/steel frame. It's probably saved the house from burning down. I remember one of their alums who sits on our housing corp telling us about a fire they had in one of those rooms that totally gutted that room -- destroyed everything. The rooms adjacent, however, were untouched.

Slap a coat of paint on it every few years and it's good to go.

[Betarulz!]

Originally posted by AOIIalum


Also, do not skimp on electrical outlets in bedrooms!!! With the amount of electrical stuff most college students use, be as generous as possible in this area!

For the love of all that is holy don't skimp on them...

Believe me I speak from experience. In my chapter house, there are 4-5 rooms on a single 15 amp circuit breaker. When it's hot and everyone has their window AC's in...well lets just say that 15 amps is severely inadequete.

[aopirose]

I agree with what everyone else has said. So many things go into it that it is hard to get an exact price. Some of these things are aesthetic and others are required by code. I know that our house at Indiana was almost double the original estimate because the university, who had final approval, did major changes to the final plan. Looking at the new construction at FSU, the houses are going for ~$3.5 - 4 million. The Pike house is expected to be 40,000 sq. ft., house 58 men and cost ~$4 million. http://www.fsupikes.com/house%20groundbreaking.htm

[Glitter650]

Soooo much depends on where you are... I mean just fairly regular houses with like 3 bedrooms and no other amenities sell for around a million dollars around my campus... and if your area is ,in general, a more expensive area of the country then cost of construction goes up as well...

[PhiPsiRuss]

The part of the country will dictate costs. A union state will have higher construction costs than a right to work state.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by aopirose
I agree with what everyone else has said. So many things go into it that it is hard to get an exact price. Some of these things are aesthetic and others are required by code. I know that our house at Indiana was almost double the original estimate because the university, who had final approval, did major changes to the final plan. Looking at the new construction at FSU, the houses are going for ~$3.5 - 4 million. The Pike house is expected to be 40,000 sq. ft., house 58 men and cost ~$4 million. http://www.fsupikes.com/house%20groundbreaking.htm

I have been checking out that link. I am shocked by the entire process. The alumni have donated over $2 million. They are some loyal and rich alumni! I never realized how expensive fraternity houses are.

[dakareng]

If you are building new, there will be fire codes that older homes are exempted from. A sprinkler system may be required and certainly should be considered (would really cut future insurance costs). This is not the time to skimp on construction... If you have to cut costs on somthing, make it furnishings that you're more likely to get donations to pay for (alumnae love to have their names on chairs, etc but aren't as enamoured with paying for the roof, or central AC or more bathrooms).

Land availablity and costs can be the biggest limitation though.

[ncstatetke]

our new house alone was ~$3million

it sleeps 42, has 17 bathrooms, an industrial kitchen, elevator, laundry room, etc. the land was around $500K, but our parking lot has 55 spaces and we own land up and down a cul-de-sac which has room for another 30 cars

keep up those positive relationships with your alums. to live in this house costs us the same as living back on campus and the loan, since the house was paid for by one benefactor, is interest-free

[decadence]

See also this Greek Life thread - link.

[Tom Earp]

There is a lot depending on this:

1. do you own the land?

2. Do you have to by the land?

3. Figure @ 7.50 to 8.00 a square foot for building
only.

4. What are the sizes of the Houses around you?

Well, how do I know this?

I am on the House Corporation and We have looked into many asspects! So I do have a perspective of what is happening!

Can you rent a house for a period of time, with a long lease, will it give you a better deal?

Do you have someone in Chapter or National who can give you advisorie heads up?

First thing Not To Do is put your selves so in debt that you cannot make it!

[madmax]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
There is a lot depending on this:



3. Figure @ 7.50 to 8.00 a square foot for building
only.

7.50-8.00 a foot?? Not even close unless you live in a third world country.

New homes will start at around $100 per foot, but that number is just a guestimate. The sky is the limit.

[Tom Earp]

Okay revised, my bad, figure Minium 12.00 t0 15.00 $ a square foot to build. Again, a lot depends on if you already own the land, how nice you want it, what restrictions there are such as Sprinkler systems (Must) for protection and Insurance costs.!

How to build a House that will with stand a very long time build it out of steel framing, build it with bricks, build it with the fire protection system, build it with Bathing facilities that everyone wants for privacy, build it with all of the eminities to make it nice and safe.

We are in the works of building a new house so I do have an idea being on the House Corporation Board.

It aint cheep folks! You always have to figure in the per bed costs for the people living there, plus parlor fees to help defray the costs.

I have been reading with interest what Leigh U is doing, building a Greek housing area.

But, there is good and bad to that also. You lose autonomy and ownership. Yes, live in a nicer House, but look to U Tn. Mid. Nice houses, and no one can afford to pay the rent to the school!

So, what have they gained? Off Campus with empty Houses?

[madmax]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Okay revised, my bad, figure Minium 12.00 t0 15.00 $ a square foot to build.



I have been reading with interest what Leigh U is doing, building a Greek housing area.

1. Where are you coming up with those numbers? They are not even close. A 2000 square foot house can not be built for $12-15 a foot or 24-30k total.

2. Where did you read Lehigh was building a Greek housing area?