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Monster Instant Cost-to-Build

Get an accurate Cost to Build report in less than 5 minutes for any of our house plans in the zip code you specify.

  • Our cost-to-build reports are widely recognized as the most accurate in the industry.
  • It only takes a few clicks and your report is created.
  • You will be able to interactively select economy, standard or premium material quality after your report is generated.
  • Our special, limited-time price of only $19.95 is by far the lowest in the industry for a report such as this.

Below is a sample of the cost-to-build you’ll get and instructions about how to order yours.

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Sample Cost-to-Build Report

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How to get your Monster Cost-to-Build report

  • On any house plan detail page, click on the cost-to-build button
  • Specify the zip/postal code of the construction location, choose a foundation type, and choose the desired construction quality
  • Select “Instant Cost-to-Build”
  • Purchase your Cost-to-Build report using our secure ordering system
  • Receive an email within 5 minutes with a link and password to “Your Account” page where you can view your custom Cost-to-Build report

Frequently Asked Questions

Monster Cost-to-Build is a new home construction cost estimating service provided exclusively by MonsterHousePlans.com for the 30,000+ house plans available in its online catalog. Monster Instant Cost-to-Build allows you to get a complete cost estimate of the house plan you are interested in just a few clicks and in less than 5 minutes. Your cost estimate is available online where you can interactively change the quality levels of materials and construction and see cost changes in real time. Instant Cost-to-Build reports are available online in your account for 90 days.

  • Monster Cost-to-Build is powered by Home-Cost.com, in our expert opinion, the best construction cost estimating service.
  • Home-Cost.com estimates are superior because of their accuracy, ease of use and ability to instantly determine cost impact of a design decision.
  • Several features make our Home-Cost.com powered services the best in the industry:
    • The estimating engine is fundamentally unique and protected by a United States Patent. This patented technology allows "What-If?" evaluations of different design choices, features or materials. As you make a change you immediately see the cost impact of that decision. This is not available with any other residential cost estimating software.
    • Use of a 5-digit zip code data base providing over 40,000 unique locations for unsurpassed regional accuracy. The database includes costs for labor and materials, sales tax and climate considerations used in sizing heating loads.
    • Last, but not least, is a deep bench of design and construction options. Over 4,000 options for your home design are provided resulting in virtually unlimited design possibilities.

No, complete house plans are not required. Monster Cost-to-Build is unique in its ability to accurately estimate a home's cost from the plan images and data provided on MonsterHousePlans.com.

Monster Cost-to-Build does not use typical take-off estimating techniques. Even if you have no particular design developed you can still estimate the Cost-to-Build based on the design parameters and criteria you establish for the home design.

Monster Cost-to-Build has a cost database for the continental US, Alaska and Canada. Local costs are determined by using a 5-digit zip code or postal code which provides over 40,000 unique locations and targeted regional accuracy. Costs for Hawaii are not in our database.

Yes, it includes costs for site work such as site clearing, driveway, walkways, access road, decks, patios, landscaping, irrigation, retaining walls, utility extensions, well, septic and more.

Monster Cost-to-Build has a cost database for the continental US, Alaska and Canada. Local costs are determined by using a 5-digit zip code or postal code which provides over 40,000 unique locations and targeted regional accuracy. Costs for Hawaii are not in our database.

Yes, all appliances needed in your home are available in Monster Cost-to-Build including options for stoves, ovens, cook-tops, exhaust hoods, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, trash compactors, wine coolers, washer and dryers, warming ovens and more.
More FAQs

Cost-to-Build Competitive Comparison

Monster Cost-to-Build Services
More detail. More accurate. Better value.

Monster Cost-to-Build Competitors
Price $19.95 $29.95+
Waiting time for access to web application online estimate Immediate Up to 2 days
Costs for actual project location based on specific 5 digit zip code to pinpoint regional cost & climatic factors check cross
Number of available Zip Codes in cost database to adjust for local construction / labor conditions Over 40,000 Up to 550
Company Guarantees Accuracy / Satisfaction of complete home cost estimate RESULTS check cross
Identifies and calculates all construction costs for a home project including full site-work, appliances, site utilities, General Contractor costs, etc. check cross
User controls the selection of their specific quality levels materials and construction check cross
Number of available construction material and finish material options available for User’s selection 3,300+ cross
Includes editable costs for General Contractor’s (Builder’s) Overhead and Profit and General Conditions check cross
Estimates costs for individual Special Spaces such as Kitchen, Master Bathroom, Full Baths, Half Baths, Laundry/Mud Room, Library, Foyer, etc. check cross
Includes costs for site-work utilities such as access road, septic, well, propane, city utility extensions, etc. check cross
Includes installed costs for full range of appliances check cross
Lines of cost report detail 350 10-15
Green design options check cross
Immediate cost feedback on any design changes check cross

Monster Cost-to-Build Quality Levels

Design Assumptions

  • (For all Quality Levels)
  • 9 foot first floor ceiling height
  • 8 foot second floor ceiling height (if used)
  • Gable roof; 2 dormers
  • Average roof pitch 12:12
  • Porch construction on foundations
  • Slab on grade, Crawlspace or Full Basement options
  • No Car, 1 car, 2 Car or 3 Car Garage options

Site Work

ECONOMY
  • No site clearing
  • Concrete driveway (if used)
  • Concrete walkway
  • Concrete patio (100 SF)
  • No deck
  • Hydro-seed lawn
  • No sprinkler irrigation
  • Minimal landscaping
  • City electric, sewer, gas and water
STANDARD
  • No site clearing
  • Concrete driveway (if used)
  • Concrete walkway
  • Concrete patio (100 SF)
  • No deck
  • Sod lawn
  • No sprinkler irrigation
  • Average landscaping
  • City electric, sewer, gas and water
PREMIUM
  • No site clearing
  • Concrete driveway (if used)
  • Uni-Lock decorative concrete pavers
  • Uni-Lock decorative concrete pavers (100 SF)
  • Cedar wood deck (360 SF)
  • Sod lawn
  • Sprinkler system
  • Above average landscaping
  • City electric, sewer, gas and water

Foundations

  • Excavation
  • 8” poured concrete foundation wall
  • Home: 4” thick concrete slab with perimeter insulation
  • Garage (if used): 4” thick concrete slab
  • Crawlspace (if used): 2” thick crawlspace slab
  • Excavation
  • 8” poured concrete foundation wall
  • Home: 4” thick concrete slab with perimeter insulation
  • Garage (if used): 4” thick concrete slab
  • Crawlspace (if used): 2” thick crawlspace slab
  • Excavation
  • 8” poured concrete foundation wall
  • Home: 4” thick concrete slab with perimeter insulation
  • Garage (if used): 4” thick concrete slab
  • Crawlspace (if used): 2” thick crawlspace slab

Basement
(if used)

  • Excavation
  • 8 foot full height basement
  • 8” poured concrete walls with 1” rigid exterior insulation (R5)
  • Excavation
  • 8 foot full height basement
  • 8” poured concrete walls with 2” rigid exterior insulation (R10)
  • Excavation
  • 8 foot full height basement
  • 8” poured concrete walls with 1” rigid exterior insulation (R15)

Exterior Shell

  • 2x4 stud walls; fiberglass insulation; sheathing; house wrap
  • Truss roof construction
  • 2x10 Porch roof construction
  • Porch: wood clad 4x4 lumber post
  • Vinyl siding (double 4” pattern
  • No simulated stone wainscot
  • No special trim complexity
  • Vinyl windows; standard double glazing
  • Asphalt shingles (standard 210#)
  • Steel doors (insulated)
  • No sliding glass doorwall door
  • 9’x7’ and/or 16’x7’ sectional steel garage door and opener (if used)
  • Home: R30 9” fiberglass ceiling insulation
  • Garage (if used): R19 fiberglass ceiling insulation
  • 2x6 stud walls; fiberglass insulation; sheathing; house wrap
  • Truss roof construction
  • 2x10 Porch roof construction
  • Porch: wood clad 4x4 lumber post
  • Body: Cement fiber beveled siding
  • Gable ends: Cement fiber shake / shingle pattern
  • No simulated stone wainscot
  • No special trim complexity
  • Vinyl windows; Low-E glass; double glazing
  • Asphalt dimensional laminated shingles (250#)
  • Steel doors (insulated) with vision panel
  • No sliding glass doorwall door
  • 9’x7’ and/or 16’x7’ sectional steel garage door and opener (if used)
  • Home: R30 9” fiberglass ceiling insulation
  • Garage (if used): R19 fiberglass ceiling insulation
  • 2x6 stud walls; fiberglass insulation; sheathing; house wrap
  • Truss roof construction
  • 2x10 Porch roof construction
  • Porch: wood clad 4x4 lumber post
  • Body: Cement fiber beveled siding
  • Gable ends: Cement fiber shake / shingle pattern
  • Simulated stone wainscot
  • Above average trim complexity
  • Metal clad windows; Low-E glass; double glazing
  • Premium asphalt dimensional laminated shingles (300#)
  • Steel doors (insulated) with vision panel
  • 6 foot sliding glass aluminum doorwall
  • 9’x7’ and/or 16’x7’ sectional steel garage door and opener (if used)
  • Home: R38 12” fiberglass ceiling insulation
  • Garage (if used): R19 fiberglass ceiling insulation

Special Spaces

  • Kitchen cabinets: Mid grade; particle board; melamine finish
  • Bathroom vanity: Mid grade; particle board; melamine finish
  • Plastic laminate counter tops
  • Kitchen floor: Plastic laminate floating strip floor
  • Bathroom floor: Ceramic tile
  • Kitchen cabinets: Good quality; melamine box; hardwood doors and face
  • Bathroom vanity: Good quality; melamine box; hardwood doors and face
  • Solid polymer (e.g. Corian®) counter tops
  • Kitchen floor: Ceramic tile
  • Bathroom floor: Ceramic tile
  • Kitchen cabinets: Excellent quality; hard- wood veneered plywood box; hardwood doors and face; dovetailed joints
  • 8” poured concrete foundation wall
  • Bathroom Vanity: Excellent quality; hard- wood veneered plywood box; hardwood doors and face; dovetailed joints
  • Granite counter tops
  • Kitchen floor: 12”x12” slate floor
  • Bathroom floor: Ceramic tile

Interior Construction

  • 2x10 wood floor joists
  • 2x4 interior wall framing
  • Ground floor stair to 2nd floor (if used): Pine treads and risers (requires carpeting); handrail only; walls 2 sides
  • Basement stair (if used): Open riser
  • Loft railing (if used): 42” pine balusters
  • Home: ½” drywall walls and ceilings
  • Garage: ?” drywall walls and ceilings
  • Painted finish walls and ceilings
  • Home: 32 ounce nylon carpet
  • Home: No supplemental flooring
  • Breezeway / Mud Room (if used): Vinyl floor
  • 2’-8” doors; (1-3/8” thick); prehung hollow core embossed hardboard; lockset; door and trim painted 2 coats
  • Carpeted stairs
  • 12” Engineered composite wood joist system
  • 2x4 interior wall framing
  • Ground floor stair to 2nd floor (if used): Pine treads and risers (requires carpeting); balusters/handrail, newel post
  • Basement stair (if used): Open riser
  • Loft railing (if used): 42” pine balusters
  • Home: ½” drywall walls and ceilings
  • Garage: ?” drywall walls and ceilings
  • Painted finish walls and ceilings
  • Home: 36 ounce nylon carpet
  • Home: Supplemental engineered floating wood floor (300 SF)
  • Breezeway / Mud Room (if used): Vinyl floor ss
  • 2’-8” doors; (1-3/8” thick); prehung raised 6 panel solid pine; lockset; door and trim painted 2 coats
  • Carpeted stairs
  • 12” open web truss-joist system
  • 2x4 interior wall framing
  • Ground floor stair to 2nd floor (if used): Hardwood treads and risers (requires carpeting); balusters/handrail, newel post
  • Basement stair (if used): Open riser
  • Loft railing (if used): 42” hardwood balusters
  • Home: ½” drywall walls and ceilings
  • Garage: ?” drywall walls and ceilings
  • Painted finish walls and ceilings
  • Home: 50 ounce wool Berber carpet
  • Home: Supplemental slate tile 12”x12” (300 SF)
  • Breezeway / Mud Room (if used): Vinyl floor
  • 2’-8” doors; (1-3/8” thick); prehung cherry veneer over MDF core solid door; stained trim; premium lockset and hinges; door and trim clear finished
  • Hardwood stairs

Elevators

  • None
  • None
  • None

Plumbing

  • Average sink, faucet and toilet plumbing fixtures
  • Pedestal sink and faucet in half bath
  • Fiberglass tub with tub door
  • Shower: No dedicated shower
  • Single bowl Kitchen sink; painted steel with faucet/spray and 1/2 HP disposal
  • Laundry sink
  • Average sink, faucet and toilet plumbing fixtures
  • Pedestal sink and faucet in half bath
  • Porcelain cast iron tub or premium fiberglass tub with tub door
  • Shower: No dedicated shower
  • Double bowl stainless steel Kitchen sink with faucet/spray and 3/4 HP disposal
  • Laundry sink
  • Premium sink, faucet and toilet plumbing fixtures
  • Premium Pedestal sink in half bath
  • Whirlpool fiberglass tub with premium faucet
  • Shower: Tiled shower floor and walls with tempered glass shower door
  • Double bowl premium deep stainless steel Kitchen sink with premium faucet/spray and 3/4 HP disposal
  • Laundry sink

Heating / AC

  • 80% efficiency furnace
  • 13 SEER AC
  • Standard infiltration rate (1.75 ACH)
  • No supplemental mechanical ventilation
  • Gas forced air furnace with metal ductwork
  • Air conditioning
  • No heated garage (if used)
  • No fireplace
  • 90% efficiency furnace
  • 13 SEER AC
  • Quality tight construction; low infiltration rate (.75 ACH)
  • No supplemental mechanical ventilation
  • Gas forced air furnace with metal ductwork
  • Air conditioning
  • No heated garage (if used)
  • No fireplace
  • 92%-94% efficiency furnace
  • 13+ SEER AC
  • Very tight construction; Energy Star compliant very low infiltration rate (.35 ACH)
  • Supplemental mechanical ventilation (ERV/HRV)
  • Gas forced air furnace with metal ductwork
  • Air conditioning
  • Heated garage (if used)
  • Gas direct vent fireplace, raised hearth, wood mantle

Electrical

  • 150 amp electrical service
  • Average fixed lighting
  • No security or hard wired fire detection
  • 200 amp electrical service
  • Average fixed lighting
  • No security or hard wired fire detection
  • 400 amp electrical service
  • Extensive fixed / recessed lighting
  • Security system and hard wired fire detection

Appliances

  • 30" wide economy refrigerator
  • 24" dishwasher
  • 30" economy gas or electric stove
  • 30" economy exhaust hood (vents to kitchen)
  • Standard washer / dryer
  • Vinyl coated wire closet shelving systems
  • 30" wide refrigerator / freezer
  • 24" dishwasher
  • 30" gas or electric stove
  • 30" exhaust hood (exterior venting)
  • Standard washer / dryer
  • Melamine closet shelving systems
  • 36" wide premium refrigerator / freezer / icemaker 24" depth
  • 24" premium dishwasher; 2 drawer
  • 36" premium dual fuel gas / electric stove
  • 36" premium stainless exhaust hood (exterior venting)
  • Premium front load washer / dryer
  • Custom wood closet shelving systems

Contractor Markup (General Conditions, Overhead & Profit)

  • Constructed by Contractor
  • Constructed by Contractor
  • 14% markup
  • Constructed by Contractor
  • 14% markup

Monster Cost-to-Build FAQs

Monster Cost-to-Build is a new home construction cost estimating service provided exclusively by MonsterHousePlans.com for the 30,000+ house plans available in its online catalog. Monster Instant Cost-to-Build allows you to get a complete cost estimate of the house plan you are interested in just a few clicks and in less than 5 minutes. Your cost estimate is available online where you can interactively change the quality levels of materials and construction and see cost changes in real time. Instant Cost-to-Build reports are available online in your account for 90 days.

  • Monster Cost-to-Build is powered by Home-Cost.com, in our expert opinion, the best construction cost estimating service.
  • Home-Cost.com estimates are superior because of their accuracy, ease of use and ability to instantly determine cost impact of a design decision.
  • Several features make our Home-Cost.com powered services the best in the industry:
    • The estimating engine is fundamentally unique and protected by a United States Patent. This patented technology allows "What-If?" evaluations of different design choices, features or materials. As you make a change you immediately see the cost impact of that decision. This is not available with any other residential cost estimating software.
    • Use of a 5-digit zip code data base providing over 40,000 unique locations for unsurpassed regional accuracy. The database includes costs for labor and materials, sales tax and climate considerations used in sizing heating loads.
    • Last, but not least, is a deep bench of design and construction options. Over 4,000 options for your home design are provided resulting in virtually unlimited design possibilities.

No, complete house plans are not required. Monster Cost-to-Build is unique in its ability to accurately estimate a home's cost from the plan images and data provided on MonsterHousePlans.com.

Monster Cost-to-Build does not use typical take-off estimating techniques. Even if you have no particular design developed you can still estimate the Cost-to-Build based on the design parameters and criteria you establish for the home design.

Monster Cost-to-Build has a cost database for the continental US, Alaska and Canada. Local costs are determined by using a 5-digit zip code or postal code which provides over 40,000 unique locations and targeted regional accuracy. Costs for Hawaii are not in our database.

Yes, it includes costs for site work such as site clearing, driveway, walkways, access road, decks, patios, landscaping, irrigation, retaining walls, utility extensions, well, septic and more.

Yes, all appliances needed in your home are available in Monster Cost-to-Build including options for stoves, ovens, cook-tops, exhaust hoods, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, trash compactors, wine coolers, washer and dryers, warming ovens and more.

Yes, sales tax is included and is determined by your project zip code.

MonsterHousePlans.com provides a 90 day 100% money back guarantee that Monster Cost-to-Build's calculated construction value will be in a cost range established by 3 licensed contractor bids. We require you get contractor bids of the same house design, scope and quality level of materials and contractor markup used in the design you estimated with Monster Cost-to-Build. Please see our Terms of Use for more information.

If you give the exact same plans and specs to 3 different builders you will get back 3 different prices. That's why we require multiple bids and guarantee Monster Cost-to-Build's calculated construction to be in a cost range established by 3 licensed contractor bids. If you have a budget problem, remember that it is common for a client to have selected different scope of work or material quality than what their builder assumed in the quote. This is often the reason why a contractor's quote is not consistent with a client's design selections. Evaluate your contractor's bid detail for adequacy of all allowances and the possibility of different scope or assumptions inconsistent with the choices you made in your Monster Cost-to-Build estimate.

Monster Instant Cost-to-Build data is saved during your subscription period. Once your Instant Cost-to-Build subscription is canceled or expires then your cost estimate data is no longer available.
If you have a Monster Instant Cost-to-Build account, then your project data is unavailable once your subscription expires.
You cannot add more time before your subscription expires.

No, MonsterHousePlans.com does not retain any credit card information.

Yes, access to your personal Monster Instant Cost-to-Build account is available at MonsterHousePlans.com/YourAccount. Access allows you to manage your account for these features:
  • View and print Cost-to-Build reports generated using Monster Instant Cost-to-Build
  • Interactively change the construction quality level and immediately get an updated cost to build report.

"Cost per SF" for cost estimating is fundamentally unreliable and can be an estimating trap since it only applies the "Cost per Square Foot" against Finished SF of the home.

"Cost per SF" estimates also do not consider varying quality levels within an individual home design and often omit costs for site work, excavation and appliances.

Construction cost however is determined by the Constructed SF of a home and the quality level of materials and finishes, not just Finished SF.

Although "Cost per SF" budgeting may seem quick and easy, it is unfortunately also incorrect.

Finished SF only includes livable areas such as bedrooms, kitchen, great rooms, etc.

Constructed Square Feet includes all areas that are being constructed whether livable or not such as an unfinished basement or crawl space, garage, bonus rooms, enclosed porches, etc.

An "Assembly" is a grouping of construction components against which a cost of the components can be assigned.

For example, cost for a "sink assembly" in Monster Cost-to-Build includes the sink, faucet, waste and vent line, hot and cold water lines, labor and sales tax.

A "window assembly" includes the window unit, finished casing and trim, labor and sales tax.

An "exterior wall framing assembly" is priced at a cost per square foot of wall area and includes costs for the wall framing, insulation, sheathing and vapor barrier, labor and sales tax.

Unlike take-off estimation, "Assembly" based estimating can be used at a conceptual level for early stage costing or at a detailed design level for final blueprint stage estimates. Assemblies carry costs for their components and the unit of measure that makes sense for that assembly. For example, wall framing is measured in "wall square feet" not board feet of lumber. As quantity of an assembly goes up or down, costs for all the corresponding components are always included and cannot be accidentally forgotten or omitted as with take-off estimates.

No, Monster Cost-to-Build is only designed to accurately estimate a freestanding single family residence.

First of all don't panic. Over 95% of home projects are initially over budget. With Monster Cost-to-Build however you now have the power to evaluate your design decisions and vary the quality level and scope of your home's design to meet a realistic budget.

You are over budget for one or more reasons including:
You may have selected expensive construction materials or finishes. Go back and reconsider all your construction material quality levels. Make sure you have selected the most economical construction selections and quality levels except where you absolutely needed the increased quality.

If you still are over budget, your home design may be too large and the scope of construction needs to be reduced. Look at ways to reduce the home size and amount of finished square feet and constructed square feet.

If you have gone back and reduced the quality of materials in all acceptable areas and reduced the home size and are still over budget, you may have had an unrealistic budget in mind to start with. Monster Cost-to-Build will allow you to model and simulate the costs of various designs and materials of construction until you are in budget. It is easier to fix a budget problem on paper than while a home is being built.

One last option exists, although we do not recommend it unless you have the experience and time, is to be an Owner-Builder. This is where the Owner does not hire a General Contractor but rather directly hires the multiple subcontractors and manages their scheduling and work. This can save between 10% to 20% of your home's construction cost if well managed, but you will add at least that much to your costs if handled incompetently. If you choose the route of an Owner / Builder, be careful and do the research needed to fully understand your responsibilities.

Yes it can. All projects have three interrelated variables that must be balanced. They are Quality, Cost and Size. You can pick any two and the third is determined by your selections. For example if you know your budget (cost) and you know how big your house is (size) that will drive the quality levels of what you can afford. Monster Cost-to-Build allows you to vary your home's Quality levels and Scope (or size) until your budget is in balance.

In an over-budget situation improper Quality and/or Size decisions have created an out of balance condition with Cost. The solution in an over-budget circumstance is determining how to vary the Quality or Size variables to meet a predetermined Cost.

The power of Monster Cost-to-Build is that you will be able to model and change any of these variables to see the impact on the other two, until you get things in balance.

Monster Cost-to-Build process puts you in control of modeling "what-if?" options to building materials, design characteristics and home size, until you are satisfied and within budget.

Monster Cost-to-Build provides very detailed cost reports but they are based on construction "assemblies" and not organized in an obsolete quantity take-off format.

Quantities used for measurement in take-off estimating are often somewhat obscure such as "board feet" of lumber or "cubic yards" of concrete.

Monster Cost-to-Build's patented estimating engine develops costs using construction "assemblies". Assemblies carry costs for their components and the unit of measure that makes sense for that assembly. For example, wall framing is measured in "wall square feet" not board feet of lumber. As quantity of an assembly goes up or down, costs for all the corresponding components are always included and cannot be accidentally forgotten or omitted as with take-off estimates.

Take-off quantity estimating can only be done after a design is completed and is labor intensive and prone to errors due to missed items and incorrect quality level assumptions.

Take-off quantity estimating also cannot provide instant cost feedback to a design change or reflect a qualitative change.

With take-off estimating, any design change made requires that the computer drawing be revised or manually updated to reflect the change before take-off quantities can again be recalculated.

Take-off unit quantity estimating cannot answer questions like "What if the house was a little bigger, or smaller? Or what if it had another bathroom or an addition, or finished Bonus Space? How about granite or quartz counters?" These problems are all avoided by Monster Cost-to-Build and the use of assembly based estimating.

This feature is not available in Monster Instant Cost-to-Build.
These FAQs were published with the permission of Home-Cost.com. They may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Home-Cost.com.

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