Square Foot Building Costs

I am asked from time to time "How much does is cost a square foot to build a new house?" This is a very difficult, if not impossible, question to answer with a standard square foot cost.

There is no "true standard" in building, and the prices of materials and building styles can vary wildly. Smaller homes usually will cost more per square foot than larger homes, and homes with several bathrooms and/or large kitchens can increase costs.

Building in Hide-A-Way Hills can sometimes have variables that might not be found in other areas of the state. The terrain or steep slopes of the lots in this area can dramatically affect the cost of building, as can finding contractors willing to drive the distance from the city without a travel charge.

I use several different cost estimators to help determine the final costs in an estimate that I provide to my customers. By using computer estimating software, cost books, and years of experience I can provide a free accurate custom estimate for each customers project.

Please feel free to contact me for an estimate for your new home, addition or project.

Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Course Restroom Project

The Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Committee is starting a project to build new restrooms out on the course to replace the old stinky pit toilets.

A combination of volunteer workers as well as paid contractors will be used on the project.

Scott Martin Construction is volunteering our labor, as we do on all projects for the Hide-A-Way Hills Club.


Today we poured the footers and the block foundations should start going in soon.

Old House Complete Bath Remodel

This week we worked on a bathroom in a circa 1900 house in Logan. The photos of the existing bath below show the fixtures were originally placed in awkward positions to have a shower in the bath.

We moved the plumbing for the tub from the left side of the room to the right and moved the plumbing for the lavatory and toilet from right to left.

Dealing with a house of this age presents interesting challenges, such as dealing with cast iron drain pipes, and plaster-lath walls.

Below the photos of the reconfigured bath show the new drywall, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, window, and floor.

Not readily seen is the upgraded wiring, new PEX water supplies, PVC drains, and heat runs.

Kitchen Face Lift

Recently we worked on a project in a home we were very familiar with. A home that we had worked on a lot for the previous owner was sold. The new owners bought the home as an investment. They wanted to make the kitchen more neutral, and update the look of the cabinets to increase the value and appeal of the home.

The existing kitchen with blue floor tile, blue back splash tile, and laminate front cabinet doors.


The existing floor tile was solid and installed on a concrete underlayment so we were able to install 12"x12" almond floor tile over it and the 1"x1" back splash tile over the existing back splash tile.

The cabinets were in good shape so we only replaced the doors and drawer fronts.

Timber Frame Roof on Kusa Addition

The Timber Frame Roof on our Kusa Addition is underway. The ridge beam and rafters were sawn from pine logs at a local Amish saw mill.

The 4"x7" rafters are notched to fit the 4"x11" ridge beam.

Framing Begins on Kusa Room Addition

The framing begins at our Kusa Room Addition. 2x10 floor joists are installed 16" on center to support the 3/4 " Advantech flooring panels. Advantech sub floors are both stronger and more weather resistant than either plywood or osb floors, and offer a 50 year warranty.

The floor panels are glued and nailed to the joists to avoid floor squeaks.

The walls on this project are built with 2x4 studs and 7/16 osb sheathing, which is typical for residential construction.

Lake Front Bathroom Remodel Slideshow