All Forum Posts by: William Coet

@Mayer M.  As others have said, each situation is unique and whats best for one person may not be for another. Forgive me if you've posted elsewhere, but what type of building(s) is it?  Townhomes, multiple buildings, a single building?  All the same units or a mix?

Totally Agree!  It's a real turn-off.

I have been considering a new build to rent, and may wait in hopes that costs will come down. Below are my thoughts on the future of material pricing. I would be interested in any insight from others on what will happen to pricing by for next summer.

Costs have quadrupled on some materials as a result of one thing: The pandemic (not interest rates which haven't changed significantly since pre-pandemic) Supply is down in everything (furniture, bicycles, appliances, etc) and demand for materials is up because people have been doing home improvements instead of going on vacations. Demand for housing is up because people want more indoor and outdoor space (not interest rates).

As soon as manufacturing resumes 100% and people return to spending money on travel, dining out, and entertainment the material costs will drop.

@Mayer M.  I have been considering a new build to rent as well.  I spoke with material suppliers today to get pricing.  

My non-expert opinion on material cost projections is that they will come down significantly by next year for the following reasons:

Costs have quadrupled on some materials as a result of one thing: The pandemic (not interest rates which haven't changed significantly since pre-pandemic) Supply is down in everything (furniture, bicycles, appliances, etc) and demand for materials is up because people have been doing home improvements instead of going on vacations. Demand for housing is up because people want more indoor and outdoor space (not interest rates).

As soon as manufacturing resumes 100% and people return to spending money on travel, dining out, and entertainment the material costs will drop.

As you know, there are many considerations beyond material costs.  Please post back with what you decide to do.  

Yes lifting slowly can prevent problems.  Check that you are not pinching electrical lines.  monoposts are stronger than two piece posts

Yes.  Materials costs are low for that too.  A few bags of concrete and a pressure treated board for a form. Obviously follow mix instructions to avoid reducing concrete strength.

If you can live with the uneven floor, placing posts will stop future sagging. 

I know build costs are high these days, but I'm thinking about doing a very basic duplex with a blend of sub-contracting and doing some work ourselves (siding, drywall, painting).  No garage, two story, side by side, two bedroom/1.5 or 2 bath.

Land cost is 10k and the duplex will generate 20k/yr.

Looking for input on if this is a feasible project with current material costs.

Thank you

The beautiful thing about structural beam work is that it is typically cheap and requires minimal materials. Placing a single post can reduce the beam span by one half and add tremendous strength.


I have leveled and supported several structures with an average age of 100 years. This included reinforcing and lifting the center basement beam of a 100 year old three story house 3.5 inches (we were doing extensive cosmetic work as part of the project, so the paneling popping of the walls wasn't a big deal).

@Christopher Smith

This article from today shows some of the activity around estate taxes:

https://nypost.com/2021/03/30/...

@Steve K. Do you happen to know the sq.ft. construction costs to build entry level 3/2 net zero homes?