The first question typically asked when evaluating the cost of building a home is ”what is the cost per square foot”? This is obviously an important and reasonable question though when talking about building in the mountains, another question is equally if not more important – “what will the foundation cost on this particular lot”? Knowing the answer to this question is very important because in our mountainous and rocky terrain, the foundation cost is very variable and can be a significant percent of the total construction cost.
The homeowner can directly impact cost per square feet by the decisions made concerning finishing details. However, they have little impact on foundation cost. If a lot has a significant slope, additional costs include engineers, heavy equipment, steel and lots of concrete. If the building site is rocky, blasting is an additional cost. Ideally, the foundation cost should be considered prior to entering into a contractual agreement, which is why meeting with an experienced contractor is essential. A buyer may believe they got a ”good deal” at the time of purchase though in the end, the property cost more solely because of the foundation.
