Calculating
Costs
Square
Footage
Charts are Examples of Ai Dome Kits Shipped
For examples we are listing charts for a 34′ dome building kit
shipped to a Florida site, a 48′ kit shipped to a Florida site
and a 40′ kit shipped to Trinidad.
The following three charts list the pricing for each dome kit
and items associated with that kit’s building plans. Ai’s
philosophy is that each Buyer pays for only what is needed for
their dome kit and what is needed to obtain a building permit.
Ai does not burden the price of the building kit with the
price of the building plans, engineer seal on the plans or
Energy Reports. Some building departments do not require that
the plans be engineer sealed by an engineer licensed for your
state and do not require an Energy Report; therefore if not
required those buyers only purchase the building plans and do
not purchase a seal or energy report.
The finished price per sq. ft. a home can be built for is
dependent upon house square footage size, finishings, state
(location within the state), what building code is enforced,
site preparation based on soil and whether the dome is built
by a local Contractor/Builder or is Owner Built. Every area
varies on what the finished price per sq.ft. is because labor
costs, site development costs and building code requirements
vary by area.
The Dome Building Kit’s Special Prefabricated panels fit on
one semi-truck when insulation is standard R28. Ai believes
you SHOULD NOT PAY for another semi-truck’s shipping cost to
have exterior doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, bathroom
fixtures, flooring, etc. delivered. These items are
conventional items which can be locally purchased after
competitively shopping prices at Home Depot, Lowes, eBay,
Craig’s List, etc.
In Florida all new home construction requires Building
Plans be sealed by an engineer licensed in Florida and
an Energy Report. For this above Florida Buyer their
plans were $993; Florida Engineer seal for 34’ dome on
slab was $600; Florida Energy Report was $190 for total
of $1,783. If your building department does not require
a licensed engineer for your state to seal your plans &
does not require an energy report, you do not purchase
those items.
The total price for the 34′ Dome Kit & the Fl Engineer
Sealed Plans and Energy Report was $34,887.
The estimated finished price for this Florida 34′ dome
which includes the total price of $42,021 but not
including the land cost, utility hook up costs, driveway
installation or site preparation is $135,792.
To
calculate the finished price take the number of square
feet in the dome plan times the finished cost per sq.ft.
for your area. In this case in Central Florida building
costs are around $123 a sq.ft. Their floor plan has
1,104 sq.ft. resulting in the $135,792. FYI the costs for the
land, site preparation, driveway installation and utility hook ups WILL BE
THE SAME whether it is a dome or a conventional house being built.
Free Web Site To Calculate Finishing Costs For Your
Area:
To view information on a free web site where you
can look up finishing costs for a conventional home in
your state and area, click on Calculating Square Footage
Costs. This article also includes a Construction Cost
Estimate Report from building-cost for a 1200 sq.ft.
home in Melbourne, Florida.
To view the floor plan layout for the 34′ dome, click on these
pdfs.
PDF for Downloading & Printing
34′ Dome Plans 1st Floor
34′ Dome Plans 2nd Floor
Online Viewing – Opens in Browser
34′ Dome Plans 1st Floor
34′ Dome Plans 2nd Floor
The total price of the 34′ Dome Kit to a Florida site
including Parts List Items, 2×4’s for temporary wooden support
system, shipping, sales tax, shipping and steel hub deposit
was $42,021.
The price can vary because:
1) your floor plan selection determines the type and number of
entryways and dormers.
This dome had two entryways, one
window dormer and one second floor door dormer resulting in
Kit with Building Options pricing of $33,104.
2) the Buyer chose to purchase 135 precut, drilled & painted
2×4’s for the temporary wooden support system – price of
$1,134. If you choose to not purchase the 2×4’s and cut them
on site then subtract $1,134 from the total above. (Once the
kit is assembled, seams between the panels concreted and
entryways and dormers concreted, the dome is self-supporting
and the support system comes down.
There is no wood to
interrupt the Aidome panels.
3) Their Parts List Items totaled $1,448.
Each floor plan
varies as to how much of the second floor is installed. This
determines the number of suspension rods, Simpson hangers for
the second floor joists, etc. This buyer chose a floor plan
design which had half of the second floor installed.
Therefore this Parts List total will be more if you have more
of the second floor installed. Once your plans are finished
Ai will know the specific Parts List items required. To view
an article which describes the contents of Ai’s two page Order
Form, click on Order Form Description.
4) This site was in Florida so state sales tax and surtax had
to be paid of $2,141. If your kit is shipping out of Florida
you will not pay sales tax or surtax.
5) The $1,610 deposit for the steel hubs is refunded when the
hubs are returned per the rental agreement.
6) Shipping cost for one semi-truck was $800. If your site is
outside of Florida then the shipping cost is based on the
number of miles from our Rockledge Fl factory to your site.
Currently that cost is $2.70 a mile. Please call with your
zip code and we can estimate shipping costs for one semitruck.
In Florida all new home construction requires
Building Plans be sealed by an engineer licensed
in Florida and an Energy Report.
This Florida
Buyer’s plans were $1,313; Florida Engineer seal
for 48’ dome plans on slab is $600; Florida Energy
Report for one dome on a slab is $190 for total of
$2,103.
If your building department does not
require a licensed engineer for your state to seal
your plans & does not require an energy report,
you do not purchase those items.
The total for the 48′ Dome Kit and the Fl Engineer
Sealed Plans and Energy Report was $59,786.
The estimated finished price for this Florida 48′
dome which includes the $69,246 but not including
the land cost, utility hook up costs, driveway
installation or site preparation is $232,064. To
calculate the finished price take the number of
square feet in the dome plan times the finished
cost per sq.ft. for your area. In this case the
building costs are around $112 a sq.ft.
Their
floor plan has 2,072 sq.ft. resulting in the
estimated $232,064.
FYI,
the costs for the land, site
preparation, driveway installation and utility hook ups WILL BE THE
SAME whether it is a dome or a conventional house being built.
Free Web Site To Calculate Finishing Costs For
Your Area:
To view information on a free web
site where you can look up finishing costs for a
conventional home in your state and area, click on
Calculating Square Footage Costs. This article
also includes a Construction Cost Estimate Report
from building-cost
for a 1200 sq.ft. home in
Melbourne, Florida.
To view the floor plan layout for the 48′ dome,
click on these pdfs.
PDF for Downloading & Printing
48′ Dome Plans 1st Floor
48′ Dome Plans 2nd Floor
Online Viewing – Opens in Browser
48′ Dome Plans 1st Floor
48′ Dome Plans 2nd Floor
The total price of the 48′ Dome Kit to a Florida site
including custom two foot additional risers, Parts List Items,
2×4’s for support system, shipping,
was $69,246.
hub deposit and sales tax
This price can vary because:
1) your floor plan selection determines the type and number of
entryways and dormers. This dome had two standard entryways,
one High Profile entryway, two first floor window dormers, two
second floor window dormers and one second floor door dormer
and custom two foot risers; resulting in Kit with Building
Options pricing of $57,683. If your 48′ floor plan includes
fewer entryways and dormers then the kit cost will be less.
If your 48′ floor plan has a greater number of entryways and
dormers then the kit cost will be more.
2) Their Parts List Items totaled $2,251. Each floor plan
varies as to how much of the second floor is installed. This
determines the number of suspension rods, Simpson hangers for
the second floor joists, etc. This buyer had most of his
second floor installed. Therefore if the plan you select has
less of the second floor installed, your Parts List total will
be less.
Once your plans are finished Ai will know the
specific Parts List items required. To view an article which
describes the contents of Ai’s two page Order Form, click on
Order Form Description.
3) the buyer chose to have ten foot tall ceiling heights in
the first floor rooms that had a second floor installed above
them.
As a result this added $2,809 to his kit price. If
you choose to not purchase taller risers then costs for
additional risers will not be included in your kit.
4) the Buyer chose to purchase 135 precut, drilled & painted
2×4’s for the temporary wooden support system – price of
$1,134. If you choose to not purchase the 2×4’s but cut them
on site then subtract $1,134 from the total above.
5) This site was in Florida so state sales tax and surtax had
to be paid of $3,664. If your kit is shipping out of Florida
no sales tax or surtax will be paid.
6) The $1,610 deposit for the steel hubs is refunded when the
hubs are returned per the rental agreement.
7) Shipping cost for one semi-truck to their Florida site was
$800. If your site is outside of Florida then the shipping
cost is based on the number of miles from our Rockledge Fl
factory to your site.
Currently shipping cost is $2.70 a
mile.
Please call with your zip code and we can estimate
shipping costs for one semi-truck.
.
This Trinidad Buyer did not need an engineer seal
on the building plans or an Energy Report to
obtain a permit.
Therefore he purchased the
building plans only.
His Plans were for a 40’
dome on a full basement. The dome and basement
plans were $1,863. If your building department
requires a licensed engineer for your state to
seal your plans & requires an energy report, then
you purchase those items. The seal cost for one
dome on a slab is $600. The seal for one dome on
a basement is $900.
If stem wall is to be
designed to get the footer below the frost line,
add $200. An Energy Report for one dome on a slab
is $190; one dome on a basement $380.
If in
California, hire a local company to complete
California’s Title 24 Energy Report.
Ai will
email them R value info and dimensions on the dome
so they can complete the report.
The total for the Dome Kit & the Building Plans
was $44,108.
Total for all items was $50,505.
Shipping cost at the time was $4,531 for a total
of $55,036.
The estimated finished price for this Trinidad 40′
dome on a full basement which includes the $55,505
but not including the land cost, utility hook up
costs, driveway installation or site preparation
is $285,200. To calculate the finished price take
the number of square feet in the dome plan &
basement plan times the finished price per sq.ft.
for your area. In this case the building costs
are around $100 a sq.ft.
Their floor plan
includes 1,420 sq.ft in the dome and 1,161 sq.ft.
in the basement for a total of 2,581 sq.ft.
resulting in the estimated $258,100. FYI, the costs
for the land, site preparation, driveway installation and utility
hook up costs WILL BE THE SAME whether it is a dome or a
conventional house being built.
Free Web Site To Calculate Finishing Costs For
Your Area:
To view information on a free web
site where you can look up finishing costs for a
conventional home in your state and area, click on
Calculating Square Footage Costs. This article
also includes a Construction Cost Estimate Report
from building-cost
for a 1200 sq.ft. home in
Melbourne, Florida.
To view the floor plan layout for the
Trinidad dome, click on these pdfs
PDF for Downloading & Printing
40′ Trinidad Dome Plans 1st Floor
40′ Trinidad Dome Plans 2nd Floor
40′ Trinidad Dome Plans Basement
Online Viewing – Opens in Browser
40′ Trinidad Dome Plans 1st Floor
40′ Trinidad Dome Plans 2nd Floor
40′ Trinidad Dome Plans Basement
Trinidad Dome: The total price of the 40′ Dome Kit including
Parts List, Rental of telescoping forklift to load the
container, 2×4’s for support system and purchase of the steel
hubs for the support system was $50,505.
The buyer paid the
shipping cost directly to the shipping company.
This price can vary because:
1) your floor plan selection determines the type and number of
entryways and dormers.
This dome had three standard
entryways, two first floor window dormers, two second floor
window dormers and one second floor door dormer; resulting in
Kit with Building Options pricing of $42,245. If your floor
plan includes fewer entryways and dormers then the kit cost
will be less.
2) Their Parts List Items totaled $2,193.
Each floor plan
varies as to how much of the second floor is installed. This
determines the number of suspension rods, Simpson hangers for
the second floor joists, etc. This buyer had most of his
second floor installed. If less of your 40′ dome second floor
is installed, your Parts List total will be less. Once your
plans are finished Ai will know the specific Parts List items
required. To view an article which describes the contents of
Ai’s two page Order Form, click on Order Form Description.
3) The Buyer chose to purchase 135 precut, drilled & painted
2×4’s for the temporary wooden support system – price of
$1,134.
If you choose to cut them on site then subtract
$1,134 from the total above.
4) the buyer paid $800 rental costs for telescoping forklift
for Ai to load the container. If the kit is shipped within
the USA, the $800 rental will not be paid because Ai can load
a flat bed truck with our fork lift.
5) Because the kit was shipping out of the United States it
would be too expensive for the international buyer to ship the
hubs back to Ai for a refund; therefore the buyer purchased
the hubs for $2,070. USA buyers place a deposit of $1,610 for
the steel hubs. The deposit is refunded when the hubs are
returned per the rental agreement.
6) The buyer paid the shipping costs directly to the vessel
line. If your site is outside of Florida then the shipping
cost is based on the number of miles from our Rockledge Fl
factory to your site. Shipping costs outside of Florida range
from $2.70 to $2.90 per mile. Please call with your zip code
and we can estimate shipping costs for one semi-truck
Is the American Ingenuity (Ai) steel reinforced concrete geodesic dome
kit
less expensive than the materials cost for the exterior walls and
roof of a conventional house or wood dome or log cabin or monolithic
concrete dome?
Yes.
American Ingenuity’s dome shell kit price (not the
finished home cost) is about one third to one half less in cost than what the
materials cost for the exterior walls and roof of a wood dome, gunited concrete dome
or conventional house (exterior walls, roof trusses, plywood, tar paper, shingles, 3
1/2″ thick insulation, siding, soffits, gutters, drywall for exterior walls & the
ceiling, etc.).
Calculating Finished Cost
The dome can be built and finished for about the same finished
price per sq.ft. as a conventional house or business built in
your neighborhood; however you receive more with the dome –
greater energy efficiency, greater strength & fire resistant
concrete exterior. Each area of the country varies as to what
construction workers and subcontractors charge per hour.
As
a result check with a local builder to see what it costs per
sq.ft. to build a moderately finished conventional house –
Formica kitchen counter tops, no high end kitchens or high end
bathrooms or high end flooring, etc. This is the approximate
per sq.ft. finished cost the dome can be built for.
This means if it costs $110 a sq.ft to build a moderately
finished conventional house in your neighborhood; then that is
the approx. price per sq.ft. the dome can be built for. For
example if you built a three bedrooms/two bath size dome (40′
Theta 11 plan) with 1,521 sq.ft. for $110 a sq.ft. then the
approx finished price is around $167,310. This price includes
the dome kit, kit assembly costs and labor and materials to
finish the dome interior. However it does not include 1) the
price of the land; 2) driveway installation costs; 3) site
development; 4) utilities – water, sewer or electric. FYI,
the costs for the land, site preparation, driveway and utility
hooks will be the same whether it is a dome or a conventional
house being built.
Because the American Ingenuity dome home is assembled from
prefabricated panels, the kit can be assembled quicker; thus
providing more savings over stick built houses, log cabins or
pumped concrete domes.
Please compare apples to apples when trying to calculate
finished cost of an American Ingenuity dome. A conventional
house would need walls greater than 2×10 with exterior
reinforced with rebar and super thick concrete and still not
come close to the advantages of an American Ingenuity dome.
A conventional house would need 11″ of fiberglass batting
requiring over 10″ thick insulated walls (this is with our
standard 7″ EPS R-28 value insulation) as well as additional
roof strapping, rebar and concrete against storms, and still
not be equal to one our structure’s insulation and strength.
So please compare apples to apples! Our kit comes with all
the interior shell 1/2″ gypsum drywall installed, all the R28
insulation installed and 80% of the prefinished roof….and no
wood to interrupt the insulation to rot, burn or be eaten by
termites. No shingles to blow off in high winds. Exterior
concrete is primed and painted.
An Owner Builder or the dome owner’s builder can hire the
independent
Kit Assembly Consultant to supervise their
workers to get the dome kit assembled. Then conventional
subcontractors frame in the doors and windows, prime & paint
the dome exterior, complete the interior finishing – framing,
electrical, plumbing, installing kitchen & bathroom fixtures &
cabinets, drywall finishing, etc.
Materials Cost-Finished Cost
Total Materials Cost:
If you select standard items to finish
the interior of your dome, the materials cost for your dome
might be $50 or more per square foot. So the minimum materials
cost (no labor costs) for a 40′ dome of 2,000 sq.ft. could be
$100,000 (this includes the kit cost of $47,000).
Finished Cost of the house: Finished price is more than the
materials cost because it includes the labor costs plus the
materials cost. So how does dome finishing costs compare to
conventional house finishing costs? If the finished price per
square foot to build a conventional house in your area is $100
per square foot and you desire a 2,000 square foot house then
the finished price for the conventional house would be about
$200,000, if you do no labor yourself. The finished price of
the dome would be the same about $200,000 less the savings on
the dome shell materials….. But you end up with more with the
American Ingenuity dome. You receive a super-insulated, superstrong house whose exterior dome walls have 225 mph wind and
F4 Tornado warranty. .To view summary of the advantages of Ai
dome, please click on Summary. To view info on cooling costs
on 34′ dome home, please click on 1,075 sq.ft. home.
To view stock plan layouts for each size dome kit, click on
Stock Plans. To view the sale price of the building plans and
dome kit, click on Plans & Kit Sale Pricing. To view photos
of finished pics of dome exteriors and interiors, click on
Photos.
Your
To view photos of Kit Assembly, click on Assembly.
interior
materials
cost
varies
depending
on
your
selection of locally purchased interior items such as:
Formica kitchen counter tops versus granite
Oak kitchen cabinets versus cherry or mahogany
Vinyl flooring versus ceramic tile versus hard wood
floors
Ceramic tile versus marble
Plastic shower stalls versus tiled showers
Plastic tubs versus Jacuzzi tubs
Jeld-wen windows versus Pella or Anderson windows
Standard light fixtures versus specialty
Standard kitchen appliances versus Thermador or Dacor
appliances
Standard bathroom fixtures versus Aquaware or Boffi
A helpful web site is rsmeans.com It has construction manuals,
construction estimating CD’s, etc.
Estimating Costs
The following information came from the book, The Complete
Idiot’s Guide to Building Your Own Home by Dan Ramsey.
Can you afford to build the house you want? In Chapter 9 it
states: I’ll help you get a comprehensive estimate of your
construction costs. For now, though, let’s make a rough
estimate.
First, understand that whatever house you build
will probably cost as much or more than that of your neighbors
— unless you plan to do it all yourself. Based on this fact,
let’s look at your neighbor’s houses.
As mentioned in Chapter 1, the
about 2,300 square feet in size,
depending on where you live. The
be half of that or 10 times that
typical house built today is
and sells for around $225,000
actual price in your area may
amount.
So, how can you get a good rule-of-thumb for your area? Of
course, you can talk with contractors who will throw out
numbers like $100 or $200 per square foot. That’s a wide
range. What does it include? House only? House and land?
Landscaping, too?
It’s smarter for you to get your own local building costs.
Here’s how. Talk with a local real estate agent about new
construction. It’s best if you can compare apples to apples,
so ask about new homes and lots in the area you want to build.
The agent should be able to tell you the lot cost, the asking
price, and the square foot size of a few comparable homes. You
can figure things from there.
You now have a base from which to guesstimate the approximate
cost of your new house. Then you can factor in the following:
If you want a nicer view lot, add to the land costs.
If you will be your own general contractor, reduce the
total by 10 to 20 percent.
If you will be a subcontractor, reduce the total by the
sub’s fees.
If you want to enhance the design, tack on the
additional costs or get a square-footage cost for better
quality homes.
American Ingenuity (Ai) – 8777 Holiday Springs Rd – Rockledge,
Florida 32955
321-639-8777 –
Mon-Fri 9-5 Eastern Time –
[email protected]