The large builders can build cookie cutter homes for around $85/sf (their cost) and sell for $125-150sf depending on size. I GC'd my own home about 4 years ago and my cost was about $200/sf. Lowest bid from a contractor was just under $250/sf for what is considered high end around here (all brick and stone exterior, geothermal heat, plaster, custom cabinetry, granite, separate bath/walk in closet for each bedroom, hardwood/stone floors, high ceilings). The finishes are quality but not over the top imported BS that you find in the really fancy places. We kept the size down and focused on quality because this is our 3rd and final home and built on a small farm property that we had been trying to buy for about 10 years. We did the finish carpentry and painting ourselves but subbed out all of the other trades or I'd still be building 4 years later.
