I could ask architects or GCs for rough estimates, but if I’m not actually going to be building anything this seems dubious.
Maybe just be open and ask: “I’m writing a blog about building new affordable housing and doing research on the cost. Do you have an estimate? I’m happy to give you a backlink to your homepage on my blog post?”
That’s a great idea! I just wrote to the architect for our dormer work:
Thanks again for designing our 2016 dormer addition: the design has worked well, and it’s very helpful to have the extra space, especially now that we have a third kid!
I’m looking into affordable housing construction in Somerville, where we now have an affordable housing overlay district which allows construction of much denser housing than would normally be allowed as long as the units are all sold or rented under affordable housing restrictions. I’m trying to figure out costs, in a very rough ballpark way, as part of looking into whether it could work for groups of neighbors to get together to fund affordable housing construction.
Would you happen to have any rules of thumb for estimating the cost per square foot of no-frills construction in this area? For example, I see the census saying new construction in the Northeast had a median cost of $179/sqft in 2021, but my guess is places like Somerville are more expensive than average? Alternatively, do you have any recommendations on who to ask?
If you’re able to help I’d be happy to credit you or link back to your website from my writeup!
Maybe just be open and ask: “I’m writing a blog about building new affordable housing and doing research on the cost. Do you have an estimate? I’m happy to give you a backlink to your homepage on my blog post?”
That’s a great idea! I just wrote to the architect for our dormer work: