Matt Lane

We're in the process of building a new home, and among the myriad of choices, we are wondering about the cost benefit of 10' ceilings on the main floor (vs. 9).

I know they are more expensive, but in speaking to our builder, I was not aware of how many cost drivers are impacted - stone or brick material, vapor barrier, insulation, framing, gyprock, finishing, paint, impact on door and window heights, etc. etc.

Anyone have any insight or way to calculate what that 1' ceiling differential actually costs on a 2 storey build?

Grateful for any ideas experience here on how to ballpark this? Our main floor footprint is about 1600 feet, garage footprint is 900 feet.

Thanks!

Matt

LastMezger

Get him to price the difference. That said, structure and finishing costs are massively variable as you know. You can have 10' ceilings for not a lot more with basic finishings...or you can finish at $1000/ft.

I'd be more concerned about proportions. When we did our last custom build we did 10' on the main floor as there were large rooms 18'x40' for example that supported the height.

Interior doors BTW are dirt cheap. An 8' solid wood 2-panel door is $250 custom made.

Scotty2H

Your architect/GC should be able to give both quotes no?

Henley1

9 10.

bobblehead

new /revised architectural drawings, structural engineer and other consultants would be needed as well. In all, there is no formula per se to form an universal calculation of this 1' difference. I would take an educated guess of around $15,000 (in all) as the minimum to do this change.

Matt Lane

Thanks guys for the ideas. I agree, scale is most important - the main floor will have a 400 square foot 'great room', and 10 feet looks really good esp. when you consider ceiling details, coffered, etc.

My builder is making the point that there are ton of variables - it's not the length of the gyprock at all - it's EVERYTHING on and in the walls, from the stone down to the paint, including taller windows and doors throughout...

She will not be doing 2 quotes (down to each of the subtrades), so my inclination is to stick with 10 on the main floor for now and try to make that work. 9 ft upstairs I think is very reasonable.

Cheers

Matt

ggrace

10/9 should be good. I sell homes and at the size you mentioned, most would expect 10ft in a new home.

TurboS

Please check your messages.

Crazy Canuck

10/9 is good but consider dropping down to less in certain areas for proportion. Different ceiling heights also help define rooms.

rob p

I don't really think anyone is building with 9ft ceilings on the main floor for custom builds anymore. 10ft is the standard. The ceiling height makes a huge difference in the house, visually, the main floor will feel a lot larger as well.

It's worth the extra cost

RickBetterley

No matter what, build the house you want.
Took us a bit longer to sell our custom post and beam but we loved it for 33 years first.
And Nat deserves what she wants (you too)

Matt Lane

Truer words never spoken Rick! We're heading to LCMT on our anniversary for the umpteenth time... 23 years, apparently it works. Nat's digging helmet and HANS out of the closet now

Thanks everyone for the thoughts - 10ft. will be locked in.

Cheers

Matt

RickBetterley

See you there
Bring the house plans?

S98CS

I AM A BUILDER
I NEVER BUILD BELOW 12' FIRST FLOOR
If you have plans that are approved You cannot just decide to change the height as it will affect the overall height of the structure
Your plans might need a committee of adjustment to comply , be very careful in this area!!!
Consult your bylaws to comply!

as the structure get higher on the first floor you will need to have structural members too keep the wall straight
LSL studs 30% upgrade
the trades such as electrical ,plumbers and drywall will charge a premium on the heights
you will also requirehigher doors to balance the appearance of the room ( custom)
Good luck in your build

SC

petee_c

heating and cooling costs?

8' ceilings vs 9' vs 10'?