Question

Mrs. Tolstoy and her husband, Serge, are planning their dream house. The lot for the house sits high on a hill with a beautiful view of the Appalachian Mountains. The plans show the size of the house to be 2,900 square feet. The average price for a lot and house similar to this one has been $120 per square foot. Fortunately, Serge is a retired plumber and feels he can save money by installing the plumbing himself. Mrs. Tolstoy feels she can take care of the interior decorating.Page 153 The following average cost information is available from a local bank that makes loans to local contractors and dispenses progress payments to contractors when specific tasks are verified as complete. 24% Excavation and framing complete 8% Roof and fireplace complete 3% Wiring roughed in 6% Plumbing roughed in 5% Siding on 17% Windows, insulation, walks, plaster, and garage complete 9% Furnace installed 4% Plumbing fixtures installed 10% Exterior paint, light fixtures installed, finish hardware installed 6% Carpet and trim installed 4% Interior decorating 4% Floors laid and finished What is the estimated cost for the Tolstoys’ house if they use contractors to complete all of the house? Estimate what the cost of the house would be if the Tolstoys use their talents to do some of the work themselves.

Answer 1

$299,280

Step-by-step explanation:

If the Tolstoys purchased the house they would pay on average $120 per sq ft x 2,900 sq ft = $348,000

If Mr. installs the plumbing and Mrs. Tolstoy decorates the house, they can save 10% (plumbing and installing plumbing fixtures) and 4% (interior decorating) = 14% of the cost

So the Tolstoys can save = $348,000 x 14% = $48,720

the cost of the house = $348,000 - $48,720 = $299,280