Many times, extension engineers are asked to give a ballpark estimate of the cost of a project like a free stall barn or parlor. Although most engineers, including myself, are uncomfortable giving an answer to that question, we realize that is is helpful to be able to obtain some information for planning a project without having to get a written estimate from a lumberyard or a builder. It is not that we don't want to help, but to be honest, we are not involved in the building industry on a day to day basis, and our information can get old pretty fast, especially since lumber prices can change drastically and without much warning.
Obtaining a complete and detailed cost estimate from a builder or material supplier is still the best and most accurate way of estimating a project. Conventional wisdom suggests that you should obtain at least three estimates using a consistent list of specifications and plans.
Remember that "low bid" does not always translate into "best buy." Make sure that the bids are offered by an experienced contractor who can perform the work satisfactorily. Get references from the bidders and ask them to show you work similar to your project. Don't be afraid to call references and get their honest opinions about their experiences with the contractor.
Even estimates obtained the right way may not include all costs and need to be used carefully. Some forgotten or hidden costs such as "site preparation" can get you into trouble fast. I just got a call from a farmer who was having a budget problem for a free stall barn project because he failed to accurately determine site preparation costs. He assumed that it would not take much money to prepare the site, but in fact the excavation costs were much higher than he planned for, and he was now faced with trimming the budget in order to proceed with the project.
I use the information below as part of a class exercise in our short course program to get the students to think in terms of major expenditures and to get a ballpark estimate for their individual building projects. The building and equipment cost information included in this article is useful only for the planning process and should not be compared to estimates that you have obtained from contractors for a specific project.
Good luck on your project and may you always come in under budget!
EARTHWORK Excavation $1.60/cu yd Trucking (15-mile haul) $3.00/cu yd Backhoe trench, 2 to 5 ft deep $2.00/ft Gravel or sand fill Material $5/cu yd Placed and compacted $6.50/cu yd Earth fill Borrow on farm $1.70/cu yd Cattle mound $0.50/sq ft Macadam surface $0.75/sq ft Diversion $2.00/ft Gravel driveway, 6" deep $0.16/sq ft Cattle lane, limestone screenings $0.20/sq ft Cattle lane, geotextile base $0.50/sq ft Filter strip $0.12/sq ft CONCRETE Material only $60.00/cu yd Material & labor $120.00/cu yd 5" slab installed w/ 6x6 10 gauge mesh, installed $1.90/sq ft 6" curb, installed $12.00/ft 1' wall w/footing $19.00/ft 2' wall w/footing $24.00/ft 4' wall w/footing $32.00/ft 6' wall w/footing $43.00/ft 8' wall w/footing $55.00/ft Precast 8' L panel $60.00/ft Precast 8' T panel $80.00/ft Saw and remove slab $2.00/sq ft WOOD DIVIDER WALL 16" high, 3 boards $16.40/ft Plus 1 board $0.90/ft 4' high $32.00/ft FENCING High tensile, 8 wire w/wood posts $0.90/ft Barbed wire, 5-wire w/steel posts $0.75/ft Woven wire, w/wood posts $2.00/ft Cattle panel, 52" x 16' $15.00 Electric, 2-wire w/steel posts $0.50/ft Chain link security $1.15/ft Cable fence, feeding $0.50/ft Metal tube gates $5.00/ft 4'board fence $7.00/ft Precast feed bunk $18.00/ft Wind break, 8' post, girts and steel $1.50/sq ft MECHANICAL VENTILATION Ventilation fans, 24"/36"/48" diameter $300/$450/$800/ea Circulateing funnel fans, 20" diameter $200/ea Freestanding circulatng fans, 36"/48" diameter $500/$750/ea Ventilation duct $14 /ft Ventilation area inlets $75/ea WATERING SYSTEMS 2 hole heated waterer $300/ea 2 hole energy free waterer $600/ea Water tanks $75/ea Water cups $50/ea BUILDING SHELLS Post frame, no walls Material only $3.00/sq ft Constructed $4.00/sq ft Post frame, with walls Material only $4.00/sq ft Constructed $5.00/sq ft Building overhang $3.00/sq ft Insulation, 1" (R=5) $0.75/sq ft Plywood liner, 1/2" $0.50/sq ft Steel liner Material only $0.50/sq ft Installed $1.00/sq ft Sliding door $300/ea Overhead door $600/ea Freezer door strips $2.40/sq ft Person door $200/ea Window, 2'x4' $200/ea Vent doors, 2'x8' $150/ea Rain gutter, 5" $5.00/ft Greenhouse frame Material only $2.30/sq ft Constructed $3.50/sq ft Shade $0.25/sq ft Plastic $0.25/sq ft Steel frame Materials only $3.25/sq ft Constructed $4.25/sq ft Curtain sidewall Material only $1.00/sq ft Material w/ controls $1.75/sq ft STALL-BARN MATERIALS Locking feed through, or lock-ups $40/ft Free stall partition Material only $60/ea Installed $90/ea Tie stall partition $125/ea Cow mat $70/ea Cow mattress $75/ea Railroad tie, 6" x 8" x 8' $8/ea Treated post, 6" x 6" x 8' $15/ea EQUIPMENT TMR mixer $16,000 Tractor $450/hp Skidsteer loader $600/hp Manure transfer pump $11,000/ea MANURE TRANSFER 6' x 6' x 6' concrete reception pit $2500/ea Transfer pipes 12" PVC, materials only $11/ft 24" PVC, materials only $60/ft Installation (backhoe, labor, backfill) $9/ft
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