A general cost estimate to build your new home (a completely finished home, ready for occupancy including the cost of land prep such as septic or sewer connection, permits, excavation, foundation, etc. but not including the cost of the lot itself) can be calculated by using the following formula.  However... please be aware that the true final cost will be determined by the type of finishing materials that you choose to use in the home.  For example- If you decide to gold plate your entire home with 18K gold... this formula will certainly not work.  Likewise, if you choose to use genuine Italian Marble imported from Northern Italy for your floor coverings, this formula will not be as accurate.  However- if you are going to choose finishing materials that are comparable to SIMILAR homes in the neighborhood, this formula is quite accurate.  For example- if similar homes have real oak hardwood floors (not laminate Pergo), you can expect to use real oak hardwood floors in your home.  If similar homes have Corian countertops, you can expect to use Corian countertops as well.  Here is how you can calculate a general cost estimate to build a completed finished home, ready for occupancy (but not including the cost of the land):

Take the panelized package price of the home you're interested in, multiply by 4.5 and then plus or minus 12% for a general range of your cost to build.

EXAMPLE:  The NORWALK model package price is $39,303. (2721 sq.ft.)

Norwalk package price =	$39,303
multiply by 4	x 4.5
total cost estimate (TCE) =	$176,863
multiply by 10%	x .12
10% of $161,585 =	$21,223
add & subtract $21,223  from TCE for range	.
TOTAL COST ESTIMATE (TCE) RANGE =	$155,640  to  $198,086
Norwalk model per sq. ft. cost to build range	$57.00  to  $73.00 / sq.ft.

In other words- you can expect to build the Norwalk model at an estimated cost of $155,640 to $198,086 in most places in the United States.  The $42,446 dollar difference between the lowest estimated cost to build and the highest estimated cost to build is the difference in local labor costs, the owners choice of finishing materials, and the amount of labor that is contracted out or completed by the owner-builder.