running through this thread is the idea that somehow because the op is in north dakota, building should be cheaper. i ran into a similar attitude in northern mn where people from the twin cities would expect us to be cheaper because we were "up north". the opposite is true.
- there is less building activity, so there are fewer subs and thus less competition between subs.
- subs aren't as specialized so work takes longer. where i live, you cannot find a sub who specializes in framing, for example, let alone one who specializes in concrete reinforcement.
- there are no illegals working in the trades.
- frost depth is 60" (current job i am working on, the excavation and icf foundation is 70 grand on a 2200 sq. ft house).
- windows and insulation required for our cold winters are more expensive.
- materials are more expensive because transportation costs are higher. (what do you think, we can step out the back door and cut down a tree and build a house with it?)
- the building season is shortened by severe winters.
right now in my area (duluth, mn), a "production home" by one of the few builders who produce such a thing runs 150 a sq. ft. a custom home hits 200 without batting an eye. turnkey log cabins are up to $425/square foot. so don't come up here thinking you'll get some local yokel to build you a house cheaper than in st. louis or denver. ain't gonna happen.