Buying a home with LivLab Studios:

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Getting started with LivLab:

With no commitment or deposit you can get your name onto our list for buying Precipice House modules by filling out the interest form below.  Soon after, you will be contacted by LivLab for a follow up consultation.  When you are ready, you can make a non-refundable deposit for $1000 to receive your contractor's packet. This includes the foundation specs, the estimate, and the Livlab contract for your project.  At this point LivLab will communicate directly with you and your contractor to aid with any questions they will have.  This packet can be taken to your local municipality for zoning and permitting or your bank for a construction loan.

Once you have secured funding, your site contractor, your property, and other necessary logistics, we will then mutually sign our contract and take half the invoiced amount to put your project into production. 

  • see Prices & Designs

  • see Prices & Designs

  • see Prices & Designs

  • Finishes, etc.

  • Sky-deck, deck, shade structure, etc

  • Within ABQ metro area this runs around $8k, which includes transport, crane, and our crew setting the house.

  • Depending on where in NM you are, the percentage will vary. Typically it’ll be somewhere around 7% (including state, county & city).

  • Foundation, utility services, driveway (if applicable), and permitting. Costs in this area can vary widely depending on your property. A typical ADU in Albuquerque might run around $25k.

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Permitting:

Our modules are certified through the state (NM Construction Industries Division) for quality assurance, code compliance, and the new, stricter 2018 energy code, but your foundation and site work need to be permitted locally either by you or your contractor (LivLab will provide the drawings for the modules to include with your permit application).

Working through the permitting process for foundation mounted homes, depending on which municipality your property falls under, can be a lengthy process. It’s good to check in with your city or county prior to committing to make sure your plans are not prohibited.

Site Visit

If you’d like us to come check out your property location to determine feasibility and talk about how a house could best orient, etc, we’re happy to come out either before or after you’ve decided you’d like to move ahead with us. Our fee for a couple hour visit is $200 + $0.50/mile (round trip) if outside of Albuquerque. This can be arranged during your consultation after filling out the interest form above.

You may want to get pre-approved by a lender before starting the process if you’ll be needing a construction loan.

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Site Preparation:

Once your property is permitted to receive one of our houses, your house site will need to be prepared by a contractor in your area with whom you’d like to work. We like to give you the opportunity to find the best value for this work to be done locally.

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Home Delivery

Your home will be brought in on a trailer and placed onto the foundation. Most locations will likely require a crane. Voila! Once your inspector grants the certificate of occupancy, you can move in!

Delivery fees depend on distance from our plant in Albuquerque.

ADDING UP PROJECT COSTS

Fees to Expect:

  • Products: module(s), connector portal (if applicable), accessories, finishes upgrades, etc.

  • Delivery: within ABQ metro area this runs around $8k, which includes transport, crane, and our crew setting the house. Costs increase outside ABQ metro area.

  • Site work: cost of foundation and utilities

  • Taxes: (depending on your city, county, and part of New Mexico, the percentage will vary. Typically it’ll be somewhere around 7% (including state, county & city).

  • Permitting: fees from your municipality

Fee / Billing Schedule

  • 1st Installment: 50%: MATERIALS

    • This covers the materials and overhead. Once you get this installment to us, we can get under contract and get the materials ordered.

  • 2nd Installment: %25 LABOR

    • This covers labor on the build once the materials and space are ready.

  • 3rd Installment: %25 FINAL

    • At completion you pay the last portion of the total.

A house about to be scooted onto it’s foundation