Complete teardrop parts list and cost breakdown

[_Ryan_]

Over the course of my teardrop build I kept a copy of all my receipts to track expenses and stay on my budget . As time went on I made some changes, Okoume for the outer skin for example, and stopped actively tracking it.

With my build behind me I took a deep breath and went back and tallied up all my expenses, big and small, to see what the final damage was. I came up with the following spreadsheet if anyone is interested, Wyoming Woody: Parts list and cost breakdown.

To save you the suspense it came in just under $4,500 for the parts, glue, screws, etc. that went into the final build. So much for my initial estimate of $2,500...

[working on it]

Over the course of my teardrop build I kept a copy of all my receipts to track expenses and stay on my budget . As time went on I made some changes, Okoume for the outer skin for example, and stopped actively tracking it.

With my build behind me I took a deep breath and went back and tallied up all my expenses, big and small, to see what the final damage was. I came up with the following spreadsheet if anyone is interested, Wyoming Woody: Parts list and cost breakdown.

To save you the suspense it came in just under $4,500 for the parts, glue, screws, etc. that went into the final build. So much for my initial estimate of $2,500...

I admire your courage...I didn't want to face the reality of a "hobby/project gone wild" discussion with the wife (again). As I stated in a previous post:

I told my wife "You don't want to know", but the truth is "I" don't want to know. In an earlier posting/thread, I related how the costs kept rising far beyond the $500 I told her at first. I started a cost spreadsheet, and threw it away to hide the evidence! Buying pieces here and there, buying parts I never used, and mixing parts I bought for the trailer with other projects...all this made accounting impossible (and impossible for her to track; I used cash for many purchases, and made purchases of unrelated items at the same time). I can't find that earlier post right now, but I detailed why I did what I did. I used to build and race my vehicles under the same untraceable spending pattern as now. But, I would guess $1k-1.5K, including even the junk trailer I started with ($50).

In retrospect, and after another year of modifications, and perusing the parts and tools(some only used once or twice, others being used daily- justifying their purchase!) left over from the last 3 years of building (start 'til now), I'd have to at least double or triple+ my cost estimates. My wife never looks at my forum posts (fortunately), so I can confess that I never had any intention to only spend $500 !

[S. Heisley]

Ryan, that is an excellent break-down of costs. Thank you.

I've never totally listed everything....I was too chicken!

[_Ryan_]

Most surprising was the cost of all the small things. Also the Okume + Epoxy + Spar Varnish took a big bite. I was amazed that I also went through 13 tubes of PL Premium and 16 tubes of PL 300 foam adhesive!

Apparently the best way to anticipate your final costs is to prepare a decent initial estimate, and then double it! This seems to be the norm for a lot of others on this forum as well.

[tony.latham]

Ryan:

It's great that you posted this list.

I was amazed that I also went through 13 tubes of PL Premium

I finally figured out that you can save significantly by buying the big 28 oz tubes. Sure, they are kinda unwieldy but you get used to them. Looking at Home Depot right now, a 10 oz tube of PL costs $4.67 (47¢/oz.) and a 28 oz. tube costs $6.98. (25¢/oz.).

T

[Gunguy05]

I agree in the glue thing. I have severely underestimated the small things such as glue, screws (many different types), PL prem, hinges for cabinets. Heck I spent over a hundred bucks on inside cabinet hinges/latches/screws.

Great work, and great website documentation. I have started a thread on my personal blog of the basic steps, but I think I may do a similar TD only blog when I get done and give a more in depth explanation as you have done.

[ctstaas]

Hi Ryan, Beauty job! The plans I used said it could be built for $700. Well, $2,000 later I have my own, far from complete but functional. I can easily justify the extra expense ( new tires/ wheels vs. picked wheels and tires) for safety reasons and didn't even blink. I figured my next build at $2,000 and know it's a no frills estimate but is realistic with little room for slippage.
I would suggest scrubbing the tools not spent on the build from your budget or final expense. If you can use it on your next build it shouldn't be included in the expense. By figuring out what it actually cost you can estimate the value. A general rule of thumb commonly used is 1/3 materials and 2/3 labor. If the materials cost $4,000 the labor can be expected to cost $8,000 for a total of $12,000. For more complicated work I use the math 1/5 material and 4/5 labor. Whatever the math it is important to control the budget so if you would be willing to sell it wouldn't cost $3,000,000. Yours could easily be worth $12,000 at least so your wife should be pretty happy with that, right?
You will be very popular if you camp in public so I hope you're not shy.
Enjoy, Chris

[tony.latham]

I built a 4x8' for my sister -cabin only– and it was $1790.69 ready to bolt to their custom built chassis and head out for the hills.





That's on the low-ball 'cause they ordered the Frank Bear doors, Fantastic Fan, and the hatch hinge. That's close to another $900.

T