
Question
nnnnIn comparing the cost of reproduction of two buildings of the same square footage, a two-story house usually:
nnnnSelections
nnnn• A. Costs more than a one-story house
nnnn• B. Costs less than a one-story house
nnnn• C. Costs the same as a one-story house
nnnn• D. Can’t be compared with a one-story house
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Answer: B
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5 Keys Summary
nnnn1. A two-story house generally costs less to reproduce than a one-story house with the same total square footage.
nnnn2. This lower cost is due to the structure being more cost-effective to build on a per-square-foot basis.
nnnn3. The efficiency is gained by stacking the living space vertically, maximizing use “under the same roof and over the exact same foundation”.
nnnn4. Since the foundation and roof are major construction expenses, a two-story house requires less foundation footprint and smaller roof surface area, lowering overall reproduction costs.
nnnn5. Reproduction cost is an estimate to rebuild an exact replica, which demonstrates that a comparable one-story building is inherently more expensive due to its larger required roof and foundation.
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