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Costs & hours

Exact numbers, updated as the build goes on.

FEB 23 2026 · 2,672 words · ~12 min read · rv12iscosts

I want to be as transparent as possible to help others estimate the true cost and time needed to build a plane. Sorry for the large amount of data.

This is as of July 31, 2026. I'll update this page through the build so it stays current, and it will show the grand total at the end.

Cost summary

Category Amount
Direct costs $175,156.41
Indirect costs $9,375.42
Grand total $184,531.84

Direct costs

Item Amount
Kits
Fastener Kit $900.00
Empennage Kit $5,600.00
Wing Kit $14,700.00
Fuselage Kit $12,800.00
Finishing Kit $19,600.00
Powerplant $50,000.00
Garmin G3X Touch IFR Package $49,500.00
Options
3-Blade Propeller $3,200.00
Wheel Fairing Kit $1,350.00
Sidewalls $745.00
Carpet $545.00
Baggage Compartment Trim $390.00
Glareshield Kit $180.00
Canopy Trim Kit $120.00
Paint
Evoke Paint Scheme Design $1,800.00
Tax
Fastener Kit Tax $56.25
Empennage Kit Tax $350.00
Wing Kit Tax $918.75
Fuselage Kit Tax $800.00
Finishing Kit Tax $1,433.13
Powerplant Tax $3,125.00
Propeller Tax $200.00
Avionics Tax $3,093.75
Shipping
Empennage & Fastener Shipping $947.75
Wing Kit Shipping $1,284.12
Fuselage Kit Shipping $1,158.65
Finishing Kit Shipping TBD
Powerplant Shipping TBD
Avionics Shipping TBD
Replacement parts
VS-1212-L $25.29
HS-01233 $27.93
R-01203-1 $18.59
HS-1206 (x3) $52.64
HS-1216 $17.60
HS-01233 (2nd replacement) $15.17
WD-01207-1-PC $80.08
WD-01208-1-PC $19.51
RBSPQ-5-2 (x24) $80.08
F-1238 $12.18
AN470AD-4-6 Rivets (0.13 lb) $9.95
Direct costs total $175,156.41

Indirect costs

Item Source Amount
Reference materials
The AeroElectric Connection eBay $35.28
The Sportplane Builder eBay $10.65
Firewall Forward eBay $10.65
Sportplane Construction Techniques eBay $10.65
Aircraft Inspection, Repair & Alterations Sporty's $48.17
Airframe AMT Handbook Aircraft Spruce $76.60
Powerplant AMT Handbook Aircraft Spruce $42.65
General AMT Handbook Aircraft Spruce $43.75
FAR/AMT Book Amazon $32.99
Memberships & registrations
VansAirForce Forum Membership PayPal $25.00
1-Year Family EAA Membership EAA $60.00
N-Number Reservations FAA $30.00
Training
LSRM Course Deposit (x2) Joby Aviation $1,000.00
LSRM Wrench Week Flights (x2) Southwest $675.60
Practice Blind Rivet Kits (x2) Vans $175.70
Other
RV-12iS Shirts (x2) Vans $63.75
Tools & Consumables Various $7,033.98
Indirect costs total $9,375.42

Tools & consumables detail

Item Qty Total
Aircraft Tool Supply
ATS Pro Pneumatic "C" Squeezer (3" yoke) 1 $687.94
Air Hydraulic Riveter Kit 1 $174.92
ATS Pro Super Duty Rivet Squeezer (3") 1 $137.95
Parker 37° Flaring Tool 1 $139.95
3M Cut & Polish Wheel (6"x1"x1/2") 1 $136.95
Hand Fluting Pliers 1 $60.36
Imperial Roto-Lok 180° Tube Bender 1 $58.95
Countersink Microstop 2 $57.90
Speed Deburr & Countersink Tool 1 $43.34
#30 Clecos 350 $297.50
#40 Clecos 50 $42.50
Imperial Ratcheting Tube Cutter 1 $29.95
Cleco Pliers, Spring Loaded 1 $28.95
3M Roloc Holder (2") 1 $27.20
ATS Sheet Metal Hand Seamer 1 $26.95
Shop Head Rivet Gauge Set 1 $26.25
Deluxe Fluting Pliers 1 $22.95
Flush Head Rivet Sets (tall and short) 3 $29.85
1/8 Protruding Head Rivet Set (tall, 1/2") 1 $9.95
12" Extension Drills (#30, #40) 2 $13.90
Drill Bits (#3, #11, #16, #20, #27, #36, #43, #52, 1/4", 5/16", Q, 3/8") 12 $81.30
Drill Bits (#12, #19, #30, #40) extras for high-use sizes 11 $82.00
100° Countersink Cutters (#12, #19, #27, #30, #40 pilots) 5 $52.75
120° Countersink Cutter (#30 pilot) 1 $22.95
Taps (1/4-28, 5/16-24, 3/8-16, 3/8-24, 4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-24) 8 $61.60
Scotch-Brite Roloc Disc, 2" A Med 4 $12.81
Deburring Blade, Internal/External (B30) 3 $10.01
Boelube Stick (1.6 oz) 1 $7.95
Aircraft Tool Supply subtotal $2,337.08
Aircraft Spruce
Stewart Systems EkoClean (1 Gallon) 1 $77.96
Stewart Systems EkoEtch (1 Quart) 1 $35.26
Avery Edge Rolling Tool 1 $31.19
Avery Double Edge Deburr Tool 1 $28.05
Aircraft Spruce subtotal $172.46
Cleaveland Aircraft Tool
3/32 Rivet Dimple Die Set (reduced dia. female die) 1 $51.43
1/8 Rivet Dimple Die Set (100°) 1 $51.43
#8 Screw Dimple Die Set 1 $51.43
Hex Shank Hole Deburring Tool 1 $33.43
3 Pc. Aluminum Deburr Handle Set 1 $26.43
Sharpie Marker 3 Pk (Blue) 1 $6.43
Cleaveland subtotal $220.58
Harbor Freight
DOYLE 6" Swivel Vise with Anvil & Pipe Jaws 1 $221.49
BLACK WIDOW HVLP Gravity-Feed Spray Gun (1.7 mm) 1 $197.54
CHIEF 1/4" Professional Air/Hydraulic Riveter 1 $166.11
STOREHOUSE 74-Bin Mobile Double-Sided Floor Rack 1 $166.11
CENTRAL MACHINERY 1"x30" Belt & 5" Disc Sander 1 $77.51
Moving Blankets (72x80, 40x72, 40x50) 9 $62.46
BAUER 6" Bench Grinder with LED Lights 1 $44.29
BAUER 3 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum 1 $43.89
BAUER Cyclone Dust Separator Kit 1 $43.89
GERSON Paint & Body Respirator Kit (Medium) 1 $40.60
GERSON Paint & Body Respirator Kit (Large) 1 $40.97
HERCULES Cobalt Step Drill Bit (1/4" to 3/4") 1 $33.21
Clear Poly Sheeting (20 ft x 25 ft) 1 $32.91
BAUER Premium Vacuum Accessory Kit 1 $32.91
2" C-Clamps 10 $30.90
BAUER HEPA Wet/Dry Vacuum Filter 1 $29.62
BAUER Rotary Tool Kit (36-Piece) 1 $27.43
Stretch Wrap (18" x 1000 ft) 1 $27.43
Sanding Sheets (220-grit, Ceramic) 3 $26.31
MERLIN NPT Air Flow Control Valve with Gauge 2 $26.32
WARRIOR Titanium HSS Numbered Drill Bit Set (60-Piece) 1 $21.94
BAUER Cordless 1/4" Screwdriver Kit 1 $21.94
MERLIN 3/8"x25 ft PVC/Rubber Hybrid Air Hose 1 $21.94
MERLIN Color-Coded Industrial Coupler & Plug Set (14-Piece) 1 $21.94
12-Outlet Metal Power Strip (4 ft) 1 $21.94
WARRIOR Rotary Tool Accessory Set (276-Piece) 1 $20.84
Painter's Tape (0.94" x2, 1.88" x1) 3 $19.17
BRAUN 500 Lumen Professional Swivel Headlamp 1 $16.60
SPECTRUM 20 oz Paint System Starter Kit 1 $16.45
White Shop Towels (50-Pack) 1 $16.45
HERCULES 3" Impact-Rated Magnetic Bit Holder 2 $15.48
File and Rasp Set (12-Piece) 1 $15.49
ICON 16 oz Soft Face Dead Blow Hammer 1 $15.49
Anti-Fatigue Foam Mat Set (4-Pack) 1 $14.26
Sanding Belts (80-grit x2, 120-grit x1) 3 $13.26
3" Steel Spring Clamps 4 $13.25
Safety Wire Twisting Pliers 2 $24.12
SPECTRUM 20 oz Paint System Refill Kit 1 $13.28
Nitrile Gloves (XX-Large, 100-Pack) 1 $13.16
MERLIN Automotive Quick Coupler & Plug Set (4-Piece) 1 $11.06
Drop Cloth (13 ft x 16 ft) 2 $10.95
Stainless Steel Lock Wire (1 lb Coil) 1 $10.96
Letter/Number Stamping Set (36-Piece) 1 $10.96
Paint Strainers (100-Pack) 1 $9.87
MERLIN Inline Desiccant Dryer/Filter 1 $9.87
Pin Punch Set (8-Piece) 1 $9.86
Needle File Set (10-Piece) 2 $17.62
QUINN 7" Diagonal Cutters 1 $8.85
Oil/Water Separator 1 $8.77
Nut & Bolt Assortment (240-Piece) 1 $8.77
BAUER Cotton Buffing Wheels (2-Piece) 1 $8.77
Surface Sanding Disc Kit 1 $7.67
Spray Bottles (2-Pack) 1 $7.67
Nut & Washer Assortment (460-Piece) 1 $7.12
MERLIN Air Tool Oil (16 oz) 2 $13.20
Nitrile Gloves (Small, 100-Pack) 1 $6.58
Soldering Iron (30W) 1 $6.57
Disposable Drop Cloth (9 ft x 12 ft) 3 $6.55
String Knit Gloves (6-Pair) 1 $5.53
Construction Line Reel (325 ft) 1 $4.75
Stubby Ball Peen Hammer (8 oz) 1 $4.38
Auto Center Punch (Brass Handle) 1 $4.38
Micro Spring Clamp Set (6-Piece) 1 $2.18
5 Gallon Bucket (Red, free) 1 $0.00
Harbor Freight subtotal $1,886.12
Menards
Parts Organizers (39-Bin and 36-Bin) 3 $105.17
Chrome 5-Tier Mobile Shelving Unit 1 $98.57
Masterforce 12" Variable Speed Drill Press (rebate applied) 1 $96.84
Swivel Casters (for workbenches, two sets) 8 $86.52
2x4s for EAA Workbenches (x2) 14 $61.71
1/2" Galvanized Hardware Cloth (4' x 25') 1 $55.36
1/2" Plywood Sheets 3 $53.13
6' Fold-in-Half Banquet Table 1 $49.80
Mr. Heater Remote LP Installation Kit 1 $43.97
3M Anti-Fog Clear Safety Glasses 2 $39.84
Workbench Screws (8x2 and 2.5") $33.40
Tool Belt 1 $31.05
2x4x8' Construction Lumber 7 $30.85
Ear Protection (EP3, EP5, Corded) 3 $30.02
Aluminum Handle Tension Hacksaw 1 $22.58
Masterforce 3/8"x25' Rubber Air Hose 1 $22.14
1/2" x 2x4 OSB 3 $19.90
Drywall Screws (5 lb Box) 1 $17.70
Aviation Tin Snips Set (3-Piece) 1 $15.99
32 TPI Hacksaw Blades (10-Pack) 1 $15.05
Nitrile Gloves (X-Large) 3 $11.16
Vise Mounting Hardware (washers, nuts, bolts) $11.15
T-Handle Tap Wrench (1/4"-1/2") 1 $10.34
Inline Air Oiler 1 $9.89
11" 45° Bent Nose Pliers 1 $8.85
Dremel Sanding Bands (1/2", 240-Grit) 2 $8.17
Lacquer Thinner (1 qt) 1 $7.74
Masterforce 1/4" NPT Mini Regulator with Gauge 1 $7.74
General Tool 6" Stiff Ruler 1 $5.41
3.5 Gallon Bucket 1 $3.51
7-Quart Collapsible Crate 1 $3.31
All-Purpose Sprayer Bottles (32 oz) 2 $2.19
Staples (1/2" Crown, 1,000 Count) 1 $1.10
Menards subtotal $1,020.15
Omega Technologies
3/4 x 1 Cleco Side-Grip Clamps 25 $52.98
3/4 x 1/2 Cleco Side-Grip Clamps 5 $14.78
Omega Technologies subtotal $67.76
Stewart Systems
EkoPoxy (1 Gallon, ZC Green) 1 $444.41
EkoPrime (8 oz, Smoke Gray) 1 $31.30
EkoEtch (8 oz) 1 $19.82
EkoClean (8 oz) 1 $17.34
Stewart Systems subtotal $512.87
Blain's Farm & Fleet
30K BTU Vent Free Blue Flame Dual Fuel Heater 1 $314.64
Blain's subtotal $314.64
Lowe's
First Alert CO Detector 1 $26.44
MOXIE Terry Towels (48-Pack) 1 $19.27
MOXIE Trash Bags (13 Gallon, 130-Count) 1 $19.27
Sandpaper Sheets (180 and 220-Grit) 2 $13.18
1-Quart Mixing Buckets 4 $10.94
1-Gallon Paint Mixing Arm 1 $8.14
2-Gallon Buckets 2 $6.57
Putty Knives, Stir Sticks $4.58
Lowe's subtotal $108.39
Other sources
Ryobi BS-900 Bandsaw (Facebook Marketplace) 1 $75.00
3M Scotch-Brite Maroon Hand Pads, 60-Pack (eBay) 1 $71.66
Bandsaw Blades (bandsawbladecenter.com) 2 $68.17
SEM Self Etching Primer, 20 oz Aerosol (NAPA) 1 $46.07
Vent Free Blower Fan Kit (eBay) 1 $30.79
DYMO LetraTag 100H Label Maker (Target) 1 $28.04
DYMO Label Tape Refill (eBay) 1 $16.31
Pneumatic Rivet Gun Jaws (eBay) 2 $13.27
Casio Calculator (Target) 1 $8.30
Highlighters, Pencils, Marking Tags (Target) $9.23
Distilled Water (Jewel-Osco) 1 $2.45
Other sources subtotal $369.29
Tools & consumables total $7,033.98

Hours summary

Section George Shelby Total
Workshop 12.5 13.5 26.0
Practice Kit 11.0 11.0 22.0
Empennage 74.0 92.6 166.7
Wings 5.5 5.5 11.0
Fuselage 0.0 0.0 0.0
Finishing 0.0 0.0 0.0
Avionics 0.0 0.0 0.0
Powerplant 0.0 0.0 0.0
Total 103.0 122.6 225.7

by shared tag

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