Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Oct 21, 2010 5:40 pm Righto, here's the scenario... I am in inner Bayside Melb with a block that's just over 500sm. I want to demolish and rebuild a two storey house that's about 400sm (43 squares). Unfortunately, it's a bit more complicated than that - I want the top storey to comprise two apartments: one for mum and one for an au pair to help with my disabled child. So, 150sm on the ground floor for us and two flats upstairs. I have been talking to a few architects and builders, and I'm thoroughly confused about what this should cost. Basically, I've been told that a custom designed house can't be built to a reasonable standard (and we're not talking European bathrooms or anything) for under $1m, or $2500 per square metre. I was hoping to do it for $800,000 or $2,000 per square metre (not including demolition, archtects fees, landscaping, etc). Am I being unrealistic? Do I just need to find an architect who can design things that are cheaper to build? Would Inform or someone similar be able to do it for $2,000 per square metre? Help! Re: Going bonkers - cost to build custom home 2Oct 21, 2010 6:23 pm we chose a builder who had their own draftspeople (ie NOT an architect) alter their display home to fit our needs and block so much that it pretty much WAS a custom build. could this be an option for you? ours is pretty much 30 squares plus garage, single storey and cost around $350k to build including upgrades, not including demolition etc. I'm sure it probably gets more complicated with the apartments and stuff. "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: Going bonkers - cost to build custom home 3Oct 21, 2010 7:47 pm In my opinion the cost quoted looks to be a bit excessive. We are planning to build on 520sq mt plot, a 36 sq custom house, because of plot size and other issues associated with building in an established area. Our costs look to be hovering around the $350-$400k mark. We are in the very early stages of planning, but have enough data to know where we stand. We are using a building designer to do up our custom plan. It has been a very positive experience so far, and no where near the cost of using architects. I used the BDAA website to find our designer. May be the post code in your area determines the price that your architect / builders set. It does seem excessive to me considering that there is no associated land cost. Re: Going bonkers - cost to build custom home 4Oct 21, 2010 8:07 pm Our overall cost including demolition is coming in at around $15,500 a square (approx 30sq double story) including top quality finishes, paving, driveway, some landscaping and all the extra stuff we had to do to get the block to build stage - that's for a full custom designed house with a small builder. I think it would definitely pay to take your time shop around. Re: Going bonkers - cost to build custom home 5Oct 21, 2010 10:07 pm melbmeg Righto, here's the scenario... I am in inner Bayside Melb with a block that's just over 500sm. I want to demolish and rebuild a two storey house that's about 400sm (43 squares). Unfortunately, it's a bit more complicated than that - I want the top storey to comprise two apartments: one for mum and one for an au pair to help with my disabled child. So, 150sm on the ground floor for us and two flats upstairs. I have been talking to a few architects and builders, and I'm thoroughly confused about what this should cost. Basically, I've been told that a custom designed house can't be built to a reasonable standard (and we're not talking European bathrooms or anything) for under $1m, or $2500 per square metre. I was hoping to do it for $800,000 or $2,000 per square metre (not including demolition, archtects fees, landscaping, etc). Am I being unrealistic? Do I just need to find an architect who can design things that are cheaper to build? Would Inform or someone similar be able to do it for $2,000 per square metre? Help! When you say "apartment", do you mean like a bedroom/living area/ensuite/kitchen/laundry OR maybe just a bedroom/living area/ensuite with shared kitchen and laundry facilities downstairs? Scenario one may be a bugger to do, but the second scenario I reckon would be more than achievable within your $800k budget.... Re: Going bonkers - cost to build custom home 6Oct 22, 2010 5:58 pm Thanks for your thoughts, guys. I called Inform today and they seem to think it's doable, and the idea of a complete service, from start to finish is appealing. Will let you know how I go. I might even start a blog. So it looks like we finally have some movement on site! Definitely later than expected, but I'll take any progress at this point. I'll drop by over the weekend to get… 5 27303 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105491 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14435 |