Full Brick Construction

OldSienna · Aug 25, 2006 4:40 pm

I have been actively looking for an old house to knock down and rebuild for the last 3 months and have just realised it might be a good idea for me to seriously start researching the building side of the equation. My only foray into this area has been the discussions I have had with family and friends who have gone through the process and the countless trips to the display home villages. I figured that knowing more about the building process will help me find a suitable property.

I was elated to have found this forum knowing that the experiences of others is far more valuable than anything a sales person will care to impart with you. The first thing I was concerned about was the cost of building a **** house as opposed to just brick-veneer. I am really keen on **** as the maintenance, insulation and durability qualities far exceed those of other building materials.

From what I have been able to find out so far, the cost of constructing of a **** home is generally considered equivalent to building a brick-veneer equivalent. Of course, that’s if you’re talking to a brick manufacturer. They will tell you that a builder will tend to increase the quote to build a **** house because there is less work for a builder in a full brick home (and hence less profit) – especially if the builders are set up for brick veneer. Most builders, in particular the project home variety, will spin a different yarn altogether. Does anyone care to share any insight into the costs of constructing in ****?

Thanks in advance.

builda · Aug 28, 2006 8:52 am

Full brick has always been more expensive than brick veneer - at least in Melbourne anyway. In WA, they mostly build full brick so it may be more economical but not over here.

It has nothing to do with builders profit! What a crock that is. It is all about, and only about the cost of labour and materials for everything from footings to plaster to installation of services (plumbing and elec) into a solid brick home.

Also, we have had a terrible shortage of bricklayers for the last few years which is only now starting to ease, again this has pushed the price up significantly.

micky · Aug 31, 2006 5:30 pm

full brick is generally most houses over here in wa because in general we have free draining sandy soils which give less movement worries than the eastern states.....................i think builda is right that brick veneer would be cheaper because i assume frames are factory made off site and installed within a couple of days

personally i think full brick is easier if it is an option because less coordination of trades and being a brickie i am partial to bricks lol but a good builder who does brick veneer all the time will have it running pretty smooth

zenithconstructions · Sep 11, 2006 12:09 pm

Full brick is more expensive because:

a) Bricks are more expensive than timber
b) Brickies are more expensive laying brick-by-brick than carpenters erecting a pre-fab frame.
c) The extra weight of the bricks requires more susbtantial footings that require more excavation and materials.

The only reason that builder's profit will affect the cost is because as the overall cost of a building goes up, the builder's margin (usually applied as a percentage) will also go up.