Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 24, 2015 11:33 am Hi, we're going through the KDR with a custom builder and would like to here people's thoughts on the the cost range for different houses. I've heard that once all upgrades are complete for some builders like Carlisle/Porter Davis can add up to $200k on the inital price. It's important to compare apples with apples so I'd ask if people can exclude costs such as site costs, and cheaper areas like garage and alfresco. We're looking at $13,500 per square for a custom design with major inclusions such as double glazed windows, stone benchtops throughout, LED lights, engineered floors to downstairs, fireplace. The rate would be less if we included 7 squares of garage and alfresco. I've heard other custom builders range between $14-$18k but I'm not sure if this includes site costs. What prices are others on the forum getting and what are some of the major inclusions? Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 2Jul 26, 2015 8:31 am A custom home is around $3,000 - $4,000 per sqm, what type of home are you building? Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 4Jul 26, 2015 9:19 am The best way to analysis costs is to break it down into key elemental costs.eg concrete, brickwork,plasterer,roof framer, etc, etc Start with broad composite rates As you firm up the design and engineering then use more accurate rates, the secret is to stay within the predefined budgeted boundaries. Preformed/Tiltup/Precast concrete is the cheapest folowed by masonry and then framework. Most lower end houses/units are coming in at $1200-$1500 m2 basic design + finishes Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 5Jul 26, 2015 9:29 am Manic That sounds steep. Multiply that by 9.29 and your looking at $27,000 plus per square. Were building a 48 square double story. ....I think you mean the old fashion imperial/US square 10' x10' so to convert to SI units you need to divide instead of multiply? Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 6Jul 26, 2015 9:40 am For a lot of volume builders, the cost per square metre isn't very different between custom designs and their own floorplans, so long as the custom design is efficient to build. Beware of excluding site costs: some builders will include more footings in the actual house, and so require less "site costs" for a given block. Also not sure of the logic in excluding garaging from costs. Most people won't have such a figure, as quotes come in garage inclusive. Also the per square metre cost of the garage isn't so different to living areas. For example, there's a bigger difference between kitchen vs living, so it can come down the amount of high cost area in the house. The volume builders start at around $1000/m2 for custom single storey houses in the 300m2 range by the time they are fitted out to the spec you mention, that's ready to move in on a typical site. For 2 storey, it starts more around the $1300/m2. My feeling of quality custom builders is you're looking at about 50% extra in cost, but it isn't apples for apples, because the finished product is different as well. There's also a whole range of pricing and quality and not just two categories If you have created your own design that you own the rights to, then just give it to a number of builders to quote on, together with some details of inclusions. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 7Jul 26, 2015 11:12 am My 3bdr home is through a small local builder, it's custom in that the floorplan is unique to me, but that's about the most custom thing on it. I'm paying roughly $1,100 per square meter for 153m2 house. You can see the plan on my thread I'm in Melbourne. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 8Jul 26, 2015 2:46 pm I don't understand how builders that quotes at <$2,000 makes money Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 9Jul 26, 2015 9:05 pm StructuralBIMGuy The best way to analysis costs is to break it down into key elemental costs.eg concrete, brickwork,plasterer,roof framer, etc, etc Start with broad composite rates As you firm up the design and engineering then use more accurate rates, the secret is to stay within the predefined budgeted boundaries. Preformed/Tiltup/Precast concrete is the cheapest folowed by masonry and then framework. Most lower end houses/units are coming in at $1200-$1500 m2 basic design + finishes Yes, I'm referring to the imperial 10'x10' square. If I were to include site costs, garage/alfresco and finishes we're looking at $1,420 per square meter or (x 9,29) $13,200 per square. On one hand I think it's great, on the other I've heard it's steep, hence my thread. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 10Jul 26, 2015 9:09 pm aloenyx My 3bdr home is through a small local builder, it's custom in that the floorplan is unique to me, but that's about the most custom thing on it. I'm paying roughly $1,100 per square meter for 153m2 house. You can see the plan on my thread I'm in Melbourne. Thanks for sharing Dawn. Your place looks great! Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 11Jul 26, 2015 9:16 pm oneJohn For a lot of volume builders, the cost per square metre isn't very different between custom designs and their own floorplans, so long as the custom design is efficient to build. Beware of excluding site costs: some builders will include more footings in the actual house, and so require less "site costs" for a given block. Also not sure of the logic in excluding garaging from costs. Most people won't have such a figure, as quotes come in garage inclusive. Also the per square metre cost of the garage isn't so different to living areas. For example, there's a bigger difference between kitchen vs living, so it can come down the amount of high cost area in the house. The volume builders start at around $1000/m2 for custom single storey houses in the 300m2 range by the time they are fitted out to the spec you mention, that's ready to move in on a typical site. For 2 storey, it starts more around the $1300/m2. My feeling of quality custom builders is you're looking at about 50% extra in cost, but it isn't apples for apples, because the finished product is different as well. There's also a whole range of pricing and quality and not just two categories If you have created your own design that you own the rights to, then just give it to a number of builders to quote on, together with some details of inclusions. Agree some areas will be more expensive than others. As a guide, I was given a guide of 10,500 per square (not square meter for living areas), 5,500 for garage, and 4,500 for alfresco. Your figures are consistent with what I'm being quoted for a double story which brings me comfort I think I'm getting good value for a totally custom build and finishes that I'm very happy with. Thanks for your information. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 12Jul 27, 2015 8:49 am wood bang I don't understand how builders that quotes at <$2,000 makes money That would seem to be most of them, at least if you count on a per-house-built rather than a per-building-company basis. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 13Jul 27, 2015 11:08 am Our house is approx 27 squares (250sqm) and is going to come in at around $280,000.00 including $40,000.00 site costs. I was told to budget around $10,000.00 per square as an average to cover everything, so I think we are pretty much right on 'average' costs. $280,000.00 / 250sqm metres equates to $1,120.00 per square metre. Out builder is more of a custom builder than volume, though we are using one of their floor plan designs (which was a custom build for someone else) with a few changes. My blog: tashandpaul.wordpress.com Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 14Jul 27, 2015 12:36 pm Forg wood bang I don't understand how builders that quotes at <$2,000 makes money That would seem to be most of them, at least if you count on a per-house-built rather than a per-building-company basis. I haven't quoted under $3,000 per sqm for the past 2 years and we have 2 years of work lined up. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 15Jul 27, 2015 5:07 pm We are building a project home but heavily modified to a 43sq. Have $12k worth of stone bench top upgrades, have PAs of 10k electrical upgrades, $20k for tiles, and have upgraded all windows, carpet, 3m ceilings...and we are sitting at $14,500 per square M Y C U S T O M C O R A L B R O N T E 43 ...............Kitchen! 16 Nov 2016 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=79581 Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 16Jul 27, 2015 5:48 pm Please clarify whether you want price per square for fully move in or where the owner finishes some things. I have had a very large amount of upgrades included in my contract And a number or items I am finishing. All in I think I am at around 2100 per square. Cheers Mark Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 17Jul 28, 2015 10:35 am AussieMark Please clarify whether you want price per square for fully move in or where the owner finishes some things. I have had a very large amount of upgrades included in my contract And a number or items I am finishing. All in I think I am at around 2100 per square. Cheers Mark Fully move in: things Im including are upgraded benchtops, electrical, hardwood floors, joinery, heating/cooling, facade, all painting, tiling, staircase, doors, windows . Things im not including are: paving, curtains/blinds, landscaping, furnishing, alfresco flooring. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 18Aug 03, 2015 10:17 pm I think $1420/m2 is project builders rates here is Sydney. We're building full custom home, small builder. High specs, and our quotes comes in closer to $2000-2100/m2 This also covers for the planning stage of the house too (architect, council fees, engineering fees). Which can easily amount to $20-30k even before your start the digging. Not sure if it's cheaper in Your state? viewtopic.php?f=31&t=75739&p=1299716#p1299716 Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 19Aug 03, 2015 10:34 pm I'm building is Sydney and will be paying just over $1500 p/sqm. This includes alfresco flooring, ducted air and stone benches. Does not include fireplace (don't have one), architect fees, landscaping, CDC fees, fill removal costs or other council fees. Re: Cost of custom vs volume builder 20Aug 04, 2015 3:31 pm Per-square-metre or per-square just isn't ... well, it's really not easy to properly compare costs using that measure. I'd be happy to personally build everyone out there a house for $20/sqm, as long as you don't mind the "house" being a few sprinklings of sand on the block? If the build is over 50sqm I'll throw in a tent (for the kiddies to play in). Hi, Seeking volume or semi-custom builder in victoria(east), which have existing double story wide floor plans. Seeking 18-20m wide homes with depth of 12-15m long. Or… 0 25169 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 18572 Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20426 |