Hello

Does anyone have experience on having a house built? We are looking on the net and AV Jennings has a house priced at $140000 what do you reckon additional costs could be i have emailed them but still waiting for a response......We would be grateful if anyone can give us advice.

Thanks Lee

it's one of those "piece of string" things......so much depends on so much.....

I know Andy but i just want some sort of idea about the basic costs not including pools and things more just a price on getting it built.

lee

Cost will probably exclude footings
Price will probably be with VERY basic finishes and fittings.
There will probably be very few power points included (of the order of 1 single per room!).

It's more about what type of finishes you want in the house.....140k will get you a basic finish.....after that it adds up quickly
The other thing is to do with your block........whether it's level, rock, soil types, how far from CBD, access......etc etc etc

Biggest cost in SA would be footings. Builders standard spec usually includes footing cost to about $2500. That would maybe get an adequate footing in sandy soils, but in SA, with it's clay soils, footings are approximately 4 times that amount (IMO). Biggest costs after that would be excess soil removal if necessary and retaining walls if necessary.

After that, builders standard spec is usually extremely basic, so every knob, screw and light switch is going to cost more.

When / if you visit a display home always ask the rep, "How much is the house as displayed?".

HTH

Thanks for all these responses lots of info i think it will still work out cheaper to build. I budgeted 140000 plus extra 50000. This seems ok.

Thanks Lee

Again, this just highlights the difference in builders, with Homestead, double power points are standard. In their catalogue/design book, all houses are priced AS DISPLAYED. Makes a big difference.

We got a quote ages ago fro a house design we fancied that was 160,000 basic.

I asked the builder to add the top of the range everything on so I would have a ball park figure/worst case scenario view of it all. These are all estimates!

Basic 160,000
Footing 15,000
Facade 13,000
Premium options 17,000 - I guess this is taps, sinks, light switchy stuff.
Insulation 4,000
Air con 14,000

That all came to about 232,000

Then add

Floor coverings 9,000
Light fittings 1,500
Fencing 2,500
Driveway 8,000
Landscaping 15,000

That came to 36,000.

Add it all up (without the land) 260,000

That was March last year.

Cheers
Lesley :)

what you see when you look at the Display Homes are of the highest quality. When you build you are given the basic stuuf and if you want to upgrade it will cost you a fortune

:doh:

Thanks guys very informative (though depressing) we will have a good look around on arrival. We may get the essentials and add as we go.

cheers Lee