cost of building a House

justpurchased

dopester wrote: »

Also I read a theory that quality suffers in the boom as house-builders want to get them up and built as rapidly as possible, whereas in slow times more care and time is taken so quality standards are better.

Where did you hear that with land prices falling builders being layed off and the cost of materials going up, which would you cut corners on?
In good times it is more important the quality as you do not want to fixing snags etc for weeks you want to get on with the new job.

dopester

justpurchased wrote: »

Where did you hear that with land prices falling builders being layed off and the cost of materials going up, which would you cut corners on?
In good times it is more important the quality as you do not want to fixing snags etc for weeks you want to get on with the new job.

Are materials going up in price? I'll have to check on that one. I'd expect there to be surplus stock around everywhere, and cheaper labour - but I'm not sure.

I don't have any conclusive proof for what I read on forums, heard from people, and my suspicions - but I won't be buying any dinky new-build that was rushed up in the boom.

http://www.homemove.co.uk/news/29-05-2007/guide-to-buying-a-new-build-property.html

Let’s be clear - traditional properties usually trump new build properties both in terms of buyer interest and also build quality. After all, those Victorian and Georgian villas were built at a time when quality and style were everything, and shareholders weren’t even a passing concern.

A big concern is that because the biggest developers are profit-driven for share-holders, many have taken to hiring the cheapest local labour to provide development services on all aspects of the building process and finishing. And not all of this labour may be up to standard.

The result is that many new built properties can and do suffer from various problems, from minor issues on finishing, to major issues such as incorrectly installed boilers, windows, and similar that could prove expensive to repair.

The fact of the matter is that the failure of quality control and supervision from the building contractors means that when buying a new build property, you need to expect problems.

justpurchased

dopester wrote: »

Are materials going up in price? I'll have to check on that one. I'd expect there to be surplus stock around everywhere, and cheaper labour - but I'm not sure.

I don't have any conclusive proof for what I read on forums, heard from people, and my suspicions - but I won't be buying any dinky new-build that was rushed up in the boom.

http://www.homemove.co.uk/news/29-05-2007/guide-to-buying-a-new-build-property.html

No doubts but you still need to heat your old home:eek: . My Brother as got a 17th century farm house utilitys are over £3k and its a 3 bed.
I understand the argument but I would say you spend more on an old property.
My uncle as got a very large old property and he is still doing jobs i think he as had it for thirty years + and as sold land as it is a drain of resources. (i think the quote is its "like painting the Forth Bridge" but i understand that as changed in recent times)

harryhound

Expect to pay 10 times the cost of building your home over your lifetime, if you could build it to 1960 insulation standards.

By all means buy a Victorian wreck and renovate it to modern standards BUT beware the detached village "Victorian Rectory " still in good condition, unless it comes with its own coppice and you enjoy chopping wood.

If it has the misfortune to be "listed" you will be in double trouble as one department of government will criticise you for your carbon footprint and another won't let you do anything about it.

neverdespairgirl

harryhound wrote: »

If it has the misfortune to be "listed" you will be in double trouble as one department of government will criticise you for your carbon footprint and another won't let you do anything about it.

Except that houses like that are wonderful.

harryhound

.......for 8 months of the year, then you have to board them up, drain the plumbing & lay off the staff and move back to your flat in Town.

(now which one is your main residence and pays full council tax:D)

dopester

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Except that houses like that are wonderful.

True - but I won't risk buying a listed building.

JP and Harry do make valid points but I think they are giving extreme examples.

My mother's house was built in the 1950s (one builder guy was recently telling her these houses were really built well at that time), she's had it since early 80s, and she's not had to spend fortunes maintaining it or heating it. It is structually sound and warm..

And I don't think their argument washes against many a modernised Victorian or Edwardian house either, to big-up how great new builds are.

tr3mor

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Except that houses like that are wonderful.

There are plenty of wonderful homes that aren't listed.

(I'm posting too much on here, it must be a slow day. )

justpurchased

dopester wrote: »

True - but I won't risk buying a listed building.

JP and Harry do make valid points but I think they are giving extreme examples.

My mother's house was built in the 1950s (one builder guy was recently telling her these houses were really built well at that time), she's had it since early 80s, and she's not had to spend fortunes maintaining it or heating it. It is structually sound and warm..

And I don't think their argument washes against many a modernised Victorian or Edwardian house either, to big-up how great new builds are.

Hi Mate i agree my last house was 1960s. Wood work not great flooring etc (suspended woden floors arnt great and a bit cold) but OK its when you go back to pre-cavity walls, (then 3 ft walls). By by heat I miss you.
I now have a new build and at the moment it is better built than my 1960s house, and no one as decided to take any internal walls down!
PS new house is chaper to run than 1960s house (no draughts) and 3 times the size! there as been massive steps on insulation and boiler systems in the last 10 years. So sorry you would never get a pre 1990 house as energy effecient as a new build never mind pre 1900.
PS mine was not a agument it is true they are my relatives. My parents house was a 1920s council house, single brick and pre modenisation you used to get ice on the inside of the windows at winter.

kissingthepink

I oversaw the building of a bungalow with total costs of £206,000 which included everything (land, legal costs, interest, builder who supplied all materials other than the kitchen and bathroom which I bought myself and is included in the £206k). The agent valued it at £225k, which would mean a net profit of about 10%.