Self Build CostsWatching one of the many property programmes on television early in 2012 I was interested to hear a developer had built a four bedroom house on an awkward site for around £40,000. Of course he had contractors that either worked for him or with him on other projects, but nevertheless, it was interesting that materials and labour can cost so little to achieve so much. However, if you are reading this, it is highly unlikely that you will have access to such resources and will be left with one of two choices; have a go at the project yourself, with the help of professionals where required, or to use a self-build specialist company to hold your hand through the process. Working with these two approaches in mind, we have compiled the following information and added some useful links.
Build Guide Calculator
Based on guidelines supplied by the Build Cost Information Service www.bcis.co.uk a variety of the United Kingdom oriented Self-Build magazines also prepare a rough build cost guide. It should not of course be used as a costings bible, but a conversation with many of the package companies out there will reveal that they consider it a reliable enough tool to use it in their presentations to potential clients. They detail three to four build routes, so working on the basis of our comparisons in the Self-Build section of this website, they would be: 1 Self-Manage and DIY as much as 75% yourself alongside sub-contractors. 2 75% of the work completed by sub-contractors, project managed by yourself. You would take on approximately 25% of the work. 3 A main builder, who will take on all project management and employ all the trades. The cost difference can be as much as 40% in smaller projects and 50% on larger projects.
As you will see from the above, there are three major factors that prevent this from being a definitive guide. i) Regional differentials, most of which relate to tradesmen and contractor costs. ii) It is often described as build quality, but it is a very loose term. You can buy a flat-pack kitchen from B&Q for hundreds, but you can also purchase a fully fitted kitchen with gold plated knobs and knockers for half a million pounds. iii) The third area that has a major influence in your build costs will be the build route you take. However, that said we would recommend that if you use the middle costings example, you will have a useful tool in hand.
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