Foundation Cost does this sound right

elliebn

We have been searching for a builder for the past few months and have found one that seems to have a brilliant reputation, has done foundations for timber frames before and the block surround, but is also a bit more expensive than we were expecting. for site clearance and foundations (for a timber frame house) he has quoted 18,400 plus vat for the following - dig out site, roll and fill up to level (35 loads of stone allowed for) drive to house front and side, radon barrier, fix steel, pour concrete and strike.

the site is a half acre, the house is 1743sq feet or 162sq metres, the site itself is relatively flat but the shape of the house has been described as unusual - my question is do builders charge more for unusually shaped houses and does 35 loads of fill seem like a huge amount or is he allowing for every eventuality?

I have attached a drawing from our architect as to how the house should look when its finished to give you an idea of the shape.

Thanking you, Ellie

yop

It seems a bit high to me to be honest. You are talking about the guts of 22k for all that!!

We are on .8 of an acre with a 2100 sq ft timber frame, out foundations cost us 13.5k euro, that also included the site work and entrance road.

It did not contain the sole plate or soap bars for the timber frame or installation of either. (about 400 euro)
It also did not contain the radon barrier (about 700 euro)

Just to clarify that you say foundations for a timber frame, what do you understand will your foundations be??

Cheers

elliebn

Not sure if this is what you mean, raft foundation including radon barrier and whatever steel support that we need clearance of the site itself including access to roadway. sole plate and soap bars are being done by the timber frame company. its a 2 storey house but i'm not sure if that makes much difference. we had gotten a quote from another guy for 14,500 plus vat but it didn't include driveway, radon barrier and he never mentioned steel.

Victor

elliebn wrote:

35 loads of stone allowed for

You need to stress to him that this is his risk, if he needs more, thats his problem (or if he needs less, his gain).

the shape of the house has been described as unusual

Do you think that looks like a nomally shaped house? It isn't.

Why is it shaped like it is? Do you intend to make it two house in the future?

- my question is do builders charge more for unusually shaped houses

Not really. There is an element of wastage, extra labours, etc on odd shapes and also there will be an element of fussing involved getting it right.

The real "problem" with that house is the large perimeter to floor area ratio.

elliebn

hi Victor thanks for the reply, we just spoke to the builder to clarify things a bit further he has allowed for a total of 35 loads but said it could only take about 20, he is going to show us receipts to prove how many have been used but that the maximum cost of the job would be 18,400 + VAT @ 13.5%

i suppose the house doesn't look normal i meant to say more odd/awkward and for that reason would they charge more. (which you've just covered, i get what you mean about wastage and extra labour)

the house is shaped like it is to keep the living and sleeping areas separate - kitchen/dining downstairs, living room upstairs on the left hand block and bedrooms and bathrooms on the right hand block not sure if it would be big enough for two houses but who knows in the future.

thanks again for replying was feeling a bit lost, i'm sure i'll have countless more questions in the future which hopefully ye can help me with