Great Design features - but expensive!

morning delight

I was watching Room to improve last week and something stuck with me. The PM on the job changed part of the design with a consequent saving of 6k for the clients.

It just got me thinking about what elements of design are costly to build! As an example, is a curved wall necessarily more expensive to build?

My idea with this thread is to generate a list of design features that are potentially expensive (or complicated) to build, rather than getting into the nitty gritty of any one feature.

So folks, all contributions welcome!;)

soldsold

Corner windows if using a ring beam (or in my case two ring beams with a gap between them for insulation). Also the steel work for natural stone wrapping around corner windows is expensive as there is a bit of work getting it right/ galvanised.

Curved Aluclad windows and doors

Sliding external doors

Folding external doors

Opening windows - make as many non opening as you can, also long term they remain airtight

Mellor

morning delight wrote: »

It just got me thinking about what elements of design are costly to build! As an example, is a curved wall necessarily more expensive to build?

Yup, curve wall will cost more.
Any curved element will, walls, windows, ceiling, stairs etc

dan_d

I suppose rule of thumb would be the fancier you go, the more expensive it'll be! Curves, glass inserts,gallery stairs, double height walls, etc usually things that architects introduce in a design to make it eye catching (that's not a slur on architects).

I've seen Room to Improve and there is one thing I will never understand. Why is it that when people start a self build, particularly when it's a major build, they usually end up project managing it themselves - often because they want to?? Part of the extra cost of some of those projects can be put down to their inexperience in making decisions in a job such as that - they don't know/understand the knock-on effect some decisions will have.
I totally appreciate it's your own house, and you want maximum input and you've got to learn somewhere, but learn on somebody else's budget, not your own!!!!

sydthebeat

ubiquitous dwellings are cheaper to build.... yes

unique dwellings tend to be dearer... yes

unique dwellings tend to be better houses to live in, as they are specifically designed to maximise all comfort elements such as light, space, privacy, amenity etc.

In my experience the priority of cost over comfort is purely down to the client.

to take the example of a curved wall..... i designed one into my brothers dwelling in the entrance hall... i doubt it would have costed anything like !K extra... but it is an immediate eye catching element and sets the tone for the rest of the house... in my opinion its worth 10K.

non standard design features require a competent contractor and a client with full trust in their architect..... its hard to find both!!

morning delight

The roof must also be kept in mind. The more elements in the build the more complicated the roof becomes. And complexity of course comes at a cost!

I appreciate your point syd that uniqueness has a cost. I think every self-build probably ends up with a few design features that the client and/ or architect want. I know there are a few in mine:).

morning delight

dan_d wrote: »

Why is it that when people start a self build, particularly when it's a major build, they usually end up project managing it themselves - often because they want to?? Part of the extra cost of some of those projects can be put down to their inexperience

I agree and disagree Dan. Getting a good contractor in and take care not to make too many changes and the project will come in more or less on budget.
However I know plenty people who've PM'd their build and have saved big time, particularly a few years ago when prices were crazy.

With proper planning and using a QS astutely, I don't see why a competent patient DIY'er who is willing to put in the time can't come in on budget. There are plenty examples of it on boards!

imitation

I`ll agree with syd, sometimes it worth going for the fancy features, thats one of the huge advantages to building your own house, and is really what makes it all worthwhile in the end.

That being said, you could probably write a whole topic about windows and doors. For doors, keep to standard heights where possible, it can really bump up the cost, especially for external doors, which can be quite pricy to begin with.

For windows, watch out for anything below regulation height (800mm I think ?) as that will need to be toughned, which will add maybe 30-40% to the cost of the pane of glass. Likewise, try and split large panes of glass, I did this for a large triangular window and it took about 10-15% off the price.

dan_d

I'm not criticising the fancy features - I'm all for interesting houses! Imagine how boring it would be if every house in the country was just a basic box - an architect's input is good to get.

Your point about cost vs comfort is exactly right syd. And to morning delight - I suppose what I'm talking about is people who just decide to manage their house build on the spot on day one or two, with no background/research/information and who are unwilling to accept advice from their builder/foreman etc.

Anyway sure, that's not relevant to the OP's post!

JuniorB

Might not be design features but some things that push up the cost..
Glazed roof sections.
Copper or zinc anywhere.
Fitting downlighters upstairs in air tight house.
Fitting Room Sealed/External air stoves.

archtech

Providing a stone finish to a house, is quiet expensive, done well it can add to the house, done poorly as I have often witnessed, can take from a house.