Advice re Site with FPP

bellucio

Hi All
We are currently thinking of buying a 3/4 acre site that has FPP. The house is 2500 sq ft with a garage of another 500 sq ft. I am unsure is it worth it as from reading various posts here the current price of building could be anywhere from 100 per sq ft to 150 per sq ft. If you include the price of the site the cost of the build is anywhere from €320k to €445k. Obviously I know it all depends on finish, but I have a number of relations in trades who could help out once a builders finish would be complete.

My few questions would be as follows
1) To get a new build to a buildings finish how much would you be looking at roughly per sq ft? Its a normal shaped house - no mad angles or anything
2) Is that even feasible these days with the new regulations?
3) To get a realistic price, would it be a case of engaging a QS - even before putting an offer on the site? If so, how much would they cost ?
4) Really stupid question but if we needed some parts of the plans changed, (which I would plan on doing internally) would it be a better idea to go with the original architect as they have done alot of the groundwork to date ?

Thanks in advance
Bellucio

db

In my opinion with the experience of building a house in the last few years, you will spend a lot more buying a site and building than you would buying an existing house. The advantage of building is that you get input into the design, construction and finish of the house that you don't get if you buy. Also, if you already own the land you don't have this cost.

Buying a site with planning permission means that you are building a house to someone else's design so you might as well buy an existing house. The only advantage you will have is with the current building standards, the house you build will have a much higher energy specification. You will be able to finish a new house to your own taste but you could do most of that with an existing house by refitting kitchen, bathrooms, floors etc.

bellucio

db wrote: »

In my opinion with the experience of building a house in the last few years, you will spend a lot more buying a site and building than you would buying an existing house. The advantage of building is that you get input into the design, construction and finish of the house that you don't get if you buy. Also, if you already own the land you don't have this cost.

Buying a site with planning permission means that you are building a house to someone else's design so you might as well buy an existing house. The only advantage you will have is with the current building standards, the house you build will have a much higher energy specification. You will be able to finish a new house to your own taste but you could do most of that with an existing house by refitting kitchen, bathrooms, floors etc.

Hi db
Thanks for the feedback. To be honest that is what I was expecting. The site & plans we are currently thinking about are pretty much the way we would design a house ourselves in any event. A few small alterations internally but for the most part I would take it on.
Building to a much higher spec is something that I would like to aim for. I know that the whole process would more tgan likely cost more but what I would like to get a handle on is-how much more.
Is it worrying getting a QS involved at this stage when we are only looking into it ? How much would one cost?

Thanks

munstermolly

I think about 300

bellucio

munstermolly wrote: »

I think about 300

Thanks munstermolly

Any body have any ideas on these other questtions ?
My few questions would be as follows
1) To get a new build to a buildings finish how much would you be looking at roughly per sq ft? Its a normal shaped house - no mad angles or anything
2) Is that even feasible these days with the new regulations?
3) Really stupid question but if we needed some parts of the plans changed, (which I would plan on doing internally) would it be a better idea to go with the original architect as they have done alot of the groundwork to date ?