Self Build Major Costs and Changes

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Got planning permission recently but was looking through other threads and I couldn't get my head around some of the costs. Anyways, 2 questions

1. What were the major costs in your self build? Did you find a way to lower them?

2. Would you do anything differently if you could go back in time?

Thanks

Spruce11

I’m just begging to plan a 3 bedroom 1600sq ft build, approx 55-70%(foundation, blocks, block layer + materials, roofer + materials, insulation and windows/doors) of the cost of your build will get it watertight. IMO it’ll save you in the future if you highly insulate and use good quality materials to build now, rather than going back in 10 or 20 years time to retrofit insulation. I got a rough quote of €130 per sq ft. in the west of Ireland. Quiet a few new builds on insta have very detailed costings done and you’ll pick up design ideas too. Who knows how things will go post COVID though.

Former Great

Spruce11 wrote: »

I’m just begging to plan a 3 bedroom 1600sq ft build, approx 55-70%(foundation, blocks, block layer + materials, roofer + materials, insulation and windows/doors) of the cost of your build will get it watertight. IMO it’ll save you in the future if you highly insulate and use good quality materials to build now, rather than going back in 10 or 20 years time to retrofit insulation. I got a rough quote of €130 per sq ft. in the west of Ireland. Quiet a few new builds on insta have very detailed costings done and you’ll pick up design ideas too. Who knows how things will go post COVID though.

Could u link e to these new build on insta Spruce

Spruce11

Former Great wrote: »

Could u link e to these new build on insta Spruce

Teach_na_lana is the best and most similar one I’ve seen, compared to what I’m hoping to build. She has a great archive of posts covering most self building topics.

ECO_Mental

Saanvi Plump Door wrote: »

Got planning permission recently but was looking through other threads and I couldn't get my head around some of the costs. Anyways, 2 questions

1. What were the major costs in your self build? Did you find a way to lower them?

2. Would you do anything differently if you could go back in time?

Thanks

Quick reply



1. Major cost = square meterage. This is the one single thing that you can reduce your costs significantly from the very start. Every 1m2 reduced is €2000 appox if not more saved. Also not have a fancy design with curved walls etc etc. Does every room need an ensuite etc. Not have a bungalow as this will half the cost of the foundations.



2 Maybe look at the size of my house its 250m2 I probably could have reduced it. I would recommend is getting a QS involved and tender based on a detailed BOQ. You can see then what is costing and what you can drop.

rampantbunny

Saanvi Plump Door wrote: »

Got planning permission recently but was looking through other threads and I couldn't get my head around some of the costs. Anyways, 2 questions

1. What were the major costs in your self build? Did you find a way to lower them?

2. Would you do anything differently if you could go back in time?

Thanks

1. Ground work
2. Reinforced concrete walls (site rentention)
3. Site fill (quarry etc)
4. Windows and external doors
5. External doors
6. Geothermal with UFH
7. MHRV
8. Stairs
9. Plastering
10. Airtightness

Don't have actual costs to hand but if I did they'd prob not be much help as I built a while back.
Also, some above are not the greatest of expenses when building a house but listed because there are things that I would change if doing again.
First three very site specific. A good deal of site-prep required with reinforced concrete walls and back-fill. If doing again, we would have pushed for a gradient on the site to reduce need for fill. Staggering amount of quarry products paid for before foundation even started.
Lesson; don't be shy in pushing for design alternatives. Spend time reviewing all details, not just house details. Site is equally important esp. when you look at landscaping later and driveway. Do you need a massive driveway that you have to pave, tarmac etc.

Windows/external doors were greatest expense. High performance glazing - wouldn't change.
Alu front door nearly 4 inches thick. Looks great and feels great and people say wow but at approx. €5k+ I'm not sure I'd spend this again. Large glass sliders at rear. Would replace one slider with fixed glazing section. Same observation re. windows - not all need to open. Meet fire regs and other windows could be fixed glazing to save money. All ours open in for easy cleaning, but not sure I'd go same route again.

Geo-thermal heating including UFH. Happy with system to date. House is highly insulated with very good airtightness result, glazing is high performance...an oil boiler might have been more cost effective. Will not recoup cost of system over lifetime, but clean, no direct fossil fuels required.

MHRV. Designed by 3rd party expert specializing in passive house design and own MHRV installations. I self-installed, they commissioned. If doing again, would install larger ducting maybe. There's a little noise in the system which I was told would not be there. TBH, some background noise in a house is fine with me. I find it easier to sleep personally but I know others not used to the house notice it initially. Bottom line I suppose; if you are relying on an expert ask to see/hear similarly designed systems.

Two steel, oak, glass stairs had potential to cost €23-27k. Did most with help of family member. Hired in professionals to weld and core holes. Cost approx €10k figuring our own labor was free. If doing I don't think I'd change anything. Probably biggest money saver we had and can't buy the feeling of satisfaction.

Plastering: not the biggest expense although I bought a special Gypsum product for plastering inside. Better airtightness than sand/cement apparently. If doing again, I wouldn't bother. Can't quantify price difference but I know it was money better spent elsewhere. Also, I'd search high/low for the best plasterer available. I used a relative in the trade but finish is not the best. Ruins things when the skim coat is not good.

Airtightness; researched products and imported from Germany due to cost locally. Good saving going this route at the time. Self installed also. Very happy with AT result. Doubt a third party could have spent the time required to get same result ..hard to see how it would pay them. Decent savings here I'm sure (I say this without having obtained quotes from trades but my labor was free).


Two types of self-build; ones where person gets trades in to do everything i.e. direct-labor route, or actually getting involved in some of the work themselves (I don't mean sweeping the floors). Your own labor will save you money provided you have some bit of skill obviously.
If I think of any thing else I'll add later.