Timber Frame Homes

Meclor

We have been looking at the option of building a timber frame home and have contacted century homes for a rough idea of price. The prices which they quote on the net they have told me to multiply by 4 for the final build price. Has anyone had any dealings with them or a similar company and know if this is a correct guideline?

Victor

Its a how long is a piece of string question.

Do-more

As it happens my build worked out at pretty much a multiple of 4 of the frame cost, (slightly under in fact), but that would be with pretty standard finishes.

As victor says it can be pretty much a case of "how long is a piece of string"

My build with direct labour ended up at about €50/sq.ft. but start adding complex roofs and other design features and increasing the standard of finishes and you can end up at €150/sq.ft. or more.

The only way to get an accurate price on your build is to give your drawings to a Quantity surveyor detailing the finishes you desire and they can cost it out for you...

Meclor

Thanks guys. Still in two minds whether to go down the timber frame route or not. Budget is our main concern and I am hoping that the timber frame will work out cheaper. Anyone know of any other company which does timber frame or a compmay which offers house plans online?

Do-more

I think you need to stand back and look at the costs of your house over it's entire lifetime rather than just looking at what will be the cheapest way to build it.

A decision on a short term saving in build costs could result in a huge additional long term running cost.

Fossil fuels are a finite resource and the expectaions (reasonable IMO) are that over the next 10 years we will see huge energy price inflation.

I would suggest that you do some research on "passive houses" i.e. super insulated houses that require no heating systems. Do a search here on boards, there is quite a bit of discussion on this in the "Gardening and DIY" and "Green issues" forums.

Look at ICF's (Insulated concrete formwork) as another alternative building method.

Talk to an Energy consultant.

You will only get one shot at doing it right, so educate yourself to get the best possible solution for your needs.

Pataman

Timber frame costs about €15 per sq foot.

testicle

Does the 4x include the cost of the site? I presume not.

Do-more

testicle wrote:

Does the 4x include the cost of the site? I presume not.

No, not the site, but includes groundwork, foundations etc. mine was a serviced site with mains water and sewer connections at the footpath.

galwaytt

You're looking at it all wrong.

I work for such a company, and was asked the same thing on the phone, yesterday.....

First, a std costing for 'builders finish' including the kit and all the other work - i.e., basic, no kitchen/tiles etc, is Eur90 per sq foot. Or, Eur968 per sq metre, take your pick.

A std finish will be in the Eur125/sq foot region, and the sky's the limit after that...

Do remember though,that the TF house will cost less to run over time, so don't get be 'penny wise/pound foolish' at this stage - it'd cost a lot more to modify, later........