Hi Elf, good point!!! Why build indeed, when in S.A at least, you can now by well below replacement cost.
I'm as miffed as you - that so many think it's so attractive to build a shiny and new home as opposed to buying " barely lived in " 12 month old house for $20 plus grand cheaper without the 15 month or so wait time 'til completion. In so many areas, you really can buy much cheaper than building. Especially, I don't understand why this option would appeal to 1st home buyers who will spend $12k - $20k in rent whilst they wait
I was recently shown a plan by a salesman ( okay it was 198m ) he said it was great buying at a basic house only price - 107k. He then spoke sooo fast as he added a few other neccessary costs:
Insulation.( What the? It's mandatory, why should it be extra.) Rainwater tank and installation, gas boosted solar (again mandatory requirement now) Render, (alternative fascade required by builder) extra for colour bond roof, $20k plus estimate for footings above standard, extra for a flat bkfst servery in kitchen, (coz I detest raised bkfst bars)xtra for dishwasher provision.extra for extra for flyscreen door to slider. Extra for rollerdoor to be one large single instead of two smaller, (neccesary because it's the narrowest double garage you can get) and then even more if you want remote for it and lets face it, a double span single is heavy to raise manually. Extra for rendered portico to make the plan fit the developers guide lines. (yuk I don't even like portico's)
The list went on. Extra for corosion zone. ( within 1K of the beach. Extra for wind category compliance. Extra for robe provisions ( just the nib walls ) etc. etc.
By the time he finished he was up to $163k . That was without frilly upgrades like chrome taps or nicer tiles, vitreous china sinks and loos instead of plastic. Not to mention if you wanted a trendy front door let alone if you wanted a rear access rollerdoor or high ceilings or overhead cupboards
that many would call basics. Oh, and you'd like heating and cooling as well? hmmm.
Are you bored reading this yet? Just thought you should know what you could be in for. Makes your transportable house idea look really good huh?
But again I digress, what was the theme of this thread again???
Regards to all.
Jodie