To ask how much it will cost to build a house?

[Chocoholic26]

I know this is a bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question but due to our growing family we need to buy a bigger house. Unfortunately there really is nothing in our area that is coming up within budget (we’ve been looking for 4 years) or if it is within budget then it needs so much money spent on it. Is there anyone who is in the industry (or is currently building) who can advise how much approximately a 4 bedroom family home would cost to build? We are in Scotland and in a rural location. Our budget is probably £250,000 max! Preferably £230,000. This would have to include everything! House wouldn’t have to be huge in terms of square foot but rooms wise we would like 4 bedrooms (1 ensuite), family bathroom and separate wc, open plan kitchen/dining/living space and it would be lovely to have an extra room for a playroom/snug/office/guest room if money allowed. I understand cost of materials have gone through the roof so no idea if this is doable. We don’t have family or friends who could do any work so this would very much all need to be contracted out. We are fortunate enough that we have a plot of land but just no idea if we can afford to build on it. I’d like a nice airy family home but it doesn’t have to be high spec in every detail. Am I living in a dream world with this budget or is it doable? I just don’t fancy approaching planners, architects or builders etc if I’m completely way off in terms of cost 🤔. I hope that’s enough information and would really appreciate anyone who is building or has recently built that could give me a rough idea. Thank you ☺️.

Following as we are also looking to do this, with a similar budget, also in Scotland.

It really is how long is a piece of string. I have done 2 builds and am about to do my third. Depends on spec of house, materials, ground (my next build needs piling as it’s on the river) , who is project managing, planning and architect costs etc etc. I’m south east and they say on average 300£/ sq ft but that’s for a top spec house.

Bit different but I’m on a committee that is building a new village hall with kitchen, 3 toilets downstairs. I don’t have the spec/ dimensions to hand I’m afraid but capacity wise it will easily hold 60-70 people comfortably and it will also have an upstairs with toilet and office.

We’ve been quoted £250 to build that, in England. So I’d say you could probably do it for your budget!

£250k fhat should’ve said!

No one can answer that question without knowing sq ft of house. If you are rural, then it would cost a fair bit to connect your to utilities also.

Invest in a couple of copies of self-build magazines. Often the main obstacle Is finding a plot.

I’m a QS… but it’s hard to say without a spec. It could easily be over £200k. Professional fees will be thousands and materials, especially timber, concrete, steel and brick all of which you’ll need keep skyrocketing. A quote you get today could be 10/15% more in 6 months time.

Do you own a site already or is your budget for site + build?

I think it costs between £1750 and £3k per square meter depending on where you are in the country - so guessing you are at the lower end of that at £2k per SQM, you could build a 115sqm home.

Also budget for somewhere to live in the meantime.

You will struggle to do it for £250k, especially if that needs to include fees etc and that is if you can even find a builder.

@sst1234 yes I really should try and work this out. Just average size…sorry I’ve got absolutely no clue ha! The plot is in a rural hamlet with a house next to it so I’m hoping utilities would be easily accessible…again no idea about this either or the cost.

Also to add
If you are in rural Scotland you need to consider costs will be considerably higher than building ina Glasgow suburb. Further to travel,m for professionals, harder to get materials there.
How far away are mains utility supplies. Youll probably need to pay for the extension of the pipes/troughing/cables which depending on what that involves digging through can easily cost £1k a meter

@icedancerlenny yes, was thinking about this today. How do people do it? Do they sell up and rent? Or can you get a bridging loan? Oh gosh, I’m glad I’ve started this thread…def need to do some more research

@Whataboutye88 yes we own the site. It was inherited but we are fairly confident we can get planning permission. Just don’t want to go
Down that route if we end up not being able to afford to build.

Why don't you try ringing a local builder who you've seen building a house, they'd at least be able to give you some idea, or point you in the direction of someone who can help you better than we can.

@lastqueenofscotland this is all really helpful, thank you. Again I’m clueless re the mains utilities? There is a house on the plot next to our plot does this mean we can access them relatively easily?

I’m always told if you have to ask how much it is, you can’t afford it 🤣. We have rented each time we’ve built.

@lastqueenofscotland also do you think things will calm down with cost of materials etc? We aren’t in an immediate rush to build, another year or so and we could save another good chunk of money.

[quote Chocoholic26]@lastqueenofscotland this is all really helpful, thank you. Again I’m clueless re the mains utilities? There is a house on the plot next to our plot does this mean we can access them relatively easily?[/quote]
You wouldn’t be able to use their connection - they’d need to pay for that and would probably say no! You need to look into extending them yourselves first before building. Would it be a septic tank or mains sewerage. Moving/extending sludge mains is VERY pricey.

@icedancerlenny haha very true!

[quote Chocoholic26]@icedancerlenny yes, was thinking about this today. How do people do it? Do they sell up and rent? Or can you get a bridging loan? Oh gosh, I’m glad I’ve started this thread…def need to do some more research [/quote]
Have you never watched Grand Designs? They live in caravans on site, the build always takes longer and costs more and there’s usually at least one pregnancy gets in the way!

@lastqueenofscotland it would be a septic tank as that what the house has next door. Thank you, this is really interesting. I’m guessing our budget will definitely be stretched to the max!

@WouldIBeATwat ahaha!! Yes this would totally be me and then have to go back to planning to add on an extra room

We're building at the minute. We're budgeting about £300k for a 4 bed with a separate annex, although DH is doing a lot of work himself which is keeping costs down. It also really depends on the spec you want it finished to. I know others who are building who are putting in a second hand kitchen for now to get them in and then they'll save money to put in the kitchen they really want in a few years time. We bought a static caravan and are living on site in it, so we're not paying any rent, although we are spending a fortune heating it over winter!