Building on a Sloping Site
Is your intended property on level, hilly, rocky ground? Exposed to or
protected from the elements.
It is obvious that any one intending to build on a sloping site must satisfy himself that it will (must) be able to accommodate the proposed dwelling.
A substantial slope could also mean problems and extra costs when you come to build your house and establish your garden. Although determining the suitability of the building site should be done by a qualified consultant the following pointers could come in handy:
Trees always grow vertical, but if the ground flows downwards they are forced to a slanting position. They try to rectify the position by bending upwards. Avoid a slope where all the tree trunks bend towards the slant.
Bumpy ground. Be careful if the foot of the decline looks very bumpy or looks like the tread of a giant foot - these are classic signs of ground movement.
Laminated or split material. If the hill consists of shale or other laminated rock, the direction in which the layers lean over should be determined.
If there is inherent signs of instability in the surface materials the project should be abandoned or be continued with the utmost care.
Try to find a plot that's fairly level - unless, of course, you have a dramatic reason for wanting another sort. But a naturally level plot- as opposed to one that has just been artificially levelled; is almost always the cheapest to build on, and the least likely to give troubles later because of soil slip or subsidence. Surface boulders usually mean more boulders just under the surface.
Sloping sites, especially on the lower slopes of mountains, may hide great underground boulders that could tangle with the foundations and the plumbing, and would almost certainly have to be (expensively) removed if you wanted to build a swimming pool at
some later stage. Drainage problems are more likely to occur with a sloping plot than one that is level, and may be expensive to cure. And what about the lie of your neighbour's land? Does it slope towards your plot and will you be flooded by his run-off after heavy rains? An ideal time (there are several ideal times) to see a plot is during or soon after rain. Does the water rush away in a torrent, sweeping away all before it, or does it form pools that grow steadily greener and nastier-smelling as the days pass? Either way, it's likely you'll have to spend money improving the drainage, or suffer damage to the foundations and walls. Gardening will probably also be very frustrating.
The design of the house will be affected by the slope of the ground. The construction of retaining walls and/or the creation of different levels in the house could have a major bearing on the design.
The lie of the land will determine the style of the house. Split level homes could be built as they are well suited on sloping plots. The layout of the house could feature a series of steps leading from one level to another. Another major factor is the cost involved with sloping plots, such as landscaping, etc.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Friday, November 26, 2010
THE COSTING STRUCTURE OF DWELLINGS
Costing Elements
The aim of this study is to identify and emphasize the role and influence of various factors in the building process. Certain economic aspects of building will be studied and in the process the building process as such analyzed. The importance of building costs in the separate levels of clear.
economy, macro as well as micro - as well as the importance of certain control-aspects are very
Another important aspect which is covered is the total cost of housing for individual households in this entity, especially due to the early stage in which the costs are incurred influences the housing costs to such a degree, also becomes noticeable. The different cost comparisons in which it becomes noticeable that the South African building costs compares very well to the those of various European countries. Building houses are in the business to make money, however they have pressures as well in terms of cash flow, managing sub trades and ensuring that they are also on target to build the home on time. It is a good idea to establish a good rapport with your builder, visit the site on a regular basis and inspect progress as well as adherence to design.
Financing is also important, especially if you are building houses for a living or even if you are building your own. Most trades will not work or provide supplies if they are worried about getting paid. Ensuring that you have sufficient funds available at the time you need it to pay all of your sub trades will have a major impact on whether you meet your construction schedule.
Another area that can have a significant impact on meeting schedules associated with building houses is inspections. The home you build must pass numerous inspections for both the municipality as well as utilities. For example you cannot turn on the electricity until the electrical inspector has given the ok. Plan for these inspections and ensure that everything is in order including having the inspector on schedule.
Various costing aspects and the influence of different factors on the building costs, especially in the construction stage, is investigated. This investigation shows that all stadiums of the building is very important in determining the final cost of the structure.
39 Dwellings was divided in 26 building elements and the average percentile value is tabulated and these values are used to create a progress schedule which is very useful in calculating the completion value of the building contract at any given stage, e.g. to calculate the value of progress payments.
A typical medium sized house of 116 square meters will be used as basis for comparison with alternative finishes. The different elements will be discussed and a list of alternative materials and methods compiled. The labour costs of the building will be scrutinized and the effect of any change in the final
cost, if any, calculated.
In closing comments will be made on the problem of labour costs in general and any problems discovered again accentuated. The conclusion finally reached, is that due to the steady rise in ground and building costs it is becoming unaffordable for the average household to become a "fancy" house as seen in the fact that new dwellings are getting smaller and smaller and the rapid rise in the erection of mass housing. If carefully planned these houses could basically offer the same amenities as the present single dwellings on relatively large plots. The final settlement costs should however be very much lower.
The aim of this study is to identify and emphasize the role and influence of various factors in the building process. Certain economic aspects of building will be studied and in the process the building process as such analyzed. The importance of building costs in the separate levels of clear.
economy, macro as well as micro - as well as the importance of certain control-aspects are very
Another important aspect which is covered is the total cost of housing for individual households in this entity, especially due to the early stage in which the costs are incurred influences the housing costs to such a degree, also becomes noticeable. The different cost comparisons in which it becomes noticeable that the South African building costs compares very well to the those of various European countries. Building houses are in the business to make money, however they have pressures as well in terms of cash flow, managing sub trades and ensuring that they are also on target to build the home on time. It is a good idea to establish a good rapport with your builder, visit the site on a regular basis and inspect progress as well as adherence to design.
Financing is also important, especially if you are building houses for a living or even if you are building your own. Most trades will not work or provide supplies if they are worried about getting paid. Ensuring that you have sufficient funds available at the time you need it to pay all of your sub trades will have a major impact on whether you meet your construction schedule.
Another area that can have a significant impact on meeting schedules associated with building houses is inspections. The home you build must pass numerous inspections for both the municipality as well as utilities. For example you cannot turn on the electricity until the electrical inspector has given the ok. Plan for these inspections and ensure that everything is in order including having the inspector on schedule.
Various costing aspects and the influence of different factors on the building costs, especially in the construction stage, is investigated. This investigation shows that all stadiums of the building is very important in determining the final cost of the structure.
39 Dwellings was divided in 26 building elements and the average percentile value is tabulated and these values are used to create a progress schedule which is very useful in calculating the completion value of the building contract at any given stage, e.g. to calculate the value of progress payments.
A typical medium sized house of 116 square meters will be used as basis for comparison with alternative finishes. The different elements will be discussed and a list of alternative materials and methods compiled. The labour costs of the building will be scrutinized and the effect of any change in the final
cost, if any, calculated.
In closing comments will be made on the problem of labour costs in general and any problems discovered again accentuated. The conclusion finally reached, is that due to the steady rise in ground and building costs it is becoming unaffordable for the average household to become a "fancy" house as seen in the fact that new dwellings are getting smaller and smaller and the rapid rise in the erection of mass housing. If carefully planned these houses could basically offer the same amenities as the present single dwellings on relatively large plots. The final settlement costs should however be very much lower.
Friday, November 19, 2010
FACTORS AFFECTING THE BUILDING COST OF HOUSES
INTRODUCTION
Own your House – or Rent…
Your wealth starts to grow by owning a personal residence. A home is essentially a "forced" savings account, building valuable equity each time a mortgage instalment payment is made. The more a home's mortgage is paid down as compared to the market value of the home, the greater that particular home owner's net worth is. Net worth is the term used to describe the amount by which an individual assets exceed their liabilities. It is calculated by subtracting the total dollar amount of all liabilities from the total value of all assets. For example, if an individual owns a home worth $200,000, has furniture worth $20,000 and owns a $20,000 car, the total value of these assets is $240,000. However, this individual has a $120,000 home loan, owes the furniture store $10,000 and owes nothing on the car; therefore the debts (liabilities) owed on these assets is $130,000. By subtracting the value of this person's liabilities ($130,000) from their assets ($240,000) we have arrived at this person's net worth of $110,000.
The average home owner has a net worth that is exponentially greater than a non homeowner. Look at the data in the following chart. The average net worth of homeowners versus renters is staggering:
Your Own Home is the Foundation for Wealth
Renters are disadvantaged because they do not develop equity in their dwelling. Also, their monthly rent is usually higher than a mortgage payment because the landlord has to pay their own mortgage payment on that particular property and still make a profit. Renters get no tax breaks at the end of each year for the property they rent; but their landlord does. Renters literally throw money away every month into someone else's dwelling, building their net worth. This helps to explain why a home owner's net worth can be as much as twenty seven times greater than a renter's net worth.
Every new house built, from exclusive penthouse apartment schemes right down to the simplest self built, always involves compromises in terms of design, materials used and the building techniques involved.
For the experienced house owner-builder however, the only aspect that cannot be compromised is the total cost. Once you have settled on a realistic budget, one that allows for cost overruns, delays due to bad weather, shortage of materials, and so on; then the following ideas should help you stick to that budget, no matter what happens during the building in progress.
The basic premise of building on a tight budget is - better a simple house built well, than an elaborate house built badly. Nobody wants to be associated with an large, over-designed house that is built slowly and then, through lack of money or forward planning, abandoned half way through and left as a reminder and an object lesson of how not to build your own house. The cost of a self built house depends on several factors. The location of the building operation.
. How elaborate the house design is.
. The standard of building and the quality of materials.
. How much involvement the owner-builder has in the actual building of the house.
An obvious way to save money is not to build more than you need to, that is to keep the house as small as practical and keep the design as simple as possible. Building a house in a box shape creates the simplest, cheapest roof system and also means that the builders can layout foundations, blocks and I or bricks efficiently and quickly.
Look critically at your house design and see where you save money by, for example opting for cheaper windows whilst still maintaining the look you want. Along with windows, owner-builders can also save money by building porches, extensions and chimneys, etc without unnecessary ornamentation. At the design stage, it may save you money in the long run to employ an Architect or an a Professional Architectural Technologist to oversee your design and ask them to make sure your minimum design is actually possible to build and to suggest any other ways you can keep it simple. Try to fid an Architect or design company that specialise in low budget self building schemes.
A very common error is to assume that every additional feature or costly finishes invested in will, as a matter of course, be recovered with interest when selling the house. This is simply not true. You may have gladly spent the extra money. Your tastes may will not impress a prospective buyer.
Saving money extends from the design of the house right through to the materials you use in the construction of the building.
Three areas that can save you significant money are: Choosing the right bricks to use: standard
bricks can be 30%less expensive than specialist non standard bricks. Choosing a simple house
heating system, Using uPVC or softwood windows rather than hardwood windows, this can reduce
your window costs by up to 40 percent.
This article is only intended as a basic general summary and you should always seek professional advice where necessary.
The aim is to help you estimate the cost of building your own home.
The focus will be on building an affordable home for the middle income family group. We will NOT be using expensive, exotic and/or luxurious finishes.
Own your House – or Rent…
Your wealth starts to grow by owning a personal residence. A home is essentially a "forced" savings account, building valuable equity each time a mortgage instalment payment is made. The more a home's mortgage is paid down as compared to the market value of the home, the greater that particular home owner's net worth is. Net worth is the term used to describe the amount by which an individual assets exceed their liabilities. It is calculated by subtracting the total dollar amount of all liabilities from the total value of all assets. For example, if an individual owns a home worth $200,000, has furniture worth $20,000 and owns a $20,000 car, the total value of these assets is $240,000. However, this individual has a $120,000 home loan, owes the furniture store $10,000 and owes nothing on the car; therefore the debts (liabilities) owed on these assets is $130,000. By subtracting the value of this person's liabilities ($130,000) from their assets ($240,000) we have arrived at this person's net worth of $110,000.
The average home owner has a net worth that is exponentially greater than a non homeowner. Look at the data in the following chart. The average net worth of homeowners versus renters is staggering:
Your Own Home is the Foundation for Wealth
Renters are disadvantaged because they do not develop equity in their dwelling. Also, their monthly rent is usually higher than a mortgage payment because the landlord has to pay their own mortgage payment on that particular property and still make a profit. Renters get no tax breaks at the end of each year for the property they rent; but their landlord does. Renters literally throw money away every month into someone else's dwelling, building their net worth. This helps to explain why a home owner's net worth can be as much as twenty seven times greater than a renter's net worth.
Every new house built, from exclusive penthouse apartment schemes right down to the simplest self built, always involves compromises in terms of design, materials used and the building techniques involved.
For the experienced house owner-builder however, the only aspect that cannot be compromised is the total cost. Once you have settled on a realistic budget, one that allows for cost overruns, delays due to bad weather, shortage of materials, and so on; then the following ideas should help you stick to that budget, no matter what happens during the building in progress.
The basic premise of building on a tight budget is - better a simple house built well, than an elaborate house built badly. Nobody wants to be associated with an large, over-designed house that is built slowly and then, through lack of money or forward planning, abandoned half way through and left as a reminder and an object lesson of how not to build your own house. The cost of a self built house depends on several factors. The location of the building operation.
. How elaborate the house design is.
. The standard of building and the quality of materials.
. How much involvement the owner-builder has in the actual building of the house.
An obvious way to save money is not to build more than you need to, that is to keep the house as small as practical and keep the design as simple as possible. Building a house in a box shape creates the simplest, cheapest roof system and also means that the builders can layout foundations, blocks and I or bricks efficiently and quickly.
Look critically at your house design and see where you save money by, for example opting for cheaper windows whilst still maintaining the look you want. Along with windows, owner-builders can also save money by building porches, extensions and chimneys, etc without unnecessary ornamentation. At the design stage, it may save you money in the long run to employ an Architect or an a Professional Architectural Technologist to oversee your design and ask them to make sure your minimum design is actually possible to build and to suggest any other ways you can keep it simple. Try to fid an Architect or design company that specialise in low budget self building schemes.
A very common error is to assume that every additional feature or costly finishes invested in will, as a matter of course, be recovered with interest when selling the house. This is simply not true. You may have gladly spent the extra money. Your tastes may will not impress a prospective buyer.
Saving money extends from the design of the house right through to the materials you use in the construction of the building.
Three areas that can save you significant money are: Choosing the right bricks to use: standard
bricks can be 30%less expensive than specialist non standard bricks. Choosing a simple house
heating system, Using uPVC or softwood windows rather than hardwood windows, this can reduce
your window costs by up to 40 percent.
This article is only intended as a basic general summary and you should always seek professional advice where necessary.
The aim is to help you estimate the cost of building your own home.
The focus will be on building an affordable home for the middle income family group. We will NOT be using expensive, exotic and/or luxurious finishes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
