We are currently looking at a few site in the south kildare area and we are just trying to get approx price of building a 2500sqft house. The price a few friends have told us vary dramatically. I know wihtout exact plans etc it is hard to estimate but we are just looking ball park figure.
What are the approx estimated cost of building a house of this size?
and which would be cheaper Timber frame or block build?
Getting back to the original posters question:
There are alot of questions to be answered prior to even getting ball park figures. You may find your approx. estimated cost is not as approximate when you get a quotation from your builder. I would suggest that you get a few quotations from builders. Shop around...plenty of builders out there now to take on such a one off house....Construction Industry is quite
Difficult to say whether timberframe or blockwork is cheaper
Advantages with timber frame: Easy to construct, built faster, environmentally friendly,
Disadvantages with timber frame: Timber frame designer required, correct onsite storage of timbers is critical, site supervision critical for correct detailing etc, restricted to a timber 1st floor,
Advantages with blockwork: Choice of timber/solid 1st floor. Easier to also use steel beams to form larger opes etc. From the grapevine I hear that brickies are cutting the price to lay a block.
Disadvantages with blockwork: Slower to erect, not environmentall friendly
Perhaps you should also check out the type of foundations that you require ie. typical strip footings, raft, piles etc.
Best of luck
Personally I am a fan of the old bricks & mortar style house. I have been building by direct labour with the last two years and just closed off the house last week with the windows. I prefer to leave things settle a bit.