Guest,
It amazes me when people say they can build a 1800 sq.ft house for €100k. I work as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and I have worked in industry for 15 years. I am one of the few Chartered QS's who still has a job in Ireland. I work for one of the largest Developers/house builders in Ireland and we are currently building at €85-95/sq.ft for an estate type house. Maybe you can build your house for this figure but it all depends on the design of the house, the specification, whether you will pay VAT or cash, the quality and workmanship, Energy rating, future proofing, building to latest regs etc etc. I could go on but you get the point.
Anyway I am due to start building a house for my parents in Tipperary in a few weeks and I have budgeted €140k for a 1,764 sq.ft house, which comes in at €79/sq.ft. This figure includes VAT. The house is fairly simple in design, vernacular and traditional in design but with a contemporary look. It is very simliar to the house design example in the Cork County Council rural house design guide 2004. It was designed by a MRIAI Architect who was involved in that publication. I am aiming for an A3 BER and this is reflected in the specification and design. I have employed an Engineer and a Building performance and compliance company who will advise on airtightness, carry our BER & airtightness test etc.
Type of construction is masonry, loads of insulation, HRV, solar panels, aluclad windows, Cupa R5 spanish slate, white oak doors etc. I won't go into all the details here but I have basically allowed for a fairly decent spec. PC sums for kitchens and wardrobes and basc landscaping. It also includes for direct expenses such as Engineer, Airtightness/BER specialist, financial contribtions of €3.5k to council, ESB connection fee and self build insurance. I have not included for site cost as my parents own the site, inflation, finance costs, loose furniture, wall and floor tiling, ironmongory and sanitaryware supply, fireplace and stove supply and fit. These will be paid for seperately.
Anyway my point is make sure you know what is included in your €100k budget and whilst I appreciate you are trying to save money, please employ a competent Architect or Engineer, an airtightness specialist who can also do the BER for you. Dont cut corners on professional advice.
As the Canadians say. "Build right, Build airtight". You will not achieve this as €55/sq.ft.