Estimating Costs

Ok, you have bought a nice land and now you want to build a farm retreat. How do you calculate the total cost. You want a turnkey to do your entire periphery wall, landscaping, house, pool etc. Well for that kind of turnkey you have to hire an architect and they will only give estimates and not a fixed cost.

Option 1

Typically that is the most expensive and hassle free way of getting your dream space ready in the time that you intend it to be done. Your time here will be minimal and only limited to selections and occasional site visits. Architects can charge any where from 200 - 2000 per square feet. In this arragement expect to pay upwards of 3000 / sft for the house, 500 / sft for the landscaping and around 12 - 20 lakhs for a swimming pool.

Option 2

Individual contractors for house construction, civil works, landscape and swimming pool. This option still gives you a similar output without the architect fee if you are creative and can finalise the designs youself. However in this model it is advisable to have a site supervisor to oversee the co ordination of the multiple teams.

Own construction. This is the most affordable method of constructing your house where you will hire people on labour contract and follow the designs provided by an architect. In this method you will spend roughly 2,500 / sft for the construction and the landscape etc will be on actuals. In this model however please estimate to spend 3 days a week for at least 8 months realistically to finish the project.

So bottom line it always boils down to whose time is being spent. It can be architect with a team, individual contractors or your time.