HOME BUILDERS · IN PREPARATION

Hidden Costs to Consider Before Building a House

The costs that rarely appear in a per-square-foot rate: approvals, soil, utilities, compound walls and more.

By NANDIX Field Notes

This guide is being written and reviewed. Here is what it will cover:

Approvals and plan sanction fees
Soil testing and foundation surprises
Water, power and sewer connections
Compound wall, gate and site development
Interiors, kitchen and wardrobes
GST and professional fees
Price rises during construction
A contingency that is realistic

Until then, the related tools below can help with the numbers.

General guidance for planning and learning. Quantities and costs vary by site, material and specification; confirm with a qualified engineer, architect or your chartered accountant where it matters.

Related Field Notes

HOME BUILDERS4 MINBefore You Build: Soil Test, Anti-Termite Treatment and Site ChecksThe checks to finish before the first trench is dug: papers and approvals, levels, a soil test, and anti-termite treatment that can only be done during construction.
HOME BUILDERS3 MINCement for Your House: OPC 43, OPC 53 or PPC?What the types and grades mean, which one to use where, how to read a cement bag, and how to store cement so it doesn't lose strength.
HOME BUILDERS3 MINChoosing Bricks and Blocks: Red Clay, Fly Ash, AAC and Concrete BlocksHow the common wall materials compare, simple field tests for brick quality, and how to lay them so walls stay straight and crack-free.