New Home Construction Costs
I have lots of people asking me, here's my answer:
To build a home in a gated community near Buenos Aires would cost the following:
[b]Building Lot[/b]
If you are looking for a lot, you can find them every so often in the areas from Olivos to San Isidro, otherwise you can choose one in one of the MANY gated communities all along the Panamericans Highway. There must be over 500 gated communities in all each offering different services, but all having in common security guards with private entrances. I talk more about gated communities on my website: [url]www.hereicomeargentina.com[/url]
Prices vary, but you can find good lots for: USD $90k
[b]Construction Costs[/b]
This cost varies greatly depending on the quality construction you use. If you want to build a good quality home expect to pay around U$650 per sq.meter. If you are thinking of a 3 bedroom home you will need at least 200 sq. meters.
A 200 sq.meter home (2152 sq. ft.) at U$650 per sq.meter would cost USD $130k
[b]Construction Plans[/b]
To draw the plans an architect will need to provide over 50 plans of detailed information, (that’s how they work here, very detailed). The cost of a project runs at 5% of the construction costs. For a 200 sq. meter home, the project would cost: USD $6,500
[b]General Contractor[/b] “Dirreccion de obra”
You would need to hire a General to direct the construction and NEVER hire anyone related to the construction company. You need someone to supervise and inspect the construction that is on YOUR SIDE and will represent YOUR INTERESTS. The cost of General contracting is 7% of the cost of construction. Your cost: USD $9,100
[b]Total Cost: $235,600 USD[/b]
Any questions, just ask: [url]www.hereicomeargentina.com[/url]
[email]askpaul@hereicomeargentina. Com[/email]
Something I have been wondering about
I've never understood why there isn't more "dry" construction. I grew up building wood frame houses in the States and all of those houses are still standing. It's fast, and while I'm certainly not an expert in Argentinian construction I think wood frame is cheaper.
A friend of mine's mother here built a house withng the last two years and it took 6 months for about 2000 sq ft. Plus it is developing some bad cracks. The ground here is a little loose and most houses settle. A concrete house isn't made to adjust like that, it's far to rigid while a wood frame will settle with the ground.
Just curious, I'm sure there are good reasons for doing it as they do.
I actually am a construction specialist
[QUOTE=Badboy13]A little feisty and confrontational aren't we Bunda? You are lying if you are telling me that a modern day all brick home is somehow the same cost of a wood and dry wall construction. And I don't disagree, that in California people don't use brick or cement construction because of seismic activity. I stated that in my post so you are only repeating the obvious (what do they say about those that repeat the obvious?
But in states where their is no problem with earthquakes and as you put it, falling brick houses. The cost of building materials for a modern brick and steel home is far more expensive than a wooden carcass. But you are right, I am not a construction specialist, though I am entitled to my opinion.
So how bout you stick to giving yourself advice.
Thanks,
Bad[/QUOTE]Though not in California, which generally has it's own rules.
The vast majority of brick homes are brick attached to a wood frame, generally covered by densglass than a 2 inch air pocket and finally the masonary attached to the structure with masonary clips, which are attached to the studs be they wood in homes or steel in commercial buildings. In commercial construction one would add either an inch and a half or two inches of styrofoam. There is even a new product by Carlisle Roofing which is a rubber membrain, it totally seals the building, and is a real b1tch to put on when it's cold.
It doesn't really matter what the venier is as there are processes to attach any kind of venier to the frame, siding, drivet (falling out of fashion because it doesn't wear well) stucco whatever.
What I'm wondering is why there is not more framing going on here. It's so much faster than the morter, followed by the red bricks with the cement floors. Was there at one time bad fires here that have made people afraid of wood frame? There's a shitload of trees here and in Brazil there is a whole rainforest to be taken down.
Again I'm sure there is a reason, though that does imply the use of logic, I'm just wondering what it might be.
Andres, any ideas?
Daddy R you know your stuff
Even in Brasil where there are materials they don't do wood framing of even 1 to 3 story structures. They export lots of engineered products and some board hardwood but there is no such thing as lumber yard with framing lumber. I guess mud / clay is cheaper than wood even in Brasil. They are using CMU for most small stuff and steel and concrete for the taller stuff. Not unlike Argentina. The noise in major cities would make wood frame not desirable. Very little is sprinklerred down there. Good point about fire.
I noticed a lot of wood frame structures even commercial in Patagonia. Lots of trees and European desendants. High quality.
One thing kind of interesting is the SHIT quality of most south american concrete. They frequently mix on site and water it too much and the results are predictable. They also think that a 3" slab is a good idea because they can save 49 cents of material. The capital of Brasilia is a complete FUCK UP. They don't show you the spalling and warning signs and barrcades in the post cards from the 1980's that they sell today because the whole fucking concrete city is going to last one tenth as long as the Mayan ruins.