ONQ. €80-€124/sq.ft is about right. Expect a very standard finish with low quality materials (upvc windows, concrete roof tiles etc) house that meets the very minimium in terms of current regs and more towards the upper end for a decent level of finish and insulation, airtightness etc. Typical exlusions are land costs, loose furnishings, contingency.
Irish construction prices peaked in 2007 and that by the end of this year they will have fallen by 35%. There are increased costs with Sustainable/Renewable energy requirements from the Department of Environment and the latest revisions to the Building Regulations (and also having to comply with revised design standards in terms of new minimum areas and heights of dwellings). This is adding on average 10% to construction costs.
Even though labour costs have reduced since 2007 the same cannot be said for some material prices. Material prices have reduced somewhat but by less than might be expected since local manufacturers are experiencing smaller production volumes and imported commodities such as steel reflect global demand. Indeed, there has been an increase of between 10-20% in prices for materials such as timber, insulation, plasterboard, lead and other commodity related products.
I do feel somewhat sorry for Dermot Bannon and other Architects out there as they are trying to get into a Clients head to visualise what they want. I also think it is important that Clients are introduced to materials such as zinc, copper etc as these materials can really enhance a house design when incorporated properly. Hence, that is why I said in my previous post that I hope the Quantity Surveyor in this series does not just look at the design in terms of a cost cutting excerise and look at it in terms of adding value. You dont need a Quantity Surveyor to tell you to get rid of the copper roof in order to cut costs.