Sir lastnail wrote on Nov 8
th, 2010 at 12:26am:
Verge wrote on Nov 7
th, 2010 at 5:35pm:
Considering we are in the process of building a new home, the best quote we got for a 25 square home the way we wanted it is about $219k, I'd like to know how housing prices are supposed to crash.
Even if land crashes, it still costs what it costs to build a house.
Because it is only worth what the bigger fool is willing to pay for it
Really, considering I went through the process of quoting up to owner builder, we wouldnt have got by all that much cheaper.
Steel costs what it costs, so does concrete, bricks, plaster, tiles and carpets.
Tradesman also cost what they costs, and Im lucky, but plenty of others are paying big hourly rates because if they dont the builders just go onto the stimulus projects and make a killing there.
Also, with all the environmental regulations now, that decent dollars there too.
When you factor in some big ticket items like solar hotwater costing $4.5k, aircon at $5k, tiling at $12k, stove at $3k, higher ceilings for $3k, bricks at $7.5k and another $8.5k to lay them, carpet for $3k, blinds and curtains and shades for $5k, driveway and footpaths for $6k, fencing for $5k and thats just a few easily identifiable ones and thats already a quarter of the cost. I havent even gone near plastering, painting, roofing, plumbing, kitchens and bathrooms a chippy.