The construction journey will only be safe, enjoyable and meet expectations with a capable engineering office
But before I start listing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, I will tell you a real story that revolves between a client and our office, this client came to us to ask for our technical opinion on one of the ready-made projects to apply to buy it.
Cost per square meter for a turnkey project
During our visit to this project to write the technical report, this client started listing his observations about the project and how he wants to modify and renovate the project to suit his future aspirations that match his needs for his own residence, and he started mentioning his desire to change the floors, redesign the ceilings, open this room to the other, change the air conditioning system, etc.
After we collected the building area of this project, and divided the area by the total selling price of the project, we found that the cost per square meter for a turnkey project is 4500 SAR / square meter, including land and building only.
This price is for a villa with a basement built with 20% of the total land area, 20% of the total roof area, no air conditioners, kitchen cabinets and clothes, and no furniture; and this price was before starting the renovations and modifications.
The challenge of convincing the feasibility of construction
<After we wrote our technical notes for him, we asked him: "Do you want us to design and implement a project that suits your functional and financial needs, complete with all its furniture and accessories, at a price lower than your purchase price for this project?" The question was surprising to him, and unconvincing at first, and after we explained all the details to him, it seemed like a challenge to us because of the difficulty of achieving what we mentioned. Indeed, we accepted the challenge, and God made it possible for us to buy a land of identical size, dimensions and orientation, in the same block, only two lands away from the project he wanted to buy. <The project was completed, praise be to God, with all its details; to match all its functional and financial needs, with 100% of the basement and 50% of the roof floor, with all its mechanical systems such as an elevator and air conditioners, and all furniture details such as kitchen and clothing cabinets, bedrooms, lounges and lounges. Bedrooms, lounges, entertainment spaces, pool furniture, and all project accessories; to reach a total cost per meter of only 4000 SAR / square meter, including land and building, all its mechanical and recreational installations, and all furniture and accessories.The story is not meant to lead you to build, but in many cases building, under certain conditions, is much better and more economical than buying.
Buy only for those who don't have time
It is preferable to buy only for those who do not have the time to wait for the construction of the project, provided that the developer has documented all stages of construction of the project, and provided the buyer with construction reports, such as soil and concrete inspection; photos of the conformity of the plans; and his commitment to the correct and recognized building systems, with delivery of the entire project plans as they are after construction, and providing all purchase invoices and guarantees in accordance with the law in the Kingdom.<If the above condition is not available, building is often better for you than buying; in terms of the possibility of building your project to match your functional needs and financial capabilities, but it should be noted that the construction journey will not be a safe, enjoyable, and conforming to expectations, or better, only on one condition, and that is to find the engineering office As for building on your own without experience and knowledge in construction, know that this option is the worst choice you will make to follow you for the rest of your life, because the housing construction project is an important project, not a recreational project.
New trends leading the way
Trends have changed over time, first it was better to buy than to build for those who do not have enough money or time, then we entered the era of cardboard houses and building became better than buying, and now the era is driving new trends, and it seems to me that the future will tighten the stranglehold on self-building and the only option will remain to buy; but thanks to God first, and then thanks to the program. But thanks to God first, and then thanks to the Wafi program provided by the Ministry of Housing (off-plan sales program), it has also become an option for those who do not have sufficient liquidity to build from scratch; allowing the opportunity to own the long-awaited housing; to match your functional needs and financial capabilities.
In your opinion, which is better buying or building?
*Architect and faculty member at King Saud University
