Want to build for $150K?

Sounds amazing right?

Last week, Nine News featured a story where a Tasmanian architect Jiri Lev designed and built his 120m2 home for $150k. That equates to a m2 rate of approximately $1250.  It’s a simple but beautiful home featuring high ceilings, large windows, timber-lined interiors and custom-split doors.

Jiri Lev set the intention at the start of his project to

• Design the home himself, with simplicity and ease of construction front of mind.

• Undertake the project as owner-builder, doing most of the physical labour himself and only contracting specialty trades like plumbers and electricians.

Lev is so passionate about the personally rewarding experience that he has made plans and photos available for anyone to download from his website- For free!

So, let me ask you again with the appropriate disclaimers- Do you want to build a house for $150k with the intention that;

• The house will be a conservative 120 m2.

• You will build most of the home yourself with your bare hands.

If you are undeterred by these parameters, then this could be a perfectly viable option.

If, however, the thought of living in a relatively small home with your big brood, or DIY building sounds like your definition of hell.  Then this option is not for you.

The aim of the game at the very start of your project is to set your intentions for

• What you want

• How you are going to get there and

• Who you are going to engage to help.

This will ultimately predict the process, timeframe, size and cost for your project.

And a 400m2 highly spec’d, architectural home built by your local boutique builder won’t be $150k-  But we can work out where it might land and see if it’s the best path for you before you start.