We are aware of the numerous advantages of prefabricated houses compared to traditional construction methods and as a society we somewhat accept this, but when it comes to the price of a prefabricated house, question marks usually appear above our heads. Prefabricated construction is still relatively new in our region, so we are often not sufficiently informed and do not understand the costs it entails.
Below, we will explain the factors that influence the final price of a prefabricated house, or the approximate price per square meter for a turnkey project, as well as things that are most often not included in the price and should be counted as additional costs when planning the budget.
Key factors affecting the price of a prefabricated house
Size and design of the house
The size of a house is an important factor because it directly affects various aspects of construction, functionality, and aesthetics. Larger houses provide more space for living, storage, and recreational activities, but they usually require additional materials and more labor during their construction.
On the other hand, smaller homes are often more cost-effective to build and maintain. They can be designed to maximize space utilization through efficient floor plans and smart solutions. Smaller homes are also generally easier to heat, cool, and maintain.
In addition to size, architectural design plays a significant role in shaping the overall look and feel of a home. It includes elements such as exterior facades, roof styles, window placement, material selection, etc. A well-thought-out architectural plan takes into account factors such as the integration of natural light, ventilation systems, energy efficiency measures while creating aesthetically pleasing spaces.
Quality and type of equipment to be installed
It is important to understand that house A may be more expensive than house B even though they are of the same area and design, and this mostly depends on the equipment that is installed in the house.
So the price of a prefabricated house depends on the quality of the carpentry that is installed, the tiles, the kitchen, the bathrooms, the heating source you prefer, etc.
At Radman Homes, we have prepared a standard equipment catalog for all catalog homes in order to better reflect the final price of the home.
Radman Homes katalog opremeOwn modifications to the house or project
Companies that build prefabricated houses most often have house catalogs and pre-prepared projects for their construction, so they can offer much lower construction prices compared to situations where customers have their own wishes or want to make modifications to existing projects.
In such situations, a new house is designed, which entails significantly higher costs.
Construction location and site preparation costs
Site preparation costs include the various tasks required to prepare the land for construction. This includes clearing the site of any existing structures or vegetation, leveling the ground, and ensuring proper drainage. The complexity of these tasks can vary depending on the condition of the site and any special requirements dictated by local regulations.
Foundation designs also contribute to site preparation costs. Different types of foundations may be required depending on factors such as soil conditions, the size and weight of the house, and local building codes.
Another item that depends on the construction location is the transportation of the prefabricated elements from which the house is assembled.
Price of prefabricated house per square meter – turnkey
When we talk about the “turnkey” construction system, it means that we take over the entire process from the idea to the use permit. So administrative work, design and construction. A fixed price can be defined for all these steps so that there is no possibility of hidden costs appearing.
The price of a turnkey prefabricated house at Radman Homes depends mostly on the number of floors and the source of heating and air conditioning, and starts at €1,200 per gross square meter .
What is not included in the price of a prefabricated house?
Fortunately, when you decide to build a turnkey prefabricated house, the vast majority of the costs are included in the price.
What should be counted as additional costs are:
- foundation
- source of heating and air conditioning
- cost of building permit and utility fees – electricity, water, etc.
- the cost of construction supervision hired by the investor
- landscaping, fence construction and horticulture
So are prefabricated houses more cost-effective than apartments?
According to data published by Lidermedia , the average price per square meter of an apartment in Croatia in 2022 was €2,658.00, and further growth continued in 2023.
Prefabricated houses do not lose their value over time, moreover, it is important to note that prefabricated houses have significantly higher energy efficiency than classic brick houses, so in addition to not losing value, prefabricated houses actually save us money over a certain period of time.
Looking solely at the financial side – yes, building a prefabricated house is currently a much more profitable investment than buying an apartment, especially if you already have land on which to build.