Hi, my parents have a terrace house in KV that is worth around 600k. They like to plant things and have their own garden so I looked around and found that there are a few areas in Seremban where they sell bungalow lots for people to build their own houses. There are also some double story semi-ds that cost around 400k to 500k. The residential land costs around 200k - 300k.

I'm wondering if it is better to buy a semi-D with around 3500 sqft of land that already has a house built and just spend 50k on basic renovations or buy a 5600 sqft land and build a single story bungalow. The main reason I'm asking this is because I'm not really sure how much it would cost to build a house in Seremban. I heard people say you can build a single story bungalow for 100k, and some say you need 300k.

If they sell their house in KV, they will probably have about 550k left.

Which of the 2 do you guys think is the better option?

Parking. I’m interested to know also.

I’d choose single-storey with larger land area since there’s no stairs for old people to climb, and enough space for gardening.

It will take at least 6 months - 2 years to build a house.

It takes shorter time to buy a ready made house.

i was tell this to my clients.
the budget is on your hand. if you can afford a bungalow, then go ahead. if you only want a shed, what is the problem with it if you are happy with it?

i would say, just buy a bungalow land and built a single storey unit. Reason quite simple. They will feel old one day and tell you they are lazy to climb up the stairs and the house is too big for two old fellows.

The big garden would be their better companion. Farming, exercising, fresh air, etc.

Honestly even a RM100k can built a bungalow. So about the budget, there are just too many variables. Its really up to you how you plan to built your house from determining built up size, no of rooms and toilets, built in furniture, material of construction, smart home gadgets, architecture works, external works, etc.

I agree.

Nowadays the minimalist structure is more up-to-date, and minimalism has less angles and materials overall (flat roof, spacious design with less walls) so should be cheaper to build. Really don’t understand why most Malaysian homes still look very outdated, even the newly built ones.

RM100k can really build a bungalow? I plan to buy land and build my own bungalow as well, so I’m taking every info I can find into consideration.

I think they are mainly afraid of cost overrun if building a bungalow.

They will probably have 200k for building once they bought the land. Is that enough for a 1200ish sqft 3 room 2 bath house?

Since you mention clients, what do you work as?

Just an illustration. There are many things to consider when it comes to building structures. Land condition, layout, architecture, etc.

Assuming if everything is ideal, why not?

A contractor in all trades

What are some potential issues I should look out for when shopping for a piece of residential land to build a bungalow on?

fengshui - if you believe
surroundings - signs of natural disasters, smell, noise, neighbors, facilities, security, etc
soil condition - natural or reclaimed
utilities - especially if you cant live without line coverage
land ownership - caveat

If buy bungalow lot in G&G development, solved most of that, no?

not really

it might not suit your fengshui
maybe it has a big monsoon drain next to it with bad odour?
maybe that plot really dont have phone coverage?
maybe that land is subsale not straight from developer?

Basically need to fulfill these in a checklist also I guess.

The lands I'm looking at are in Rasah Kemayan in Seremban. Not sure if you are familiar.

It was design for people to buy an individual bungalow plots and build their own house. I read that the developer bankrupt and some of the shoplots there build halfway abandoned, and that place still not fully build up yet, probably why the price is affordable.

But I have went and checked it out with my family and we actually really like the place, very quiet, but not so quiet that you would feel afraid. I asked the agent about the utilities and they said that it shouldn't be a problem since the other houses there also have water, electricity, and phone connections. We even went and checked out the abandoned shoplots and it turns out they have been recently completed, so I guess the value of the lands there are slowly going up.

The thing that I am most concerned about is how much it would cost to flatten the land.

For example, this land

https://www.google.com/maps/@2.6962331,101....3312!8i6656

is quite uneven, so I presume it would take a bit of work to flatten it so that a building can be built.

sorry really not familiar with Seremban but your link helps.

Usually such development wont have much problems unless if your neighbor(s) had illegally dumped a lot of soil/C&D waste on your land previously when they constructing their homes but typically land clearing (cutting trees and flattening ground) doesn't cost a bomb and its very fast.

Land appreciation is important because one day you will have to sell it but since you are staying and not investing, it is not so crucial because you can wait. but land appreciation depends a lot on how fast the are grows.

Ahh I see.

I'm sorry for asking so many questions, but may I ask if you know how much does it cost per sqft for land clearing?

I heard from a property agent that it costs rm5000 to clear a 10,000 sqft land, but I'm not sure if I can believe him.

If cost savings are among your concern, I will suggest better settle for existing houses.

If you want to build yourself, there's tonnes of other costs than construction cost itself. Professional fees, land title change, premiums, submission fees, contribution fees (local council/water supply/sewerage/telekom/TNB) and many more you can and cannot think about.

Its not cost effective.

This post has been edited by msacras: May 17 2019, 10:24 PM

We will try to keep cost low by building a very small (around 1000sqft) house and with very bare furnishings.

100k a fairy basic design and materials for 3 rooms n 2 bath.

Dont forget furniture cost a lot too

Professional fees (architect/engineer/QS and so) typically take up to 10% of project cost.

And 10k is too little to get it done I will say.

This post has been edited by msacras: May 17 2019, 11:18 PM

Planning to budget 150k -200k and still have 150k as cash for cost overrun. Furniture will pretty much just reuse old furniture from old house. Only kitchen and toilet willing to spend more to renovate.

10% is a lot lower than I thought it would be

I mean for general scale project, it’s 10%.

But now your estimated costing is 100-300k, and 10% of it certainly isn’t enough to do much.

Possible but very troublesome to build own house. Need to take consideration of soil type(hard or soft), water intake pipe, underground wiring for electricity, other stuffs after building. Internet coverage, water pressure, yada yada

Btw I’m interested. Looking to build own house too

oic

I'm guessing it's probably gonna be around 50k?

Can't I just get an architecture firm to draw the house plan for me, have them do the paperwork, and then get a contractor to start work?

I'm probably oversimplifying, but isn't that the gist of it?

No need architech, just engage a draftsman should be sufficient. You can even go online and purchase design & plan & do your own submission to local council. The most important is an honest & reliable contractor

This post has been edited by spetnaz: May 20 2019, 06:11 AM

I thought you need certified architect to give signature?

Any good general contractors in Seremban? I'm really not familiar with that area.

you wanna save cost, find a local contractor with experience. He will know more on how to construct a bungalow and chipped in some minor design than an architect.

architect role is only to design the exterior house. if he has expertise in the internal, he will do the same for you and the design for both exterior and internal will cost you a bomb.

if you want it to be safer, find a registered civil engineer and he will endorse your drawings for the pbt submission.

it is always cheaper to do everything yourself but it will be a long and steep learning curve. if you have time and enjoy the process, please by all mean but if you think you dont want to have such hassle, then engage the above professionals.

sorry i cant provide any rates for land clearing. end of the day, it all depends very much on local rates and contractors. contractors can come up with all kinds of different reasons to justify for their rates. so its better to scout around yourself.

Meanwhile ayam keep looking at people building van house or container house... like very nice sia

They do seem quite nice but aren't those depreciating assets? Especially if you don't own the land that they are on. There's also the problem with getting proper utilities.

very true but most people who initiated or involved in such projects often already knew and accepted the compromises and cons of these types of accommodations

if not they will not go ahead, utilities are ok but maybe limited space


for me, the best is still landed, independent, entirely detached bungalow built of bricks, cement, reinforced concrete and terracotta roof tiles, would be strong and sturdy

the thing is it wont come easy and have to work hard for it

Of course it is but have to be able to afford it

Yep in malaysia we dont have such utilities for dumps.
But i find it very interesting.

If i can buy a small piece of land to place a container, i would definitely make one house out of it.

What about these?





Found from here.

Wonder if can customizer it.

I have no idea, better check with pipu who have bought it, there's two type strutural kit and ibs kit.

Why seremban? If your budget 200k for land in bangi sg merab there can get also no need so far away go until seremban

Like the neighborhood there.

Also parents prefer more Chinese area

got fibre internet mou hahaha

You can probably look at kit or prefab houses. I just like to add another alternative to @DuitNow's IBS Homes.

You can try Homify :
https://www.homify.com.my/prefabricated-house

Always good to compare your options.

Let us know your findings @TS !

There have unifi

Though don't know if build new house need wait how long

Thanks

Will definitely make a thread about it once the building gets going.

First things first. What do your folks want to plant?

how is the progress of things? interested to know

Almost bought a bungalow land but mother got scared at the last minute and kept telling my dad to just buy a normal house

so not proceeding with ur plan and got a normal house?

Unfortunately, yeah