Building a southern French home in America

Merckx · Mar 30, 2008

Materials are recycled all the time from abandoned sites and buildings. How is this appalling?

Violinist · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

i wasn't referring to modernity, i was referring to, the future. if and when i build a house from scratch, i will build it to look like nothing the world has ever seen. a good friend of mine is actually building one of those faux tuscan villas, supposedly "designed" by his wife, and i'm finding it very difficult not to say anything insulting.

i suppose this could go in the "things you just can't understand" thread. i can't understand someone building something from scratch, and not taking the opportunity to design something unique to them.

I think this whole "something the world has never seen" is being a little full of yourself, considering that the money it would probably take, not to mention the fact that most people really don't give a **** if your house has been designed by the latest post-modern flavor of the month architect.

The man wants to recycle materials that were made in a time where high quality and good craftsmanship were part of home building, I don't see what is wrong with that. With the exception of some older homes on the east coast, one really doens't have many options in America for beautiful older architecture and artisanship in homes.

savvyibd · Mar 30, 2008

Yeah, I am really curious what it's going to cost me to build this home. I'll make some calls to architects on Monday to see if anybody has any experience in replicating these types of homes and then ask what I should expect to pay per sqft.

Of course my 350/sqft doesn't include furniture.

Violinist · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by savvyibd

Yeah, I am really curious what it's going to cost me to build this home. I'll make some calls to architects on Monday to see if anybody has any experience in replicating these types of homes and then ask what I should expect to pay per sqft.

Of course my 350/sqft doesn't include furniture.

THere's no way 1.5 will work. You'll be half way through construction and will realize you'll need another million to keep going, that's always how it works with building houses.

savvyibd · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by Violinist

THere's no way 1.5 will work. You'll be half way through construction and will realize you'll need another million to keep going, that's always how it works with building houses.

I'm more than familiar with unexpected costs when building a home, but you don't think it'll be possible to build a ~2000-2800 sqft home for under 1m? (I'm not including costs of solar energy, or the cost of the land)

Violinist · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by savvyibd

I'm more than familiar with unexpected costs when building a home, but you don't think it'll be possible to build a ~2000-2800 sqft home for under 1m? (I'm not including costs of solar energy, or the cost of the land)

and materials from Europe? You're crazy.

savvyibd · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by Violinist

and materials from Europe? You're crazy.

Well, I do have money in a euro bank account that will help offset the costs. If I can buy everything at once and ship it at once, that should save a good chunk of money; rather than picking out new things every week and having it shipped.

I really have no idea how much it will cost to buy the materials needed to build the home, and who knows what the local laws are in regards to what I can and can not use, and what I'll have to modify.

I do know if I can't complete this project around 1m (I don't mind going smaller), I'm just building a "dome home."

Violinist · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by savvyibd

Well, I do have money in a euro bank account that will help offset the costs. If I can buy everything at once and ship it at once, that should save a good chunk of money; rather than picking out new things every week and having it shipped.

I really have no idea how much it will cost to buy the materials needed to build the home, and who knows what the local laws are in regards to what I can and can not use, and what I'll have to modify.

I do know if I can't complete this project around 1m (I don't mind going smaller), I'm just building a "dome home."

Honestly I'd plan for twice your budget. Labor is getting cheaper and cheaper now anyways, because of the slowdown.

savvyibd · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by Violinist

Honestly I'd plan for twice your budget. Labor is getting cheaper and cheaper now anyways, because of the slowdown.

So 700/sqft?

I don't know if I am willing to tie that much money up into my home. I'll need to consult: first with architects/builders, then with my accountant.

Though, I really do want this home. Tough decision.

Violinist · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by savvyibd

So 700/sqft?

I don't know if I am willing to tie that much money up into my home. I'll need to consult: first with architects/builders, then with my accountant.

Though, I really do want this home. Tough decision.

Basically 3000 sq/ft with the quality of materials and construction that you'd want, with modern amenities (kitchens and bathrooms are very expensive these days), I'd say so ya.

Artisan Fan · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by RJman

This is a Provencal home I could go for:

The tower of Philip the Fair, built across the Rhone from Avignon in order to keep an eye on the Pope...

All it needs are those French guards from The Holy Grail to fart in your general direction.

Dragon · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

i wasn't referring to modernity, i was referring to, the future. if and when i build a house from scratch, i will build it to look like nothing the world has ever seen. a good friend of mine is actually building one of those faux tuscan villas, supposedly "designed" by his wife, and i'm finding it very difficult not to say anything insulting.

i suppose this could go in the "things you just can't understand" thread. i can't understand someone building something from scratch, and not taking the opportunity to design something unique to them.

If the world has never seen it, there`s a huge chance it`s going to look terrible. I would rather go with the faux whatever, as the designs are proven.

Imagine going to get your first bespoke suit and asking for something the world has never seen

GQgeek · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by Dragon

If the world has never seen it, there`s a huge chance it`s going to look terrible. I would rather go with the faux whatever, as the designs are proven.

Imagine going to get your first bespoke suit and asking for something the world has never seen

you'd end-up with an eric glennie house.

savvyibd · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by Violinist

Basically 3000 sq/ft with the quality of materials and construction that you'd want, with modern amenities (kitchens and bathrooms are very expensive these days), I'd say so ya.

3000 a square foot? That seems absurdly high. For that price, you can easily get a 10,000 sqft home in Greenwich!

Violinist · Mar 30, 2008

Originally Posted by savvyibd

3000 a square foot? That seems absurdly high. For that price, you can easily get a 10,000 sqft home in Greenwich!

No sorry I meant 3000 sqft, I put a backslash between them accidentally. However, to do what you want properly I'd definitely say 3 mill.

Building a southern French home in America

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