Cost of building

I've been told to count on a minimum of $300/sq ft.

$300.00 per square foot for concrete homes on up to ????????? at least that is the quotes we are giving out when people ask 🙂

I could be wrong, but didn't the two guys (can't remember their names) who just finished their 2 bdrm Villa construction on STJ (Chocolate Hole?), and blogged it, say they started at $300 per yard paid up to $1200 per yard?

BongoBongo is the villa name and they have a lot of good info and all the pitfalls on there web page for it. I think concrete was up to 1100 a square yard by the time they poured the driveway.

http://www.bongobongostjohn.com/blog5/
http://www.bongobongostjohn.com/blog6/

I talked to an architect when I was in town over thanksgiving that is getting ready to build on his own lot in St John and was figuring four hundred dollars a square foot plus land cost.

Bongo Bongo:
Lot $25,000.
Cleared $85,000
total cost $1.3 mil

Thanks Captain Jay,
It was BongoBongo.

$307 per square foot was the number I received from my builder. He gave me a detailed estimate using construction software. We just started the build near the top of Bordeaux Mountain, St. John. Its a simple two bed/2bath West Indian Style house. The initial lot clearing and initial excavation costs are less than budgeted. However, the concrete costs are going to be more than budgeted. We are getting concrete costs around $1,000 per cubic yard. The estimates vs the reality will probably go back and forth for the entire build. I had the Bongo Bongo blog in my favorites at work and looked at it every day for over a year. I have even talked/emailed the guys over the course of about three years. I go into this with my eyes open and fingers crossed. Good luck to anyone who tries this but do your homework first.

Thanks Bart. Can you give me an idea of the cost of outside space, ie decking/sq ft and typical cost of a pool?

Didn't they buy their lot in '02 or '03? I shopped property at that time and am wondering how they got anything in Chocolate Hole for $25,000???

I believe the cost can run from $300-$450 per sq. ft. in St. Thomas. St. John has it's own idiosyncrasies when it comes to building as all materials must be barged over. Check out the www.bongobongo.com website. It is a must read for anyone considering building in St. John or even st. Thomas. Pretty funny too if you aren't the one waiting for "cement or concrete." I am a realtor here in St. Thomas so get to see lots of properties. Grew up here and in STJ so am constantly amazed at the all changes. Good Luck!

Puffer,

Your correct. They didn't pay $25,000 for the land. I don't recall what they really paid for the lot but back in 02 even a good deal would have been more like $150,000 or so. I bought the same time they did. I visited their lot during construction.

As to outside space cost it is less than inside space cost of course. My plans show 1,100 sq ft finished inside, 550 sq ft covered deck and 600 sq ft for unfinished storage/utility room and cisterns. No pool. The total COMBINED estimate was $307 per square foot. Could be more depending on your lot slope, excavation and what your finishing materials are. I have middle of the road tastes. In addition, its an estimate. There seems to be serious problem on St. John regarding estimating building costs. There only as good as the estimator.

I built on a neighboring island and can tell you that a cost of $300/sq.ft. will get you a nice but average home (think "builder's standard"). If you want "designer" or upscale finishes you can spend as hundreds or even thousands more. Building in the islands is not for the budget minded. You'll be behind schedule and over-budget within a couple weeks of groundbreaking. Anyone considering building a home in the Caribbean should do their homework and get the most accurate pre-construction estimate they possibly can. They should then take that number and add 50%, if the reslting price doesn't scare you then proceed. You need "deep Pockets".

I got their DVD and it shows cost of lot as $25,000. and construction as it progressed....total $ 1.3 mil.
I'm thinking that may include furnishings.

Don't forget to apply the "rules of two" to any quote.

It will cost TWICE as much, take TWICE as long, or BOTH.

My experience with house building on STX prompts another rule : "If you have to ask what it costs, you probably can't afford it".

PT

I am working with a builder who uses Rastra blocks. Premier homes says they can build you a home in twelve months once all the permits are issued for a fixed price. If the home isn't completed in twelve months they will pay you liquidated damages. (Novel concept in the V I) I haven't gone to contract yet so I can't personally vouch for him, but it is worth a look. He has a web site with floor plans and bills of materials. If you can't find Premier's web site PM me and I will post or send you the link.

Jim

Jim Dandy,

I was interested to see that someone down here is using Rastra blocks. I'm interested in alternatives to traditional concrete block. Who is the builder and which island is he/she on?

Jim I would be interested in the builders website as well. Tried to Goggle it but couldn't find it. I did look at the manufacturers page looks like a great system. I assume it is approved in hurricane zones? How many homes has he completed in the islands? I would think the vacant land by the landfill would be good place to build a plant to recycle water bottles and make the wall systems. Should be enough raw material coming in there every day to stay busy. I would think the government would bend over backwards if somebody wanted to spend a few million in start up capital. Could you imagine the quantity of plastic going in there annually that could be recycled and the reduction in the amount of concrete needed.
Thanks,
Jay

Premier Builders is on STX. He is in the process of becoming the distributor for Rastra blocks in the entire Caribbean.

The web site is www.phvi.com

Golod luck and good building.

Jim

What is Rastra blocks???

Rastra block are made out of a mix of recycled polystyrene (packing peanuts )and cement. The blocks are then assembled, rebar run through and then the core is filled with concrete. It is considered green construction.

If the building is properly constructed the walls will have an R38 insulating rating and the building's walls will withstand 200mph winds.

This type of block is more common in Europe than the US.

Jim

There is a place in Az that was making simular, from the plastic / foam beads. Then they covered the outside ithe Stucco. I don't think it was recycled. I don't know if they are still in business or not.

how do i get a hold of that video?

Does anyone know the current concrete rate on STX?

I was told <$200 per yard, pre-Maria, with a pump running $500 a day.