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Discussion Forum

Hallifax, NS, CA Costs

CloudHidden | Posted in General Discussion on January 4, 2004 06:19am

If someone had it in mind to build on an island in that location, what sort of premium would you suggest to tack onto cost of building compared to say, Nova Scotia mainland, or Cleveland, or wherever? What’s a good ballpark figure for the extra costs of transporting people, tools, and materials (concrete, for starters)? 15%? 50%? 100%?

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  1. VaTom | Jan 04, 2004 07:32am | #1

    I have no idea of course.  But it was nice to see you featured on itsa. 

    http://greendome.itsa.info/

    Should be a very informative web site when finished.  You're not a member?  Site was promoted on the ferrocement list.   

    PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

  2. Novy | Jan 04, 2004 08:05am | #2

    Cloud Email me. I may have a person to put you in touch with.

    On a hill by the harbour
  3. Piffin | Jan 04, 2004 11:42pm | #3

    Cloud,

    Lot's

    And then some.

    My island is only three miles offshore and there are regular ferry runs. We need about a 15% premium but there are other islands nearby where youy can nearly double costs.

    It will depend a lot on two things mainly,

    Local labor supply available

    Transportation system available.

    We do a lot of reinforced crete and use pumpers now. The main issue is scheduling reservations on the ferry with the weather. My last slab needed to be resceduled four times before we had a hit. Delays cost money too.

    But until ten or twelve years ago, when we got this larger ferry, expecting to get a single crete truck to run out here from the batch plant was futile. many older foundations are rock rubble trench or piers , or were hand mixed on site with beach sand. ( they are deteriorating now because of the salt.)

    If the island you are looking at doesn't have regular transport, you'll have to look into hiring a landing craft or barge and tug to get things into place.

    I presume you are dealing with budget for designing one out there for a customer. Ought to stand up in their hurricanes. Try to find a contractor that has worked there to questioin for acuracy, but the answers may not be "comparisons" because if he has always been building on the island, he won't have a basis for Chicago or wherever. Old guys here would just answer you, "It costs whatever it costs. Let you know when we're done" So there's kind of a premium attitude too.

    Good luck

    .

    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. User avater
      CloudHidden | Jan 05, 2004 12:14am | #4

      Piff, that's exactly the kind of info that's helpful. But not a design for me. I'd turn it down. A guy want's to buy an island and build a "medium sized" 3 bedroom. After land, expects to have 90k left. I said, no can do, for reasons including what you mentioned. Someone else said, should be doable and let's get design started. (sigh) Oh, and the owner also intends to add solar/wind capabilities. I'm just trying to save him wasting money starting something he cannot finish.

      1. Piffin | Jan 05, 2004 12:47am | #5

        But if he can borrow enough to get it done, he would be a wealthy man. Properties like that are a hot itme with those who can afford them.

        I agree there's no way to build a medium sized three bedroom on any island for that unless local labor/money conditions are such that he can hire fishermen in the off season for cash money at below market rates and goes DIY style..

        Excellence is its own reward!

      2. TrimButcher | Jan 05, 2004 01:16am | #6

        90k / 2000 sq ft = $45/ft               90k/1500 sq ft = $60/ft

        No regular ferry service as you said he's buying the island.  Means hiring a barge everytime he's got a load.

        Not a snowball's chance in hell, unless that 90k is Yankee dollars, he's doing all the work himself, it's a small cottage, and he's economizing on EVERYTHING.

        I'd love to see the design proposal cost estimates.  Feel free to share, I need a good laugh.

        Regards,

        Tim Ruttan

        1. User avater
          CloudHidden | Jan 05, 2004 01:38am | #7

          Tim, and don't forget the full solar or wind setup. That'll take tens of thousands outta the budget.

          1. TrimButcher | Jan 05, 2004 02:01am | #9

            Heck CH, water supply (pump, filtration, heated supply line to prevent freezing, etc) and disposal (septic bed: barge over big bobcat, barge over bed sand & holding tank, etc) will cost tens of thousands.

            Really, I need the laugh.  You have to post the proposed budget!

            Regards,

            Tim

          2. User avater
            CloudHidden | Jan 05, 2004 02:49am | #10

            I told you the budget...90k for everything...it's why I told the guy it was a non-starter. Then someone said it was doable and I'm now trying to explain why it isn't. I don't know how they'll explain away all the stuff y'all have told me. I agree that it seemed laughable, but I was trying to let the guy down nicely.

  4. Novy | Jan 05, 2004 01:59am | #8

    Hey Cloud,

     Island logistics ...................................................

     Where is the Island ?

     I have some inside tracks to some Island developement here in Novy ...

     Big jobs are best handled by buying an old ferry and building a dock.......

     You need a local fisherman to handle security & infrastructure .......

     The cost of infrastructure will exceed the cost of a Modest / Nice home ....

     Awesome way to spend the summer here in Novy..........

     Tell us more .......

    On a hill by the harbour
    1. User avater
      CloudHidden | Jan 05, 2004 03:14am | #11

      As with piffin's post, yours was all the answer needed. He's outta his league, and it seems a shame that he's being encouraged when what he wants would be borderline on the mainland.

      1. Novy | Jan 05, 2004 03:25am | #12

        OOPS ! Forgot about power !

        On a hill by the harbour

    2. BowBear | Feb 19, 2004 04:42pm | #13

      I hope you are out of the wind and weather today. What's going on down there? Nova Scotia has been getting Biblical catastrophes. Hang on.

      (I could not figure out how to direct this to you except by replying to another post.)An ex-boat builder treading water!

      Edited 2/19/2004 8:44:48 AM ET by Bob

      1. Novy | Feb 19, 2004 08:18pm | #15

        Hi Bob,

         Thanks for asking. I can't even see out my windows as the wind seems to be sticking the snow to them.

         60 CM snow so far with winds up to 100 Kms . They have actually declared a state of emergency. The snow plows can't even get ambulances to some 911 calls.

         I think PEI & Cape Breton are going to get it alot worse.On a hill by the harbour

  5. tenpenny | Feb 19, 2004 07:59pm | #14

    A lot would depend on the exact location.....but in this region, for "quality" construction, R2000, in the city, say, on a "standard" design of house (ie, not a dome, not solar, typical 2 storey, 2000-3000 sq ft), you could expect something in the range of $125 (can) per sq ft...

    Looks like the whole province is shut down.... i just checked the highway webcams, and it looks ugly (go to http://www.gov.ns.ca, find departments, then transportation....)

    1. Novy | Feb 19, 2004 08:24pm | #16

      Ten Penny,

      Thanks for the link. Looks pretty dismal out there !On a hill by the harbour

      1. DavidxDoud | Feb 19, 2004 08:35pm | #17

        I don't know,  how about 4 igloos and an outhouse -- should be able to do that for $90K... just need to scale the project down to the money - 12v small capacity solar systems are affordable - hell,  he could buy a pretty nice used RV,  have it delivered and live in it and stay within budget- - good luck with this one - don't waste too much of your time -

        1. ronbudgell | Feb 19, 2004 08:48pm | #18

          CH

          Tell your man to haul an old mobile home across on the ice to live in until he's got some money. And lots of kerosene for his lanterns.

          Plenty of time to read here today. Even the dog doesn't want to go out in the blizzard, though my halfwit neighbour across the road tried to take his 4WD pickup out this morning. He got stuck before he was out of the driveway with one front wheel in the ditch, leaving the thing resting on front right and left rear wheels and absolutely no traction.  Took him hours just to get back in the driveway.

          Ron

          1. Novy | Feb 19, 2004 08:57pm | #19

            Hi Ron,

             Might be an interesting day for all the stormbound Novies to check in.

             I just missed meeting Turtleneck last night by a 1/2 hour at the Lions Head. He dropped in at happy hour but I was at a meeting and therefore late.

             We really can't complain about winter this year as we have only had one real snowfall (8" +/-) so far.

            PS Driveway is NE - SW at street ~ Truck & Driveway are totally clear of snow Due to the wind ! Just like Prospect :)

            On a hill by the harbour

            Edited 2/19/2004 1:15:56 PM ET by NOVY

          2. ronbudgell | Feb 19, 2004 09:12pm | #20

            This'll make up for the shortfall.

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