Does anyone know how to work out the build cost per square metre?

[miapaco]

Can anyone clear this up for me.
When people refer to the build cost per square foot or metre, how is that calculated?
I've also seen the cost given as metres cubed.
What is considered the standard?

[miapaco]

I've got land and planning for a pair of semi detached houses in Cornwall.
I've so far had 2 very different quotes from contractors to do the lot. I was trying to work out a square metre cost based on the info from House Builders Bible book but not sure if I need to take into account ground floor, 1st floor attic area into the equation?

[buildersmate]

I'm sure all of this is explained somewhere in Mark Brinkley's book, which is a brilliant purchase by the way.
As a VERY rough order of estimating, costs per square metre of floor area of the house are used to get an idea how much it might cost to construct a house. You use the EXTERNAL floor area (that means the length and width as measured along the walls on the outside).
A two-storey house has double that floor area (so cost twice as much).
I would repeat again, it is only a very rough guide - do not try and use it for pricing a job - compare competitive quotations from 3 builders for that.
Brinkley's book is much cleverer then that, as it starts to break down costs for different types of construction and finish.
Metres cubed makes no sense at all for what you are trying to rough cost. For example, concrete is priced per cubic metre, but that is used when you are trying to estimate costs to a much higher level of accuracy.

[ethandron]

You could try the BCIS they have a house rebuilding cost calculator. Used by insurance companies to determine the rebuilding costs and is based on location, and square footage.

[georgedoran]

Ask sarah beeney!!!

[tinpotLizzie]

Build costs in the SEast are around �1000.00 per square metre. That is build cost only,not internal fittings.