The chalets are houses particularly appreciated for their charm and their energy performance. Usually used as second homes, they provide comfort and serenity, for a weekend or for a family vacation. However, for fairly logical reasons, building your own chalet is not an option for everyone. Fortunately, it is possible to delegate the work to a builder and to take delivery of his turnkey habitable chalet after a few months. But is this solution really advantageous? How much does it cost ? The answers of our experts in this file.
Summary
What are the advantages of a turnkey habitable chalet?
Choosing a turnkey habitable chalet is about delegate construction to a professional. In the case of cash, it is a builder of new homes with whom the future owner signs a contract. This option has a number of advantages:
The peace of mind solution
Choosing a turnkey habitable chalet means choosing comfort and peace of mind. Indeed, the future owner addresses himself to a single point of contact who is responsible for making his dream come true. There is therefore no need to choose the different service providers, establish work schedules, or coordinate the different teams. All these responsibilities, as well as the forecasting and management of various contingencies, fall to the manufacturer. In accordance with the contractual terms, the latter must in fact take all the necessary steps to complete the site.
Knowing that the chalets are generally located in the mountains, this option also avoids having to make several trips during the week to monitor the work. The client can therefore continue to work normally or spend time with his relatives while his worksite is progressing. According to the terms of the contract, the builder can also take care of the choice of land and administrative formalities required.
Many customization possibilities
For the construction of your chalet, you are free to choose the model and the finishes that suit you. The builder can suggest models suitable for the location of the land, but you remain the sole master of the project. It is therefore up to you to decide on basic elements such as:
- The number of rooms;
- Area ;
- The type of stay;
- The shape of the kitchen and the bathroom;
- The presence or not of a floor.
These characteristics are recorded in a technical notice which is integrated into the file. The manufacturer has the obligation to respect them. To ensure this, periodic visit appointments are defined in the contract. They allow you to follow the progress of the work and ensure that you are strictly compliance with the technical instructions.
A secure investment
Turnkey construction contracts are among the safest contracts in the real estate sector. They integrate many guarantees that protect the interests of the future owner. These guarantees include in particular the ten-year guarantee, the biennial guarantee and the perfect completion guarantee. If you notice any defects in the structure after a certain period of time, the builder has a legal obligation to carry out the necessary repairs at his own expense. In the end, you therefore take very little risk.
Competitive prices and good budget control
New home builders have a network of service providers through which they benefit from advantageous rates. This is one of the reasons why they are able to offer such attractive prices.
As with any new house, the price of a turnkey habitable chalet is defined when the contract is signed. So, from the start, you have a clear idea of how much your new home will cost you. And thanks to the various clauses appearing in the contract, you are sheltered from possible fluctuations in material costs. In other words, if material costs go up during construction, the builder cannot pass the costs on to the price of your home. So you can’t stand no additional cost until the delivery of your chalet.
Support from a team of experts
The builder stands by your side every step of the way of the construction project. Before starting, his team can offer you expert advice on the plan of the house.
The materials, finishes and even the energy plan are all elements on which expert opinions are also valuable. The experience and know-how of a well-established builder are real assets for the realization of your project.
What are the disadvantages of a turnkey habitable chalet?
The main disadvantage of this solution is the lack of flexibility in the evolution of the project. In fact, once the construction has started, you no longer have the possibility of making any modifications to the structure. This can be frustrating for people with experience in building and renovating homes.
Furthermore, a “turnkey” construction contract does not necessarily include all the elements of the project. Exterior landscaping work (garden, patio, gate, etc.) or finishing work such as varnishing are not necessarily included in the contract. These are therefore additional costs that must be taken care of.
How much does a turnkey habitable chalet cost?
As with any real estate construction, several factors go into determining the price of a turnkey habitable chalet. The most important are:
- The dimensions. If you fall for a chalet with large surfaces, the price will naturally be higher than for a small chalet;
- L’wood essence used. The wood used for the construction of a chalet should be chosen with care. It is indeed on this parameter that the solidity and the quality of insulation of the house depend. Good construction lumber should be strong and strong, yet still light enough to support the structure. And depending on the case, the bill can quickly climb. In addition, the PLU (Plan Local d’Urbanisme) can also impose a certain type of wood on you because of the types of chalets built in the region;
- the mounting type ;
- L’accessibility of the land. It is a capital element, because it determines the material necessary for the transport of the different materials. The more difficult the access to your site, the higher the bill will be.
On average, for a turnkey habitable chalet built by a professional, it is necessary to plan between 1,400 euros and 1,900 euros per m2, excluding land price.
How to choose a builder for his turnkey habitable chalet?
Price should not be the only criterion for choosing a builder for your turnkey habitable chalet. There are also a few other important parameters to consider.
Experience and reputation
Before you engage with a builder, make sure they can actually complete your project. For it, investigate his qualifications and ask to visit the chalets he has already built. You will thus be able to get a fairly precise idea of its know-how. Keep in mind that it is better to entrust your project to an experienced builder who has a proven track record rather than a novice. If possible, also meet with the owners to find out their level of satisfaction.
Labels and certifications
Certain labels can also attest to the seriousness of a manufacturer. These include the NF marking, of the Qualibat qualification, of the Maison Bois 21 charter qualification or its registration in Union of French Houses (UMF). Manufacturers bearing these labels offer a number of guarantees regarding the quality of their work.
The availability
Before entrusting the construction of your future wooden chalet to a builder, make sure that it is available. Victims of their own success, some manufacturers find themselves inundated with construction sites. If during your first exchanges, the response times are very long, it is better not to make a commitment. Indeed, this is usually a sign that the builder is poorly organized or too busy. Either way, it doesn’t bode well for your potential collaboration. The construction of a chalet takes several months; so it is better to contact a really available contact person.
Finally, it is strongly recommended to choose a manufacturer who offers a CCMI-type contract (Individual House Construction Contract). This type of contract obliges the builder to respect the commitments concerning the quality of the construction, the delivery times and the price.
Read also: How to properly insure second home
