What is low cost housing?

[msn1270]

hi all.

in the recent days, we are seeing so many ads on economy/low cost housing(Specifically Apartsments) by major business tycoons like Puruvankara, manthri, confident and even Big Bazaar Group. Be cautious before dealing with these projects. some of the points to be kept in mind about these projects are

1. How come all this big players started affordable homes suddently. How exactly they're working on reducing the cost of construction, as they're nowhere mentioning the technical specification and the dimensions of their flats. They mentioning only the cost of the flat like 2 B/R costs Rs. 14 lakhs...etc.

2. Since these projects are yet to be started, it takes atleast next 2-3 years for the delivery. you need to chk the terms and conditions very cautiously whether the developers price is fixed forever or he has the right to revise the price of the project based on market condition.

3. In my hard opinion he is playing with some of the specs and raw materials or in the construction/dimension in order to work out the cost.

4. The locations mentioned by these new projects are almost 25 kms away from the Bangalore city centre. Obviously you need to remember is that the land price in these areas are not attractive and doesn't have manu public amenities.

5. Lets calculate the construction cost. if the price of the land is around Rs.500-600/sq.ft and for a 10 storeid building, it comes down to Rs. 50+ per sq.ft(remember even for the basment parking space, they charge you. so the dividing count will be 11) and if you add the costruction cost as Rs. 900, and the builder says he is giving at just Rs. 1900/sq.ft/sq.ft(only the base price and he may says in his earlier projects he was charging rs. 3000/sq.ft to fool you), directly he has a margin of almost 100 percent and again he takes the other charges like Car Parking, BWSSB, KPTCL deposits, Club member Charges, Maintainance charges corp fund, vat, sales and registration charges.

6. nowadays in all the new projects builders are reducing the height of the wall construction by 1-2 feet to save the cost.

7. As usual they're using the ultra-low cost Alluminium Glazed Windows which doesn't cost you more than Rs.300/window, while a conventional wooden window cost you moe than Rs. 1,500 even with an average wood quality.

8. Nowadays buldlers are not using Teak wood door to the main entry also. They're using processed flush doors.

9. mainly these guys are reducing the built up area of the flats itself. Earlier the usual 2 B/R flat dimensions were ranging from 900 sq.ft to 1250 sq.ft . But the new projects are coming up with 700 sq.ft to 950 sq.ft only.

10. No builder is using Granite/marble flooring. Their spec says only the ceramic tiles and if you want anything above this quality, you need to shell out extra cost.

11. For the sanitary and electrical fittings spec, always they make Jaguar or equivalent. But they're using the local makes only. even the modular electrical switches they use are economical ones like cona/roma/lisha/hifi...etc. You can't expect, Crabtree,Legrand,siemens, sazler...etc

these are just few points to be verified before jumping into these new projects. go through their fine prints thoroughly and if you can't understand few things, don't be hesitate to consult someone who can give better insight into them.

[bmsboy]

Nice info..

[bhr2009]

Hi All old MSN BDA Site guys, nice to see u here after long time.....

Regarding low cost housing, All the points mentioned by msn1270 are true. Purvankara has launched new project at
Yalahanka-doddaballapura road. You may not see the project in Puravankara web site. They floated a 'low cost housing company, provident hosing for this purpose. As msn1270 mentioned, one of the issue is location. Now, is it worth goin for a apartment in such a far off place. ? I dont thnik so. Same case with other buidlers towards kanakapura road.
I feel, this low cost housing is a temparary shelter for real estate groups, before order is restored back to its original glory(?) of 2005 , if at all it happens. My suggestion is, dont be get trapped in this low price tag.

[ilyas100]

Heard new builders are joining the brigade of affordable housing, Nitesh has announced a Project?

[msn1270]

Purvankara(provident), Brigade, Sobha, Nitesh, manthri....etc Many more developers are moving towards this manthra. If you compare the location, specification and the amenities the price of this "So Called Affordable Houses" are not lesser than their existing Regular Projects. Don't get excited by the colorful advertisements and the catching statements. I request you to do a thorough Homework on any project before jumping to them.

[msn1270]

Even after 3 years, the so called much hyped affordable luxury housing project situated at Doddaballapur by Purvankara(provident Housing) is calling the buyers by placing hoardings at every main roads of Bangalore saying "You deserve more....blah, blah at Bangalore North".

[ardesarchitects]

Hi guys
Affordable low cost housing is new concept for Bangalore.i remember in Hyderabad janapriya syndicate stared low cost housing in 2000 itself.Majorly the builders save in project location and then in material specs.
Few observations from my side
1.No wooden frames even for doors.Frames made of rcc
2.full ceramic tiles (no vetrified)
3.Tractor emulsions or distempers
4.shorter span rooms there by steel consumption less(no harm in structural strength)
5.Limited switches & power points
6.No posh landscapes and common areas
There are much downgrades possible to cut the cost.

Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes architects and interior designers
www.ardesarchitects.com
ardesarchitects@gmail.com