The possible advantages of building a chalet over buying one, whether that’s in the Portes du Soleil or elsewhere, are numerous. For example, tax advantages, customisation and personal touches and better amortisation of maintenance costs over the long term.
We’ve also covered, as exhaustively as possible, the list of costs to consider when building a chalet.
In practice, however, there is little data available on the real cost of building a chalet in the Alps.
Our team of experts at OVO Network have looked into this subject, starting with the Portes du Soleil ski area. Commune by commune, we give you transparent details of the costs of building two chalets for seasonal rental.
Read on to find out more…
Table of contents
Here are the initial sets of data for each case study:
- A chalet for 8 people, with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an indoor sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi, 145m2 of living space, in an average area of the Portes du Soleil, with a warm décor.
- A chalet for 14 people, with 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 325m2 of living space, wellness facilities, a common room designed for large groups (family reunions or business events) in a high-demand area near the ski slopes, with top-of-the-range finishes and more top-end decoration.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Châtel?
Case Study 1
Key details
Owner number 1 acquires a 450m² plot at 272€/m² in Vonnes, a quiet residential area of Châtel.
- Total price of the plot: 90,304€
- Notary fees: 8,200€, (9% of the purchase price)
Site servicing
(The site is relatively accessible.)
- Connection to electricity: 1650€
- Drinking water connection: 1200€
- Gas connection: 2100€
- Sewerage connection: 2800€
Construction and design
The owner goes through a builder and then calls in a professional for the interior design, followed by a landscaper for the exterior.
- Builder’s price: 498,000€
- Interior designer’s bill: 18,500€ inc. tax
- Landscaping work: Fixed price based on an estimate of 5600€
- Planning permission: 1.8% of the value of the chalet (522,100€): 9397€
Facilities and equipment
The owner will then fit out and equip the chalet:
- Fitting out and equipping the chalet (towels, crockery, various accessories): 5600€
- LED flat-screen television: 1350€
- Mid-range indoor wooden sauna for six people: 3100€
- Outdoor Jacuzzi with mood lighting, for six people: 6650€
Total cost
This chalet construction project in Châtel, Portes du Soleil, costs 654,451€.
Case study 2
Key details
Owner number 2 is buying an 875m² plot at Linga at €498/m². This area enjoys privileged access to the ski slopes of the same name.
- Land price: 435,750€
- Notary fees: 33,800€ (8% of the total price of the plot)
Site servicing
(The site has accessibility problems.)
- Connection to electricity: 7800€
- Drinking water connection: 7500€
- Gas connection: 13,500€
- Sewerage connection: 17,600€
Construction and design
Owner number 2 hired an architect, who worked closely with a project manager.
- Total cost of the project: 790,000€
- Architect’s fees: 23,500€
- Project manager’s fees (11% of the project): 86,900€
- Planning permission (1.8% of project value): 14,220€
Facilities and equipment
As far as the specific fitting-out costs are concerned, the owner installs top-of-the-range electrical appliances and multimedia equipment in their chalet.
They also wanted to install a room dedicated to meetings, as they are aiming their chalet at a particular category of customer: professionals on business trips or organising meetings such as seminars.
- Decoration of the meeting room: 8800€
- IT and multimedia equipment for the meeting room: 22,000€
- Top-of-the-range kitchen appliances: 79,000€
- Large table football table: 1300€
- Table tennis table: 1500€
- Complete top-of-the-range outdoor spa for 12 people: 28,500€
- Indoor swimming pool with massage jets for eight people: 55,000€
Total cost
This chalet construction project in Châtel, in the Portes du Soleil, adds up to 1,626 million euros.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Les Gets?
Case study 1
Key details
Owner number one purchased a plot of land in La Turche, a district of Les Gets that is a little out of the village but still offers direct access to the slopes. The plot measures 250m² and costs €350/m².
- Total price of the plot: 87,500€
- Notary fees: 8,000€ (9% of the purchase price)
Site servicing
(The plot is relatively accessible and passable.)
- The plot was already partially serviced. However, GRDF had to be called in to revise the gas network. In the end, the entire gas connection had to be revised: 3500€.
Construction and design
The chalet will be 145m² and the outdoor spaces are small and almost entirely wooded.
There is little room to install a swimming pool or spa, which would in any case quickly be damaged by the surrounding roots.
The owner has therefore decided to base their marketing strategy on the chalet’s exterior charm, with a rustic 50m² terrace that will be arranged around the existing vegetation to create a warm, intimate atmosphere.
- Felling of trees on 50m²: 2500
- Specialist architect’s fees for plans: 3400€
- Specialist tradesmen and joiners to install the made-to-measure terrace: 13,800€
- Price of raw material: 100€ per square metre: 5000€ worth of wood in total
- Exterior decorator to decorate the terrace: 900€ for a decor board
- Cost of decorative accessories including lighting, faux fur rugs and a designer coffee table: 24,000€
- Small mid-range four-person outdoor jacuzzi: 3800€
They use a builder for the rest of the construction.
- Builder’s price: 350,000€
- Planning permission: 1.8% of the value of the chalet: 6300€
- Planning permission for the terrace: 2500€
The owner will also invest around 50,000€ in furnishings and accessories.
Total cost
This project to build a chalet in Les Gets, in the Portes du Soleil, comes in at €561,200.
Case study 2
Key details
Owner number two has bought a one-hectare plot in Chavannes, Les Gets, at 537€ per square metre. Not only does this area enjoy privileged access to the ski slopes, but it also boasts splendid views of the surrounding mountains.
- Land price: 537,000€
- Notary fees: 38,900€ (7% of the total price of the plot)
Site servicing
The plot is already fully serviced: the previous owner had started work on it but the project was aborted.
Construction and design
The owner has chosen to work with a builder and an architect. At their client’s request, they designed a complete project worth a total of 1.4 million euros.
Total cost
This chalet construction project in Les Gets, Portes du Soleil, cost 1.975 million euros.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Morzine?
Case study 1
Key details
Owner number one is buying a plot of land in Les Esserts, an area of Morzine that’s a little out of the way but close to all amenities. The plot is 425m², for 204€/m².
- Total price of the plot: 86,700€
- Notary fees: 7,900€ (9% of the purchase price)
Site servicing
(The plot is relatively accessible.)
- Connection to electricity: 1350€
- Drinking water connection: 1000€
- Gas connection: 1780€
- Sewerage connection: 2100€
Construction and design
The owner is working with a builder and will bring in a designer for the interior decor.
- Builder’s price: 433,000€
- Interior designer’s bill: 12,500€
- Planning permission (1.8% of the value of the chalet:) 8100€
Facilities and equipment
The owner is targeting a family clientele and is therefore installing a small, specially-designed outdoor swimming pool with a paddling pool for toddlers, as well as a made-to-measure outdoor play structure with a swing, slide and wooden hut. A carpenter will carry out the work.
- Price of play area, labour and materials: 11,700€
- “Cool for Kids” outdoor swimming pool: 16,000€
Total cost
This project to build a chalet in Morzine, in the Portes du Soleil, will cost a total of 582,130€.
Case study 2
Key details
Owner number two is buying a plot of land in Avoriaz, the area at the foot of the slopes of the same name. The plot is 707 m² at 603€/m².
- Land price: 426,000€
- Notary fees: 31,300€ (7% of the total price of the plot)
Site servicing
(The plot has accessibility problems.)
- Connection to electricity: 5000€
- Drinking water connection: 5500€
- Gas connection: 16,500€
- Sewerage connection: 11,200€
Construction and design
Owner number two worked with an architect, who in turn worked closely with a project manager.
- Total cost of the project: 950,000€
- Architect’s fees: 28,000€
- Project manager’s fees (11% of the project): 104,500€
The owner works in the wedding industry and wants to target this type of clientele. They are therefore taking particular care to create a reception room suitable for weddings involving small groups and will be focusing on warm, romantic decor throughout the chalet.
So they called on the services of an interior decorator they knew who specialised in this type of event.
- Decorator’s fees: 10,000€
- Installation of a stage/music area in the hall (equipment and electrical connection confirmed): 22,000€
- Furnishings and decoration: 103,000€
- Mood lighting: 34,600€
- Fitting out a specially equipped kitchen for caterers and staff: 93,000€
Total cost
This chalet construction project in Avoriaz, Portes du Soleil, cost 1,854,000€.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in
La Chapelle d’Abondance ?
Case study 1
Key details
Owner number one is buying a plot of land in La Panthiaz, on the outskirts of La Chapelle d’Abondance. The plot is 475m², for 224€/m².
- Total price of the plot: 106,400€
- Notary fees: 9300€ (9% of the purchase price)
Construction and design
The owner wants to rent the property very quickly. Therefore, they’re using the services of an architect to design the project, obtain planning permission and ensure that the land is serviced. The architect will also monitor the construction work.
- Total cost of the construction and design: 583,000€
Total cost
This project to build a chalet in La Chapelle d’Abondance, in the Portes du Soleil, will cost a total of 698,700€.
Case study 2
Key details
Owner number two has purchased a 650m² plot in Les Rys at 450€/m². This area is adjacent to the ski lifts and is very attractive to investors.
- Land price: 292,500€
- Notary fees: 23,000€ (8% of the total price of the plot)
Site servicing
Servicing of the plot, which has accessibility problems:
- Connection to electricity: 8000€
- Drinking water connection: 9500€
- Gas connection: 15,500€
- Sewerage connection: 13,600€
Construction and design
Owner number two uses the services of an architect, who in turn works closely with a project manager.
- Total cost of the project: 805,000€
- Architect’s fees: 21,500€
- Project manager’s fees (13% of project value): 104,650€
- Planning permission (1.5% of project value): 12,075€
Facilities and equipment
The owner is looking to attract a wealthy “bleisure” clientele, which is why they’re investing heavily in the following…
- Outdoor basketball court: 29,000€
- Fully equipped state-of-the-art meeting room (decoration, leather armchairs, mini bar, projection, audio, computers, etc.): 185,000€
- Flat walkway between first and second floor: 5000€
- Cinema room, including acoustic insulation: 37,000€
- Secure wine cellar: 19,000€ excluding bottles
- Complete outdoor spa, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi: 63,000€
- Two six-person indoor saunas: 25,000€
Total cost
This chalet construction project at La Chapelle d’Abondance, in the Portes du Soleil, cost a total of 1,678,000€.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Seytroux?
Case study 1
Key details
Owner number one is buying a plot of land in Seytroux, in the La Combette district. It’s a small plot of 250m², at 192€/m².
- Land price: 48,000€
- Notary fees: 5,200€ (11% of the total price of the plot)
Site servicing
The plot is already fully serviced.
Construction and design
As the outside space is not very large, the owner wants to make a greater effort on the interior decoration to compensate. So, they went through a builder who worked in partnership with an interior designer. Once the project has been approved, the contractors will manage it from start to finish.
- Total cost of the construction and design project: 509 000€
Total cost
The project to build a chalet in Seytroux, in the Portes du Soleil, adds up to €562,200.
Case study 2
Key details
Owner number two (an estate agent) purchased a plot of land in the Les Près district of Seytroux. Thanks to its unspoilt natural setting, the Les Près district offers both panoramic mountain views and easy access to hiking trails. The plot is 780m², at 335€/m².
- Total price of the plot: 261,300€
- Estate agency fees (5% of the price of the plot): 13,065€
- Notary’s fees (8% of the total price of the plot): 21,300€
Construction and design
The owner wishes to capitalise on the plot’s location and create a path linking the property’s terrace to a hiking trail that runs alongside the plot boundary. This would enable holidaymakers to start their hike as soon as they walk through the door of the chalet.
- Levelling work: 2600€
- Gravel for the path: 1900€
- Landscaping around the path: 2500€
- Signage and markings to create an atmosphere: 950€
This investor is also thinking about the off-season and wants to install a glass greenhouse in the garden of the chalet and create a vegetable plot. This would be a great marketing move for the mid-season: holidaymakers could pick local and organic produce directly from the garden.
- Glass greenhouse with temperature control: 22,400€
- Levelling the site: 1870€
- Installation of foundations and drainage system: 4500€
- Planning permission: 1300€
To build the chalet, the owner uses a builder who specialises in designing chalets that operate in an environmentally friendly way.
- Total cost of the construction: 1,100,000€
Total cost
This project to build a chalet in Seytroux, in the Portes du Soleil, came to a total value of 1,433,000€.
Thanks to the case studies we have just analysed, we can come to the following conclusions:
- Whatever the commune in the Portes du Soleil, the price of building a mid-range chalet sleeping eight people will average between 550,000€ and 700,000€. Whether or not you move from the lower to the higher end of the price range will depend on whether or not you set out to create a unique identity for your chalet;
- The cost of building a larger chalet in a popular area (usually at the foot of the slopes) is likely to be in the region of 1.5 to 2 million euros. Whatever the type of clientele you’re targeting, that’s what it will cost to qualify your property as a luxury chalet.
Don’t hesitate to contact OVO Network for help with your rental investment project. With over 150 chalets under rental management, OVO Network can help you make the most of your mountain investment.
Finally, find out how much you can earn by renting out your property using our free rental income calculator.
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