The potential advantages of choosing to build a chalet rather than buy, whether in the Aravis or elsewhere, are numerous: tax advantages, building it to your own requirements, and better amortisation of maintenance costs over the long term. In practice, however, there is little data available on the actual cost of building a chalet in the Alps.
In order to provide more concrete information, the team of experts at OVO Network looked into the subject, focusing here on the Aravis ski area.
Are you planning to build a chalet? Our performance consultants will support you every step of the way, helping turn your vision into a successful project.
Here is the information for our two case studies
- A chalet for 8 people, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an indoor sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi, 145m² of living space, in an average area of the Aravis, with a warm and welcoming decor;
- A 14-person chalet, 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 work in the decoration.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in La Clusaz?
Case study 1
This owner is buying a 400m² plot of land at Le Gotty, La Clusaz, at €1,235 per square metre.
- Total price of the plot: €530,000;
- Notary fees: €41,000, 8% of the purchase price of the land.
Development of the site, which has accessibility problems:
- Connection to electricity: €8,000;
- Drinking water connection: €10,000;
- Gas connection: €6,000;
- Sewerage connection: €9,000.
Construction:
- Architect’s fees: €250,000;
- Builder’s fee: €400,000;
- Furnishings and decoration: €172,000
Sustainable features:
- Installation of solar panels: €30,000;
- Rainwater recovery: €10,000;
- Ecological insulation: €20,000;
- Creation of an outdoor green wall to promote biodiversity: €15,000;
- Landscaping to respect local flora: €25,000.
The project to build a holiday rental chalet in La Clusaz, in the Aravis mountains, totals €1,049,000.
Case study 2
Owner no. 2 has purchased an 860m² plot in Bossonet at 1942/m². This area is popular for its luxury chalets and exclusive atmosphere. It also has the advantage of being close to the village centre.
- Land price: €1.67 million.
- Notary fees: €123,900, 87% of the total price of the plot
Site servicing (the site is relatively accessible)
- Electricity connection: €2,350;
- Drinking water connection: €1,280;
- Gas connection: €3,180;
- Sewerage connection: €2,900.
The owner called on the services of an architect and an interior designer.
- Total expenditure for these two professionals: €3.3 million.
The owner is very keen on home automation. She wanted each holidaymaker, individually from the group they were travelling with, to be able to enjoy a totally bespoke comfort experience.
She envisages a high-tech chalet in which every aspect in every area of the house can be defined (lighting, sound, temperature, household appliances, shower options, etc.). Holidaymakers can even set their preferences before they arrive, so that once they’re there they’ll find the chalet just they way they like it.
- Cost of equipment and installation: €18,900;
- Cost of developing a bespoke application: €31,000;
- Cost of additional equipment to ensure connectivity: €5,000;
- Cost of sensors and automated devices: €11,500;
- Cost of developing specific functionalities: €12,000;
- Cost of a remote monitoring and maintenance system: €5,900.
This project to build a holiday rental chalet in La Clusaz, in the Aravis mountains, cost €5,200,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Le Grand-Bornand ?
Case study 1
This owner is buying a plot of land in Chinaillon Village, a popular area of Le Grand-Bornand, with a relaxed atmosphere. The plot is 389m², at 672€/m². It is partially serviced.
- Total price of the plot: €261,000;
- Notary fees: €21,300, 8% of the purchase price.
GRDF needs to be called in to overhaul the gas network: the experts who visited the site found a number of problems.
- Redesign of the gas connection: €5,800.
The owner wants to let the property very quickly. He is using the services of an architect to design the project and obtain planning permission. The architect will also monitor the work.
- Architect’s fee: €658,000;
- Decoration (lighting, details, accessories etc.): €62,000.
He wants the chalet to be particularly suitable for families, especially those with young children. The chalet will have three floors: a day floor, a night floor, and the third floor will be an open mezzanine converted into a games room.
- Child safety accessories: €5,000;
- Creation of a bedroom with an extension to the parental bed to create a co-sleeping bed: €8,000;
- Fitting out a small nursery with a breastfeeding room and a Montessori-style play area: €15,000;
- Installation of an ultra-safe climbing wall using the high ceilings provided by the three floors and the mezzanine: €20,000.
The total cost of building this holiday rental chalet in Grand-Bornand, in the Aravis mountains, was €1,056,000.
Case study 2
Owner no. 4 has bought a 760 m² plot at La Mulaterie in Le Grand-Bornand at €802/m². La Mulaterie is within easy reach of the ski slopes, making it particularly attractive to winter sports enthusiasts.
- Land price: €609,520;
- Notary fees: €46,600, 8% of the total price of the plot.
The plot is already fully serviced: the previous owner had started work on it, but the project was abandoned.
The owner is using a builder and an architect who are working together.
- Cost of the design and build project: €1.9 million;
- Furnishings: €384,000;
- Decoration: €300,000.
The project to build a chalet in Le Grand Bornand, in the Aravis mountains, adds up to €3,240,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Manigod ?
Case study 1
This owner is buying a plot of land in Les Hôpitaux, Manigod, a quiet residential area offering a good balance between cost and quality of living. It’s a small plot of 350m², at 800€/m².
- Land price: €280,000;
- Notary fees: €22,700, 8% of the total price of the plot.
The plot is completely serviced.
As the plot is small and quiet, the owner wants to play this card to the full. He wants to attract guests looking for a quiet life who want a break from technology and urban bustle.
The chalet has no TVs or screens of any kind. Instead, there will be an overhead projector in the living room.
- Construction: €280,000 ;
- Furnishings and decoration: €270,000.
The chalet will be designed with 3 double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. A fourth room will be used as a library. The owner asked the interior designer to pay particular attention to this room, as she wanted it to be particularly “baroque”:
- Design and construction of a bookcase (ceiling height) with an integrated sliding ladder: €17,000;
- High-backed armchairs, occasional tables and other furnishings: €9,600;
- Decorative items carefully selected from second-hand and antique shops or made to measure: €8,000;
- A craftsman specialising in gilding and mouldings to decorate the top of the room: €6,000.
The outside of the chalet features a wooden terrace, accessorised with lots of faux fur rugs, throws and cushions for a cosy atmosphere.
- Decoration of the terrace (furniture and accessories): €23,000.
A small 8m² heated annex will be built next to the hot tub to accommodate one or two hot yoga practitioners.
- Structure of the annexe: €12,000;
- Thermal insulation: €2,800;
- Installation of a radiator or infrared heating system: €1,800;
- Ventilation system: €3,200
- Relaxing lighting / choice of seven colours: €1,600;
- Adapted flooring: €750.
The total cost of this building project in Manigod, in the Aravis region, is €908,450.
Case study 2
This owner has bought a 680 m² plot in La Croix-Fry at €963 per m². This area is very close to the ski lifts and will be perfect for attracting a wealthy leisure clientele.
- Land price: €684,840;
- Notary fees: €52,300, 8% of the total price of the plot.
Site servicing: the sewerage had already been connected and the inspection revealed no problems.
- Connection to electricity: €11,000;
- Drinking water connection: €9,500;
- Gas connection: €16,500.
The owner consulted an architect, who in turn works closely with a project manager.
- Total cost of the project: €955,000;
- Architect’s fees, 8% of the project: 76 400€;
- Project manager’s fees, 13% of the project, €124,150;
- Planning permission, 1.5% of project value, €14,325.
The owner’s aim is to combine comfort during the working day with maximum relaxation during breaks or at the end of the day.
- Outdoor basketball court: €27,000;
- Fully equipped state-of-the-art meeting room (decoration, leather armchairs, mini bar, projection, audio, computers, etc): €165,000;
- Walkway between the first and second floors: €4,500;
- Cinema room, including sound insulation: €39,000;
- Secure wine cellar: €16,000 excluding bottles;
- Complete outdoor spa, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi: €73,000;
- Two 6-person indoor saunas: €28,000.
The project to build a chalet in Manigod, in the Aravis region, cost €2,296,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Thônes?
Case study 1
This owner is buying a plot of land in Thônes, in the Les Ligures residential area. The plot is 455 m², for €407/m².
- Total price of the land: €185,185;
- Notary fees: €16,666, or 9% of the purchase price.
He wants to rent out the property very quickly. He is working with an architect who takes care of the design of the project, but also the building permit and the servicing of the land. This architect will also monitor the work.
- Total cost of the project, with furniture and decoration: €683,000.
The owner wants to create a family chalet with a farm theme.
It will also include a barnyard, a few sheep and a donkey, offering holidaymakers the opportunity to get eggs or milk directly from the farm. A farmer-breeder will be present every day to take care of the animals and organize discovery workshops. Holidaymakers will also have the opportunity to feed the animals.
- Special thermal insulation: €5,000;
- Wood stove: 2,000€;
- Installation: €1,500;
- Wood store: €1,000;
- Animal shelters: €4,000;
- Fences and enclosures: €3,000;
- Outdoor lighting: €800;
- Food storage room: €2,000;
- Safety barriers: €1,000;
The chalet will include a dormitory room designed to accommodate up to 4 children very comfortably.
The rest of the chalet will follow a rather classic design, highlighting rustic features with wooden elements, etc.
This project to build a seasonal rental chalet in Thônes, in the Aravis, amounts to €905,151.
Case study 2
This owner used an estaate agent to buy land in the Saint-Jean-de-Sixt district, a neighbouring town with links to the stations of La Clusaz and Grand-Bornand. The view of the mountains is beautiful.
The plot measures 780m², at €877/m².
- Total price of the land: €684,060;
- Estate agency fees: 5% of the price of the land, or €34,203;
- Notary fees: €47,884, or 7% of the total price of the land.
Maintenance of the site, which does not present major accessibility problems:
- Electricity connection: €8,000;
- Drinking water connection: €8,500;
- Gas connection: €12,500;
- Connection to sewerage: €16,200.
The owner uses an architect who works closely with a contractor and decorator.
- Total project amount: €1.6 million;
- Architect’s fee: €42,000;
- Contractor rates, 11% of the project, €176,000;
- Building permit, 2% of project value, €32,000.
It will also take into account the exterior layout: the owner wants it sober and refined to highlight the view of the mountains. A full outdoor spa will be installed.
- Landscaper: €14,000;
- Outdoor spa: 78,000€
This construction project in Thônes, Aravis, amounts to €2,753,000.
From the case studies we have just analysed, we can conclude:
- Whatever the area of Aravis, the construction price of a mid-range chalet, with a capacity of 8 people will average between 900,000 € and 1.1 million euros. The transition from low to high will depend on whether or not you want to create a unique identity for your cottage, to give it a strong brand image;
- The cost of building a high-end, high-capacity chalet in a popular area (usually at the foot of the slopes) will rather be around 2.5 to 3 million euros. Depending on the type of clientele you are targeting, the investment amount may also quickly exceed 3 million euros.
Are you planning to build a chalet? Our performance consultants will support you every step of the way, helping turn your vision into a successful project.
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