The potential advantages of choosing to build a chalet rather than buy, whether in Haute Tarentaise 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 Haute Tarentaises 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.
The initial data for each case study are as follows:
- A chalet for 8 people, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an indoor sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi, 145m² of living space, in a middle area of the Portes du Soleil, with a cosy decor;
- A chalet for 14 people, 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 325m² of living space, wellness facilities, a living room arranged for large group meetings (family reunions or professional events) in a high demand area, near the ski slopes, with high-end finishes and decor.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in La Plagne?
Case study 1
This owner wanted to build a family chalet in Champagny-en-Vanoise, a charming little village resort in La Plagne. He chose a plot of 350m² at a price of 378€/m².
- Land price: €132,300;
- Notary fees: €10,584, representing 8% of the purchase price of the land.
The plot is level, with easy access for guests with limited mobility.
- Accessibility costs: €20,000;
- Electricity connection: €2,500;
- Drinking water connection: €2,000;
- Gas connection: €3,000;
- Sewerage connection: €2,500.
The owner wants to create a simple, family-friendly chalet with typical mountain decor. He wants his chalet to be fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and in wheelchairs.
- Cost of building the chalet and furnishings: €390,000;
- Typical mountain chalet interior decoration: €20,000;
- Wheelchair-accessible shower with handrails: €8,000;
- Adapted washbasin with free space underneath: €4,000;
- Raised toilet with grab rails: €3,000;
- Gently sloping ramps to facilitate wheelchair access: €5,000;
- Replacement of standard doors with wider doors to facilitate wheelchair access: €6,000;
- Well-placed lights to ensure optimum visibility: €2,000;
- Use of smooth, non-slip flooring to facilitate wheelchair access: €4,000;
- Adapted terrace with accessible furniture: €15,000.
This project to build a chalet in La Plagne, in the Haute Tarentaise region, costs €632,884.
Case study 2
This owner is buying a plot of land in the heart of La Plagne. The plot covers 780m² and is valued at 578€/m².
- Total price of the plot: €450,840;
- Estate agency fees: 5% of the land price: €22,542;
- Notary’s fees: €36,067, 8% of the total price of the plot;
- Total cost of construction, furnishings and decoration: €950,000;
The owner is planning to build a path linking the chalet’s terrace to a nearby hiking trail. This will make it easy for holidaymakers to start their walks from the chalet.
- Levelling work: €21,000 ;
- Gravel for the path: €15,900;
- Landscaping around the path: €9,500;
- Signs and markings to create an atmosphere: €1,950.
The buyer is also planning to install an astronomical observatory.
- Astronomical observation pavilion: €30,000 ;
- High-quality astronomical observation equipment: €12,000;
- Landscaping around the pavilion: €3,000.
This project to build a chalet in La Plagne, in the Haute Tarentaise region, costs €1,552,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Les Arcs ?
Case study 1
The owner wanted to build a chalet in Les Arcs 1800, a village in Les Arcs made up of residential areas slightly removed from the resort centre. She opts for a 278m² plot at 408€/m².
- Land price: €113,424;
- Notary fees: €10,208 – 9% of the land price.
The land is serviced in the usual way.
- Connection to electricity: €2,900;
- Drinking water connection: €2,000;
- Gas connection: €2,500;
- Sewerage connection: €2,400.
The owner wanted to create a chalet with a classic design and eco-friendly features to reduce her costs in the long term. She is working with an architect who specialises in eco-responsible construction.
- Cost of building a chalet using eco-friendly materials: €450,000;
- Architect’s fees: €45,000, 10% of the total cost of the project.
Cost of eco-responsible features:
- Rainwater recovery system: €8,000;
- Air-water heat pump: €15,000;
- Installation of solar panels: €21,000;
- Reinforced insulation and double-glazed windows: €28,000.
This project to build a chalet in Les Arcs, in the Haute-Tarentaise is worth €700,432.
Case study 2
This owner is buying a plot of land in Les Arcs 2000, a high-altitude area. The land is worth 668€/m² and covers 690m².
- Land price: 460,920€ ;
- Estate agency fees: 4.5% of the land price, €20,741;
- Notary fees: €32,264, 7% of the total price of the plot.
The plot has already been fully serviced, thanks to work undertaken by the previous owner.
The owner chose to work with a builder and an architect working in tandem. Together, they created a made-to-measure project costing €1.5million, inclusive of fees, furnishings, decoration and landscaping.
This chalet construction project in Les Arcs, in the Haute Tarentaise region, is worth €2 million.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Tignes?
Case study 1
This owner wanted to build a chalet in Tignes Le Lavachet, an area that offers a good quality of life but is a little way from direct access to the slopes. She chose a 400m² plot at 320€/m².
- Land price: €128,000;
- Notary fees: €10,240, 8% of the total price of the plot.
Services have already been connected and some work has been carried out by the previous owner.
The owner wanted to create a classic chalet, but discovered that standard internet connection was not available in the area. She will also be calling in a builder and an interior designer.
- Cost of building the classic chalet: €290,000 ;
- Builder’s price: €28,000 ;
- Furnishings and decoration: €118,000;
- Interior decorator’s fee: €12,000.
The owner chose to install a satellite network for Internet access, despite the higher initial costs. She also installed an intelligent energy management system to optimise electricity consumption.
- Setting up the satellite network: €15,000 ;
- Intelligent energy management system: €10,000.
In addition, the chalet will be equipped with a back-up generator to ensure a constant power supply in the event of a supply fault.
- Cost of emergency generator: €8,000.
This project to build a chalet in Tignes, in the Haute Tarentaise region, costs €619,240.
Case study 2
This owner is buying a plot of land in Tignes Val Claret, a popular area with a lively nightlife. The plot measures 500m² at 710 €/m².
- Land price: €684,840;
- Notary fees: €52,300, representing 8% of the total price of the plot.
The plot is already partially serviced, with the sewerage system already connected.
- Connection to electricity: €11,000;
- Drinking water connection: €9,500;
- Gas connection: €16,500.
The investor hires an architect to carry out the project, working closely with a project manager.
- Total cost of the project: €855,000 ;
- Project manager’s fees, 9% of the project: €76,950 ;
- Planning permission: 1.5% of the project value, €12,825.
The owner wanted to target an affluent business and leisure clientele. The chalet must therefore offer both work and relaxation areas.
- Outdoor basketball court: €27,000;
- Fully equipped top-of-the-range meeting room (decoration, leather armchairs, mini bar, projection, audio, computers, etc.): €85,000;
- Walkway between the first and second floors: €4,500;
- Cinema room with acoustic insulation: €29,000;
- Secure wine cellar: €16,000 excluding bottles;
- Complete outdoor spa, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi: €73,000;
- Two six-person indoor saunas: €28,000.
This building project in Tignes, in the Haute Tarentaise region, is worth €1,980,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Val d’Isère?
Case study 1
The owner wanted to build a chalet in Val d’Isère to attract winter sports enthusiasts. She found a 340m² plot in the Centre-Village, a small area close to amenities and services. The purchase price is €503/m².
- Land price: €171,020;
- Notary fees: €11,971, 7% of the purchase price of the land.
Services had already been connected.
The owner has opted for a rather classic chalet, but one that will stand out thanks to a huge window spanning two storeys. The window will also maximise the chalet’s energy efficiency by using natural light as a source of heating.
- Cost of building the chalet: €550,000;
- Cost of the two-storey window: €75,000;
- Furnishings and decoration: €97,000.
This building project in Tignes, in the Haute Tarentaise region, is worth €894,991.
Case study 2
The owner has bought a plot of land in La Legettaz, a high-altitude area with direct access to the ski slopes. He bought a 760m² plot at €1,390/m².
- Total price of the plot: €1,056,400 ;
- Notary fees: €84,512, i.e. 8% of the total cost of the plot.
There are a number of problems with the servicing of the plot.
- Electricity connection: €3,350;
- Drinking water connection: €3,280;
- Gas connection: €4,180;
- Sewerage connection: €3,900.
To distinguish his chalet from the competition, the owner envisaged a chalet focused on well-being and relaxation.
- Building, furnishing and decorating the chalet: €910,000;
- Installation of a sports hall in an outdoor annex: €23,000;
- Cost of gym equipment: €42,000;
- Creation of private spa areas for each bedroom: €250,000;
- Landscaping to create a soothing atmosphere: €19,000;
- Space for outdoor yoga: €3,000;
- A ski room for sports enthusiasts: €25,000;
- Exterior landscaping with swimming pool, spa, barbecue and terrace: €227,000.
This project to build a chalet in Val d’Isère, in the Haute Tarentaise region, is worth €2,654,000.
Following our analysis of these case studies, we can conclude that:
- In the Haute Tarentaise, the cost of building a mid-range chalet for eight people will average between €600,000 and €700,000;
- The cost of building a more upmarket, larger chalet in a sought-after area (usually at the foot of the slopes) is likely to be in the region of €1.5 to €2 million;
- Val d’Isère stands out for its higher costs. You’ll need to budget €900,000 for a standard chalet and more than €2.5 million for a chalet that truly qualifies as a luxury property.
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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