The potential advantages of choosing to build a chalet rather than buy, whether in the Espace Diamant or elsewhere, are numerous: tax advantages, building it to your own requirements, and better amortisation of maintenance costs over the long term.
Our analysis also looks at the list of costs to be taken into consideration when building a chalet.
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 Espace Diamant.
Commune by commune, we have listed the details of the costs involved in building two chalets for seasonal rental.
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 Espace Diamant, with a cosy decor;
- A chalet for 14 people, 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 325m² of living space, wellness facilities, and 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 Hauteluce?
Case study 1
The first owner decided to build a chalet in Hauteluce, in the Frasses district, a rather peaceful and slightly out-of-the-way area. He contacted an estate agent to find the ideal plot of land, a 410m³ plot at €257/m².
- Land price: €105,370;
- Estate agency fees: €5,268, 5% of the land price;
- Notary fees: €8,429, 8% of the purchase price of the land.
The plot offers panoramic mountain views and is ready to build on.
The owner has chosen to delegate the management of the administrative aspects, authorisations and building procedures to the estate agency and the builder. He wants to delegate as much as he possibly can.
- Cost of estate agency services for administrative management: €15,000;
- Cost of building the top-of-the-range chalet: €290,000;
- Builder’s fees: €34,000;
- Interior designer’s fees: €14,500;
- Cost of fittings and interior decoration: €150,000.
This building project in Hauteluce, in the Espace Diamant, will cost €622,567.
Case study 2
The second owner has bought a plot of land close to Les Saisies, the village’s ski resort. He went through an estate agent and bought a 582m² plot at 642 €/m².
- Total price of the plot: €373,644;
- Agency fees: €15,600, the fixed price agreed by both parties;
- Notary fees: €29,891, 8% of the total cost of the plot.
The plot presents several problems. It is already partially serviced but the drinking water network needs to be reviewed and some work carried out.
- Levelling work: €9,000;
- Connection to the drinking water network: €6,780;
- Sewerage connection: €3,900.
The owner is planning a chalet focused on well-being and relaxation.
- Construction, furnishing and decoration of the chalet: €900,000;
- Installation of an indoor gym with free weights: €23,000;
- Creation of private spa areas for each suite: €173,000;
- Installation of an outdoor ice water bath: €2,500;
- Installation of an outdoor swimming pool suitable for “aquarobics”: €49,000;
- Space for outdoor yoga: €3,000;
- Installation of a ski room for sports enthusiasts: €25,000;
This project to build a chalet in Hauteluce, in the Espace Diamant, will cost €1,614,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe?
Case study 1
This owner wanted to build a chalet at Le Cernix in Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe. He chose a 378m² plot at 370€/m².
- Land price: €139,860;
- Notary fees: €12,587, 9% of the land price.
The plot is slightly sloping and requires some earthworks. Servicing is straightforward.
- Earthworks: €18,000
- Connection to electricity: €1,800;
- Drinking water connection: €2,300;
- Gas connection: €2,300;
- Sewerage connection: €2,300.
The owner wanted to create a chalet designed specifically for remote workers, with a well-designed office space inside and out.
- Cost of building the chalet, furnishings and decoration: €460,000.
Outside, a covered and heated terrace will serve as an outdoor office. A wooden shelter will allow guests to work outdoors, even in wet weather.
- Cost of fitting out the outdoor office area: €12,000;
- Installation of a heating system for the terrace: €13,000;
- Cost of installing broadband internet connection: €8,000.
This project to build a chalet in Notre-Dame de Bellecombe, in the Espace Diamant, will cost €672,147.
Case study 2
The second owner wanted to build a classic mountain chalet in Mont-Rond, an area close to the ski lifts. She chose a 701m² plot at 1080 €/m².
- Land price: €757,080;
- Notary fees: €52,995, 7% of the total price of the plot.
The land has already been serviced and the previous owner has carried out some work.
The owner wants to create a traditional chalet. There are no obstacles to her project until she discovers that the standard internet connection is not available in the region.
- Cost of building the classic chalet: €790,000;
- Furnishings and decoration: €218,000;
- Interior designer’s fees: €16,000.
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: €7,000;
- Installation of a backup generator: €8,600.
The project to build a chalet in Notre-Dame-de-Bellcombe, in the Espace Diamant, will cost €1,849,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Praz-sur-Arly?
Case study 1
The first owner wanted to create a chalet in Praz-sur-Arly, in the l’Épi district, an area with a good reputation but where land prices are still affordable. She selected a 295m² plot at 308 €/m².
- Land price: €90,860;
- Notary’s fees: €6,360, 7% of the purchase price of the land.
The land is partially serviced.
- Gas connection: €3,000;
- Sewerage connection: €3,000.
The owner called in an interior designer because she had a very specific idea in mind for the decoration. She wanted a design that would make a lasting impression: white, airy, ethereal, contrasting with the natural wood and stone.
- Cost of building the chalet, furnishings and decoration: €390,000;
- Interior designer’s fees: €22,000.
This project to build a chalet in Praz-sur-Arly, in the Espace Diamant, will cost €515,220.
Case study 2
This owner opted for a 614m² plot at €701/m², in the centre of the village, close to amenities and the ski slopes.
- Land price: €430,414;
- Notary fees: €38,737, 9% of the land price.
Connecting services to the land is straightforward.
- Connection to electricity: €2,700;
- Drinking water connection: €2,100;
- Gas connection: €2,500;
- Sewerage connection: €3,800.
The owner wanted to create a chalet with a classic design and eco-friendly installations to reduce her long-term costs. She is working with an architect who specialises in eco-responsible construction.
- Cost of building a chalet using eco-friendly materials: €950,000;
- Architect’s fees: €76,000, 8% of the total cost of the project;
- Rainwater harvesting system: €8,000;
- Air-water heat pump: €35,000;
- Installation of solar panels: €41,000.
- Reinforced insulation and double-glazed windows: €68,000;
- Installation of a water treatment system: €25,000;
- Home automation system for intelligent energy management: €23,000.
This chalet construction project in Praz-sur-Arly, in the Espace Diamant, will cost €1,706,000.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in Flumet-Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle ?
Case study 1
The owner wanted to create a traditional residence in Les Essarts, Flumet. He chose a 414m² plot at 338€/m².
- Land price: €139,932;
- Notary fees: €12,593, representing 9% of the purchase price.
The servicing of the plot was straightforward.
- Connection to electricity: €2,500;
- Drinking water connection: €2,800;
- Gas connection: €3,000;
- Sewerage connection: €2,200.
The owner wants a classic chalet in its design and decoration, with traditional elements such as wooden beams, rustic furniture and a stone fireplace. He also wants to create an underground games room.
- Cost of building the chalet: €350,000;
- Builder’s fees: €27,500;
- Cost of fitting out the underground games room: €50,000;
- Architect’s fees for designing the special room: €15,000;
- Cost of equipment for the games room: €20,000.
This project to build a chalet in Flumet, at the Espace Diamant, will cost €625,525.
Case study 2
The second owner is buying an 892m² plot of land at 800 €/m² in Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle.
- Land price: €713,600;
- Estate agency fees: 4.5% of the land price: €32,112;
- Notary fees: €57,088, 8% 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 bespoke project costing a total of €1.2 million, all inclusive of fees, furnishings, decoration and landscaping.
This project to build a chalet in Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, in the Espace Diamant, cost €2,000,000.
Thanks to our case studies, we can conclude:
- Regardless of the Espace Diamant commune, the cost of building a mid-range chalet for 8 people will average between €500,000 and €700,000;
- The cost of building a larger chalet in a popular area (usually at the foot of the slopes) is likely to be between €1.5 million and €2 million. The difference lies mainly in the price of land, which can quickly exceed €750 per square metre in the Espace Diamant.
If you’d like some advice on your rental investment project, don’t hesitate to contact OVO Network. With over 200 chalets under rental management, OVO Network can help you make the most of your mountain investment.
Find out how much you can earn by renting out your property using our rental income calculator.
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