Buy a house or build it yourself?

A real man should build a house, plant a tree and father a son? This well-worn saying is best taken with a large pinch of salt. Especially as regards the first of those requirements. Owning a house is undoubtedly of great value, but it does not at all follow that you have to put it up with your own hands. Another possibility is to buy a ready-made property on the secondary market. What are its advantages? When is it better to buy, and when to build?

Experts estimate that building a house costs about 2.5-3 thousand PLN per square metre. This cost does not include buying a building plot, the cost of which can after all differ considerably depending on the chosen location. It is not hard to guess that buying a ready-made property must cost more – in this case you are also paying for the fact that someone else has built and finished the house beforehand. It can be assumed that houses for sale in the suburban districts of the largest cities cost about 4.5-5 thousand PLN per square metre. Of course, in cities such as Warsaw or Kraków you will have to pay considerably more. Houses in Katowice or Rzeszów, for example, will be cheaper.

Why is it worth buying a house?

The costs of buying a house are indeed higher, but this solution also has its advantages. Above all, it saves time. We do not have to wait months for the building work to finish. With a house from the secondary market, all you need to do is carry out any necessary renovation, refresh the interior, furnish it to your own taste and… you can move in. This is a great option for people for whom the size of the budget is not a significant constraint. Houses on the secondary market are also sought by people who are extremely busy, for example with professional duties. Building a house – even if entirely contracted out to professionals – requires constant supervision by the investor. For one thing, the paperwork has to be kept up to date and submitted to the relevant authorities. When buying a ready-made house we can forget about such duties.

What to look out for when searching for a property for sale?

Like any sensible investor, you certainly want to spend your money rationally, so pay attention to the technical condition of the houses you are considering and the standard of their finish. If you want to keep renovation work after purchase to a minimum, look for a house in good condition with a finishing style that matches your preferences. It is different if you have the means for a small renovation.

When is it better to build?

If you are an individualist and like things done “your own way”, a house from the secondary market may not be the best choice. You would lose the chance to carry out your own design. A house you build with your own hands will certainly be your refuge for many, many years, but even so it is worth thinking of it as an investment. Perhaps you will want to sell it in future? So remember that smaller houses, with a floor area of 150-200 m², are more attractive on the market.