Costing separate titles

Our Experts Answer:

It’s great that you are thinking about the potential cost involved before you decide to proceed. Unfortunately, it is impossible to put a number on it without knowing all the specifics in detail, and if you haven’t developed a property before, you should seek advice from an expert in this area. It is very easy to underestimate (or completely omit) costs if you are inexperienced.

In saying that, some of the factors you need to take into account include:

• Local council requirements and potential fees (e.g. council consents, development contributions that may be payable)

• Property specifics such as position of dwellings, topography (steep sites tend to be more expensive) and access for utilities (e.g. electricity, sewerage, water)

• Legal costs for new titles Other costs that may be involved can include:

• Professionals such as surveyor, planning consultant, engineer

• Physical costs e.g. building, drain laying, retaining, driveways

• Disposal costs if there is material to remove from the site.

I recommend that you consult with a local surveyor or engineer working in land development, who will be familiar with local regulations and costs, or seek advice from council itself. Council is likely to have helpdesk or duty planners and development engineers to provide basic advice on the process to be followed and requirements for the specific address in question.

Additionally, a quantity surveyor is an excellent option for detailed costing analysis. And of course, before starting, you should consult with your tax adviser to understand any obligations or unintended consequences that may arise.