Today's building consent data for February has brought some new high-water marks.
The total value of new residential dwellings consented last month was $926 million, which was the highest ever monthly value of new dwelling consents.
But overall, the average size of dwelling units is getting smaller while the average value being consented is rising.
This obviously means the cost per square metre is rising fast.
In fact, in January 2016, it exceeded $2,000/m2 for the first time ever on a national basis. In February it reached $2,050/m2 which is +11% higher than the same month a year ago.
It is hard to say that $2,000/m2 builds an affordable place to live.
And that is on top of land prices, which are the essential driver of "house prices".
The detail makes it more pointed.
The averages above are national and for 'all dwellings'. If you just look at 'houses' the situation is more extreme.
The average house is now 210 m2 and new ones are being consented at the rate of $392,000 per house.
In Auckland, the average house size being consented is a huge 245 m2 costing $496,000.
These are not affordable for first-home buyers after you add land.
Of course, averages roughly mean half are larger and more costly, half are smaller and less costly. But these averages are at a very high level.
Even the national average size of a 2016 house at 210 m2 is quite large.
In February 1990 the average size was 150 m2. In February 2000 it was 195 m2 and in February 2010 it was 215 m2.
Yes, building consents for houses, apartments, townhouses and retirement homes are all rising. But it seems to be the 'top end' that is driving the trend.
While there is such a shortage, it is rational that builders and developers focus on this more profitable section of the market; the incentives are strong.
But until it 'fills up' and demand at that end is satisfied, the chance the worker- and capacity-constrained industry will get diverted to building houses or other 'dwellings' for first-home buyers or others in desperate need of basic accommodation remains restrained.
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7 Comments
Yes, but earlier you said that:
"But overall, the average size of dwelling units is getting smaller"
Therefore, apartment consents must be increasing in order to make the average size decrease.
Overall though I have to agree that "house" sizes are larger than necessary. Its as though people don't value outdoor spaces any more and prefer living indoors.
Two thoughts. Generally new houses are more plush and larger than older houses - it has always been so as expectations rise. What tends to happen and has generally happened through history is that new houses are built for the wealthier members of society who then move out of smaller less push older houses allowing these to be bought or rented by those less well off. In other words you would expect what you are seeing - it is not an indication of the poor being "locked" out.
Good luck building for $2000m2, you will need a flat site and probably be using an A1 Homes type of builder. In Wellington you will be lucky to build for $2500- $3000 per metre. The land prices are cheaper than Auckland but you are still looking at $500 000 - $750 000 for an average house all up.
Good to see when people look further than just the superficial surface of stats.
Also of note: modern affordable homes have built in attached garages....40/ 50 sq meter (smaller homes) which is now included in the total 'home'. Previously the garage was separate to a 90/ 110 sq meter home.
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