Construction Cost per Square Metre: Comparing a Built House, Prefabricated Buildings and Knock-Down Units, and When to Use Each

"How much per square metre?" is the easiest figure for comparing buildings, but if the figures don't include the same things, the comparison means nothing. This article puts the figures from the construction cost appraisal table side by side with real prices, spells out what is included and what is not, and then sums up which type of building suits which kind of job.

Building construction cost appraisal prices, 2569 (2026)

Figures from the building construction cost appraisal table for B.E. 2566–2569 by the Valuers and Brokers Foundation of Thailand (using construction material prices for June 2569), in baht per square metre

Building type	Low	Medium	High
Single-storey masonry detached house	12,900	14,700	17,200
2–3 storey masonry detached house	12,100	13,900	17,200
Knock-down house, prefabricated house	12,300	13,900	16,400
Single-storey townhouse	8,900	10,800	11,900
General warehouse/factory	7,100	8,900	—
Concrete yard	—	670	—

What to know before comparing

A knock-down unit is not a permanent building like a masonry house, so putting the figures side by side does not mean they are the same thing in every respect. Rather, it is another option whose figures you should know before deciding. A knock-down unit that is maintained normally can be used for 20–30 years (the appraisal table sets the building life of a knock-down house at 20 years).

A knock-down house that looks like a house is still not a masonry house

Many homes sold as "knock-down houses" look like ordinary houses, with gable roofs, verandas and large windows, but the structure inside is the same as a knock-down unit: a steel frame with wall panels, not a house built of brick and poured concrete. The appraisal table itself puts them in separate categories.

Category in the 2569 appraisal table	Medium price (THB/m²)	Building life	Depreciation per year
Single-storey masonry detached house	14,700	50 years	2%
Knock-down house, prefabricated house	13,900	20 years	5%

If you intend to buy a knock-down house, compare it with things of the same type. The medium appraisal price for a knock-down house is 13,900 THB/m², while CTB's knock-down houses are around 8,800–10,800 THB/m² (prices as of October 2569), including PU foam insulated walls, electrical system and TOSTEM doors and windows, excluding transport and crane lifting.

Price per square metre with the real figures side by side

Type	THB/m²	What is usually not included
Building a detached house (medium appraisal price)	13,900–14,700	Design, permits, land preparation
Prefabricated building assembled on site (commonly seen quotations)	5,500–9,000	Concrete floor (concrete yard from 670 THB/m²), insulation, electrical system
CTB knock-down unit, 3×6 size (office, accommodation)	Around 5,000–7,700	Transport and crane lifting
CTB knock-down house	Around 8,800–10,800	Transport and crane lifting

CTB's prices are calculated from actual product prices as of October 2569. See the price per square metre of each model on the product pages.

Same price per square metre, but not the same thing

	CTB knock-down unit	Prefabricated building assembled on site (common type)
Floor	Floor frame and floor built in; no concrete floor needs to be poured	A concrete floor must be poured first, charged separately
Walls	Walls and ceiling are PU foam insulated	Many types are steel sheet with board, no insulation
Electrical	Wired at the factory	Depends on the quotation
Installation time	Lifted into place and installed in 1 day	Several days to several weeks
Relocation	The whole unit can be lifted and moved	Must be dismantled and rebuilt

Built and can't be moved, versus lifted away and sold back

	Built house / building assembled on site	CTB knock-down unit
Permits	Plans are required and a building permit must be applied for	Depends on the locality; if an application is needed, we offer a document preparation service (fee applies)
Leaving the original site	Can't be moved; must be demolished	Can be lifted and set up at a new site
Leased land	When you return the land, the building is finished	Return the land and take the unit with you
When no longer used	—	We buy back WH models according to their condition

For leased land in particular, a knock-down unit is the most fitting option, because nothing is embedded in the land.

Which to use, and when

Building a (masonry) house suits you when

• You are building on your own land and will live there for 20–50 years
• You need a large area, or 3 storeys or more
• You have time for design and permits

A prefabricated building assembled on site suits you when

• You need a wide open space of 50 m² or more that will stay in the same place permanently
• You have land where a concrete floor can be poured

A knock-down unit suits you when

• You need it fast: units in stock can be delivered in 2–3 days, made to order in 3–7 days, installed in 1 day
• Site offices and worker accommodation that have to move when the job ends
• Leased land, where you don't want to pour a concrete floor
• You want to start small and add one unit at a time
• People are inside all day and you need insulated walls

Only needed for a few months

• You can rent: see rental units, monthly rental

Frequently asked questions

See prices for every size at knock-down office units, prices for every size and worker accommodation units, staff rooms. Come and see the real floors and wall cores at our showrooms in Bangna and Suwinthawong. Call 098-264-5529 or message us on LINE @CTBTH

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