Why do single-storied buildings per square foot cost more than multi-storied buildings?

Single-storied buildings often cost more per square foot than multi-storied buildings due to several factors:

Single-story building construction costs higher than multi-storied

01. Land Cost: Single-storied buildings require more land area compared to multi-storied buildings to accommodate the same amount of floor space. Land costs can be significant, especially in urban areas where space is limited and expensive. Therefore, the larger land footprint of single-storied buildings can contribute to higher overall costs per square foot.

02. Foundation Costs: Single-storied buildings require larger and more extensive foundations to support the entire structure, as opposed to multi-storied buildings where the load can be distributed across multiple levels. Foundation construction is a significant expense in building construction, and the larger footprint of single-storied buildings can result in higher foundation costs per square foot. Actually, cost is required in 3 layers,

i)                    Roof Slab;

ii)                  ii) Ground Floor;

iii)                iii) Base/Foundation,

For multi-storied buildings, these 3 costs are distributed to all floors. 

In the case of a multi-storied building, any floor is counted as a single floor.

0  03. Construction Time and Labor: Single-storied buildings may take longer to construct and require more labor compared to multi-storied buildings of similar size. Workers need to cover a larger area horizontally, which can increase construction time and labor costs per square foot.

0  04. Utilities and Services: Single-storied buildings may require longer utility lines (such as electrical wiring, and plumbing) ramps or elevators, safety tanks, and soak well.

0  05.  Accessibility and Site Work: Single-storied buildings may require more extensive site work, such as grading, excavation, and landscaping, due to their larger footprint.

0  06. Roofing and Exterior Walls: Single-storied buildings have a larger roof area and more exterior walls compared to multi-storied buildings of the same total floor area. This can lead to higher costs for roofing materials, insulation, exterior finishes, and other components, increasing the overall cost per square foot.

Overall, while single-storied buildings may offer certain advantages in terms of accessibility and flexibility of use, they often come with higher costs per square foot compared to multi-storied buildings due to the factors mentioned above.