Two quotations for the same camp can differ by forty percent per square metre, and the gap rarely comes from supplier margin. Panel specification, frame weight, opening count and loading efficiency move the number far more than the headline rate suggests. Understanding which levers drive a K-type house cost lets a buyer compare offers on equal terms instead of chasing the lowest figure. Panel specification is the biggest lever Walls and roof usually take the largest share of a K-type house cost. A 50mm EPS panel costs far less than a 75mm rock wool or PU panel, and the difference compounds across every square metre of wall and roof. EPS suits hot, dry sites and short project lives; rock wool adds fire resistance for camps near process plant; PU delivers the best insulation for cold or high-altitude work. Specify by climate and fire requirement, never by habit. Frame weight and storeys A single-storey K-type house uses a light column and purlin set. A second or third storey adds floor beams, bracing and a heavier column section, so the structure share of the budget climbs. Multi-storey still wins where land is expensive or fenced area is tight, because the saving on ground works and fencing often outweighs the extra steel. Openings quietly add cost Every door and window interrupts the panel run and needs a frame, flashing and sealant. A dormitory block with one door and two windows per room costs noticeably less than an office block with a glazed frontage. Buyers comparing a K-type house quotation should count openings on both drawings, because a difference of twenty windows explains a large part of a price gap. Floor, ceiling and services Floor build-up ranges from plywood on steel joists to cement board for wet areas, and ceiling choice decides whether the roof void stays visible. Pre-wired electrics, air conditioning, plumbing and sanitary fittings sit outside the base structure and can add around a fifth to the total. Ask each supplier to price structure and fit-out separately, otherwise a cheap frame figure hides an expensive services package. Transport and loading efficiency Freight rarely appears in an ex-works quote and always lands in the delivered cost. Panel thickness and packing method decide how many square metres fit in a 40HQ container, and a specification change of 25mm can cut loading by a noticeable margin. A K-type house priced slightly higher ex-works can still arrive cheaper once loading density enters the comparison. Site labour, foundation and programme Erection labour depends on local rates and crew experience, and a bolted K-type house keeps the labour line low because no welding or specialist trade is needed. Foundation choice matters as well: a levelled compacted pad costs a fraction of a concrete raft, and ground conditions decide which option is available. Programme risk carries a real cost when a camp must open before a season starts. How to compare two quotations Ask four questions of every supplier: panel material and thickness, steel section gauge, square metres per container, and whether the price covers doors, windows, electrics and sanitary fittings. A K-type house quote answered on all four points can be compared line by line; a quote answered on none should be treated as a starting point rather than a final price. Frequently asked questions Is a K-type house cheaper than a container house?
Usually yes on a cost per square metre basis, because panels pack denser and the frame uses less steel. A container house still wins where the buyer needs a finished, relocatable unit with a fixed specification. What is the cheapest sensible specification?
50mm EPS panels, single storey, minimum openings, plywood floors and no pre-installed services. Each step down in specification cuts cost and cuts lifespan or comfort with the same stroke. Does a two-storey K-type house cost double?
No. Floor area doubles while walls, roof and foundation rise far less than proportionally, so cost per square metre usually falls. The extra frame, stairs and bracing raise the total, not the rate. Why do two quotes for the same drawing differ so much?
Panel material, steel gauge, opening schedule and services scope are the usual causes. Ask for a specification sheet with each quotation and the gap usually explains itself. Can cost be reduced after the order is placed?
Rarely without delay. Panel and frame orders are cut to size at production, so late changes waste material and push the delivery date. Comparing offers on a like-for-like basis
