Can anyone make recommendation of the fully qualified building surveyor that would be interested in offering a design and build service for the construction of a small village house in the New Territories in the North District. I understand that a building license needs to be obtained and I also need to prove my ancestral roots in the village and then the application needs to be looked at the the rural committee.
I assume that these village houses have a standard design layout and wondered if anyone can advise estimated building costs. An advice appreciated . Thanks
You should note that even IF you can purchase the land AND have proof that you have TRUE title to it, there is a considerable delay in letting you actually build. Sometimes up to 7 yrs ! This relates to virgin land
There are also no building codes in village areas as there are in Kowloon and the Island. The easiest way people build is to find evidence of a dwelling on the land previous. All buildings have 3 levels but some have illegal 4 or even 5.
The buildings department of NT Home affairs are extremely understaffed and underfinanced. Many articles in the press about this recently. That is why such structures have been allowed to exist.
Also the general rule is only that if a family has a son they have the right to build a house for them. How these estates now being built exist is not clear to an outsider and has much to do with working closely with the village committee I think. This through traditional law and arrangements.
All in all it a minefield practically and legally. This because NT legally was never part of HK on a permant basis and existed as a leasehold so no laws for NT could be legally enacted for permanant structures. Ownership of land is a VERY VERY grey area here.
I wish you luck. It is not for the faint hearted and take it from someone who did property development before.
My position is this. I was left a piece of land by my late father. It took me 7 years in which it took me obtain Grant of Probate in HK.
My father was born in the village and I believe I can prove and trace my ancestral roots to the village and am looking to obtain my HKID card sooner rather than later.
I understand obtaining the building license will take some time, between 9-36 months for simple cases. When this has been achieved, I am then looking for a building surveyor or developer to design and build a property for me.
The plot is quite large, about 1/3 acre, so possible to build up to 3 houses. It is situated off a main road and my land suveyor has advised it is suitable for residential development.
Any further assistance from you or anyone else would be appreciated
I suggest, as you are outside HK, to go to the online yellow pages. www.yp.com.hk and look for the service you need in the area you will build. They will have more local knowledge.
If none reply satisfactory then work your way out, geographically, on the list at this service.
Hong Kong Building Surveyors 
