Contractors and architects said yesterday it was possible to build two bedroom houses for less than $250 per square foot as the United Bermuda Party (UBP) is proposing in its plan to tackle affordable housing.

All who spoke to The Royal Gazette said the First Homes initiative, in which the UBP said first-time buyers will be able to buy two bedroom cottages for less than $2000 a month, was sound from a construction point of view.

The plan involves houses with dimensions of 14 feet by 28 feet, to be built for just under $200,000 each. It is supplemented with the promise of government-backed finance packages with mortgages at a 4 percent interest rate or lower.

Architect David Miller said good quality, midrange house could be built at the price the UBP was proposing.

"It wouldn't be high-end housing but that kind of price would get you something built with traditional materials and designs. The design they've given seems to be very functional. They look like good starter homes.

He added: "Of course it also depends as the topography of the land and also on the labour costs."

Dennis Simons, of Simons Construction, said: "It's possible. A house like that would probably work out at around $210 per square foot, with the materials and the labour wages and whatever else. Two bedroom houses like that are quick. Once you dig the tank, do the slabs, put in the electrics, the wall go up very quickly and then you just have to do the roof."

Michael MacLean, of M&M construction said: "It's possible, depending on who builds it of course. But it wouldn't be a major achievement. You can build a house at the medium end for $200 per square foot. It's definitely achieveable and if they want someone to do it they can call me."

Another contractor, who asked not to be named, said: "Sure that can be done. It's a good plan. Every house has it's own costs pertaining to finishes. If you're not going to build at the high-end then it can be done for sure."

He added that the fact that the houses are identical designs would make the construction even cheaper: "If they were to make them all typical then it would be like a production line. If you standardise everything then the labour costs will come down.

"I'm impressed with the fact that they came out with it. I've been saying all along that all they had to do was get down to the nitty-gritty of it if they want affordable housing. You've got to start somewhere and right now. No one can start at $750,000 for a house."

The Royal Gazette was unable to contact Housing Minister Col. David Burch yesterday but he called the plan "cockamamie" in yesterday's Bermuda Sun and added: "They want to warehouse people in little boxes."

He asked: "And the money is coming from? I guess our taxes are going up."