I know I'm not the ONLY one, but I don't think I've read a lot about people getting their builder to do absolutely everything.

I guess the number one reason is cost savings - some people are / have contacts that are professionals in the business (electrician, etc.) and it's way cheaper (and perhaps a better finished product?) by doing things before / after handover.

Is there anyone out there (besides me?!)

Yes me! We wish now though that we had our own tiler in to do the main floor ... it cost a bomb and we got tiles that are not first quality and have optical haze throughout the house which our builder thinks is fine just waiting to see what consumer affairs thinks .... how did you go?

Ahh - so there is another person out there

I remember reading about your tile problem - it must have been terrible! Good luck on getting a good outcome.

We're about half way though our build and I almost feel embarrassed when people are so shocked that we're getting our builder to do the lot. I think it's great - but everyone else thinks we're a bit mad.

Oh well! I guess I shouldn't recall start concerning myself now with worrying about what others think

We were lucky enough to have sold our house and have enough in the budget to get it all done ... we didn't want the hassles of living with concrete floors etc .. must be hard for those who don't have the money.

We are getting our builder to everything but window furnishings, and thats only because they dont do them lol

Based on what our previous builder was charging us for some items our current builder is dirt cheap. His inclusions were also great quality and the allowances were very generous. Anything we dont use gets creditted as well which is great

Forgetting costs involved its also worthwhie doing as anything the builder does is included in your 7 year warranty. Pretty sure you will find that anything done after handover will not be, and good luck with it if something happens

Yeah, getting credits for taking things out was a surprised to me too, but when you think abut it, it does make perfect sense. Our inclusions too were great (and surprising!) but we have paid for upgrades (saturn switches etc.) but it's just so appealing that we move in to a house that's fully landscaped, fenced, clothesline, letterbox - the lot.

Yes we could have saved cash by doing things ourselves (no, we're not lazy!) but it's was just too easy.

Glad to see there are a few of us out there!

We are building our forever home and if something goes wrong I want one company to call and have it fixed, I will pay over the odds to a point to have that confidence. MHO.

We are going to as well - I am not a "hands on" person and neither is my partner. We are hoping that we get a professional finish by professionals. I know that is not always the case but I believe in the power of positive thinking LOL

I also just want to be able to move and enjoy my new house. I know there will still be things to do, but the big things are getting done by the builder!

The sales person from our builder was the one who actually recommended getting heating, cooling, extra power points & cabling done by a third party. With the heating & cooling it's going to cost the same, but getting a much better system for the $