Hi,
I just thought I'd share my experiences and the processes we are going through with our build. If you have any questions, advice or tips feel free to PM me. Im more than happy to give you advice based on my experiences up to date. Please remember to PM me before signing or paying that tender fee
So far;
March 2013 - Paid tender fee
April 2013 - Received Tender 1.
Costs:
1. Piering (50 metres included in package) - additional charged at $115/m (32MPa due to saline soil). I was told this should be enough by salesperson that the maximum charged in The Ponds is an additional $5,000 in rare cases.
2. Dropped edge beams - $4760 PA (8m^2 @ $595/m^2)
3. H2 Class Slab - $5990
4. Was told by someone that I would be charged ~$1000 to remove grass from land before build. I will see if this is true or not and report back.
Articulation to left side of house -$2920
Articulation to right side of house - $2520 (Talk about unnecessary costs... Whats the point of the government trying to reduce construction costs by offering incentives, only to have the estate enforce rules which take back the incentives!?!?)
Water point + Waste - $680
Gas Point - $282
External Ducting to rangehood - $439
Optional Robe to study - $1290
Optional 3 piece powder (shower) - $4990
Optional 5th bedroom - $2000
Optional Tile shower seat - $1490
Optional Sink and bench in pantry - $2350
Optional Alfresco (12m^2) - $6000
NBN / network termination device + 2xdata, 2xpay TV, 2xphone - $1695
2 in 1 (fan + light) - $780 each
Change cladding to brickwork - $3990
Sarking - $2900
Termite resistant treated timber - $2950
2.7m High Ceiling (ground and first floor) - $12950 (not including high doors)
AllCastle Upgrade Package - $4990
April 2013 - Paid $4k and Received Colour Pack
Colour pack included broschure for Roof Tiles, Brick, Paint Colours, Garage Door, Internal and External Doors, Tiles
May 2013 - Plan Preparation Meeting
Received a copy of house plans a week beforehand.
2.7m High Ceiling (first floor) - $7400 (including 2440m high doors)
Upgrade doors to Deco Range - $100 / door
Externally Ducted fan - $320
landscape plan must be done myself or sourced through professional. (approx $600)
must pay all council bonds and fees (could range from a few hundred to nearly a thousand)
off white mortar - $550
Upgraded roof tiles to Boral Contour - $990
Upgrade doors to high doors - $250 (laundry) / $380 (front and stacker)
Additional air cond. outlet - $320 (10 outlets included in package)
Increase height of kitchen cabinet by 300mm - $1840
Upgrade Media room from carpet to tile - $945
Wall + Ceiling insulation for garage - $840
Upgrade from R1.5 to R2.0 - $800
Filled out BASIX form, review house plan, chose external colours (brick, tile, garage, gutter, facia)
Asked for pricelist for electricals.
June 2013 - currently waiting for revised plan (additional changes incur $1000). Hopefully it is done right first time round. There is no structural change.
July 2013 - Paid 4k
July 2013 - Received final plans via email.
Upgrade the external Study ASD 2118 to 2340mm high in lieu of standard. - $290
Increase the width of the sectional garage door by 480mm to new overall width of 5290mm. Cost includes increased width of the structural steel beam over the garage to suit - $1090
July 2013 - Plans are currently being submitted
July 2013 - Colour Appointment
Chose interior colours (Kitchen, cabinet, wall colour + included option of 1 feature wall colour OR 1 room (4 walls) with different colour, door colour, front door, door lever, bathroom taps and shower), submit plan of where powerpoints, data and lightpoints are going to be located.
Additional handset for garage - $88
Translucent glazing to front entry doors - $600
Additional pull handle - $165
Lever handle - $40
Privacy Lock - $33
SMEG UM4545 undermount sink - $435
Provide the lead in from street to external wall of house (up to 15m) of conduit and draw wire for NBN - $495
Provide 2 x double power points to glass splashback - $300
Wire, supply and install 2xdownlights underneath kitchen overhead cupboards (include false bottom) - $450
Wire, supply and install a ducted exhaust fan - $320
Delete tiling allowance - refund $2600
Delete carpet allowance - refund $3250
Provide tiles to hallway in front of laundry in lieu of carpet $295
July 2013 - Landscape plan rejected, and now have been resubmitted
July 2013 - Due for CarpetCall appointment next week, waiting for Electrical plan and advised it will be approx 3 months until construction.
July 2013 - Had carpet appointment. Chose two carpets. One standard and One upgrade. Waiting for sales rep to give me a quote back before I decide if its worth it.
August 2013 - Still waiting for CarpetCall and electrical plan to be sent to me for revision. I was told that I have to wait for the CarpetCall rep and the person doing electricals to come back from holidays before anything is done.
After chasing up Allcastle, the plans have been approved by developer. Adjustments required to the landscaping plan (but the OK has been given). Iam expecting to get CDC approval back this week.
Went to check out the new display homes at The Ponds. I like how Wisdom Homes give out a "upgrade list with prices" for their homes.