Building - Mid North Coast - Recommendations wanted

Hi,

We purchased a block of land a few months ago and had been dealing with a local builder. Last week all of a sudden our price has gone up over $170K with the reason the block has a 2.2m fall and they can't build on a slab and have to use ball and joist. This is obviously putting us way way over any budget we can afford. The builder has advised us if we go to Beechwood homes they should be able to build within our price range but, to be honest, I am very put off that this has happened so suddenly and hesitant to go with someone they recommend as well.

The builder we had been dealing with are building the house next door and had advised when quoting they were aware of the fall of the land, the countour report came back and they advised it was 'as expected' so I am a little dumbfounded as to why such a massive increase all of a sudden.

Looking for any reviews of builders in the Mid North Coast. We are heading upto the display home at Port Macquarie tomorrow to have a chat to a few other builders. Geotech report has come back with an "M" class slab. Block is 688m2 and 20m x 35m. It is a corner block. Considering several such as Pycon, McDonald Jones, Adenbrook, Coral and Perry Homes so far but happy for any other recommendations.

Would love to hear both good and bad reports of anyone to contact or not to contact. Also thoughts on the actual possibility on still building on a slab, is this feasible? We have never built before so very new to all of this.

Thanks

Copy of contour survey, site plan and proposed design. Happy for any advice/assistance.

Hello Manda, how are you doing. If you still active can I ask how did your build go ? I have bought land in Mid coast Diamond beach and planning to build house and was wondering if you have any builder to recommend
Thanks
Vin

I bought a block of land in this region and signed a building contract with Hudson Homes. Theirs is a one year fixed price guarantee. Once I had paid the 5% deposit (just over $25k), they came back to demand an additional $85k to cover costs going up. All this within the one year period. I did not pay the extra $85k as they could come back again and again and demand more money. They have refused to build and have walked away with our $25k. What is the use of saying the contract is fixed price.
My suggestion is not to build now. Wait out and see who is left standing and also see which ones honour their contract.

This is awful Lkumar. I am still trying to understand how come after contract the fixed price components can be changed ? Was there variations driven by you or just because their costs have gone up they imposed it on you ?

This was after all the variations. We went through the variations and agreed on the final price. Then they came back to demand that extra money before they would commence construction. All within the fixed price period. Indeed awful. No point in signing fixed price contracts.

Which area by the way you planning to build Lalit. I am building in Diamond Beach. At the moment, I am in touch with Mojo, Mcdonald Jones and Perry Homes. Somehow not getting the required interest from GJ Gardner otherwise they have some good designs.

I am now bit skeptical if this is a good time to sign a contract or just to wait and watch as Land loan will remain in progress until then.

Cheers
Vin

I was building in Sunshine, near Morrisset

Pycon build down to Forster and have a dispay home just opened there, I am building with them in Port Macquarie. They are a local builder who have been building in my area for years. The price increases are unavoidable at the moment and depends on your situation I guess, I need to keep moving forward with my plans so it is what it is. Check out their display home if you get a chance, there is a virtual tour online also.