Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Oct 03, 2008 11:30 pm I think what I am doing is called exploring my options. Things are not great between myself and our builder at the moment. We haven't started but are very likely to walk away at this point.
Pulling the pin is looking like a likely option.... and then????? maybe sell the land and buy established.... maybe go with another builder.... or maybe get my own plans drawn up and employ a builder. Can anyone recommend a good builder designer (is that the right term ) or architect in Melbourne? I'll only go this route off a recommendation... at this point we are potentially a lot of money down.... I can't afford another financial mess. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 2Oct 03, 2008 11:44 pm Hmmm things dont sound to good between u and your builder.
What area are you in and where are you planning to build? What price range are you looking at just roughly for a complete project start to finish? What size house do you want to build? This will just help me to get an idea of the type of draftsmen and builder you would require. Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 3Oct 03, 2008 11:46 pm Currently in Footscray.. building in Wallan.
How much does a set of plans cost? 4-5 k? I have no idea.... this isn'rt a route I thought I'd have to take. Also a recommendation of any smaller builders would be good. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 4Oct 03, 2008 11:53 pm I_BUILD Hmmm things dont sound to good between u and your builder. What area are you in and where are you planning to build? What price range are you looking at just roughly for a complete project start to finish? What size house do you want to build? This will just help me to get an idea of the type of draftsmen and builder you would require. Oh sorry, all these question weren't here when I replied. Live in Footscary. Building in Wallan. About 300k to 330k for the house. We were building 42sq (including alfresco and triple garage). Negotiable on size. At least 30sq... prefer a bit bigger. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 5Oct 03, 2008 11:55 pm joles Currently in Footscray.. building in Wallan. How much does a set of plans cost? 4-5 k? I have no idea.... this isn'rt a route I thought I'd have to take. Also a recommendation of any smaller builders would be good. Jo Alot of draftsmen work on a % of building costs; not a fixed rate ours charged 3% Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 6Oct 03, 2008 11:56 pm I will PM you with some contact details to a good draftsmen in Taylors Lakes that could help you further in regards to prices ect if you like. He should also have some contacts to some good small builders that you can talk to.
Just out of curiosity, who is the builder you are having problems with? Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 7Oct 03, 2008 11:59 pm memphis joles Currently in Footscray.. building in Wallan. How much does a set of plans cost? 4-5 k? I have no idea.... this isn'rt a route I thought I'd have to take. Also a recommendation of any smaller builders would be good. Jo Alot of draftsmen work on a % of building costs; not a fixed rate ours charged 3% So on 300k... 9k . Ok there goes that idea..... I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 8Oct 04, 2008 12:15 am I_BUILD I will PM you with some contact details to a good draftsmen in Taylors Lakes that could help you further in regards to prices ect if you like. He should also have some contacts to some good small builders that you can talk to. Just out of curiosity, who is the builder you are having problems with? i have sent you a PM... will plans really cost 9 to 10k???? Really????? I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 9Oct 04, 2008 12:18 am ohh jo, i'm sorry to hear that ur having such a difficult time with ur builder and are thinking of pulling the pin...after all ur hard work...
i hope it either gets resolved soon, or if u decide to go another way, i hope its a better path Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 10Oct 04, 2008 12:25 am Thanks Newbies... I'll know for sure next week. But I want to be looking forward a different way because I think that's what we'll be doing. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 11Oct 04, 2008 12:30 am joles I_BUILD I will PM you with some contact details to a good draftsmen in Taylors Lakes that could help you further in regards to prices ect if you like. He should also have some contacts to some good small builders that you can talk to. Just out of curiosity, who is the builder you are having problems with? i have sent you a PM... will plans really cost 9 to 10k???? Really????? Just my experience...might be different over there Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 12Oct 04, 2008 1:35 am From most discussions I remember reading on the forum, a full set of plans cost $4-5k - I guess extra costs come if you want them to submit to council, project manage, liaise with builders etc? After 2 false starts, a year living overseas, two more world trips and 3 years of uncertainty we are now starting the build process again - hopefully for real this time! Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 13Oct 04, 2008 8:01 pm I really feel for you Jo, it's a hard decision to make.
We started by talking to an architect, that was going to cost us around $20-25k. For that price, she come up with concept drawings, 3D computer generated images, then full plans with all eleveations. - practically everything. Plans, electrical, call for tenders from builders etc, the lot. We were looking at about a 36-38sq single level house. Scratch that! Move to idea 2. Knew what we basically wanted so sketched up a basic plan with room/window sizes and a list of items with an idea of the finsh we wanted in the house and asked a couple of recommended builders to quote. Hmmm. In the mean time, we kept looking and we found a PD house that was "almost" what we wanted. There were a few compromises but it was pretty close. End result. The custom builders were minimum 40K and max 65K more than the PD house. I know that they would have to get real plans drawn but that was included in their quote at $5-7K. so, still at least 35K more. We decided for 65K we could compromise. We realise that because they are a volume builder that there were things we'd just have to "suck up" and live with. So we are going in with our eyes open and in all honesty, we cannot complain. I really hope that you can find peace with your decision, it is very difficult to have your dreams shattered then pick yourself up and start again with a new dream. Good Luck! Joanne Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 14Oct 04, 2008 8:09 pm Oh Jo, what a shame!
I feel so sorry for you and your family! Good luck with your decisions. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 15Oct 04, 2008 8:38 pm I spoke with two builders today. They are wiling to build whatever I want....
Both have plans that can be modified. I'm really impressed with both so far. We did a quick costing with one... and a sit down with the other. Even taking into account a whole lot of extras.... we are going to be so much better off. And neither of them asked me for contact details.... no pressure. We may end up six months behind.... but I'll have trust and faith and a relationship with the people I employ. That is worth more than six months. I will of course do a massive amount of research on both of the potentials. But I don't feel as bitter towards an entire industry the way I did this past week. And how I feel today.... I want to feel more, not less. I'm not sure how many positive days I'll have if I stay where I am. I will see what this following week brings. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 16Oct 04, 2008 8:44 pm That's fantastic Jo!
You know who my builder is, they are not professional designers but will have custom plans drawn up for you if you have a rough idea of what you want, and give suggestions on some things that might look better - eg the bit at the end of our back hallway that DeeElle liked that veered off - the doors are on 45 degree angles instead of 90 - just a nicer design feature. Just another one to consider for you! Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 17Oct 04, 2008 8:50 pm My architect I can highly recommend Jo and he has a fixed rate. Someone else on the forum is getting their home designed by him as well.
But its sounds like you are on a winner with the builders you have met. If they already have plans you can modify then it shouldnt cost you much. The next few days should be very interesting... Mrs B Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 18Oct 04, 2008 8:52 pm Look forward with great interest Jo, in hearing how things go this coming week ! I'm sure you'll make theright decision. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 19Oct 04, 2008 8:57 pm I guess it's all about knowing when to move on....
I just want to say.... I do not have ill feeling toward M3tricon as a company. There are people there that are absolutely fantastic at their jobs and work very hard on behalf of their customers. But there are others who are the complete opposite. Unfortunately we ran into a few of them and they have left a bitter taste. Unfortunately, the issue is no longer the mistakes. It is the conduct of some employees of the company, and the treatment of us as individuals and as clients. Those things cannot be rectified as easily as a drafting mistake. When this whole mess is sorted, one way or another, I will elaborate. But unless there is a drastic change.... time to move on I think. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building designer in Melbourne?? 20Oct 04, 2008 9:04 pm Best wishes to you Joles, no matter what your decision will be, hope everything is going well for you.. Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Your build is relatively simple, I believe your job can be easily done by a good building designer, you really do not need to pay for the architect. Remember, architect's… 3 10953 I do enjoy the drama:-D In his latest two videos he has started bringing security guards to site, I am waiting for the punch on to begin lol 6 45498 custom probably not. Volume, most defiantly, but spec would vary. If youre doing a knock down, there additional costs associated with that that will eat into your budget… 1 10250 |