Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 05, 2009 1:06 pm Hi, I am currently in the process of finalising contracts with NBG and wanted to know if anyone could answer me a few questions. As I am building my first home I do not want my budget to blow out and have heard a few stories about extra costs after you signed your contracts. 1. What were some additional charges after the contracts were finalised? 2. Did you have to upgrade a lot of things? 3. The builder I have been assigned is Creative Homes, has anyone heard of these or been assigned them? 4. I have also heard that with the 'Build Now Pay Later' scheme that a few people have been hit up with full amounts immediately after their contracts were signed if they weren't getting a house and land package. Anyone know if this is true? 4. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone. Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 2May 07, 2009 9:28 pm We too are building with NBG and here's our 2 cents worth 1. What were some additional charges after the contracts were finalised? Colour selection (if you go with any upgrades in terms of bricks, paint, fixtures & fittings i.e. towel rails, door handles etc, Of course if you decide to go with standard items, there will be no extra charge Electrical points/ tv points/ extra lights etc - if you want extra, you will need to pay. If you go with standard, no additional costs) 2. Did you have to upgrade a lot of things? We didn't have to...but some things we wanted like the externally vented kitchen rangehood, colourbond slimline water tank, extra down lights, light points, tv points, external lights etc 3. The builder I have been assigned is Creative Homes, has anyone heard of these or been assigned them? Sorry, haven't heard of them...but that's not a bad thing as NBG subcontracts out to external builders 4. I have also heard that with the 'Build Now Pay Later' scheme that a few people have been hit up with full amounts immediately after their contracts were signed if they weren't getting a house and land package. Anyone know if this is true? We unfortunately are making progress payments...It would have been nice to have the option of this scheme though 4. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. Patience! Something we're learning on a daily basis while we build....as everyone would like their houses completed asap! All the best! Re: National Builders Group 3May 07, 2009 10:21 pm Additional charges were any upgrades we chose at colour selection and post contract variations - i.e. after this point we did brick lintels above the doors, built another retaining wall, added a window, and quite a lot of other stuff. The only charge that we copped that we didn't know about was for removing old fence $360. We spent $10000 at colour selection on upgrades - $4000 on bricks, $2200 on heating upgrade (that's a whole other ball game and feel free to pm me before you go to colour selection and I'll let you know our costs and experience good and bad). We easily spent another $10000 in variations directly with builder. We've spent a lot of money on extra electrical upgrades. Never heard of that builder. What part of Melbourne are you building in? The whole NBG experience has been good for us generally although the time frame to begin was extremely frustrating and I'm totally annoyed about the heating system. I got the "unofficial" key to my house yesterday and are on cloud nine. Fi has moved in!! Re: National Builders Group 4May 08, 2009 10:26 am Hey guys thanks heaps for replying. We are building in Doreen (Laurimar estate) we have already had to add in a few windows to comply with the estate guidelines but I am happy with that. My main concern is that in our original quote we were told that an M class slab was easily acheivable at no extra cost but now they are saying that the estimator may want to make it a P class slab at an extra cost of $7080. This is only if the estimator believes that it will be better for the house structure. I really don't understand this. Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 5May 09, 2009 12:50 pm goondog My main concern is that in our original quote we were told that an M class slab was easily acheivable at no extra cost but now they are saying that the estimator may want to make it a P class slab at an extra cost of $7080. This is only if the estimator believes that it will be better for the house structure. I really don't understand this. What does your soil test report say GoonDog. Also did you received the engineering report as it would specify the type of slab to be used and why. Please do keep us updated. It's great to have you onboard! Re: National Builders Group 6May 13, 2009 10:07 am I will check the soil test out and let you know what it says. It's all a bit confusing to me they say one thing and then a week later say something else. Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 7May 18, 2009 10:47 am Hi, Hope someone can help me with this, i'm still very confused. On our engineering report it clearly says the the Site Classification is a 'P' in accordance with AS2870-1996 Due to fill. However, on a quotation from the builder is states clearly that an 'M' class slab is acheivable. What should we do? Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 8May 18, 2009 11:11 am Hi goondog, The estimator having said M slab would be achievable is only an estimate as they wouldn’t have tested the soil etc and usually, a clause would be included “pending soil report” as only the soil report would better indicate the slab that would best suit the land. M slab may not give your house the structural integrity needed due to the reactive soil. The Engineering report would give a better picture of the type of soil as well as the slab required. Has anyone built using a waffle slab in your area? It is cheaper but not sure if it would suit the land you’re building on. Would be an option to check if any of your neighbours have used a waffle and if yes, you could ask NBG/Engineers if that would be an option for you. All the best & keep us updated. Re: National Builders Group 9May 26, 2009 9:49 am Well guys I have looked into the finer details regarding our slab and our next door neighbour has had to do a P class slab with a totally different buidler so it looks like we will most likely be stung with the $7K for the upgraded slab. As we only have 700mm of fall on our block we most likely won't have to pay anything extra as the block looks completely flat from the eye. I am getting a bit excited now it shouldn't be long now until we sign the contracts. By the time they finalise the last little bits I think it will be the beginning of July so we should get the $32K woo hoo. Can't wait now. Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 10May 26, 2009 12:01 pm Knowing that your neighbour also needed a P slab is a relieve at least you know you aren’t being ripped off ! 32K is an excellent boost if I do say so myself. All the best with the build goondog! Re: National Builders Group 11May 26, 2009 12:10 pm goondog Well guys I have looked into the finer details regarding our slab and our next door neighbour has had to do a P class slab with a totally different buidler so it looks like we will most likely be stung with the $7K for the upgraded slab. As we only have 700mm of fall on our block we most likely won't have to pay anything extra as the block looks completely flat from the eye. I am getting a bit excited now it shouldn't be long now until we sign the contracts. By the time they finalise the last little bits I think it will be the beginning of July so we should get the $32K woo hoo. Can't wait now. If you have 700mm of fall you most likely will have to pay extra. Most builders allow for 300mm, not sure what NBG allow. With 700mm you will have a slight cut. My brother's fall was 700mm (from memory not 100% sure and his was a couple of thousand. ) Doesn't matter how it looks to the eye, it's what the contour survey says unfortunately. Just put a bit aside in your budget for extra on top of your slab upgrade and then it won't be such a shock. It may be a lot less and then it's a nice surprise rather than a nasty one. Which house are you building? I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: National Builders Group - Buckingham 12May 26, 2009 3:55 pm Hey Joles, They have actually included from the top of my head around $1K to cut and fill the 700mm fall in the front of the block which I think doesn't sound to bad. I'm hoping that we won't get stung with much more than that. We are building the Buckingham 36, it's quite big for just me and partner but I know we'll be starting a family in a few years and we don't want to have to move again, as we both still live at home with our parents were not really in a rush to get the house finished. Anyone else on here building a buckingham? Thanks for everyone's input. Sarah Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 13May 26, 2009 8:15 pm Good luck Sarah We're also building the buckingham 36. Great house with heaps of room. Try not to get too stressed out in the next 12-18 months and keep reminding yourself of the final product. All the best. Em Re: National Builders Group 14May 26, 2009 9:12 pm Hi Sarah, I am not building with NBG, but I am building in Laurimar, you might want to check if you are in a fibre optic part of the estate - if you are, you will need to wire your house to be able to get phone, tv & internet. Happy to pass you on the contact details for the guy doing mine - he's very reasonable and also a Laurimar local. Good luck with the build, Mel Re: National Builders Group 15May 26, 2009 9:16 pm Hi there, When we looked into building with NBG our costs went from $260,000 base price house to $360,00 with barely any upgrades! It was a joke, I hope your not on a tight budget. I wish you the best of luck with your build! Building Thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=13002 Site start: 8th July 2009 Handover: 11/12/2009! 5 months total build time. 40 sqs of luxuary...Bliss! Re: National Builders Group 16May 27, 2009 1:03 pm Hey everyone thanks for all the info, really appreciate it. MEL: Thanks for that info, I would appreciate any info you have on the fibre optic wiring. From what I have read I believe that we do have to get it done but we'll soon see I guess. Where abouts in Laurimar are you? I'm in the Briars overlooking the park. PINKFAIRY MAGIC: Wow, can't believe that the costs went up that much. Why was that, at this stage we haven't had to add in much as were very happy with the way everything is. Can you remember where all your extra money came from? Thanks guys. Sarah Caine & Sarah's NBG Buckingham 36 View my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19894 View all photos here: http://caineandsarah.blogspot.com Re: National Builders Group 17May 28, 2009 10:15 am Hi Sarah, I am also in the Briars - Ambleside release ( if it ever gets released, have been told every week since April that it will be next week). If you want to have phone, tv and internet you will need to have the upgarded wiring, not sure on all the technical stuff ( brain switches off and just hear blah blah) but basically from what I understand the fibre optic cable needs to be wired to another type of cable to allow access to the services ( esp as we can't have an antenna for TV) Nathan is going to be one of our neighbours a few doors down and well worth a chat,his number is 1300 881 810. He is doing our wiring, alarm and some other work for us and has been good to have a chat with. Its great chatting to people that are close by, before we all move in it would be like we have known each other forever - I find it amazing looking at some of the other blogs the bbq's and friends that have been made on the net ( still quite new to all of this). Good luck, Mel Re: National Builders Group 18May 28, 2009 5:02 pm We're the proud owners of a buckingham. We're not sleeping there yet but might just move some mattresses and the washing on the machine to take care of that. I'm still buzzing so probably a little over the top - but I love our house!!!! It's big and I dread the vacuum cleaning but I'm still walking around in awe. Fi has moved in!! Re: National Builders Group 19Jun 01, 2009 8:50 pm brittany We're the proud owners of a buckingham. We're not sleeping there yet but might just move some mattresses and the washing on the machine to take care of that. I'm still buzzing so probably a little over the top - but I love our house!!!! It's big and I dread the vacuum cleaning but I'm still walking around in awe. CONGRATULATIONS FI !!!!!!! Re: National Builders Group 20Jun 10, 2009 3:48 pm We moved into our Buckingham home on 1st May after a lengthy build of 303 days.....they only worked for about 100 days but took advantage of the full contract period. Carpet could not be laid prior to moving in as the builder had not planed the floor board joints (tried to get out of it by saying that it was part of the carpet layers prep work....the carpet layers had a good laugh) ....also no garage door fitted - the builder only ordered it 10 days prior so fun and games with no door, no carpets and no main floor tiles. Since then - all sorted but many many omissions, faults and problems....no stackstone, leaking gas system which took the builder 2 weeks to react to and he expects us to live without a gas cooker until "his" gas man is available. Biggest problems include product substitution without consultation....windows, basins, toilet suites - also sub-standard painting....my 12 year old could have done a better job - no splashback tiling in kitchen (cooker & sink) badly scratched sliding window panes, incorrect kitchen mixer, builders rubble left on site, incorrectly fitted rainwater tank pump....still not working.....and the list goes on. Million Dollar question - would I build with NBG again? - not for half price never never never. I would be their worst advert if anyone asked me what I thought of them and don't ask NBG for help if you have an issue with "their" builder - it's all one sided....their side. 4 14463 Look at your bill from the electricity company. It should detail the charges. You will need to do some estimating and some calculations. Then charge the… 8 4248 Site works are just about to start on our build with Blueprint in Midvale. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106894 2 3952 |