Using Bell River Homes

jakey · Jul 21, 2005 1:09 pm

Hi, we are looking at building a steel frame kit home and at the moment our top contender for companies to supply our kit is Bell River Homes based in Dubbo. Can anyone tell me if they have had any experience with this company, positive or negative?

Kate · Aug 06, 2005 7:13 pm

Hi,
I just read your message and thought I would reply - not because I can add anything of use regarding your request for info (sorry about that!) - but because we are also looking at using Bell River Homes. We are very new at all this and strongly suspect that we are not asking the right questions etc - and therefore very possibly not getting the best info, etc., but also would really like some assurance as to whether or not they are a decent builder or not etc. If anyone has used, or had any experience with, B/River Homes - or if you have got any further with your plans - and have any advice, information, tips etc, we would really appreciate hearing about it.
(By the way, we have been dealing with the Orange branch of B/R Homes)

Thanks & look forward to hearing from you!
Kate

Wassy · Sep 04, 2005 7:26 am

Are you looking at purchasing a kit, or getting the bell river agent to complete the work?

Cheers,
Mat

Kate · Sep 05, 2005 2:00 pm

We would be wanting them to build for us - no way are we cut out for owner building!!
Cheers
Kate

Wassy · Sep 06, 2005 11:10 am

G'day Kate,

You need to remember that Bell River make the kits in Molong. You would be contracting a local builder in you area to assemble it. As a result there is the additional markup.

We had a look at Bell River and found their prices to be quite expensive, compared to somebody like AV Jennings. Although I haven't done a true "apples to apples" comparision.

Cheers,
Mat

Kate · Sep 06, 2005 12:29 pm

Do companies like AV Jennings build in the central west / central tablelands area though? At the moment we're actually starting to look at the option of manufactured housing - we've seen some that are pretty impresssive and that you really wouldn't pick as manufactured unless you knew what you were looking for. They don't seem to be a whole lot cheaper when it comes down to it but, what appeals to us, is that you know pretty much what you're going to get and when you're going to get it - without the unpredictabilities & delays associated with on-site work. Or that's what we've heard anyway ...

Any advice and stories re good &/or bad experiences are welcome!
Cheers
Kate

Wassy · Sep 08, 2005 9:47 am

Last time I checked AV Jennings included Dubbo in the service area, quick phone call should confirm that.

KATmandu · Jul 27, 2011 10:15 am

Hi, I have found this rather old thread, but if any of you read this I would love to know how it turned out as we are also considering Bell River homes. We are considering the idea of doing the kit home- I am a bit dubious as from what I have heard owner building can be a long, stressful and difficult process which may or may not save money- and we are also looking at building with them. So I would LOVE to hear how it went if you did go with Bell River for either a kit or having the house built... ! Especially extra/total costs for build and if OB then how hard you found it, overuns in cost/time etc. Thanks!

Jeremyheyes · Jul 27, 2011 6:46 pm

Yeah the river bell are good. But i think you should find out about others also. Just don't go with what you've heard.

Racer · Aug 10, 2011 5:47 pm

Bell River Homes build through out Central West NSW and the Blue Mountains. Also their Kits and the Transportable Homes are assemebled in their Orange factory and sent Australia wide. Its an amazing site a 4 BD house being built in a shed. A friend took me on a Workshop tour recently, its an impressive outfit. Worth a visit