Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 13, 2012 10:00 pm Hey, I'm new to the forum and am after some advice as to buying/building a first home. We're not sure whether we want to buy or build yet...still weighing up the pros and cons. Our budget is about 380k, which I think isn't too bad for a first home but we're looking for somewhere around Newcastle and it doesn't seem to be cheap here. We're struggling to find something we like already built for the budget and are also thrown off a bit by the stamp duty we'd have to pay as opposed to building or buying new (0 stamp duty). So we're now considering building...but we've got no idea where to start. Cameron Park (North Lakes estate) seems to have decent blocks for alright prices, and also the house and land packages with Mcdonald jones homes start at $375k which is just within budget (although I assume there would be hidden costs). We're after some recommendations for builders in this area which won't have hidden costs or blow outs...A lot of other threads on here have negative feedback about a lot of larger 'reputable' builders. Any advice anyone might have on our situation would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Re: First Home 2May 13, 2012 11:37 pm Here's a bit of a head's up on extras that can add costs to building. Site works and service connections- Builders allow a certain sum, so you must add it to the price of the block and house. Sometimes site works can go over- due to cap rock, reactive clay, etc etc... Ask what the approximate cost is for site works in the area. But remember site works can vary from block to block. Covenants- certain estates have covenants which restrict you to certain building materials etc or finishes which may prove to be more expensive. Check these out. (For instance, for our estate we must provide at least 3 external building finishes.) Location- last build was 600 metres from the ocean, we needed extra brick ties due to high winds, galvanised lintels etc. so paid more... Retaining walls and fencing- something else to think about in the overall cost. Non- standard finishes or inclusions (out of contract costs) - they are determined by YOUR choices. So check what is standard and what is not.... Don't forget stuff like internal wall painting, TV points, aerial and/or cable connections, driveway, clothes line.... Re: First Home 3May 14, 2012 9:44 am At first I didn't take builders seriously when they told me to allow 40-50k on top of the house price for pretty much everything at a basic level. I'm now at contract stage and basically 50k is bang on. 144k for the base house, 201k for the contract. Plus land. Oh, and that doesn't include non-tangible costs - stamp duty, transfer of land, solicitors fees etc. Building a Delta 21 at Craigieburn - http://homeofzero.blogspot.com.au/ Deposit: 26/02. Contract: 22/05. Settlement: 29/05. Site start: 18/10. So it looks like we finally have some movement on site! Definitely later than expected, but I'll take any progress at this point. I'll drop by over the weekend to get… 5 27738 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16289 11 41671 |