Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jul 31, 2012 2:40 pm We have just purchased an amazing waterfront block of land in the Whitsundays. The block is fairly sloping and to maximise the views we are aware that we will have to go for pole home or stumps. After looking at all the local building companies I can't find a design that I like and this will be my second time at building so I know exactly what I want. So we are looking at getting a custom design but I need some advice on how to go about this (last time we had a major company and one of their mass designs). Do we need to get the soil and site test done before we see a builder? Do we find a builder that we like and get them to draw up plans or do we see a draftperson first and then take plans to the builder? Also if we are budgeting about $1500 per square meter is it resonable, or am I dreaming? Any advice would be great. Re: Site reports and soil tests 2Jul 31, 2012 7:27 pm I would have said that $1500/m2 builds a reasonable standard project house on a level block near a major city. That's by the time you have paid extra for foundations and a few upgrades. For a custom house on a sloping site in the Whitsundays I would think $2,500/m2 would be nearer the mark. The extra $1000 would be for: Sloping site Travel for tradies Transport for materials No economies of scale that project builders have Less competition in the local market I would be talking to a few local builders to see what they think is the sqm cost for a custom home before you go any further. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. It is true that a builder can ignore your independent inspection report as it is not part of the contractual arrangement but that is stupid because he cannot avoid fixing… 9 46854 4 6821 I am not sure whether Perth has its own way of doing things in regards to this. Most of Perth has class A (sandy soil), except for some areas near rivers or hills. 2 13082 |