Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Apr 21, 2013 8:00 pm Hi all! Long time lurker here, second post I've learned so much here and appreciate all the input Hoping I can pick your brains and get some advice. We're wanting to build our 2nd and suspected forever home. After lots of research, I'm left with these options: A) a flat, standard 14x32 block in Settlers Hill, Mernda, on which, either a PD home (Dunedin) or UE (Kobo). Each home with many upgrades and final price within 5k of each other. I like both for different reasons, but could very happily live in either. Same size and fairly similar interior and upgrades B) a very irregular block in Renaissance Rise, Mernda, little bit bigger than the other, shaped like a quarter of a circle, requiring a custom build. I have a floor plan which I love and makes fabulous use of the block, which by the way has been reduced by 25k as its last left in this part of the estate and due to its shape. Got a quote from a builder which I was happy with, but after further research discovered a unfavourable reputation. So, have approached another builder and they've come up with a suitable price, which is same as the options above. Have approached another couple of builders, but their service is lacking, taking weeks to get options to me so figured that wasn't a good indication. So, do I go with a established builder and get a great house, or dive in to the unknown with a new company and potentially get a fantastic house? Apparently the guys that have started up this new company, Dakota Homes, have 30 years building experience and will project manage the build themselves. Open to reasonable builders who may be able to help if anyone can recommend. Also, I can get fixed site costs on Settlers Hill block, but not the other until a soil test is done. But don't want to buy the block unless I can be sure I can get a great house one it. Gah, just don't know what to do. Is it a case of better the devil you know? TIA for any advice Building the Porter Davis Dunedin 29 maybe, thinking of forfeiting deposit and going with CH or UE Re: Advice needed please, not sure of best option MERNDA 2Apr 22, 2013 6:40 am very hard choice we first went with a known builder who helped us with the block of land . we purchased the land on their advice . it then took them several months to get back to us with a price and after two warnings . that we were not happy and were ready to leave. a very rude response from them. we left and came across a relatively unknown builder in town. but they were established in another town further away. the builder was awesome and the staff also. spoke to them within a couple of days they had a custom design house for us and in our price. soon we will be moving into our new house and the whole building process has been excellent. we tried several builders that were big names and none were suitable one even said they would not build on our land, so in your situation i would look at what i was getting upgrades etc ask the custom builder to look at homes he has built . then look at both the pros and cons of each . i doubt if the circle shape land will last long. would the custom builder look at the land for you and give rough idea of site costs. just by what you said i would be leaning towards a custom build. all the best Re: Advice needed please, not sure of best option MERNDA 3Apr 22, 2013 11:59 am Thanks heaps! Tricky hey. If I knew it was going to be as excellent as yours I'd jump in they only have one home under construction ATM for me to look at It was another sleepless night here, but I'm leaning towards PD now Building the Porter Davis Dunedin 29 maybe, thinking of forfeiting deposit and going with CH or UE Re: Advice needed please, not sure of best option MERNDA 4Apr 22, 2013 7:49 pm Oh, and the other concern with the irregular block, is that on the curved side, 4 houses back on to it, making 5 neighbours....yikes Building the Porter Davis Dunedin 29 maybe, thinking of forfeiting deposit and going with CH or UE Re: Advice needed please, not sure of best option MERNDA 5Apr 24, 2013 10:09 am Put down deposit on the block in settlers hill, and also the PD house! Feels so great to have finally made a decision Building the Porter Davis Dunedin 29 maybe, thinking of forfeiting deposit and going with CH or UE Hi, I'd like some advice on the best option please on the estimate options we've been provided from our builder. This is for the… 0 4053 Newbie question for flooring options. We are thinking of changing the flooring for bedrooms and passage area. Last time we looked at flooring options was almost 8years… 0 3483 Would also like an opinion from anyone that has used xcem over hebel for floors. Thanks 1 13239 |