Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 25, 2013 9:06 pm Hey all, Went to see a building company today with my floor plans (done with AutoCAD), they were happy with taking it on within the budget we discussed. Before they want to begin quoting they want the following payments: 1. Soil Test $900 2. BAL Assessment $450 3. 1st Draft $1600 Then i get a "Rough" estimate of what the price will be. If i decide to go ahead....the next steps are.... 4. 2nd Draft $1650 5. Engineering Plans $2600 6. Town Planning $850 .......NOW i get a fixed price quote for the house. This is the first time building...I know builders are getting burned spending so much time and energy with clients that just walk away.... but is this standard practice? What did you guys go thru? Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 2May 26, 2013 7:24 am Everything costs. You have to do the soil etc at some point. But - if you do and then go elsewhere - make sure you take the reports etc. So - you won't have to pay later on. The design also - even if you have to change it slightly ... Drawing up plans costs money - especially if you did the first draft. So again - probably OK - I've heard a lot worse. Govt fees etc are common to all. Make sure you don't commit unless you are sure. Losing a few $ks is better than getting a contract you don't want !!!! Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 3May 27, 2013 7:01 pm I think $6k is steep,we only paid $1500 for initial for soil test and 1st initial tender, we would only have to pay for the soil test and contours if we didn't proceed or not happy with the tender. Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 4May 27, 2013 7:51 pm Doesn't seem crazy to me for a totally custom floor plan, but I don't have a lot of experience. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 5May 27, 2013 8:38 pm Yeah its just a bit much to find out whether they can build your house for your budget Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 7May 28, 2013 8:30 am Soil tests alone cost $27000 ???!!? Think I'm in the wrong business? Maybe site works? They have said they can do it within my budget, but won't discuss it any further until I fork over the next 3 stage payments, which gives me an "estimate". Don't know how you can give me an estimate if we haven't discussed building materials, windows, lighting or even flooring. Then after those 3 stage payments you discuss what you would like, pay the next 3 stage payments, and then get a fixed price quote. I think it's a bit much Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 8May 28, 2013 8:33 am They have been to the block, laser levelled the block. They have a home they're building 5 houses down, I'm sure they could use the soil report for this as a guide Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 9May 28, 2013 10:04 am surfprado They have a home they're building 5 houses down, I'm sure they could use the soil report for this as a guide I doubt that seriously. We were originally buying a block and got the soil report - class H2, then we changed our mind to a block 2 sites up the road - class S. $10,000 off the budget! Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 11May 28, 2013 12:00 pm Ehh? Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 12May 28, 2013 12:18 pm Your comparing apples and pears. Where is your block located? I can tell you that the geology isn't going to change where I'm building, at least not in the 1km vicinity. Every single builder I've spoken to has designed a H class slab, designed for hydrating/ moving and swelling/contracting ground. I have done hand auger tests to 1m in 8 different points on my block, and 6 holes on neighbouring block and have encountered the same material. So I think it would be safe to say, judging by neighbouring block that we might have the same circumstances. Oh by the the way I am a hydro geologist, so knowing geological profiles is my bread and butter Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 13May 28, 2013 3:26 pm Bread and butter, apples and pears. Now I'm hungry! Good luck to you Mr Hydrogeologist. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 14May 28, 2013 4:06 pm It's Mrs. Hydrogeologist for your information. You didn't say where your land was? Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 15May 28, 2013 4:27 pm Whoops! No offence sorry haha. I know a Mr Prado so I think that's how I got that impression. I'm in southeast QLD. Why? Where are you? Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 16May 28, 2013 4:42 pm Lol no offence taken. We are on the surf coast, south of Geelong., Melbourne can experience volcanic rock which is very costly to remove, whereas these same areas can also be free of "volcanic boulders" and site cost are pretty reasonable. We are on top of a slope, no rock here, just a bit of clay. Sure, the geology can change unexpectedly and even with soil test they can get things wrong. Don't know what's over in SE Qld, but to go from a H to S classification is really good, S is almost as good as it gets. Wish my block was S !!! Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. George Carlin Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 17May 28, 2013 6:04 pm surfprado Don't know what's over in SE Qld, but to go from a H to S classification is really good, S is almost as good as it gets. Wish my block was S !!! Well... it went to S classification because it's sitting pretty much directly on ROCK hahaha. So I'm not sure it's such a good thing in our case! Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: $6000+ for fixed price contract 18Jun 03, 2013 7:47 am Soil tests aren't that much - but dealing with certain soils can be. And slope. But an initial idea of cost shouldn't be that much. If you have a plan and sizes they should be able to give you a ballpark figure - for what that's worth ... Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17615 So AFAIk the outcomes of the BAL ratings form part of a clause that allows them to pass these costs on to you. However the more relevant detail is how did it go from 19… 1 9165 You talk about deletions, are they variations or PS and PC adjustments? pleas list them 1 16568 |