Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jan 06, 2014 6:50 pm Hi all, Wondering if anyone has managed to negotiate prices on additional extras, or even just on the base price of a house. I am going through the motions with Stylemaster for a new house, getting close to contract signing but the more i research these prices, the more i am disliking what i am seeing. I feel that they are taking me for a ride. If you did manage to negotiate a price decrease, what methods worked and what didn't? It's hard to use the good old car trick of "Im walking away as it's too expensive", as they would just say "remove some extras". For instance i was quoted $3800 for 2.5m ceilings (didn't bother to ask for 2.7m). I noticed Hallmark are offering 2.7m included in the price, and the quote i have from them is rather favorable to the Stylemaster quote. Cheers. My Noosa 23 Build - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=72782 Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 2Jan 06, 2014 9:14 pm I don't think you'll achieve much unless you walk away. It really comes down to are you happy with the balance between price, quality and value for money. The plan also needs to match your needs. I think it is hard to compare prices of individual components of the build. You really need to look at the whole completed price ( including site costs, provisionals, etc ) and determine if it is right for you. If not, walk away - if they really want your business they will chase you. Just be sure that you have a complete price and not a rubbery price with low-ball provisional sums for site costs, etc. Build thread: here Land Nov 12, Contract 6/07/13, Consent 15/08/13, Start 20/09/13, Slab 25/09/13, Frame 4/10/13, Brick 21/10/13, Roof 2/11/13, Lock-up 17/12/13, Handover 3/3/14 Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 3Jan 06, 2014 9:34 pm Depending on the size of house 3800 to upgrade height of ceilings may not be much. Mine was 12k. Stone throughout another 11k, and it just goes on and on. As Maximus says, need to balance fit and finish with what you are getting. Most builders are going to be priced quite similar. So if it seems to be a super deal I would ask myself where is it being made up. I am sticking with my builder as I like the finish and an extra 10 or 15% won't really impact the overall price. As long as you are not over capitalising. I would tell them that you are going to walk. I found a few errors on pricing and asked for very firm pricing for the complete build and I would only move forward if it was value. Good luck Cheers Mark Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 4Jan 07, 2014 7:12 am You won't know if you don't ask. I started with "So how much of a discount can you give me?" That got me $9K credit at the outset, written into the contract. Additional tiling we wanted seemed expensive, so we negotiated on that on got that greatly reduced. Some external stairs seemed expensive, they were prepared to negotiate on that too. Got breakdowns of various surcharges and site costs and had them reduced too, and some charges removed as they were unnecessary. End of the day - if you're reasonable about it, ask the question! It's your money, and a lot of it. If they want the work then there's always a little wiggle room on prices. Completed a knock down and rebuild in northern Melbourne. Handover completed 27/09/2013 and now moved in. Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 5Jan 07, 2014 6:05 pm Thanks all. Going to give it a lot more thought - waiting on the builder anywho to give me an updated tender. Bluesuede, this was my plan once i received the tender. My Noosa 23 Build - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=72782 Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 6Jan 10, 2014 10:54 am Volume builders are already cheap I doubt you will negotiate pricing with them unless you are looking to add something they don't offer that their contractors need to install, but as far as the standard optional extras I doubt it. Do the sums and price how much per square you are paying, you won't come close with a custom build and even owner builder there are risks. Somewhere along the line someone is going to cut corners if pushed too hard on price!! just my experience. Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 7Jan 10, 2014 4:40 pm Hi all Im new to this forum. Just wondering when it is an appropriate time to discuss discounts or special deals?? How should one appraoch this subject to the builder? At tender presentation stage or contract signing?? Any ideas or suggestions will be most appreciated Re: Price negotiations with volume builders 8Jan 10, 2014 9:44 pm greatch Hi all Im new to this forum. Just wondering when it is an appropriate time to discuss discounts or special deals?? How should one appraoch this subject to the builder? At tender presentation stage or contract signing?? Any ideas or suggestions will be most appreciated Whatever 'special deal' you negotiate, make sure you get it in writing from someone authorised in the building company. I've seen several occasions on this forum where builders have gone back on the word of a sales consultant. Also work very hard to remove any cost uncertainty. Site costs are the main area where this can happen. Tender presentation is a good point for negotiations. Go in and leave with an unsure / uncertain / maybe / maybe not approach. Leave it several days or perhaps a week. Many builders will start to chase you and this is a good time to negotiate. Build thread: here Land Nov 12, Contract 6/07/13, Consent 15/08/13, Start 20/09/13, Slab 25/09/13, Frame 4/10/13, Brick 21/10/13, Roof 2/11/13, Lock-up 17/12/13, Handover 3/3/14 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110566 Hi, Seeking volume or semi-custom builder in victoria(east), which have existing double story wide floor plans. Seeking 18-20m wide homes with depth of 12-15m long. Or… 0 25163 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 18563 |