Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Urgently seeking expert help! :). 21Nov 20, 2014 9:39 pm Hi Leksie500 My husband and I were in a very similar position. But we started with an architect and even did the qs report and then tender and found it too risky to build cost wise as it would be over budget. We then ended up with a project home build as it was a lot more in our price range. We are at approximately a $1350psm build. We are on a battleaxe sloping block with bearers and joists. I think the price you have been quoted sounds pretty good for a custom build! . Even with the project home build the costs have been over what we'd like to be paying due to various reasons. So if the plan and the builder seem right to you make sure you have some buffer and go with the gut. I can't really understand why your husband wants to get another estimate from a builder who is known to be more expensive if he's trying to get a better price? I think the tender you have sounds very reasonable! I personally don't want to quibble about the price or put too much pressure on the builder as i'd rather get a quality home. I have this naive view that if I'm a good client they will want to do a better job! My 2c Re: Urgently seeking expert help! :). 22Nov 27, 2014 1:26 pm I don't understand either, I don't know if he wants it exactly cheaper but more for the same money. Or feels that particular builder we have gone with to date is overpriced.. or doesn't accept the other builder isn't more expensive (he's given us only a very rough indication he can do it for the same/a bit less). He did a high quality job on the homes we know of but I'm still unsure if we will be able to afford it.. Thanks for your detailed reply. As try as I might my husband seems committed to this path. There are a couple of small issues with the current floor plan (garage too small or not ideal; master bedroom may not be in ideal spot and WIR clunky placement)which we could resolve. I am concerned about the fees for engineers', DA etc and others that are absorbed into the builder margin normally. The builder was fairly honest (?!), giving us a ballpark figure of what our design may cost but saying without plans he can't provide a proper estimate. Our family member who used him did not have problems with his estimation. The architect has agreed (verbally, at least) to charge us a flat fee more affordable than the standard 2.5%, which would have been too much for him. It is relatively simple work for him after all and there is a recommendation for him also. Of course, the builder and architect have worked together a lot so support each other/scratch backs. However without having the whole build supervised probably better to have someone do it who is used to working with that architect. He thinks our budget is doable if we are sensible. So, watch this space... Re: Urgently seeking expert help! :). 23Nov 27, 2014 9:35 pm Good luck either way. I'm feeling for you! It's quite frustrating when you have mentally "moved in" and then your SO decides to find more options! Grrrrr. Re: Urgently seeking expert help! :). 24Dec 03, 2014 10:22 am So true! Bless him. I do however feel the design *will* be better in the end... if we can afford it! While I referred to the original design as perfect there are a few issues I can see. - Garage is not 6 x 6, which is ideal. They made it a bit bigger than the original plan but in length not width. - The master bedroom immediately behind the garage on the southern side of the property. Maybe the walk in robe is an afterthought the way it is designed.. too And a couple of other things.. Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here, and I'm looking for some advice regarding my house construction project in North Kellyville. I… 0 6700 There is no reason why building contract reconciliation cannot be done prior to handover, if the builder won't do it get someone to do it for you. Why would you pay for… 3 6690 My home office is hot with computer equipment running virtually 18 hours a day. When it gets unbearably warm I simply step out of my door into the living area which is… 0 5130 |