Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 07, 2008 10:51 pm Hi folks,
My contract with DFH is about to be done with the variations n things. My main concern is to go with the platinum pack offered by them or not...the following things they're offering me in as much as $12k. Downlights (Max 30 per home, 12v mini), Front landscaping (4 m setback area in front), Front concreting to driveway and path, Window furnishing (vertical blinds), Dishwasher (simpson or technika), Obscure Glass to ensuite n bath, Clothesline, Fencing (half share with neighbour), Telstra cabling. if u guys can suggest me about the offer whether to accept it or not that will be much appreciated. thanx regards, Darsh Re: DFH Platinum Pack can anyone advise to take it or not? 2Dec 08, 2008 8:12 am How much do they charge for these upgrade? Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Re: DFH Platinum Pack can anyone advise to take it or not? 3Dec 08, 2008 2:04 pm Hi Darsh
It does not sound too bad for 12 k. What you need to just check on is the details of few items like what they plans to do for your landscaping, what kind of blind quality. Also when they mention Telstra cabling you can check how many points you want and if they do internal wiring too. For cost part you can get approx cost for each item (say fencing is different for each estate) and see how it matches up against DFH. Regards Divya Re: DFH Platinum Pack can anyone advise to take it or not? 4Dec 08, 2008 3:37 pm Hi Darsh
as mentioned by you the following items need to considered by you as opposed to the price if paid for without a promotion. Just to give you a rundown Downlights (Max 30 per home, 12v mini), 12v Mini, you will probably need to upgrade these to proper downlights, which the builder will charge you the difference. Front landscaping (4 m setback area in front), Is your setback only 4m, most of the times its more than 4m, so if its nore than 4m, builder will ask you for extra, also ask for the landscaping plan, the builder might give you a very basic landscaping, but if you are happy with landscaping, its worth getting Front concreting to driveway and path, Concreting, what type? Many types of concreting are available which differ a lot in costs. So, ask that as well Window furnishing (vertical blinds), Look out what quality are the blinds provided, is it only to living areas or all windows. Dishwasher (simpson or technika), This is a must, and i would prefer simpson over technika Obscure Glass to ensuite n bath, This genereally costs no more than $100 to $150, so not a big deal. Clothesline, Again, which one? Are you getting that will actually serve your purpose Fencing (half share with neighbour), This is good to have as this is couple of hundred $'s as well Telstra cabling. Our builder charged $250 All in all, if your builder is giving medium range quality for all above mentioned upgrades, then 12K is not bad. However, you need to look in to things that you might need top upgrade later on if you are not happy with the product or quality. My suggestion, get a detail product information from builder, compare it to quotes that you get yourself and if its a difference of atleast $5-8K, then take the package, which i doubt Sorry, if that has ndisheartened you. But do thorough research before paying huge amount of $12k to the builder Re: DFH Platinum Pack can anyone advise to take it or not? 5Dec 08, 2008 5:21 pm Hi Darsh,
We recently finished building with DFH and we did pay the extra for the platinum pack. We got the full plantimum pack, but got the rebate for the front landscaping as the front landscaping is done as part of the land estate. I think the only other thing you can get the rebate for is the fencing? We paid for the platimum pack (minus landscaping) and paid the additional money to upgrade the fencing from timber to colorbond. Personally we found it a lot easier to just get the platinum pack and get fencing, driveway, blinds etc done from the start. Our home loan was also with St George and as part of their conditions of the loan the fencing and driveway had to be done as part of the home. In response to the other questions raised above: - Vertical blinds were fitted to all the windows/sliding glass doors in the home except for windows beside the front door, laundry sliding door, bathroom, ensuite, toilet and garage (if there is a window in the garage) - Telstra cabling was basically you not having to pay to dig the trench. The contractor told us how much it would cost but the supervisor told him it was included in our contract. It was going to cost approx $300. You still have to pay for the points you want internally. - You get a choice of clothes line ie rotary or wall mounted folding line - We had enough downlights to get them put in all the rooms in our 4 bedroom house and left battons only in the bathroom, ensuite, wir, toilet and laundry. - Concreting was plain concrete with your driveway completed, the path to your front door, and a path from the laundry to the clothes line - Obscure glass it is easier to get it done at the start and you do not get the blinds in the bathroom, ensuite or toilet - Fencing was a lot easier to get done at the start and saves you from having to contact the neighbours about what fence they want. It is all done for you. Fencing is also quite expensive. We approached the contractors about building an additional internal 4m in length colorbond fence with an access gate and we were quoted nearly $1000. Personally we found it a lot easier to get it all done and just move in. We were also trying to keep costs down, so we did not want to spend a huge amount on dishwashers, blinds etc. Good luck! Re: DFH Platinum Pack can anyone advise to take it or not? 6Dec 08, 2008 5:25 pm dear homeishome,
thanx for your detailed reply...it gave me really thorough understanding of what do i need to search b4 selecting the opiton...by the way, i've just created my own blog for the first time, you may find it bit massy, but i will improve it gradually.. can u have a look at it please? i have attached the detailed images of the promotion which gives almost all answers of ur questions that you have asked me about promo...and then if you can suggest me any further that will be great.. about downlights, when i asked my sales consultant verbally, he pointed me the downlights that were fitted in the display house which seems to me alright... front landscaping, i have confirmed i have only 4m set back area, i have attached my site plan as well in the blog i think its normal plain concreting about 20 mm thick window furnighing, they're providing vertical blinds but i m thinking of going for upgrades in them by putting holand blinds of focus range which costs me extra 400 dollars. window furnishing will be in all windows of home except wet areas. clothes line is the circular one free standing on the ground... give me any sort of suggestion u have...i would be more than grateful... Re: DFH Platinum Pack can anyone advise to take it or not? 7Dec 08, 2008 9:43 pm Hi Darsh
Am glad that you found my 2 cents worth useful. We have been through all this as well, so can understand what you feel. The $15000, upgrades for $1500 is a must have and as far as the platinum package is concerned, i am happy to provide you detailed info of approximate prices that i am aware of and then you can do your own search as well to compare it with $12000 pack. I will get back to you soon abt downlights as well. What is the requirement in your estate re fencing? is it timber or colourbond and is the builder ready to provide any of these as per estate requirements or is it restricted, because depending on the width and length of the block this expense may be couple of hundred dollars especially if its colourbond. If you can advise that, i will get back to you agin with detailed info (as much as i know). Cheers Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74701 Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20413 I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15265 |