Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 24, 2009 2:17 pm Hey,
Just interested to see what people here (especially those building their First Home) prefer IN GENERAL ~ Generally, if you go for a volume builder, you could build a bigger house for the SAME BUDGET as you go with an Architect Builder ~ True??? Or maybe you'll have more upgrades in your inclusion list for similar size (again SAME BUDGET)? NOW, if you are going to get a 29-30sq house from a volume builder (ie. quantity) for exactly the SAME COST vs a 25sq house from a "quality" builder, which one will you prefer as your first home? And which one would you think with have better resale value? I've got a few quotes from BIG & small builders ~ Basically, if the small builder give me the house with SAME SIZE, then lots of things in my inclusion will be gone! Or to keep my items in the inclusion list, they'll suggest me to build a house between 24 ~ 26sq, and that is about 3 ~ 5 sq smaller in size! So I figure out I have to make a decision on whether going for a volume builder now or smaller builder ~ so DOES SIZE MATTER ? PS. I am thinking if I resell the house in future, would people really care if I tell them the house is built with better quality BUT smaller in size plus with laminate benchtop / polymarble shower base; or maybe it's easier for them to see the extra room or 2 plus those caesarstone benchtop, glass splashback, tiled shower base, etc ... Re: Does SIZE matter? 2Jan 24, 2009 2:54 pm wallacetai Hey, Just interested to see what people here (especially those building their First Home) prefer IN GENERAL ~ I'm like a kid that prefers the box the toy came in more than the toy... so I prefer a bigger house that is fairly 'empty' that I can then fill to the brim with things I prefer than trying to get it perfect the first time. Certainly some things need to be in place to be used later (wiring etc) but others like stone bench tops etc just don't excite me. Re: Does SIZE matter? 3Jan 24, 2009 4:07 pm I think in this case...size does matter.
When you look for a house to buy.....you look at the location, size and layout. At no stage does builder come into play. Actually, by the time it has changed hands two or 3 times.....the builder's name may be forgotten or they may even have gone bust. Fittings wise....that can always be done later....when you renovate down the track...you can add quality finishings. But it takes mega bucks to add more room....things like higher ceilings can't even be added. hehehe....that was my 2 cents. Our building journey has begun: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23138 Brookvale 45 by Porter Davis ************** Lead me not into temptation.....I can find the way myself. Re: Does SIZE matter? 5Jan 24, 2009 4:12 pm mrs_smith I think size matters! I'd prefer both, but size would win. I love this thread; make me laugh every time I see it…. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Does SIZE matter? 6Jan 24, 2009 5:18 pm I would prefer a larger home that I can add the 'pretties' to later.
If the house is too small, its very expensive and sometimes impossible to add more space. -Sha Re: Does SIZE matter? 8Jan 24, 2009 7:07 pm You are assuming though that everyone would build as large as they can afford - and this is not neccesarily so.
We are not first home buyers and we purposely built a 23 square house, the house and yard size that suits us. Cost wasn't the issue, we could of borrowed more money if we wanted to, but built what we wanted and added what we wanted - things like c/s benches didn't really excite me either so I didn't bother getting them, whereas I did get higher ceilings. As has been discussed on many other threads, the size of the yard area is also going to be a resale factor -some buyers would be put off by a mega size house but no yard space. As I have said to you on other threads, wallacetei, I think you are tying yourself in knots too much about resale - any sort of 'normal' house (ie unless you do something bizarre like haveing the laundry off the bedroom ) will appeal to some buyers and not to others. Re: Does SIZE matter? 9Jan 24, 2009 8:22 pm Your own house is a roof over your head first, and an investment a very distant second.
In my opinion, bigger is better, unless it will be too big to keep neat and tidy. Just because a house has been architect designed or non-volume built, does not mean it will be worth more in the future. Only you will know how well it was built. Lets face it, anyone buying a house that they didn't get to see being built has no idea of its inherent quality. Go for the larger house, go for the upgrades usually on offer through promotions, get some new furniture and decor and get some landscaping done. Suddenly you have what appears to the rest of the world as a quality large house, the best of both worlds. Re: Does SIZE matter? 10Jan 24, 2009 8:36 pm Well, i have to say size does not matter.. I just need a house that suit me more than just 'big'... so i ensure that i have everything i want/need, rather than an extra room/bedroom that i may not have money to fill but to leave it empty.. (also i can save some cleaning time for smaller house ) 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: Does SIZE matter? 11Jan 24, 2009 9:38 pm For resale might make a difference if you bought somewhere where those things mattered. ie I couldn't imagine buying a million dollar block and then using a standard builder would be wise. But for the average suburban build, size or more importantly practical arrangement of rooms and the amount of land around you will make the biggest difference.
last time we built with a small builder but after 19 years no one would have cared less about his quality builds. I doubt even a well known builder would have produced wow buyers. However in more upmarket areas architect build homes might do far better. What are you building to achieve? A home? an investment? Both? A short term living space or something else? All will determine what and who you build with. Last time we went with a quality builder for peace of mind and quality of build. This timer we've gone for a volume builder with a larger house that has some "pretties" but that we could/can fill with more later ourselves. Re: Does SIZE matter? 13Jan 24, 2009 11:11 pm Size does matter. You can always add on the extras later on. Especially the case if you are building. It also depends on your lifestyle. If you hardly spend time at home, no kids, then small with niceties is nice place to go to. However, if you planning family/have a family, then go big..the space is well worth it! Re: Does SIZE matter? 14Jan 25, 2009 1:07 am wallacetai And which one would you think with have better resale value? Land increases in price not houses. Re: Does SIZE matter? 16Jan 25, 2009 1:15 am this is purely personal choice of course, there are buyers for big and basic AND smaller but better. Me personally, I would never want a crappy looking house (poorly designed and finished) because I'd be forever trying to make it look better ... doing my head in.
What do they say about mutton dressed as lamb... yes, hmmmm A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Does SIZE matter? 18Jan 25, 2009 8:36 am dymonite69 wallacetai And which one would you think with have better resale value? Land increases in price not houses. But a beautiful new/renovated home can increase the sale value without a doubt. Re: Does SIZE matter? 19Jan 25, 2009 10:32 am Well we have built a 'bigger' house with a volume builder and hopefully it,s not going to fall down anytime soon or fall into disrepair
We have checked everything every step of the way and anything that we haven,t been happy with we have contacted them asap and it,s always been rectified pretty quickly. I think with any house build,you will get good and bad builders (friends of ours built a very expensive house with a small builder and had a dreadful time of it ) they ended up selling it for far less than they paid for it Don,t get me wrong...we would have loved to have designed and built our absolute dream house,but it would have meant that we would miss out on so many other things in life and who wants to struggle with a huge mortgage and the stress of it and then not be able to enjoy your house Good luck with your decision Cheers Mel Building on 9 acres Re: Does SIZE matter? 20Jan 25, 2009 10:32 am Thanks for all the feedbacks after I checked the display house yesterday in Taneit ~
I have a 700m2 block of land in Melton (Thoroughbred Park Estate), and I didn't plan to live in Melton for the rest of my life I am single with no kids, so practically I will only use 2 bedroom and maybe even a 6sq unit will do ~ But it will be insane to build a 6sq unit right? Now I have 2 choices (actually more), I have around $210K (including site cost) to build my first home ~ and from BigM, I could get the 29sq or even 30sq house from their Freedom series (designed for FHB and thus with less quantity materials) ~ or if I go with those architect/family-owned/small builders who claim to use MGP10 Frames, 450mm stud, etc; they would suggest to build a house around 23~25sq with my budget (with same inclusion list I provided them). So obviously, there is a 5sq different in size between Quality vs Quantity for my budget ~ If I go for the architect/small builder, the only reason is to avoid having the same horrible stories some of you might go through when building with volume builders (lots of surpise in price changes later down the track) or argues with the builders ~ And if I go for BigM or PD or H3nley, obviously it's for the value and Bang for the bucks! It seems so far, there are slightly more people tend to get a bigger house for the same budget you have (whatever it is). So if you are living by yourself, is 24sq vs 29sq a BIG difference or not in house size? I never really live in anything over 15sq by myself in my life, so it's harder for me to judge, your opinion is welcome (ie. is 5sq difference a big deal?) BTW, I am planning to rent that house out in 1 year time after I fulfill my First Home Buyers condition, so I can claim negative gearing on my tax return as well as renting a smaller unit (2 BR) later to cut down my cost. So with this purpose in mind, which is a better way for me to spend my $$$ ~ 29sq vs 24sq? Thanks again for your thoughtful ideas Dear Members I have to decide the Facade column size. My custom builder standard is 350mm with rendering, but i asked for 470mm plus stone or tiles and yet to get… 0 4285 All sorted guys. Just needed to buy a blade with the correct bush. Dunno how to delete this post, can't find any help file. Cheers. 1 2805 Current door width is approx 2700, looking to have double doors fitted 820-820. What size does the frame need to be before door jamb? Thanks 0 2328 |