Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 23, 2009 9:47 pm I've been visiting a few display homes and going with either Eden Brae's Saville 21 or Wisdom's Providence 24. I haven't purchased any land yet at this stage, but with land valued at $270K (which is around my budget), to build a standard home with standard inclusions and no extras it should be $454,000. Realistically, how much more should I set aside for the hidden costs? I was thinking $30K extra in case the soil is bad. The land I'm looking to buy will not be on a massive hill or anything like that as I will be looking for land that is relatively flat. How much on avg for "unexpected/hidden costs" did you guys end up paying? And do most of these costs creep up during the early stages with planning and site costs? Any inputs is much appreciated as I'm juggling up between building from scratch or buying an already built home. Re: Hidden costs to building a home 3Apr 23, 2009 10:12 pm You are definately right to be allowing for bad soil unless you decide on a builder with fixed site costs. Not really hidden costs but things to keep in mind to budget are floor coverings (if not included) a driveway, landscaping. They are the main big ones! Downlights arent cheap either! And altough you say you only want standard things, trust me you will add stuff! We originally wanted standard everyting to keep costs down but when you actually have to pick things, its almost impossible not to upgrade. Eg: we only had 1 powerpoint in every room which is clearly not enough Most builders offer the uglier stuff as standard so you are more inclined to upgrade to get the look you want! Re: Hidden costs to building a home 4Apr 23, 2009 10:28 pm Hi Georgie, Well with me including $30K for hidden costs, its already stretching my budget so I definately won't be making any major changes (if I dont have the money, I can't upgrade right?) I dont think there's any builders out there that will guarantee site costs?? Re: Hidden costs to building a home 5Apr 23, 2009 10:31 pm There's a few builders who offer Fixed Site Costs; however, in a lot of those cases there are exceptions. It is to be believed that Porter Davis have none of such, and that the cost of Fixed Site Costs is the total. So if you're worried about the site costs, it might be worth having a look at Porter Davis. I would clarify the Fixed Site Costs crap with them though. Re: Hidden costs to building a home 6Apr 23, 2009 10:39 pm House/land packages sometimes offer fixed site costs too - as the builder owns the land, they have already done soil tests etc. Ours did so and the fixed site costs were just that, did not pay any more than initial contract. Re: Hidden costs to building a home 7Apr 23, 2009 11:19 pm Retaining walls - yes we built on a slope and there were retaining walls built into the site costs. These we got our head around. Then not related to the build but related to us being able to use the front and rear yards we have had to build retaining walls right around the rear and fill, retaining walls all around the front and excavation costs. Then our slab is up higher so that requires some fill too before paths can be done. Easily ten percent of the house valuation we've spent on landscaping so far. Fi has moved in!! Re: Hidden costs to building a home 8Apr 23, 2009 11:22 pm I know a few builders will have fixed site cost. If the builder is building alot of houses in the estate that you are planning on buying, then they have a rough idea of what type of soil you have, and they are more willing to fix the site cost for you to secure your business. There arent really any hidden cost apart from the unpredictability of your site cost. You can also be charged for things such as estate guidelines. If you estate expects you to have certain things done (e.g. pipping for recycled water, higher ceilings, solar panels etc), that can add to your total. Also, things like temp fencing ($1500), protective railing for roof guys, rushed rock for heavey vehicle etc. Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: Hidden costs to building a home 10Apr 24, 2009 10:00 am Helyn wonderland, you spoilt the sequence was looking like an AFL forum for a minute there, all we needed was Wakeboardandy with his Kangaroos avatar and Eager with Western Bulldogs I didnt even realise!! I would put up my bombers avater but i'm scared I'll be stoned to death!! Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: Hidden costs to building a home 11Apr 24, 2009 10:21 am Hi There, Here is a run down of what we paid. $180K Land $150K Base House Price $30K Modifications to House (house much larger now) $20K Footings $60K All other House Upgrades i.e Ceilings, doors, kichen appliances, electrical, etc we did spend quite a bit on this but if you can accept standard then could save yourself a bit. This $60K doesnt include flooring or A/C either Building Adelaide MKII (modified) with Statesman Building Contract Signed: 12/11/08 OK to start date: 1/5/09 Slab Finished:14/5/09 Frame Finished: 12/06/09 Re: Hidden costs to building a home 12Apr 24, 2009 10:35 am Depending on your land - piering / drop edge beams / extra reinforcing in slab / water detention pits / stormwater runoff - these are the ones that we were hit with. The house - builders only give you standard ranges of laminex / paint / bricks / tiles etc so anything outside these choices cost. Also changing windows / front doors / anything to do with the facade will cost extra. Electrical costs can also come in higher - power points and lights are normally minimal. Don't forget about insulation in roof / walls. Then all the additional stuff like flooring / window furnishings / air conditioning / driveways / paths / verandahs. All of these things add up. DH and I always had a basic thing of whatever the house cost was add another $50k. With this new home we are building this has blown out to an extra $100k. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Hidden costs to building a home 13Apr 24, 2009 10:39 am Thanks for the responses everyone. But the fees on modifications isn't a hidden cost because you already know that if you make modifications, its going to cost you money. Carpets and tiles are already included as standard and so is a basic driveway. Landscaping isn't included which I'm budgeting in also. I'm talking about costs you didn't even budget for and are mandatory (not like a granite benchtop which isn't). How much extra should I set aside for hidden MANDATORY costs? Re: Hidden costs to building a home 14Apr 24, 2009 12:27 pm The sort of costs that people don’t always initially account for when looking at the builders plans…..things like conveyancing, a legal opinion on your build contract, extra soil testing or site surveys, having to raise and cap a stormwater drain if you have one, site fill, tree felling if your land has trees within the houses footprint, scaffolding/ safety rails for the roofers and painters, hiring a skip for the build time, safety fencing, bill for electricity to the site, If your set back is larger than the builders 'norm' then all the extra lenght for trenches, stormwater, cabeling etc. More costs when energex fill in the trench before the phone company has used it, your own Insurance once you reach lock up, all the bloody beer you have to buy the tradies for reaching major stages like the traditional “wetting of the roof” , turning on all of your utilities, buying your wheelie bins, I’m sure there is more I have long forgotten Re: Hidden costs to building a home 15Apr 24, 2009 1:07 pm I think it is easy to fix your mind now that you won't add any extra that is not mandatory and you may think that, well, I can live with that. But along the way, when you actually see "things", and it strikes you as ugly, it becomes mandatory One thing that is "mandatory" and to me, really hidden, is the developer's requirement. We have to add two windows because our house design is not "nice" enough to fit into the community. If we do not address the issue, the developer will not issue us the developer permit. If you do not need the permit or it is applied in the beginning, then this will not be hidden. I have no knowledge about this and I really get an unpleasant surprise. I was told that some developer demand stuffs like verandahs which can add quite a substancial amount. Oh, have these been mentioned...letterbox, security doors, blinds,... If I were to build another house, I will visit the suppliers and get to know all the standards and what upgrades are available. I learn that most of the time, the standards are really off the mark and it becomes mandatory to upgrade them. Re: Hidden costs to building a home 16Apr 24, 2009 9:04 pm We added approx $50k to the base house price, but that did include $10k for site costs. And we have another $50k set aside for the after handover extras like driveway, landscaping, window coverings and air con etc. Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Hidden costs to building a home 18Apr 25, 2009 7:36 am Helyn Quote: buying your wheelie bins, Don't you get them supplied by your council at no charge?? (cost covered in your council rates) Not in our case. The ongoing rubbish collection is covered in the rates but the initial receipt of the council bins cost us about $175 each for both a recycling and general waste wheelie bin. I believe that replacements for damaged or lost bins are free but a set of new bins for new properties are not. Maybe that’s just my delightful council’s policy? Re: Hidden costs to building a home 19Apr 25, 2009 9:36 am Not sure where you live, miss K-F, but we get 3 wheelie bins here at no cost - 1 for rubbish, 1 for recycling and 1 for green waste. I guess it varies from council to council or maybe state to state? Re: Hidden costs to building a home 20Apr 25, 2009 5:27 pm Hi Hels, that's huge extras...$50K additional for your base house price and then another $50K for the extras like driveway, window coverings and all. What is the original $50K for? PD is quite expensive.... Hels We added approx $50k to the base house price, but that did include $10k for site costs. And we have another $50k set aside for the after handover extras like driveway, landscaping, window coverings and air con etc. I am not sure whether Perth has its own way of doing things in regards to this. Most of Perth has class A (sandy soil), except for some areas near rivers or hills. 2 13063 Looking to tile the facade pillars rather than rendering. Builder is quoting 2500$ laying cost for upto 10msq. The 2 pillars come to be 16msq. So laying costs are 5000$… 0 7524 10 15701 |