Experience with National Builders

Hi Hank

Any luck with your search?

Regards

Not much info on them doing a search on the net.

I don't want to go bad mouthing them, but we seriously considered having them build our house.
They seemed quite willing to change a plan of theirs to suit our block, and after an hour and a half of sitting down, talking through and editing the plan - well, really just rearanging things, I asked what the approximate cost for the house would be (I think the plan was $128K? as the base without garage) and the lady got quite nasty and said how was she supposed to know an approximate cost when we had totally changed the plan (we'd moved rooms - not added or taken anything off). She said if we paid the $500 or $750 (can't remember which now) she could ask some person to cost it but because we changed the shape of the house we'd have to add $1000 for each hip and valley (?) where the bricks have a inni or outi corner, plus $10K for the garage instead of carport, etc etc so we thought it was all a bit too vague for our liking and gave them the flick.

Ray.

brittany,

Isn't it normal to have neighbours on both sides? Also, how would the number of neighbours affect the soil test, which is only done on your property.

If you and the building company have agreed on $500 - that is a deal. Neither party should break it.

Also, if they're going to slip in surpirses this early in the game, imagine what whoppers thereare going to be once you sign the contract!!

Cheers,
Casa

Very slowly - but entirely our fault. We still haven't signed contracts as we spend too long mulling over everything. Our site costs were horrific - but we knew they would be. National builders have been very flexible about all the changes we wanted to make (and there are heaps). We've had some issues with getting some upgrades we want but they've always come up with a solution. So far very happy....

The buckingham 36E. We are turning the lounge dining into a home theatre and extending into the side verandah for a bar and cellar. We are putting a balcony on top of the alfresco area to take in the view we have. This involves waterproofing and added $16k. Also we are shrinking the huge powder room downstairs and doubling the size of our pantry. We are building in existing suburbia north west of Melbourne. Thinking (but we can't agree entirely) that we want the Brighton facade because we want the eaves. Passing on render for now. So far our costs are $315k including site costs. This includes all floor coverings and upgrading the ensuite with a spa package. The only extra things we're planning on upgrading are the bricks and heating system. Will be interesting if we can stick to that. Please let me know how you're going with it.

Isn't spa included? they have promotion in this month for free spa. Have gone through color , tile, carpet selection etc yet? do they have good range?

Do you mind if ask which area is it, pls?
I am building in Keilor Plains area, next to ST Albans.
I am thinking to go with them as well because sales guy said that you can supply your own material if you wish, for eg. ceramic tiles, roof tiles, toilet bowl, basin, switches and door/window handles. as my father has factory for those things back in asia, I can import it for dirt cheap and to the style, color and quality I want. He said, they will credit back to thier cost.

pls, keep me informed about your findings with your friend and neighbour.

ta,
DM.

No the upgrade we got was evaporative airconditioning, plus the 900 mm oven, 900 mm stove, skirting, colorbond et cetera. The spa upgrade costs us $2900. Got me thinking now... The evap cooling is only ducts upstairs anyway. We haven't gone through the selection process yet. I did however get a tour through their showroom in Melbourne. There is ample to choose from - however I've been through studio 501 at the big M place (dare we mention) and it was far more impressive. More choice though is only going to make it harder. We wanted reversible fans which National Builders could not supply but they suggested they charge me installation and I supply the fans. That suits me fine with a few things. It seems to me that a lot more is included in standard with National Builders than the big M. In particular choice of tiles and door handles.

Yeh, I wouldn't mind counting you for getting stuff here. and no doubt about range of colors and style, it is huge specially in ceramic & sanitary wares. We are specialised in Roof , Floor and Wall tiles. Even I tried marketing it here, but it requires huge investment in showroom, hence I contacted "Grays Online Group" to auction it off straight from container.




We went to Brimbank Garden and Tarneit, guy was Darren, very nice guy, usually he is as St Andrews , Brimbank Garden but he came with us at Tarneit. I hope, we get same service standard through out the process.

This weekend we will have another walkthrough and then will decide.
Do you know who will local builder, pls?
I am gonna ask him to give me name and number for local builder who will be building for us and then I will call him to get couple of reference for recent work he did. Will let you know



Agreed, specially with current promotion, they are real value for money.