Any experience with Grollo Homes ?

Steveo · Apr 27, 2007 8:20 pm

Hi,
I have been reading a few threads especially on $ per square and the varriances particularly with Architects - wish I found this site 12 months ago.

Firstly and based on expereince over the last 12 months, I agree with all the comments and $$ differnces. However I think I have found a compromise and would like to hear peoples experience - if any - with Grollo Homes (Melbourne). They have offered to do high level designs and costings for a home based on our design (no charge). And heres the rub, the pricing they are saying is similar to the top end display home builders - and not the $18K per house square for Architects.

This gives us an option to compare a spec'd up Henley versus somehting more personal.

Look forward to your help.

Casa2 · Apr 27, 2007 9:15 pm

Steveo,

Do you have a design already?

In my search for a custom designed home I've found quite a few builders in Sydney that will do a design for nil to $3000 and then build a home from $1100/m2 to $1250/m2 for brick veneer up to $1250/m2 to $1450/m2 for full brick. A top end custom builder who includes everything can go up to $1800/m2. These are all reasonable and affordable figures.

All the architects I've spoken to talk about $2500/m2 to $4000/m2, plus at least 5% for the design (and another 3% for contract administration). These levels are just too high and unless you've got over a million dollars that you just have to get rid of, it's not viable.

Getting onto your question, yes there are three ways to go:
1) Project Home (most will let you move walls around, etc)
2) Custom Builders (no more than $3000 for design and only somewhat more expensive than project home builders)
3) Architect driven design and build (very expensive)

I think the compromise you speak of is using option 2, which is the way I'm tending. I might get an architect to do a concept design for me and use this as a starting point. Archicentre will organise a concept design for just over $2000. This may be a good starting point to then see a custom builder who has their own architect. I certainly wouldn't pay the architectural fees and associated building costs I've been hearing.

I think many architects and builders prey on the naivety of people who will mostly only build once in their lifetime. However, the slowdown in construction activity is starting to bring out some genuine deals.

I've rambles on, but hope there's something here of value.

Cheers,
Casa

pasey25 · Apr 27, 2007 11:05 pm

What kind of price per square meter are they talking about?

I've been through grollo homes, and used to really like them but I've gone off their display designs and construction methods. Too much concrete construction for my liking, but each to their own, I can see how it can appeal

BestBuilder · Apr 28, 2007 1:05 am

Hi Steveo

Did not have them listed on BB - but have done so now. Thanks for the insight into their approach/costs etc.

Regards

The Dynamic Duo · Dec 09, 2007 4:02 pm

Steveo

would like to hear peoples experience - if any - with Grollo Homes (Melbourne).

Steve

Just wondered who you ended up building with?

Simon

Jet79 · Dec 09, 2007 11:51 pm

I had a design in my head that I wanted and went to GJ Gardner, they designed the house that I wanted and didn't charge a thing. There quality was really good and they were very helpful. They were just out of our budget and I really didn't want to give up my pool. They were very comparable to project builders in price, the great thing is you get a design that no one else has.

Jet