Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 20, 2007 3:35 pm I'm looking at some project options, but am wondering: People always seem to add extras, but what about deleting things ?
I know the obsession these days is "light, light, glass and light", but personally I look things dark. Bright sun, glossy surfaces and too much glass gives me headaches. So I'd want to delete lots of windows. Would that lower the cost or would I get charged as a 'variation' ? Likewise, I hate all the little twists, turns, corners and little fiddly angles. I'd like to just straighten things out. More simple construction I'd think, but again, would it end up more expensive as a variation ? And halogen downlights. I really dislike those lights. And they can be expensive to run and a real pain to change the bubs when they're stuck in high ceilings and balconies. All of which leads me to wonder: Where exactly are the big expense differences of a predesigned home over a custom build ? Re: Deleting options from a project home 2May 20, 2007 4:30 pm Try to get the builder to a stage where they commit to a price, then b4 signing ask for a costing to have things removed, as credit etc,
this way you can determine whether you are getting fairly accurate credit for things being removed. Or else its possible you may be getting it left out of the contract price but are still paying for it anyhow. Re: Deleting options from a project home 3May 20, 2007 6:48 pm We got told that replacing a window with bricks or vise versa doesn't cost anything. This was with two different project home builders.
Not sure about structural changes (moving or changing walls etc) but I would assume they would cost something. I'm no fan, either, of twists, turns and fidgety angles. But wouldn't that just come down to picking the design/layout you want? As for downlights, you don't have to have them if you don't want them. From what I've gathered downlights are always extra. Or at least, the price includes X amount of downlights and any more would cost you extra. But if you do decide to delete them I'm sure they would just subtract that from the price. I can't answer your last question to the T but I would think the first main cost comes in with the designing of the house. Surely enlisting the services of architects and/or draftsmen would incur a higher charge than already pre-designed homes. [sneakersss] Re: Deleting options from a project home 4May 20, 2007 10:31 pm From my experience, the best that you'll get out of a volume builder is cost only.
I think that most builders are becoming a bit more relaxed on the strucutral changes. Because if they won't allow it, the next one will. Re: Deleting options from a project home 5May 21, 2007 11:11 am We have recently had two quotes from different builders where we have made various structural changes with no extra fee except the cost (as far as I can tell ).
We enlarged our kitchen/living by adding a bay window, extra cupboards and more benchtop space and a vaulted ceiling to the living which came to less than $4000 and that seemed reasonable for what we were getting extra. We weren't charged to delete any interior walls and when we removed windows from the back wall we were given the credit of their cost on the sliding door we replaced them with. We were also able to change the windows along the front of the house for a different width and configuration for no extra charge. Downlights are always extra in my experience (considerably extra!) Re: Deleting options from a project home 6May 21, 2007 3:23 pm I don't think downlights are an issue here, as they are an 'extra' anyway with most builders, and even if you see them in a display home, they won't be included in the base price, so if you don't want them, just don't tick them.
From my experience, as the drawings are already approved from architectural point of view, most building companies are trying to minimise structural changes, not to compromise the original drawings. There is also an issue with 5 star ratings that every house has to comply with. Not enough natural light could cause an issue there which would make it harder to get the permit. The aim there is to have as less energy used as possible, and to have the best possible insulation. So having too many many windows can be a problem as well as not enough natural light can be an issue also. Re: Deleting options from a project home 7May 21, 2007 5:17 pm Cabinfever,
We have change bedrooms around and been only charged $950 for redrawing. We resigned from builder hot watersystem and they credited us $600. We wanted to resign from SPA and change it to big corner bath - they would credit us with $300. We asked question and we have heard that they are buying things in bulk therefore so huge difference between market price and their credits. With downlights - I don't think you are limited to the light they have installed in home display. As far as I know all project builders are giving you an allowance for the wiring. it is up to you what you decide. cheers kate Re: Deleting options from a project home 8May 21, 2007 5:30 pm Thanks everyone for all the info - brilliant It's great to be armed with knowledge. Hi all, Been browsing project builders' website and saw Masterton with attached granny flat design Seeing bad reviews from masterton in this website/facebook, does… 0 18282 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair That laser level looks lovely! We bought one for less than a quarter of that price off eBay. It worked really well for us and it's still going now, five years later. After… 1 16704 |