Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 25, 2009 3:50 pm Building the LaTrobe from NBG. Has anyone done the same? Pros / cons? What are people's thoughts on the cost of changes to plans with NBG? I've heard they are very accommodating, but do they charge through the roof? Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 2Aug 25, 2009 7:35 pm Hi Phil, I just looked at the Latrobe on their website - nice house. We've finished building a buckingham with NBG and been moved in just over two months and loving it. We found their site costs big (although ours were never going to be small), but alterations very reasonable and we made a lot of changes. Ask lots of questions and find the most experienced sales person you can. Fi has moved in!! Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 3Aug 25, 2009 7:53 pm I guess it depends on the type of changes. We were quoted nearly $6k to change rooms around (extra walls/doors), add entry door from garage to house and to change the kitchen to one from another house (extra bench space). We thought this was expensive. Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 4Aug 25, 2009 8:37 pm thanks for the replies guys. Our block is fairly flat (there's a slight slope at the front, but by about halfway down the block is flattens out nicely). The fall of this sloped area is probably less than a metre over 20 metres, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the site costs are low. As for changes, the good wifey has some ideas... We'll be after internal access from the garage, some mods to the kitchen, etc. What can you tell me in terms of lighting and powerpoints? Is the general rule that you have to get extra because the house comes with the bare minimum? We'll also be after a ducted split system. I know the house comes with ducted heating, so we were hoping to get a split system in its place. Has anyone done this? Did it cost the earth? Well we're off to give the NBG consultant our wish-list on the weekend... Need to think of all the mods now and not later! Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 5Aug 25, 2009 9:44 pm Hi there, we are also building with NBG but made only a few minor alterations other than the higher ceilings and roof pitch etc that we needed with the estate covenants. We added extra lights and plug sockets etc, and I thought that they seemed pretty reasonable. We have since been adding bits and bobs on as we have gone along, only last week we met the site supervisor and added a few more sockets and downlights for good measure! It was at that meeting we finally confirmed the location of the points too. They are not quite at electrition stage so were very happy to accommodate these changes. A month or so ago we added an extra sink in the ensuite and feature wall, who knows what we will add next week I have found them to be very accommodating and our builder is fab! Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 6Aug 25, 2009 10:19 pm peppapig Hi there, we are also building with NBG but made only a few minor alterations other than the higher ceilings and roof pitch etc that we needed with the estate covenants. We added extra lights and plug sockets etc, and I thought that they seemed pretty reasonable. We have since been adding bits and bobs on as we have gone along, only last week we met the site supervisor and added a few more sockets and downlights for good measure! It was at that meeting we finally confirmed the location of the points too. They are not quite at electrition stage so were very happy to accommodate these changes. A month or so ago we added an extra sink in the ensuite and feature wall, who knows what we will add next week I have found them to be very accommodating and our builder is fab! Has it cost you extra to make changes to your contract? It's great that you are happy with your builder. Would you mind PM me your builder? Cheers. Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 7Aug 26, 2009 8:51 pm hey peppapig.... So are you saying that when it comes to making changes as you go, you basically don't have to go via NBG anymore? Do you deal direct with the builder? If so, then how do they price the changes? We'll definitely want to put in extra points and more light fittings, so it's good to know that this is not highly expensive or difficult to organise. thanks again Phil Re: Building the NBG - LaTrobe - anyone done the same? 8Aug 27, 2009 8:56 pm Hi all, Have checked our contract and this is what we were quoted for the following: 3 additional low voltage down lights - 345 Additional telephone point - 80 Additional double power points - 60 each Provide a 2110mmx1810 sliding door in lieu of standard window - 226 Provide an additional flush panel hinged door with 300m additional plaster stud wall - 313 2 additional television points - 130 25 degree pitch roof in lieu of standard - 1280 Aussie_phil - thats right, once contract has been signed and final plans have been agreed then you liase directly with the builder who arranges the building permit etc. We haven't had any contact with NBG head office since our colour selection appt, although someone called last week to do a customer satisfaction check. Rowena - no we have not been charged to make these changes as once you are liasing with the builder directly they just send a variation to sign, although all variations have to be paid directly to the builder within 7 days, so not the way to go if the changes need to be funded via the mortgage. I am sure that any structural changes would require a fee as I guess the building permit and plans etc would need to drawn up again. Our builder is in the SE suburbs so not sure if this would be too far for you? We have not been invoiced yet for the extra electrical stuff but the prices will be the same as above. I think our extra sink was around $200. We are also getting our builder to quote for some extra feature wall painting and additional concrete. We are planning on pre wiring the home theatre room (well, OH is lol) and we are getting some one to do this for us. The site supervisor is happy to turn up one saturday to open the site to let the guy in. Peppapig I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15244 I am in the same situation, would you be able to give some insights in to this? I am in SA 8 17012 Depends what you're current inclusions are, but we're not including wardrobes and will just use second hand ones until we can save later on to get them built. Also have a… 3 11596 |