Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 25, 2009 12:22 pm Hello everybody,
We're new to this forum and are about to build our first house (located in north-west Brisbane). We roughly plan to live in it for 5 + years and then rent it. I've been reading posts here for a while and have used the search function often, but wanted to ask a couple of specific questions which I'm hoping somebody would be kind enough to help out with. We are building a 2 storey house on a narrow lot (building envelope frontage is 10.3m), We're also on a very limited budget (around $230,000) and are prepared to make some compromises to stay within it. We've considered building single storey instead, but the narrow shape of the block is too restrictive. What I would specifically like to know is whether anybody who had built with them before had experienced a substantial budget blow out. We've been assured that our rough quote so far is on the conservative side, and have taken into consideration: - the base price - site costs (around $10,000) - flooring (tiles downstairs and timber laminate upstairs at this stage) - electrical work (including ceiling fans) - turfing outside - rainwater tank - air con unit for downstairs lounge / dining - TV aerial - curtains - security screens for downstairs The driveway will most probably be coming later on. Are there any other major items we're neglecting at this stage? I've often read that people's budgets invariably blow out somewhat, so I'd love to know what else we should be aware of, what we might have overlooked etc. Thanks very much for your time! Re: About to build our first home - budget considerations 2Nov 25, 2009 2:18 pm Fencing or retaining walls? Our retaining walls added an extra $4500. Also, you might want to allow an extra few thousand for extra electrical provision. Ours cost us an extra $3500. Hope that helps Building the Coral Baroness 274 Check out our blog www.ourbaroness.blogspot.com Re: About to build our first home - budget considerations 6Nov 25, 2009 2:57 pm light fittings, basix excluding your water tank flyscreens external lighting not always included in standard inclusions are there any covenants for where you are building? concrete or deck to entry portico if not included in base price. A lot depends on what is included in standard inclusions Re: About to build our first home - budget considerations 7Nov 25, 2009 3:34 pm Thanks very much for all the replies already - much appreciated! There are no covenants where we are building. I'll have to check with the builder about the stormwater and concrete to entry. The block has been levelled and filled, and there is a substantial retaining wall already in place from the developer (2-3m in height and made from boulders). We may need a small retaining wall on the other side too but we're hoping to do this ourselves when time and budget allow (hopefully sooner rather than later). The other points made were helpful too, and we'll be sure to check them out. Thanks again. Re: About to build our first home - budget considerations 8Jun 20, 2010 9:33 pm Any feedback on Cosmopolitan Brisbane? Can't seem to find any reviews on them.... Re: About to build our first home - budget considerations 9Jun 21, 2010 9:49 am It's been a mixed experience so far! I've sent you a PM with more details. Ideally you would engage a landscaper to give you some insight what they may need in the space to make your vision come to life… 1 13624 So it looks like we finally have some movement on site! Definitely later than expected, but I'll take any progress at this point. I'll drop by over the weekend to get… 5 27444 Coming back to your old stomping grounds, huh? Renovations on a budget can be quite the journey. It's like giving your house a new lease on life. The twist of not knowing… 1 3473 |