Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 23, 2007 9:23 am Hi All,
I am going to build in Point Cook, Innisfail Estate. I went to Porter Davis and got a quote for my house, including fixed site costs of $8500. They assured me that the site costs are fixed and are not going to change. But having read this forum about being surprised of PD site cost, I started to worry about them. I have already paid a deposit of $600. What do you think, is it a good idea to get from them official letter saying that the fixed site cost are not going to change? Thanks, Anton Re: Fixed PD site cost 2Jul 23, 2007 9:31 am If they are quoting fixed site costs for your estate then you will be fine. Haven't heard of anyone being charged more in that situation. They should be fine to put something in writing if you are worried though. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Fixed PD site cost 3Jul 23, 2007 10:19 am I would ask them for a breakdown of how they arrived at that figure. Get them to justify why they are charging you this extra amount. Also get a copy of the soil report and any structural engineering computations and designs. Any additional site costs are most likely dependant on those. You should get a second opinion as well.
If you are satisfied with tha additional costs I would also insert a special condition in the contract confirming that ALL Site costs are fixed at $8500. I'd be curious to see what makes up the $8500. Remember its your hard earned money. Re: Fixed PD site cost 4Jul 23, 2007 12:03 pm shanem I would ask them for a breakdown of how they arrived at that figure. Get them to justify why they are charging you this extra amount. Also get a copy of the soil report and any structural engineering computations and designs. Any additional site costs are most likely dependant on those. You should get a second opinion as well. If you are satisfied with tha additional costs I would also insert a special condition in the contract confirming that ALL Site costs are fixed at $8500. I'd be curious to see what makes up the $8500. Remember its your hard earned money. Shanem, Fixed price house and land package $6030 Local government and OH&S requirements $1136 Estate covenants 25degr. roof pitch $1278 --------------------------------------------- Total $8444 Am I being ripped off? Re: Fixed PD site cost 5Jul 23, 2007 12:36 pm Hi Antoxa,
You are quick !!! I am only guessing here. Local Govt and OHS $1136. Probably relates to local council permits for dispensations etc and OHS would probably be Fall Protection for the roofers. I would still ask them for a breakdown. Estate covenants 25dg roof pitch $1278. Interesting. Standard roof pitch is 22.5dg and I dont think anyone could pick the difference visually !!! This should be noted in the Section 32 for the land; check it and see if it is mentioned. If that is the case, the steeper pitch would involve the truss fabricators in a little extra work re tooling and the roof itself would require maginally more material. Anyway how do they know about the covenant and you don't ?? Many of these builders are property developers as well. Was the land purchased from PD ?? Covenants I have seen refer to facade finishes, roofing material, garage doors, driveway finishes, setbacks and minimum house size, but I have never seen one requiring such a minute change to roof pitch !!! Assuming it is genuine I'd be there measuring the angle on the trusses just to make sure !!! but that's just me. Fixed Price House and Land Package $6030. This is a very broad description. I would ask them to confirm what the charge actually relates to. I am sorry if I sound cynical about all the extra charges, but in my experience the purchaser generally has no background in contracts or housing construction; the builders know this so they can get away with pretty much what they like. That is not to say they are not being upfront, but I would expect a little more detail that just "Fixed Price House and Land Package $6030". By keeping the questions coming they will realise that you will will not be an easy touch. Keep 'em honest. Good luck. Let us know how you go. Re: Fixed PD site cost 6Jul 23, 2007 12:46 pm Antoxa Shanem, Fixed price house and land package $6030 Local government and OH&S requirements $1136 Estate covenants 25degr. roof pitch $1278 --------------------------------------------- Total $8444 Am I being ripped off? I dont think $6000 site cost are that bad. You dont see much cheaper than that from most similar builders. The Loc Gov and OHS costs will include any council permits (not planning permit though) and also tempory fencing, which would be most of that $1136 if you have no fences. Check with your council to see if they do require the block to be fenced during construction. As for the roof pitch covenant, as per shanem, double check that in your land contract/title etc. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Fixed PD site cost 7Jul 23, 2007 6:21 pm Those costs sound about right. We paid $3324 for our site costs & $1918 Government & OH&S requirements (the temp fencing was included in this price but we got a rebate on that as fencing wasn't required all the way round the block).
Our site was good, though - no fall to speak of & no problems with the soil report. But I've seen people on here being charged a lot more. Re: Fixed PD site cost 8Jul 23, 2007 7:37 pm Vanderlay and epiphany, $6000 site costs may be" not too bad" and "sound about right" in your opinions but I would not accept any additional costs without supporting justification. If the costs are genuine any builder would have no hesitation in providing a detailed breakdown. In over 27 years in the construction industry, working on both the principal and contractors side, I have never seen variation that was accepted because it "sounded about right". Also, as I stated earlier, its your hard earned money and you shouldn't just give it away.
Lets put it this way: if your builder is late in completing the project for any reason, do you think he is going to offer to pay your rent and the interest on the mortgage you are paying on a house you cant live in ? Sorry if this sounds like a rant but my experience with one volume builder nearly 30 years ago put me off using them again. It became apparent quite quickly that, despite the fact that I was the one paying the money, I had very little say or control over what was done. I am now about to start my fourth house as Owner Builder and I wouldn't do it any other way. Re: Fixed PD site cost 9Jul 23, 2007 7:57 pm Just letting you know that our estate also had a 25degree covenant - I don't think they are unusual in some estates Re: Fixed PD site cost 10Jul 23, 2007 8:22 pm shanem Estate covenants 25dg roof pitch $1278. Interesting. Standard roof pitch is 22.5dg and I dont think anyone could pick the difference visually !!! This should be noted in the Section 32 for the land; check it and see if it is mentioned. I have checked the land sale contract. There is not requirement for 25dg roof pitch. It says "not less than 22dg". Thanks for the advice! shanem Was the land purchased from PD ?? No, the land was purchased from Peet. But as far as I know, PD builds lots of houses in that estate. shanem Fixed Price House and Land Package $6030. This is a very broad description. I would ask them to confirm what the charge actually relates to. Sure, I'll ask them. Thanks again for the advice. Re: Fixed PD site cost 11Jul 23, 2007 8:37 pm Hi mudtrilogy,
does that 25dg covenant mean you can't build a flat or steep roof ? It does limit your design options somewhat !!! Antoxa, on that basis you have every right to have a standard pitch roof at no extra cost. Put it to them and see what they say. Anyway, as I said, who could pick the difference. Re: Fixed PD site cost 12Jul 23, 2007 8:54 pm All designs have to go thru a committee. I believe exceptions can occur if up to standard of estate. But generally pitch has to be min 25deg Re: Fixed PD site cost 13Jul 24, 2007 9:22 am shanem Vanderlay and epiphany, $6000 site costs may be" not too bad" and "sound about right" in your opinions but I would not accept any additional costs without supporting justification. If the costs are genuine any builder would have no hesitation in providing a detailed breakdown. In over 27 years in the construction industry, working on both the principal and contractors side, I have never seen variation that was accepted because it "sounded about right". Also, as I stated earlier, its your hard earned money and you shouldn't just give it away. Lets put it this way: if your builder is late in completing the project for any reason, do you think he is going to offer to pay your rent and the interest on the mortgage you are paying on a house you cant live in ? Sorry if this sounds like a rant but my experience with one volume builder nearly 30 years ago put me off using them again. It became apparent quite quickly that, despite the fact that I was the one paying the money, I had very little say or control over what was done. I am now about to start my fourth house as Owner Builder and I wouldn't do it any other way. Shane, we arent saying they shouldnt be providing details of what is included in the price, of course they should. If you are going to build with a volume builder you will always have site costs. The allowences they give for fall, connections, slab etc would cover the "perfect" tiny, absolutley flat block, with all the services right at the front of the property with the house having a tiny setback.....of course these blocks dont exist....so there are always going to be extra site costs. Given that most people dont have the knowledge to owner build like yourself, or the $$$ to use a custom builder, then this will be the way they can build a house. Should PD be able to say what the cost covers, of course they should. Are these costs always going to be there....yes...unless you can find that non-existant "perfect" block. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Fixed PD site cost 14Jul 24, 2007 10:01 am [quote="vanderlay It became apparent quite quickly that, despite the fact that I was the one paying the money, I had very little say or control over what was done. I am now about to start my fourth house as Owner Builder and I wouldn't do it any other way.[/quote]
Agreed, but one needs time and knowledge of trade. what about someone like myself, Don't have time and don't know ABCD of trade. I want my house to be of steel frame/core and rest of the things to my choice. My question is , You or do you know anyone who is willing to be my project manager and manage things for certain agreed % of total project cost? ta. DM Re: Fixed PD site cost 15Aug 01, 2007 1:02 pm Hi Guys,
I got the site costs breakdown. Here it is: Upgrade from standard M to H class: $2816 Rock removal Level 1: $2500 Allowance of 500mm of site fall over building platform: $109 Restricted Site Access: $605 Local Government and OH&S Requirements: Crossover Protection: $160 Temporary Fencing: $976 Estate covenants: Panellift garage door: $412 22 degree Roof Pitch Allowance: $1278 Total: $8856 Interesting thing is Restricted Site Access. What is it? Thanks, Anton Re: Fixed PD site cost 16Aug 01, 2007 2:06 pm Check with your council / estate re: temporay fencing. Ours did not require it to have it so we got a cheque in the end of $1200 (i think) from PD as reimbursement. Re: Fixed PD site cost 17Aug 02, 2007 12:02 am Antoxa Interesting thing is Restricted Site Access. What is it? I think it's something to do with various areas of the site not being easily accessable during construction. Our neighbours to be (who haven't started building yet) were told they'd be charged a fee for restricted site access if we built our fence...because apparently it was going to get in the way of building their garage...even though it's absolutely nowhere near their garage (go figure). Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17616 So AFAIk the outcomes of the BAL ratings form part of a clause that allows them to pass these costs on to you. However the more relevant detail is how did it go from 19… 1 9165 My door tends to rub against the frame during winter and I'm looking to fix it so it closes smoothly. Looking online on Youtube I'm seeing methods to fix the alignment and… 0 700 |