Has anyone NOT up specked the basic builders plan?

mark299 · Apr 12, 2010 9:23 pm

we spent really 25k upgrading from the original plan. We didnt go for a display range plan, we rather picked a very basic plan, good size living area, and then added all the upgrades we wanted one by one. We have most of the display range specs; resulting in a 25K extra bill.

nathanbudde · Apr 12, 2010 9:31 pm

Hey thought i would throw my 2 cents worth in. This is coming from experience having built 2 houses and also worked as a sales consultant for new homes for about 6 years.

Everyone modifies something on a plan, some builders charge you for this some dont. Small changes are ok, where you run into cost is in structual changes.

High ceilings I think is definatly a must not only for the feeling of space but also helps with resale if you decide to sell one day. You can do some upgrades that dont cost too much but make the home feel like a million dollars.

Feel free to PM me if you need any advise re upgrades etc.

*frosty* · Apr 12, 2010 9:35 pm

As part of our program, we're not allowed to change the structural plans of our house. No doors moved, No walls moved. Nothing.

But I love our plans, and even though there is something that I might be tempted to change if we could, I think it makes my life A MILLION times less stressful knowing that I can't.

RoadkillNZ · Apr 12, 2010 10:36 pm

Removing anything with any information about our build.

kiwi · Apr 13, 2010 6:41 pm

I looked at your blog frosty..wow, amazing

good luck and enjoy building your new home. I am sure you will love being so involved.

So are your ceilings 3 met high roadkill? (possum kill might have been avilable

)
there are 2.4, 2.5 ,2.7 and 3 met ceilings..yes?
and gib comes in 2.4 and 2.7 lengths, so 2.7 is a better height to get to save wastage and therefore cost? or is that all just a myth I have been told!

RoadkillNZ · Apr 13, 2010 7:28 pm

Our ceiling is 2.75 high, probably because as you say the gib is 2.7. We never really looked at the other options just the 2.7, but it seems more space in the house than the actual 30cm's that you get by upgrading.

nathanbudde · Apr 13, 2010 8:05 pm

Hey guys yes standard ceiling heights are 2400, 2550, 2700, 3000. When most people upgrade they go straight to 2700. Well worth it...

Chorlton · May 10, 2010 9:31 pm

jayjaytee

i only added air con and an electric door to the garage rather than the manual option...

Hi JayJaytee,

Can I ask how much extra you paid for the electric garage door compared to the manual option?

tiinana2b · May 10, 2010 10:16 pm

Chorlton

jayjaytee

i only added air con and an electric door to the garage rather than the manual option...

Hi JayJaytee,

Can I ask how much extra you paid for the electric garage door compared to the manual option?

I paid $530

Chorlton · May 19, 2010 10:59 am

tiinana2b

Chorlton

jayjaytee

i only added air con and an electric door to the garage rather than the manual option...

Hi JayJaytee,

Can I ask how much extra you paid for the electric garage door compared to the manual option?

I paid $530

Thanks for the reply....

Huggy_B · May 19, 2010 3:12 pm

I have built 3 "spec" homes with absolutely no changes, but they were being built to sell for profit, so no changes = more profit. And when you are building 3 of, you can really start to screw down their price - volume rocks.

For my own personal home, yes indeed - changes were definitely made! The usual stuff like high ceilings, larger garage, extra linen cupboard etc etc.

kiwi · May 20, 2010 8:10 am

Did they look all right un specked in your opionion? the people who bought them..were they happy or were they wanting fancier doors and nicer skirting?
did you make loads of muller $$$ out of them??? (you dont have to say how much just yes, we are now very rich will do!)

Huggy_B · May 24, 2010 9:38 pm

kiwi

Did they look all right un specked in your opionion? the people who bought them..were they happy or were they wanting fancier doors and nicer skirting?
did you make loads of muller $$$ out of them??? (you dont have to say how much just yes, we are now very rich will do!)

2 of the couples were first home owners and the last guy worked on the mines looking for a rental. None of them mentioned anything like that and I was offered within $5k of what I had them on for. So I was happy and they were as well I guess. Some people want to skip the building part and move into a new house I guess.

I did OK, certainly not rich.......yet! LOL