Builders that will design or modify plans heavily

MJ · Sep 02, 2007 1:26 pm

Hi,

We are looking to build a new house in Pascoe Vale (15.9m wide and 50 metres deep) and have found a number of plans that almost fit what we like but need to make changes to fit our "ideal" place.

So far, we have found the following would change and build in our area
Simonds
Metricon
Glenvill (will custom build)

Can anyone comment or suggest others?

Any ideas about smaller builders in the Vic Metro area that anyone would recommend?

Thanks
MJ

brittany · Sep 02, 2007 1:47 pm

National Builders will build in that area and let you modify their homes significantly.

First_Timer_Ray · Sep 02, 2007 2:56 pm

We are building with Met---con and we have changed their plan somewhat. They seemed quite happy to change the size/shape to accomodate our block.
During our selection process we also went and met with a sales consultant for National Builders and while she was willing to mix and match their designs she told us it would cost us to redraw the plans properly, and we would have no idea of the end cost until they were redrawn - which to us was too much of a risk and not worth the expendature of the plans ($1000 from memory).
Metricon haven't charged anything extra for all their re-drawing, and we had our plans changed 4 or 5 times by them. The only time we were charged was if we added something - but most of the time we were taking bits our so we were being credited for the changes.

Ray.

brittany · Sep 02, 2007 3:47 pm

It's interesting how sales consultants can make all the difference.

I loved the Tribeca which is a Metricon home and the sales consultant I went and sat down with on Blackburn road was great but I wanted to add a balcony upstairs off the back of the house and rejig the upstairs floorplan a little and was told they would not do it.

When I went to see National Builders I was told I could do anything obviously with a cost. The representative told me some of the alterations others had done and what they had cost. We decided to pay the $500 and at least get a quotation. We've been happy so far and got our contracts this week. We have done a lot of alterations and been back and forth on a lot of our ideas and so far have paid the initial $500 and then once we accepted the quote a further $1500 - both of these come off the house price.

First_Timer_Ray · Sep 02, 2007 5:09 pm

I totally agree that it's the sales people that make a difference - and sometimes I think it depends how desperate they are for a sale as to what they will let you do. From what I've heard, depending on who you speak to from the same company will depend on what you can get/do/change etc.
There were a few building companies that we consulted that flat out refused ANY change to their plans, and a couple that I think would, but just couldn't be bothered.

Ray.

mek · Sep 02, 2007 6:18 pm

Built custom, but not very happy with builder.

BaysideBuilder · Sep 02, 2007 10:29 pm

We're in the design stage with New Dimension (http://newdimensionhomes.com.au/) and they've been great so far. They do full custom design, project and everything in between.

MJ · Sep 03, 2007 7:58 pm

Thanks for the info. It is good to see what others say as it seems like you get a different answer depending on who you speak with.

MJ

vpande · Sep 04, 2007 8:50 am

we found the floorplan closest to our requirement on the web (m'kon Nolan 44)
and requested minor changes ( 2 way powder room with added shower) they were the only ones happy to change (PD Cremorne was similar but they refused to add a shower) Simm@nds (Tosc@na) agreed to modify but they had too many
small extended portions which dont seem quite practical and squaring them off added to the cost. M'kon have been good so far.
Good luck