Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 26, 2010 12:52 pm Hi just venting some fustration about the builders around. I have now had two bad experiences with additional cost once a prelim aggremant has been signed. To me it almost looks like a bit of a racket these home builders run. They give you a price look at you in the eyes and tell you this price shouldn't change between then and signing of contract, but it always does, has any one ever not been given further costs?? Also why can't they garauntee siteworks( i know because they would actually have to do some work before they get your deposit) Bot HBC and Dreamstart have done this to me and I heard many more people saying the same. The goverment should do more to regulate these snakes, I know I can't get away with it in my industry how come they can. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 2Jun 26, 2010 2:39 pm Some builders (not many) give fixed site costs. Most will state a site cost but then include a caveat for provisional costs just in case of rock etc. It's all a bit of an unknown until you start digging to really know what's in the ground on each particular build. Provisional costs are always a bit of a risk. Hope you find a builder you like soon. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 3Jun 26, 2010 2:51 pm You can't guarantee site works, every block is different. If they know the area, they can give an estimate, that's why there are provisional amounts. There are some builders who do have a set amount for site works, just means if it didn't really cost that much then you don't get any money back at the end. There are good builders out there, don't have a mind set they are ALL nasty just coz you happened to meet 2 that didn't fulfill your expectations. Keep looking Built with New Generation (Summit Homes) We own land!... with a slab on it! Plus a shell of a house with stuff inside ! Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 4Jun 26, 2010 6:12 pm Quote: They give you a price look at you in the eyes and tell you this price shouldn't change between then and signing of contract, but it always does, has any one ever not been given further costs?? Also why can't they garauntee siteworks( i know because they would actually have to do some work before they get your deposit) As I have mentioned on this forum many times before, we did a house/land package with fixed site costs and the site costs were genuinely fixed. We were able to change some structural things like adding higher ceilings, changing kitchen configuration etc and all this was factored into the contract - once we signed the contract we were not asked for any additional money, other than things we chose to upgrade at selections - more expensive tiles, tap ware etc. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 5Jun 26, 2010 6:25 pm We didn't fix our site costs, but the quote we got from the sales rep was very close to the contract price.... allowing for extras we added in between. There are plenty of honest builders out there. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 6Jun 26, 2010 9:03 pm Helyn Quote: They give you a price look at you in the eyes and tell you this price shouldn't change between then and signing of contract, but it always does, has any one ever not been given further costs?? Also why can't they garauntee siteworks( i know because they would actually have to do some work before they get your deposit) As I have mentioned on this forum many times before, we did a house/land package with fixed site costs and the site costs were genuinely fixed. We were able to change some structural things like adding higher ceilings, changing kitchen configuration etc and all this was factored into the contract - once we signed the contract we were not asked for any additional money, other than things we chose to upgrade at selections - more expensive tiles, tap ware etc. We were like this too - fixed site costs all the way - there is also a $5k provisional sum in there for concrete piers if we need them - this is the maximum they can charge us - if they do not require the entire amount we will then get change from the $5k (we're not holding our breath for this though!) Sleven Moved into our Atlantique MkII 36 by Carlisle Homes Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 7Jun 26, 2010 9:54 pm Take your own soil tests and contour surveys with you as it will give the builders more of an idea of what they have to work with, also meet them on site, the 4 builders we talked too would all accept our surverys (and give us credit for supplying them) and all met us on site. You have to understand site cost can vary so much from block to block even if they are in the same estate your block may have a rock that need to be broken up but the block across the street may have none, so it is not that easy to give a fixed price for site works. I would put in a higher provisional sum for these works if you are worried about a budget blow out once you start. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 8Jun 26, 2010 11:42 pm I had the choice of fixed site costs too and I gladly took it - I didn't mind so much if it worked out that I got 'ripped off' by them as it meant that I knew what I was in for and what to budget for! As it turned out it went in my favour and I saved about $5k 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 9Jun 26, 2010 11:57 pm just83 Hi just venting some fustration about the builders around. I have now had two bad experiences with additional cost once a prelim aggremant has been signed. To me it almost looks like a bit of a racket these home builders run. They give you a price look at you in the eyes and tell you this price shouldn't change between then and signing of contract, but it always does, has any one ever not been given further costs?? Also why can't they garauntee siteworks( i know because they would actually have to do some work before they get your deposit) Bot HBC and Dreamstart have done this to me and I heard many more people saying the same. The goverment should do more to regulate these snakes, I know I can't get away with it in my industry how come they can. 1. What area are you building in? 2. What size is your block and any basic covanents? 3. what size house are you hoping for and configuration? 4. What budget are you working with? Maybe we as a collective can help you out with some builder suggestions. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 10Jun 28, 2010 10:20 am I think i failed to mention in my post that I actually had a sight survey done before I signed up so they had all the information they required my block is retainded all round except for front, they've told me i have to add/extend to the retaining towards the front. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 11Jun 28, 2010 10:30 am I'm building in Wellard the new estate The Village At Wellard. I originally went with Home Buyers Centre but now I'm signed up with Dream Start Homes(Part of Content Hmes). The block is a corner block just under 500sq/mtr. I'm doing a few changes like moving my garage to the back of my block to face out on to the lane way. Mainly due to a large island speed hump out the front the only place I can have my garage/driveway due to being on a corner. I'm a first home buyer, building a 4 bed 2 bath single story home, big master room with large ensuite and walk in robs, as I said above with a few changes. looking for a house about 200sqmtr living. budget is about 180k all up. inc most internal done. Re: Is there an honest builder out there??? There all snkaes 12Jun 28, 2010 8:42 pm I am building in Forrestfield and the builder has hit me with a quote today for $13,800 to simply cut and fill the land, no other costs such as sewer/power/water runs etc just for the sandpad. The site is classified as S and there is reactive clay soil in the rear right corner of the block, but nowhere near where the slab is to be. I'm looking at about $20,000 in siteworks and it just doesn't seam right... Thoughts anyone?? A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 5813 This is one of the reasons I decided to go overseas for my double glazed windows. As the builder indicated, he's worked on many upmarket builds, these were the most well… 13 19263 |