Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 02, 2010 7:25 am Hi all, I know this will look bit silly, but juts want to know wether someone has done more upgrades while construction is in process. Can you do upgrades like to go for zoned instead of standard heating and cooling , where they just have to change the controller, without doing anything with the actual plan which has passed by the council ? My construction has started. I am upto the slab stage. When we did our final OK, we forgot to upgrade our heating and cooling to the zoned ones. Can you do upgrade now, while building ? I am building with burbank. Anyone there, please advise. Thanks. Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 2Jul 02, 2010 8:26 am Hi, You might have more luck than i did! I am building in SA though, i tried to change my benchtop colour and also my sinks but as construction had begun they wouldnt let me change, i really thought i would be able to if i paid the $500 variation fee but i didnt have any luck. Good luck hope they let you make the changes you want. V Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 3Jul 02, 2010 11:03 am Hi bindala, We got to upgrade our security system, but no through the builder, directly with guy installing it. He happened to ring us to ask a question and we asked for an upgrade and are just paying the difference directly to him. Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 4Jul 02, 2010 2:04 pm We moved the location of an Alfresco sliding door, cost us $500 admin fee + $250 to move the door, we had to resubmit to council, but apparently went to a different group and was approved overnight Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 5Jul 02, 2010 2:10 pm We've made a few changes, the biggest being adding extra air conditioning vents just after our slab had been laid. The builder didn't charge us anything extra beyond the price of the vents and the small upgrade to the bigger system. We are building with a smaller builder, so they may be more accommodating. Dear J.K. Rowling, Your books are entirely unrealistic. I mean, a ginger kid with two friends? Sincerely, Anonymous Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 6Jul 02, 2010 6:53 pm I built with Burbank and they wouldn't let me change the kitchen sink when I was at slab stage - was told no changes whatsoever once building started. They might have changed since then (my build finished mid last year) but wouldn't think so. Are you sure it is only the controller that needs changing as I upgraded to the programmable controller and I don't have zoned heating. Good luck!! Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 7Jul 02, 2010 8:08 pm I've made many changes along the way and will undoubtedly make many more before I'm finished. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 8Jul 02, 2010 11:41 pm The air-conditioner contractor for our builder advised that he only starts planning the aircon system about 3 days before roof tiling is due to finish, and that is all the lead-time they need to rough out the system. The aircon guy was also happy to discuss adding extra vents with a payment direct to him. So ask your builder to put you in contact with their aircon contractor, and take it from there. For a two-storey house I think it is a good idea to contact the aircon people ahead of time, as otherwise you might have some nasty surprises when you discover a duct down the side of a room. We were able to catch this and get a 45 degree slanted wall put into the plans to hide the duct. And in general, we continue to make small changes without problems (or extra cost) even though we almost have a slab in place, but our builder (Bellmarch) seems to have a system that is well-adapted to fussy and indecisive clients. Note that some builders order everything at the beginning, others at the last possible moment. Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 9Jul 03, 2010 8:19 am We've made heaps of changes/upgrades along the way - from changing lighting (changed to downlights), the angle of the stairs, kitchen benches, powerpoints, airconditioning, type of flooring) and have only had to pay for the materials not any variation fees. We are building with a custom builder so I am sure that makes a difference. Re: Anyone done upgrades while construction is in process ? 10Jul 03, 2010 1:21 pm I think you guys are right. That does make a difference wether youbuild with a big builder or custom one. Most of the big builder wont allow you to do any changes after your construction has started. I have confirmed with Burbank and definately a no no !!!! Though they told me that you can contact directly to the company who ever is putting your heating or cooling in so that you can tell them whatever you need. I think thats the best way, not to bother your builder and save on variation fees as well ... Thanks very much! And would the landscaper/contractor generally involve the engineer or is that something the client would do? Thanks for your help 2 10065 Depends what you're current inclusions are, but we're not including wardrobes and will just use second hand ones until we can save later on to get them built. Also have a… 3 11704 The most definitive answer to your question James is this taken from the James Hardie Axon Cladding Installation Guide - i just happen to have it… 5 3709 |