about to sign up with national builders group... help!!

anthea · Dec 05, 2007 11:43 pm

Hi- new here!

we've found the house we want and will be meeting with rep from national builders group on Sunday to start the process.
The house we want is base cost of $174K plus we're getting evap cooling, colourbond roof and upgraded appliances in the deal. He's reckons about another $11K for carpet/tiles. We will need to relocate our exisitng drive for about $3K.
We're factoring in about $4K for demolition of current house and added another $15K for extra bits and pieces. Is this enough? We don't all the extras, but know we will need things like extra tv/powerpoints etc.
I think we might need to upgrade the slab as well...

What else do I need to consider? Are there site costs, reconnection to gas/elec/water?

How do I play it cool to get things to work out how I would like (i.e. not shelling out $$$$!) We want to turn the powder room into a storage cupboard so how do make sure we get the money back for that?

any help would be appreciated!
Anthea

PS the plan is this http://www.nationalbuilders.com.au/our- ... .php?id=55
and we are building in Greensborough, Melbourne.

_Al_ · Dec 06, 2007 8:44 am

4k probably won't get the house bulldozed.

Landscaping?
Curtains?
Shed/storage?
Clothes line?
Water tank?
Beer fridge? :wink:

3timesbuilda · Dec 06, 2007 8:56 am

With a base of 174, I would be expecting a total bill of between 240 and 270. You could cut corners a bit and put things off for a bit to reduce this but a general guide is a third to a half of base price on top of base.

anthea · Dec 06, 2007 9:37 am

We've factored in $5K for blinds/curtains, $2K for a water tank and $20K for solar panels. There's some grants/rebates we can help with those costs so that's an over estimation.
We've got the existing clothes line and not really worrying about landscaping at this point- we think we might get the fake turf out the back for the kids instead, but we can worry about that after its built.

There's a double garage so I don't think we'll be need a shed straight away either.

The $4K for bulldozing estimate is from out next door neighbour who got their weatherboard house demolished for 3K.

I'm more concerned about the costs for things that they might charge- are they likely to charge extra site costs?

cheers,
anthea

oznow · Dec 06, 2007 12:20 pm

My suggestion is to get as much as possible the FIX PRICE portion. Ascertain your powerpoint, interior and exterior lights, numbers of downlights, numbers of oyster lights, ceiling fan, skylights, whirly birds, water drain/waste in all wet areas, extra taps, fence (other than paling fence), etc.

As for site cost, it is difficult to tell for some builder. My builder factor everything in the site cost (H CLass). I have asked him over and over again if there is possible of any additional site cost, he replied none, because he is currently building two houses beside my block, so he knew the soil condition quite well. For some, the site costs may be more than $15,000.

good luck.

lrhodes1 · Dec 06, 2007 1:54 pm

You're lucky, my 1 room hut is costing $7500 to demolish, my rain tank is $8000 and the NSW Govt don't give any rebates for enviro friendly inclusions on new houses!!!

Never again will I build in Sydney!!! :roll:

Jet79 · Dec 06, 2007 3:46 pm

I'm no expert, but wouldn't you have to move all your existing services like water electricity as they won't be in the right spot for the next house? That could cost you a few dollars. $15k for site works sounds a bit cheap to me, but I've never built on an existing block. Maybe someone who has knocked down and rebuilt could help you more.

Jet

brittany · Dec 06, 2007 5:27 pm

We're building with National Builders and our site costs are up around the $50,000. We have a P class site though on quite a slope. Demolishing our existing house was $7500. (before you demolish check out golden age homes). Removing a huge gum tree was $1100. A reestablishment survey was $800. Removal of electricity metre was $300. Asset protection during demolition from council was $200. Putting in a power pit for three phase $2200. I'm waiting on the bill for temporary fencing, and for a second soil test after demolition. It is never ending! We are waiting on our building permit and yes so far happy with National Builders. Feel free to message me if you want a break down of site costs. Our house base price was $227k and we are over $320 now - then we have blinds, landscaping and Kevin. I would be happy if we don't go over $350k.

davinci · Dec 06, 2007 5:37 pm

i had a mate that built with them, read every single letter of your contract and know exactly what you are paying for ie : full trusses with Á frame not just three bits of wood ganged naild to form a truss', hint hint
ETC ETC