Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 15, 2011 5:49 pm We have a block and a pretty clear idea of what we want. We've started getting quotes (3 so far - a custom builder, a semi-custom builder and a volume builder who will change plans and who have a design quite close). We've given two our ideas sketch and are waiting to hear back re: prices / times / inclusions.
We're a bit of a strange case in that we have a narrow but quite deep block and don't want a garage. Yes - I know this makes us a bit weird A separate carport better suits our area, though! Anyway - would be interested to chat with others building, particularly in the local area! Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 2Jan 16, 2011 1:47 pm OK. So no-one's building in the local area? What about with these builders: Rycon? National Builders Group? Prostruct? Each is very different, obviously, but each looks like they might have a solution to suit our needs. I have my reservations about each. Rycon have been good to deal with, and can do pretty much whatever we want, but I think it's going to be by far the most expensive way to go about things. However this should enable me to add all those little touches not possible with a volume builder. They build a lot in the local area, and have come recommended by two people I know who've used them. NBG have a floor plan quite easily adapted to what we want (discovered it by chance when flicking through their book - realised if you turned the garage into the master suite it was really close to my dream design) but so much of the experience with them seems to hinge on which builder you get allocated. Also I'd need to allocate a bit extra for extras with them. Prostruct I am yet to chat with, but they come highly recommended by a friend who used them. But they're based in Cranbourne - which is a LONG way from Blackburn and I worry about using a builder based so far away. We're waiting to hear from Rycon and NBG with an estimate of costs and inclusions. Then I'll call Prostruct and see what they say. Decisions decisions! Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 3Jan 16, 2011 1:51 pm Before we chose Fairhaven homes we were considering a home from NBG. That was until I saw the feedback they were generating on a review forum I used before I discovered this forum. Check out productreview.com.au and do a search for - builders VIC. You'll see NBG in there and won't think twice about them ever again. Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 4Jan 16, 2011 2:00 pm I think I know the forum you mean - and yes - I read the feedback there hence my serious misgivings about using virtually any volume builder. Although I do know some people have had reasonable experiences, too. Sigh. It's so annoying that so few of the builders will change their plans, or have designs suitable for 'old style' neighbourhoods and blocks I mean - there are plenty of homes I could have, but I really don't want to be staring straight out onto the fenceline from every room. (edited to clarify - from what I've observed, new estate blocks tend to have a wider frontage to accommodate a house with a double garage. Because our street was subdivided 1930s - 50s the blocks are narrow but deep. There are some designs I can jam on there but it would be just that - jammed on) Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 5Jan 17, 2011 8:31 am Welcome to the forum East_Melb_Build. I built in the SE burbs and had a relatively smooth building process with a Volume Builder. Don't forget, people LOVE to tell their horror stories, moreso over their positive ones, so whatever you read in horror, there will always be positive ones that we just don't hear about! Arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and stay on top of what is happening on your site and (hopefully) there won't be too many dramas! I'm interested to know what is your frontage? Mine is 16M. Are you looking at single or double? Good luck!! Henley - Wilshire Mk 3 ... I love my house!! Site start: 4th Feb 09 Handover: 10th Sep 09 Blog: http://stormygirlscastle.blogspot.com/ Build Thread: viewtopic.php?t=7166 Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 6Jan 17, 2011 9:03 am We have a 15 meter frontage but a 45 meter deep block. Problem is, I really want car access down one side - so I need a home design which is about 10 meters wide (or has a drive through garage). Also because part of the appeal of our street is the traditional historic homes, I want to ensure what we build is sympathetic and complementary to that. We're after a largish home but also have some issues which mean we need a single storey home, and you can see why we're struggling Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 7Jan 18, 2011 4:10 pm So NBG came up with a plan which had the same room names as I wanted, but nowhere near where I wanted them. An open kids playroom right near the front door?!? Why not put my washing line on the front facade so I can show my undies off to the street, too?!? Sheesh! But apparently that doesn't matter as long as I pay my $500 and then they'll work it all out later. RIGHT.... Not gonna happen! They're coming back to me with an amended basic plan but I am getting the feeling they're not getting it Oh - and don't bother with that old sales trick 'I've heard there might be a price rise coming at the end of January' in order to rush me! So now starting to look at other builders who might be able to achieve what we're after. Any suggestions?!? Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 8Jan 18, 2011 9:39 pm We haven't built yet so I'm not recommending from experience but I know that JG King have some narrow designs and they will alter their plans. Looked at their display homes in Williams landing last weekend and they are very nice homes. A friend of mine built with prostruct and was VERY happy with them. Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 9Jan 19, 2011 6:57 am I haven't looked at JG King, yet - thanks Good to hear your mates were happy with Prostruct. Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 10Jan 19, 2011 8:15 am Hi East_Melb_Build, We're about to start our build in South Croydon with Hotondo Homes. They have a range of different designs and are also happy to custom design a house for you. Like NBG they are franchised which is the reason you can get such big variation in finish but the builder we got is really good and knows his stuff. I don't really like his sales guy but the builder himself if great. They also have a few house designs with "traditional" facades. Ours will be a colonial style front which is the same as the house we're knocking down. Feel free to drop me a PM if you would like the builders details, as I think if you went through the Hotondo office you would have to use the one for the Blackburn area rather than choosing one. Good luck with your search Chris Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 11Jan 19, 2011 8:43 am A friend of mine just finished building in Burwood (demolished old house and built new) with Dennis Family homes. One of the few that would do it as it wasn't in a new estate. They highly recommend them. Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 12Jan 19, 2011 9:39 am Thanks, guys - will check them both out, too Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 13Jan 23, 2011 3:51 pm Well the NBG rep just dropped over (un-announced ) to drop off his second 'version' of our plan. Which demonstrated he wasn't really listening when I explained what I didn't like last time. Sure things could be tweaked etc. in the next stage - but I am not sure I have enough confidence to even consider taking that step Who would have thought that what we wanted was so difficult?! Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 14Jan 24, 2011 7:45 am I feel your pain. Have had and still in some ways having the same problems ,but we're only a couple weeks away from knocking down the old one. Keep your chin up and it'll work out. Remember that a few little tweaks may not seem like much, but it could mean the difference between liking and loving your new home. Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 15Jan 24, 2011 8:50 pm Hi, I think with all volume builders it really depends on who your allocated supervisor is. If you get a great supervisor then the whole build will progress with hardly any problems (this happened when I built with Dennis Family). I am about to build with NBG. I did find that the progress was a bit slow getting the design changes sorted out, and with getting thru all the stages to get to the stage where the building permit is ready to be applied for. My cousin was also planning to build with NBG and had paid her $1000 deposit. She changed her mind, but because she had not progressed to the estimation stage they quickly refunded her deposit in full without question. I have heard good things and bad things about NBG, but that will be the case will all volume builders. As a safety net I will be using an independent building inspector to make sure everything is completed correctly. Good luck! Michelle House - Lockup completed 23rd December 2011 - Painters are in!!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37261&start=0&hilit=Blaxland Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 16Jan 24, 2011 9:58 pm East_Melb_Build We have a 15 meter frontage but a 45 meter deep block. Problem is, I really want car access down one side - so I need a home design which is about 10 meters wide (or has a drive through garage). Also because part of the appeal of our street is the traditional historic homes, I want to ensure what we build is sympathetic and complementary to that. We're after a largish home but also have some issues which mean we need a single storey home, and you can see why we're struggling Our block size is roughly the same (we rebuilt in whitehorse council) but had a rear and a side easement which means our house width was restricted. Still, we got a decent sized house on, with the double garage and drive-through access to what's left of the backyard (not much!). A large single storey on a 15m frontage is going to be a little tricky for most volume builders. I'd go for the drive through garage solution, though you probably won't fit a boat or caravan to the back if that's what you're thinking. While reputation of companies as a whole is something to take into account, what will contribute 99% to your finished house quality is the site supervisor and the quality of the trades he/she employs as mentioned previously T&T Knockdown and rebuild - building Metr1con Nolan 41 (43) @ http://tim-and-tina.blogspot.com! http://www.verdantdental.com.au Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 17Feb 05, 2011 5:40 am So the second quote is in - and I'm now waiting / get quotes from 2 more builders. I love the way everyone has a different opinion. One place is saying slab, another pillars and posts etc. I know I will never be able to 100% compare apples with apples, but hopefully I'll get some sort of idea... Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 18Feb 05, 2011 6:50 am To get what you want perhaps you need to develop your ideas sketch so its more like a definite floor plan The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: So we're building! Weighing up options - Blackburn (Melb 19Feb 05, 2011 7:00 am Thanks Bashworth - have done that (pics in the custom design floorplans thread) Even then, though, different builders seem to want to construct it differently! Standard uninsulated double brick has an R value of around 0.7. An insulated standard 90mm stud timber frame can have an R value of around 2.7. Even if you insulate a… 17 11963 Hi there, I'm a conplete newbie to this, but I'm looking to put a floor down in my 6x9m shed. It's currently sitting on a 100mm thick concrete perimeter (dirt floor… 0 6432 Howdy all. I am looking for feedback on what people would do to maximise and make an area as flat as possible. First, out the front of the house is a sloping hill, pretty… 0 20052 |