Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 18, 2011 5:39 pm Hi Everyone! I'm new to this forum and am slowly reading through many posts... So I'm really sorry if this question has been answered somewhere before..... BUT I need some help as I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and don't know where to start... So if you have a few moments, I would love any insights you may have We are building our first home and are on a budget and time deadline. I want to select a builder that is no fuss and delivers what they say they will. My question is: - How did you select your project builder? - What do I need to know before starting this build process? (If you've already built... Are there any tips that you'd wished you'd known at the beginning that would have helped along the way?) We're looking to build an open plan double storey home. I like the Eden Brae Entertainer Homes, however there are a few changes to the floor plan I wish to make. Does anyone have any Eden Brae experience? How were they? Has anyone every built their own home design and used a project builder to complete it? If so, did you come within your set budget and timeframe? Okee Dokeee.... I can't wait to hear any updates.... And I thank you, thank you, thankyou in advanced for all of your help. Re: What project builder would you recommend? 2Apr 18, 2011 7:01 pm I can't really comment on particular builders in your area, however... The reason/s we ended up choosing our builder. 1) The owner of my company owns my builder. My general manager suggested them, after building with them twice. 2) They had a great plan that I liked, which actually won a HIA (Housing Industry Australia) award, which takes into account build quality/plan layout, and value. 3) I was given access to both General Manager, and Construction Manager before we signed, and they told me to give them a call should I need to.. Whether point 3 ends up helping or not, I don't know, however you can only hope. Being a first home builder is TOUGH. We're fortunate that we at least know someone, but for most people that isn't the case, so I count myself very lucky. At the end of the day, most project builders operate on the same premise. No frills, competative priced houses. Where they sting you is alterations after contract, so get all your additions quoted, and be sure to tell any builders you're also getting other builders quotes. Sales reps work on commission only, and some times you need to belt them to get your freebies (Solar gas HW, etc!) Another thing about low-cost, first homes is.... They have to be built quick! These builders MUST flip them quickly, before price rises eat their margin. More expensive builders have more fat into their margins, so they can afford to take a little longer, in general. However, I wouldn't call any two-story home a "cheap build." though that could be because of my location. In regards to taking your personal plan to a project builder.... They will charge like a bull for it in most cases. The other thing about project builders is that they're good at building the same 10 houses time and time and time again. The second you throw something COMPLETELY new into the mix, theres more element of risk for them, and they will work that into their price, as well as the cost to get it professionally drawn. For this reason, find a plan "off the plan" close as possible to what you need, then modify that. If you look at my thread, we spent $30k on changes from the original plan alone. All we really did was add space to the garage, added a games room, made the alfresco bigger, rooms 2 and 3 bigger, and put a study in. Most of the walls stayed in the same "Configuration" Best of luck viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46664 Building in Baldivis, Western Australia. First home, with Impressions. Would love it if you were to stop by some time! Re: What project builder would you recommend? 3Apr 18, 2011 9:03 pm Hi gepeto, Welcome to the forum!! It's a great place to meet and "talk" to many people who has built/will build their homes. How to select project builder? Well, you have to knwo what you want first, single/double storey, how many squares you need, visits at least 10 builders and talk to the sales people. You can feel it when you talk to them, whether the builder is good/not. The good one is the one who will answer all your questions plus "educate" you a bit, since they have many building terms and words that we don't really understand. Get their plan and study it at home. Find the 2-3 plans that you really like also what they will give you (inclusions). Some builders give that extra inclusions for small additional $$. Find the builder's review, mostly I found it here in homeone forum. I'm actually going to build with Wisdom homes. I used to love Eden Brae "Windsor 46". But after I talked to a few people who have built with them, I decided not to. Apparently there are many complaints about their quality, finishing, supervisors, etc. There are a few builder in sydney that's flexible with their plans : - Wisdom homes -Kurmond Homes - White Design etc. Where are you going to build by the way ? Re: What project builder would you recommend? 4Apr 18, 2011 11:20 pm Not sure where you are building, but have you tried Coral Homes (they build on the East Coast, from around Sydney up to around Toowoomba)? We built with them last year - we moved in here 6 months ago on Wednesday and I cannot fault them. The price didn't move at all from the fixed price contract that we signed, and it only took 11 weeks from when they started building to when we moved in (we are single storey though, so two storey would take a bit longer I guess). We have had no maintenance issues at all that need to be followed up and we found them to be really flexible on their designs. Definatley worth a look. Here's their two storey designs http://www.coralhomes.com.au/house-designs/two-storey-designs.asp and all of their base prices are on the website as well. Good luck! Built the Coral Homes Hamilton 252 - moved in 20/10/2010 and loving it!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=27215 As a tradesmen get a private inspector although I don't think there worth it in their profession themselves the reminder they serve to the tradesmen doing the work is… 3 27359 Hi all, Been browsing project builders' website and saw Masterton with attached granny flat design Seeing bad reviews from masterton in this website/facebook, does… 0 18299 |