Options List...

dembi_2000 · Feb 03, 2008 11:48 pm

Hello... We're building a house soon, and have a bunch of options (add-ons) that we've put in. The list just keeps on growing and we have to stop at some point. But here are some more options we are thinking of putting in. Can you guys comment if they are worth it.

1. Eaves all around or just in front.
2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger.
3. Corner Spa in ensuite
4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room.
5. Fireplace
6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area.
7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom
8. Stack stones in the facade

By the way, we're building a single story home.

Thanks!!!

rapacious · Feb 04, 2008 12:02 am

Really depends on the type of people you guys are I suppose - not being very work shoppy - I personally ain't that fussed with a 3rd car garage to use as a workshop.

I like the idea of a sink in the WC though - makes sense to me.

All the things you've listed is all very nice - so long as the $$$ are flowing.

brittany · Feb 04, 2008 4:35 am

1. Eaves all around or just in front. I PERSONALLY THINK ESSENTIAL
2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger. IF YOU HAVE THE SPACE GO FOR IT - IT'S NOT LIKE YOU NEED TO HEAT OR COOL IT
3. Corner Spa in ensuite I PERSONALLY DON'T LIKE CORNER SPA'S
4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room. DEFINITELY
5. Fireplace OUR BUDGET RUN OUT ABOUT HERE.....
6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area. WE DID THE GAS - OUR KITCHEN IN VERY CLOSE
7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom DO YOU EVER HAVE ENOUGH WARDROBE SPACE?
8. Stack stones in the facade THEY LOOK GREAT BUT OUR BUDGET DIDN'T STRETCH...

commodorenut · Feb 04, 2008 6:38 am

1. Eaves all around or just in front.
Essential IMO for the Aussie climate. You'll end up spending that "eave money" in extra cooling costs & shading the windows, which over time will far outweigh the 'saving' you get building.

2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger.
The extra garage gives a big visual impact for little outlay, and first impressions last.
Down the track, that $7-10K that it costs will be insignificant compared to the additional value it will add to the house from a buyer's perspective.
It's also much nicer to have all the 'junk' inside the garage, and not have to put up a shed or storage areas in the yard.

3. Corner Spa in ensuite
I think a larger shower is preferable over any bath at all in an ensuite, especially if you have a corner bath/spa in the main bathroom.
For the amount oof time you'd use it, it's probably not worth it.

4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room.
Good idea, as long as the WC is big enough that it's not getting in the way each time you want to enter/exit the room.

5. Fireplace
Depends on how you want to heat the home. It's not the most efficient way, and can be under threat from the 'smoke ranger' if your council is tough on pollution. Certain styles can be added at a later date if desired.

6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area.
You will never question this if you have used these facilities before! Unless you have the kitchen beside the area where the BBQ will be, it's worth it.
However, if you only entertain a handful of times each year, it's possibly not worth worrying about if the budget gets that tight.

7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom
Definately. No matter how big the wardrobe is, "His" clothes usually end up in another room's wardrobe, or there's the 'overflow' of less popular "her" clothes in one of the other rooms. Also oa great selling point when it comes to moving on in the future.

8. Stack stones in the facade
IMO this is a trend that will really date the house in years to come, and probably isn't the greatest value for money compared to the other options on your list.

I hope I've added some more thinking points to help you guys decide!

teml · Feb 04, 2008 7:31 am

Hello,

Just my 2c worth:
(probably should be 5c now as we have eradicated the 2c)

1. Eaves all around or just in front. - this may depend on the builder as we were told by ours (PD) that they were not included as the % star rating and climate of Melb does not require them.

2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger. - We went the 3 car for rear access via roller door. Great for getting a bobcat through or trailer.

3. Corner Spa in ensuite - go for it. We couldn't really fit it in our design

4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room. - go for it. We couldn't really fit it in our design

5. Fireplace - Hmmm, thought about it and decided against it. An extra 7k. I became a little practical on that one. See Perry's blog, he included it (http://www.perryr.com/homeblog/index.html)

6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area. - Sounds Great - but take note of everyone esle's tips on that one

7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom - do it if you can.

8. Stack stones in the facade - Hmmm, once again, looks great but might date.

ahuang · Feb 04, 2008 8:22 am

#5, #7 & #8 can be added later if budget is limited.

The rest should be added during the construction, otherwise would be a bit pricy to add later...

nzfiona · Feb 04, 2008 9:17 am

Here's my response to what essentially has become a poll :lol:

:

1. Eaves all around or just in front.
*Definitely, if your budget allows for it. Not only do eaves stop a house from 'looking anked', as my dh would say, they assist in keeping cooling costs down in summer.

2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger.
*Maybe. We have simply added a workshop sapce (the size of a double bedroom) to the back of the garage; from the front it still looks to be a double. Asthetically speaking, I don't believe a three-car garage looks any better than a two-car one.

3. Corner Spa in ensuite
*I wouldn't. With the water shortage these days, more baths lead to more wastage of this precious, precious resource. Do you NEED another bath, particularly a spa one, which will require a lot of water to fill?

4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room.
*A sink in a WC would absolutely create a 'Power' room :lol:

but I realise you meant 'Powder'. We have a separate WC for the main bathroom, but no hand-basin with it. If you are looking at taking the hand-basin OUT of the bathroom and putting it in the WC room, then yes, I see the point, but having an extra hand-basin again fills me with a sense of potential water-wastage.

5. Fireplace
*What for? Will it be the only source of heating? Or just for asthetics? Too much pollution comes from not-required fireplaces. If, on the other hand, you are looking at a gas fireplace, that's another story, however it's a very big expense when you could spend the money on other thing to beautify your home.

6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area.
*We have family members who have done this. Great if you are going to cook a lot outside on the barbie, but be careful of any children who might see the sink as a source of water with which to play!

7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom
*Any real need for this? You could just increase the size of the WIR....

8. Stack stones in the facade
*We were thinking of doing this but as so many people already are - and tackily too, I might add! - we have decided against it. Looks good if you do it tastefully.

Fiona

rerob1 · Feb 04, 2008 11:42 am

I agree totally with commodorenut...i can't even add to it - says it all exactly as I would!!

Hi Fiona, i think having a powder room is a great idea, we chose to include this as an essential to keep guests out of the kids bathroom !! I'm not sure how this would lead to wasting water?

Yak_Chat · Feb 04, 2008 12:35 pm

Good comments folks and I think eaves should be included in Melbounre houses. You gte hot summers and eaves stop the hot sun on the walls which stop het gain into the building.

and re point 4

Quote:

4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room. DEFINITELY

So thats what you girls do in there is it ?

Steve

Shady · Feb 04, 2008 2:06 pm

1. Eaves all around or just in front.
Depending on the style of the home they do make it look more appealing, but it will not add value to your house.

2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger.
Definately a selling point and will add value to your house

3. Corner Spa in ensuite
Can be an attractive addition and is always mentioned in the 'blurb' of a house when selling but doesn't really add value and most people never use them

4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room.
A very good investment for a small 'ish' outlay.

5. Fireplace.
They always look good in pictures or in the movies but are smelly dirty things that very rarely get used and quite costly. I'd leave this one out.

6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area.
Not really adding any value to your house but if you use your alfresco regularly might be worth your while.

7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom
The more storage the better

8. Stack stones in the facade
Only if you like 'em. Its not going to add any value to you house.

IMO spend the extra where you know it will add value to you house.

brittany · Feb 04, 2008 4:25 pm

does dh mean dumb husband?

brittany · Feb 04, 2008 4:28 pm

could be dear husband? or darling husband? or....

Dembi - it's your house and don't be too swayed by other peoples opinions. I'm sure we all have optional extras in our houses that others would think are wasteful.

dembi_2000 · Feb 04, 2008 6:38 pm

Thanks for sharing your ideas. Here are the approx cost of each and reasons why we want them.

1. Eaves all around or just in front.
4.5k Not just for the shade, but the house looks a lot better.

2. Third car garage. Not that we have 3 cars. But this is more of a workshop and a way to make the house look bigger.
10k. Its very expensive that's why I'm still unsure. Our lot has 3.5 meters space on 1 side so this can be a good add-on. The display home has this add-on and it looks good.

3. Corner Spa in ensuite
4.5k I know that we won't be using it often but my wife wants one. The ensuite is quite big so we are able to fit in a double shower as well. The cost of the double shower is quite minimal.

4. Sink in WC so it becomes a Power room.
1k. So that its more convinient to was hands. Also makes the WC look better.

5. Fireplace
2k-3k We are getting the gas fire place. Its more for aesthetics in the family room. We will be getting this outside and just get the builder to provision the gas. By the way, we plan to put a wall mounted LCD TV on top of this fire place. Probably 1.5-2feet above it. Will this be a problem? I mean, will the heat harm the TV?

6. Sink and gas provision in the alfresco area.
approx 600 for the builder to provision hot/cold water, waste, gas in the alfresco area. Will plan to use this as a dirty kitchen when cooking lots of food (except during winter). Approx how much do you suppose putting a kitchen working area would cost?\

7. Extra BIR in the master bedroom
Not sure of the price. We did a bit of change on the floor plan and removed some areas and added a BIR to the master bedroom. We already have a WIR but my wife thinks its not enough for both of us. Hence the idea of BIR (probably where my clothes will go).

8. Stack stones in the facade
Not sure yet. But we only want this on the pillars on the front porch. I'm guessing it to be around 1.5k. The display home has this and we like it a lot. Builder is charging approx 4k.

VJ · Feb 04, 2008 9:35 pm

I also agree with commodorenut...

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commodorenut · Feb 04, 2008 11:03 pm

Gee, all this agreeing..... can't people have their own opinions.....

Just kidding!

I think a topic like this is great, as it pops up things that you possibly overlook in all the activity & excitement, and someone else may have a very good reason as to why you should or shouldn't do something

teml · Feb 05, 2008 7:44 am

Not to highjack the post, but purely to through some more items in the mix. We were considering upgrading our windows to include locks on all the lower storey windows as well as adding wall insulation throughout. Have others added this to their list? The window locks are @ $35 /window (awning style) and the wall insulation is @ $1,200.

Cookiemonster · Feb 05, 2008 8:29 am

teml

Not to highjack the post, but purely to through some more items in the mix. We were considering upgrading our windows to include locks on all the lower storey windows as well as adding wall insulation throughout. Have others added this to their list? The window locks are @ $35 /window (awning style) and the wall insulation is @ $1,200.

Window locks aren't standard!? Ours are.

PhoenixStar · Feb 05, 2008 9:22 am

teml

Not to highjack the post, but purely to through some more items in the mix. We were considering upgrading our windows to include locks on all the lower storey windows as well as adding wall insulation throughout. Have others added this to their list? The window locks are @ $35 /window (awning style) and the wall insulation is @ $1,200.

teml, interesting.... we're building with H3nley (Esprit series) and we have the window locks and wall insulation at no extra charge???

I'm surprised that PD don't include this as std....

sneakersss · Feb 05, 2008 9:24 am

teml

Not to highjack the post, but purely to through some more items in the mix. We were considering upgrading our windows to include locks on all the lower storey windows as well as adding wall insulation throughout. Have others added this to their list? The window locks are @ $35 /window (awning style) and the wall insulation is @ $1,200.

Are you talking about internal wall insulation?

Helyn · Feb 05, 2008 9:57 am

Yes, we upgraded the internal wall insulation: coming from an old double brick house to brick venneer, we wanted the internal walls as thick as possible.
And window locks were standard but we upgraded to vent locks so the window can be locked in open position, only $190 for whole house, money well spent. we have them in our current house when we renovated all the windows and really like them,