Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 11, 2011 3:42 pm Hey All, I am in the process of choosing a home and after a long process of thought and confusion, I decided to go with one of the big names "Urban Edge" for the Home. I am doing a 2-floor house under the design name 'Renede 04'. I am here to ask for advice and recommendation on what is the absolute essentials in a new home that needs to be done with the builder themselves. I do not want to spend a whole lot in upgrades or fancy upgrades from the builder, but to get them done once after the house is handed over. But I also understand that there are certain upgrades that is better to be done by the builder rather than from outside. Some of the essentials (and choose the best affordable) I have understood is 1. Kitchen - ceasarstone 40mm + Island + cabinets + splash back 2. Ensuite / Bathroom / Powder Room - ceasarstone 20mm + mirror + vanity 3. Electricals - Extra GPOs + Heating + Evaporative Cooling on First Floor 4. Lighting - Downlights on Ground floor 5. Doors and Windows - Timber Frame wherever possible 6. Tiling and Carpeting Skip 1. Kitchen Appliances ? 2. Alfresco Doors - Bi-Fold ? 3. Cavity Door and Other Sliding Door Additions ? 4. Downlights and Lighting - First Floor ? 5. Facade Rendering ? 6. Home Theatre Pre-wiring (ground floor) ? 7. Kitchen cabinetry downlights ? 8. Additional Kitchen Cabinetry apart from standard included ? Are there professionals available on a budget to perform all these skipped activities skillfully without damaging the home? All advice is appreciated. Re: Essentials for a New Home 2Oct 11, 2011 5:11 pm I think the cavity doors would need to be done with the builder as they have to create the cavity anyway for the door to slide into. If you are on a really tight budget then stone benchtops can be done later and stick with laminate for now. If looking to upgrade appliances later make sure the allowance is there to fit a 900 oven afterwards if you are planning on changing from standard 600 one. 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: Essentials for a New Home 3Oct 11, 2011 6:10 pm For down lights especially on the first floor I think need to be done by the builder as they need to run the cables in the first floor ceiling. As for the tiling, you only need the builder to do your wet areas, & the rest can be done once the house is handed over to you. Also, if you're planning on having A/C the ducting can be done for you & then you can choose to get someone to install the motors once you move in, the outlets should be done by the the builder though. If you're thinking of putting in exhaust fans in the powder room, kitchen or toilets, they also need to be done by the builder. Re: Essentials for a New Home 4Oct 11, 2011 8:59 pm What else would you suggest to be part of the cost cutting process? I prefer to do it cheaper from outside if possible. Re: Essentials for a New Home 5Oct 11, 2011 9:58 pm lots of power points, unless the a/c is a great brand it can be done later at a cheaper price, same with tiling and carpeting, we are doing our downstairs flooring in the kitchen family/dining room later, as we priced this and it is much cheaper if we do it ourselves hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Essentials for a New Home 7Oct 11, 2011 10:27 pm Over what time period are you planning to do these additional items. Are you looking at within a few months of handover, or gradually over a few years? 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: Essentials for a New Home 8Oct 11, 2011 10:52 pm I am looking to do it over the next few months of hand over. Some of them immediately and some others in following months. Well that's the plan at least! Re: Essentials for a New Home 9Oct 11, 2011 11:13 pm Just my 0.02, I would have thought draw strings in prelaid conduit for Home Theater as it can take a while to feed them through. I am going through the same thought process and the additional amount I am having to pay on top of the standard build price is astronomical but we are changing nearly every bit of the plan. I think the "what would I do if I had the chance again" thread is a must read to be honest. Cheers Mark Re: Essentials for a New Home 10Oct 11, 2011 11:23 pm I would include everything you want in your wish list with the builder. You don't have to accept them all but you will get a price to compare to. Some items such as an oven I believe is required to get a certificate of occupancy. You can approach the builders to find out what the upgrade cost is, or if they will install an owner supplied oven. In my build some things like light fittings I elected to purchase myself and get the builder to install. Same deal with the video intercom system. Saved heaps on the intercom system. You will find most builders do not give you a credit back for items you decide not to go ahead with such as evaporative cooling as part of a bonus offer. So sometimes it is easier just to install and replace with something better down the track. 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: Essentials for a New Home 11Oct 12, 2011 7:41 am Buildingwest, we too wanted to upgrade our cooktop & under bench oven to a free standing 900mm cooker, our builder quoted us some outragous amount ( $5K ). Then we asked if he could credit us back the amount for the two items & we get our own & get them to install, guess how much he gave us credit for? $500 for both & he said they'll be warranty issues with wiring in the kitchen should we get our own appliance, Also as Aussiemark said , I think it's a great idea to start up a thread for things that can be done after handover, I know alot of people would find it handy Maybe we should call it "ways to build & save money? " Re: Essentials for a New Home 12Oct 12, 2011 8:59 am Spring time there is already a thread like that as Aussiemark said. Here's the link Things you forget: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=5823 Most tiling and all carpeting are NON essentials. If you want a glass splash back this can be done after handover. You could skip wall cabinets and just do all power points as singles. Get all light fittings installed after handover. Though as was said if its a 2 storey house any downlights, exhaust fans etc need to be already fitted. laminate benches instead of stone. Though I'd get a quote comparison. tiling might be damaged and need replacing when you swap it over. Floor tiling only to wet areas. It used to be that you only needed one bathroom and toilet tiled and functioning to pass inspection but that may have changed or be only a state by state rule. You could get all the plumbing done but not have a 2nd bathroom finished off. No fittings, no taps, sinks, bath, tiling etc. We did this in our first house it was only the 2 of us. No internal painting. Or just ceilings and cornices down so you can pick up any ceiling faults. No handles on cupboards or doors apart from doors that lead to external areas. No internal doors? If you'd like fancy doors on your cupboards, drawers then get these removed from the build. BUT get the shells for any cupboards built the way you want them to be. I.e draws not cupboards etc. Realise that the builders will not credit you the true cost saving of removing these from the build. No skirtings. Leave render to after the build. but check if this might cause problems with there is an issue later with the building structure. You can also get poly bathroom sinks and baths instead of ceramic BUT it is unlikely that a later purchased bath or sink will fit into the same hole. Re: Essentials for a New Home 13Oct 12, 2011 11:49 am Excellent, now thats giving more ideas. Let know, I am playing for budgeting purposes, but for getting better stuff for the same price from outside. Certain things are of value when done by the builder, as it is more overhead in costs and time from outside. ex. Downlights on Ground Floor, and Ensuite/Bathroom Fittings, etc. So are the following correct, or please add to this list Essentials 1. Kitchen - ceasarstone 40mm + Island + cabinets 2. Ensuite / Bathroom / Powder Room - Laminate + mirror + vanity 3. Electricals - Extra GPOs + Heating 4. Lighting - Downlights [on Ground floor] 5. Doors and Windows - Timber Frame wherever possible Non-Essentials 1. Kitchen Appliances ? 2. Alfresco Doors - Bi-Fold ? 3. Cavity Door and Other Sliding Door Additions ? 4. Downlights and Lighting - First Floor ? 5. Facade Rendering ? 6. Home Theatre Pre-wiring (ground floor) ? 7. Kitchen cabinetry downlights ? 8. Additional Kitchen Cabinetry apart from standard included ? 9. Tiling and Carpeting 10. Evaporative Cooling [ With ducts available ] 11. Ensuite/Bathroom/Powder - Cesarstone 12. Kitchen - Starfire Splashback Re: Essentials for a New Home 14Oct 12, 2011 12:35 pm You're not going to be able to do Home Theatre wiring after handover with a 2 storey house - they need to be able to get down the walls and through the ceiling which they can't do in a 2 story (for the ground floor.) If you want to get it done it will have to be at frame stage with the other wiring. Some builders won't let outside tradesman on site, so check this with your builder. Built Carlisle Atlantique 36 Our build thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=50256 Re: Essentials for a New Home 15Oct 12, 2011 12:45 pm Hmm, thats a good point. Home Theater wiring is best to be done from builder. Infact in a 2-floor house, most Ground floor in-wall requirements should be done with the builder, correct? Is there anything that I am missing from this list, that which should be considered important for a new home? Re: Essentials for a New Home 16Oct 12, 2011 1:15 pm buildingwest I think the cavity doors would need to be done with the builder as they have to create the cavity anyway for the door to slide into. The wooded frame cavity sliding doors are not expensive. Personally, I think it would be more of a pain to find tradies afterwards and making sure they get the plastering correct, than any saving (if any) that you would get Re: Essentials for a New Home 17Oct 12, 2011 3:13 pm Revised. Essentials 1. Kitchen - ceasarstone 40mm + Island + cabinets 2. Ensuite / Bathroom / Powder Room - Laminate + mirror + vanity 3. Electricals - Extra GPOs + Heating 4. Lighting - Down lights [Ground floor] 5. Doors and Windows - Timber Frame wherever possible 6. Cavity Doors 7. Home Theatre Pre-wiring [Ground floor] ? Non-Essentials 1. Kitchen Appliances ? 2. Alfresco Doors - Bi-Fold ? 3. Sliding and Bi-Fold Door Additions ? 4. Downlights and Lighting - First Floor ? 5. Facade Rendering ? 6. Kitchen cabinetry downlights ? 7. Additional Kitchen Cabinetry apart from standard included ? 8. Tiling and Carpeting 9. Evaporative Cooling [ With ducts available ] 10. Ensuite/Bathroom/Powder - Cesarstone 11. Kitchen - Starfire Splashback Re: Essentials for a New Home 18Oct 12, 2011 3:30 pm I would definately do the cavity doors with the builder.. we put three in as they were going to be too hard after.. You dont want to have tradies come in a put holes in walls etc that you just paid good money for.. Stone benchtops are a def afterwards.. We prob could have done the splashback after but figured it was easier. OUr bi-folds were $16k through the builder but we swapped them for 'six set' stacker doors and saved over $10k. PLus stakcers are much studier and wont buckle etc.. It was easier through the builder, otherwise they would have to take the door and window back put and rebuild the back wall to put the sliders in.. Building in Adelaide, SA Slab poured 08/09/2011 Handover 18/01/2012! WORLD CONCEPT HOMES Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44725 Re: Essentials for a New Home 19Oct 12, 2011 7:52 pm for your windows try and get standard sizes if possible so you can buy off the shelf curtaining. Re: Essentials for a New Home 20Oct 13, 2011 3:46 pm kexkez for your windows try and get standard sizes if possible so you can buy off the shelf curtaining. Absolute must!! Custom blinds are a pain!! Unfrotnuately we need to get them made for our stackers but I have managed to deck out 11 windows with block out rollers for the rest of the house for only $350 delivered!! (We just have to install)! Building in Adelaide, SA Slab poured 08/09/2011 Handover 18/01/2012! 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