Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 09, 2012 11:49 am We're a family of 6 (4 boys under 5!) looking at building our first home in the near future. We've had a delay with out financial planner/broker so I'm just researching our options at the moment so we can swing into action once he comes through for us. Our original plan was to owner build as my other half is a sparky so has lots of trade connections, but we've been advised that it will make obtaining finance nearly impossible so we've scratched that idea. We're now left with custom build or volume builder. After doing some reading on passive solar design, I'm hesitant to use a volume builder as they seem to take that into account very little, and as I understand it, it would cost us a fortune to upgrade all the things that we would want to do different to the standard. But we have a bit of a limited budget so I guess I'm concerned that if we spend money getting plans drawn up for a custom build then shop them, we may find that we can't even afford a custom build anyway - thereby wasting goodness knows how much money, and time, in the process. We're after a 3br (double bedrooms - proper double bedrooms seeing as there are going to be 2 people in each one) 2 bathroom (with large main bathroom instead of giant ensuite) and 2 living area home with good passive solar design. We are lucky at the moment there are about 4 land releases within walking distance to our sons school so we can pick a block with good orientation etc, just need the right house to go on it! The other thing bothering me is that my partner could do the electrical work, heating/cooling and plumbing at a minimum, then we have people like cabinet makers we know who we would like to use. With a volume builder can we negotiate things like that to be done by us? Also little things like I would rather source my own appliances for the kitchen etc too - how does that work with a volume builder. I'm guessing with a custom build its easier to specify exactly what you want included? Anyway, its starting to do my head in and we haven't even started yet so any advice to get me off in the right direction would be much appreciated. newbie wading through the options 2Mar 09, 2012 2:53 pm Most volume builders will not do any outsourcing - the only one I know of is Coral from memory. A few forumers said they were able to take out one thing and supply it with Coral. OB normally only get a 60% lend so you would have to come up with the other 40% up front whereas going through a builder most lenders have the option to go up to 90-95% so the monetary input for yourself is smaller. Custom builders don't necessarily mean more expensive. In our case our builder was fine with us supplying PC items as well as doing the kitchen ourselves and also designed the house exactly to our specs Unfortunately they went bankrupt but were brilliant with our home. Have you disclosed what area you are in? There may be some people in your local area on the site who can recommend some flexible builders. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: newbie wading through the options 3Mar 09, 2012 2:58 pm I know of many people who have received a credit from volume builders for various works ( such as painting, electrical, bricking & kitchens) to be completed by the client-although they were by people qualified in those trades. Find a few plans you like and then approach the companies to see how flexible they are. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: newbie wading through the options 4Mar 09, 2012 3:04 pm Thanks for the replies - I should have said, we're in Vic, near Geelong
Edited to add, just looked at your blog DeeMaree - interested to see how you go with the mincer, I bought one last year and it didn't work. I was devastated. Hopefully they've done a better job this time. Re: newbie wading through the options 5Mar 09, 2012 3:06 pm Then you have a few good options to have a look at Stacey. I'm near Warrnamboo and lived in Winchelsea for 4.5 years! Check with some of your local builders as well- they can sometimes be more flexible and may even be surprisingly competitive when it comes to price. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ yep sounds good make the footing bigger to to allow for the pipe in the middle 3 7324 Hi When it rains in a particular direction water comes through the security door. It hits the main door and the bottom swells and jams. There is already a cover over the… 0 38448 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Are you doing this with a building permit? Conversion of a non habitable room into a habitable room requires building permit. 3 17318 |