Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 01, 2012 11:51 am There is probably a thread that already exists with this information, if there is and its easy to direct me there, I would love to read it - I couldn't see one that answered my queries in my quick search. My partner and I are considering going the house and land package route. The main thing that concerns me with h&l is the potential to go over budget. We own a much older house at the moment, looking to sell. So building is all new to us and its very preliminary. One package I saw this morning offered: Alarm System Bath Built in wardrobes Carpet Classic Facade Colourbond Or Tile Roof Dishwasher Ensuite(s) Floor Tiles Flyscreens To Windows Garage Remote Unit Gas Ground floor Internal Laundry Landscape Package To Front Yard Panel Doors To Garages Pricing Subject To Contour Survey Rainwater storage tank Secure parking Site & Basix Costs Terrazza (roof Only) Theatre Room I struggle to know if this is a good package? What should I expect to see included in a good package? Any help would be much appreciated!! Re: House and land packages for beginners..... 2May 01, 2012 3:53 pm Seems to be missing Heating Cooling (builders normally offer evaporative so refrigerated would be extra) Most builders only provide the minimum power sockets (see http://www.anewhouse.com.au/?p=1133 for more info on this) You also need to think about how much wall tiles, as standard is unlikely to be all bathroom walls Back garden paths and landscaping Washing pole The tricky one is subject to contour survey as a sloping site will add $thousands 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: House and land packages for beginners..... 3May 01, 2012 5:33 pm To start with congrats on the decision to build. I just have to add that this made me LOL bashworth Seems to be missing Heating Cooling (builders normally offer evaporative so refrigerated would be extra) ....... Washing pole I believe the word you are looking for is clothesline..... Bashworth has highlighted some obvious exclusions. I don't think that you listed a driveway either - that's a classic 'extra' that can cost significant $$$ Letterbox? Good to see the 'Ground floor' is included as standard - I would hate to pay extra for that. Pricing subject to contour survey... alarm bells here. Just the cynic in me but I imagine that if there is even a slight slope you will be up for motza $$$$ in site costs. Definitely be wary of house and land packages - usually supported by slick marketing and claims of quick build times. Essentially preying upon those who want a 'new' house but don't want to deal with the hassle of building. As you can probably see from the multitude of of threads - there is no such thing as a hassle free build. A H&L package will "usually" consist of the most basic of inclusions and I have yet to see a 'builders range' tile that I would be 100% happy with. Think about what you want to get out of building a "new" house (other than a "new house) and let that guide your decision. Re: House and land packages for beginners..... 4May 01, 2012 7:37 pm Well said atom ute I concur. Timeline Aug 08-Land Mar 09-Demo/Titles Sept 10-Handover No1 Sept 11-Handover No2 April 12-Sold No2 Aug 14-Land/Demo Jan 15-Slabs viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25736 Re: House and land packages for beginners..... 5May 01, 2012 7:41 pm Quote: Definitely be wary of house and land packages - usually supported by slick marketing and claims of quick build times. Essentially preying upon those who want a 'new' house but don't want to deal with the hassle of building. As you can probably see from the multitude of of threads - there is no such thing as a hassle free build. A H&L package will "usually" consist of the most basic of inclusions and I have yet to see a 'builders range' tile that I would be 100% happy with. Think about what you want to get out of building a "new" house (other than a "new house) and let that guide your decision. Beg to differ - we did a house and land package and no problems or feelings of being preyed upon. In some ways was slower than having own land first as we had to wait for the land to title before building could start - developer had subdivided large area for 34 house/land packages. The thing about house/land packages, as with other builders specials packages, is that what is included varies greatly - you do have to do your homework. Ours included floor coverings, driveway, clothesline, stormwater drainage, fencing, perimeter paths, rainwater tank, Tv antenna, cant remember what else atm. Importantly, it also included fixed site costs. Of course it only included builders range of tiles and floor coverings - but that is same as any new house you build on your own land - and if you want to upgrade, you can - we did upgrade some things like higher ceilings,carpet, added BIR's. Another important difference between packages is flexibility - ours was very flexible, we could pick any of the builders designs (obviously had to be one which fit on block we wanted) and could then modify that design - we changed the kitchen configuration, moved a window, the draftsman changed part of the shape of the house to fit on the block, we wanted higher ceilings etc. Also we had the flexibility to remove things from the package - air con was included but could do it cheaper paying someone separately so that was removed, owner to do at own expense, front landscaping was included but we wanted to do front garden our own way so had that removed from package too. Another package we were looked at briefly had a design we liked and in an area we liked - but package had no flexibility at all - plan x went on block of land y - I asked if we could have higher ceilings, no - could not so much as move the sink on the kitchen bench. Needless to say, our association with that builder was very short lived. Quote: I struggle to know if this is a good package? What should I expect to see included in a good package? I dont think it's a matter of what to expect in a good package but whether package you are looking at includes things you will need or you will have to do separately (fencing for example) and whether the overall package is a good deal compared to the cost of doing included things yourself. In many cases I think packages would be cheaper as builder would have bulk buying power (of course will add their mark up) but you need to check this out yourself. Re: House and land packages for beginners..... 6May 03, 2012 12:52 pm Sorry to only just get back to this - had a busy couple of days! I just wanted to say thankyou for taking the time to respond! Lots to think about here. Thanks again 13 6632 2 5502 Scientists have used random matrix theory to demonstrate theoretically that the neutrino mass hierarchy can be explained mathematically. When a substance is fragmented… 21 20659 |