Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 29, 2012 12:56 pm Hi all, Sorry if this is a silly question.. I know when buying a block of land you can bargain, and often save money! Does the same apply with builders? We've only signed the preliminary agreement at this stage and I've just received site works costs and they are 3 times the amount our friends paid and they built just around the corner. 3 times as much seems a bit high.. Can we bargain with the builder? TIA for all your replies Builder Plunkket Homes. Preliminary Agreement 19/05/2012. Pre Start 13/08/2012. Building License 15/02/2013. Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 2Jul 29, 2012 1:51 pm This definitely is not a silly question. It's a question from someone unfamiliar with building process and lacking confidence. Yes you can bargain and you should. Remember you have the power to walk away if you are not happy, and use it if you have to. Ask the builder why are the costs so high and ask for a breakdown and then compare with your friend's house. Don't forget to compare site classification from soil test as that may explain the high costs or if there is slope on land. Ask for a discount, you may be surprised, but above all don't be scared of bargaining, it's your money. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 3Jul 29, 2012 2:02 pm yep agree with BE. i said something similar in your other post. and if you have the gumption, make out that the site works are going to be a deal breaker if they cant be bought down. or ask if you can source your own people to do site works. [get quotes from some before hand of course] Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 5Aug 28, 2012 7:51 am sometimes i think it is best to remember bargaining too hard might get a lower price but what you really want is someone to look after you, to care for you, and to make sure you are all right. some builders wont bargain too much because they wont compromise on taking care of you. this can be overlooked. cheers leighton Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 6Aug 28, 2012 10:49 am at the above post. [obviously a builder] a builder that is going to look after you, care for you and make sure you are alright...HAHAHHA!! you crack me up. all they really are concerned about it their bottom line. read thru the boards, you wont find many builders that come under your umbrella. [and please spare us from the 'our company does' ] Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 7Aug 28, 2012 10:51 am GardenofNeedn-58 :lol: at the above post. [obviously a builder] a builder that is going to look after you, care for you and make sure you are alright...HAHAHHA!! you crack me up. all they really are concerned about it their bottom line. read thru the boards, you wont find many builders that come under your umbrella. [and please spare us from the 'our company does' ] Agreed. BE for example wouldnt have a job if that was the case. Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 9Aug 28, 2012 12:54 pm Depends on the build and the circumstances. If its a normal project build, standard size house and you're in an area with lots of competing builders, then as the customer you do have the upper hand as they are all competing for the same business. That being said, if you love a particular builders's home and their forward work schedule is booked out for the next 12 months, they will be less willing to negotiate. Same goes if your build is a custom, or if there a few builders in the area. Still opportunity to negotiate, however market forces dictate that you're less likely to receive a discount - it all depends on how bad the builder wants your business. Either way, as other have said it doesn't hurt to ask - worse thing is that they say no. BIGZ I've just received site works costs and they are 3 times the amount our friends paid and they built just around the corner. 3 times as much seems a bit high.. Can we bargain with the builder? Just around the corner can mean your friends are building on totally flat sandy soil with no fill, whilst you might have a slight slope, expansive clay and fill resulting in extra piering, more reinforcing, a cut of the site/retaining making the site works that more $$$$$. Your builder could be totally justified in their siteworks quote. Make sure your builder provides a breakdown of the siteworks costs so that you can compare apples against apples instead of apples against a potential Kiwi fruit. That way you will be informed when you negotiate. Re: Can You Bargain With The Builder? 10Aug 28, 2012 12:59 pm atom_ute Make sure your builder provides a breakdown of the siteworks costs so that you can compare apples against apples instead of apples against a potential Kiwi fruit. That way you will be informed when you negotiate. Makes so much sense thank you so much! Builder Plunkket Homes. Preliminary Agreement 19/05/2012. Pre Start 13/08/2012. Building License 15/02/2013. 2 10969 Hey everyone Not for me or anyone I know, just generally interested. For a single allotment house, are you allowed to take the fence on both sides of your house and… 0 20876 I've just had a look at the website. The company are just building broker's. There are plenty of similar companies that basically draw your plans (they own them so you… 8 10846 |