Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 26, 2013 12:58 pm Anyone building at Narre Warren Springs? First timer, very daunting. Undecided if we should go for the big volume builders like Metricon or smaller ones like Boutique. Is there a difference between the 2 categories in terms of pricing and quality? Thanks. Re: Big volume builder or small companies? 2Sep 26, 2013 2:52 pm Suntec Anyone building at Narre Warren Springs? First timer, very daunting. Undecided if we should go for the big volume builders like Metricon or smaller ones like Boutique. Is there a difference between the 2 categories in terms of pricing and quality? Thanks. Hi Suntec, We have been looking at volume builders for probably the last 12 months and what we have come to realise is your bigger builders like Metricon have a cheaper starting price with a minimum number of standard inclusions. They also run promotions where you get luxury upgrades for free - we all know you get nothing for free. We have now been looking at Boutique Homes, and we have found that because they are slightly smaller and will generally use the same contractors, their quality is better but their starting prices are higher and include more things as standard. An example of this from the houses we have been looking at is: Builder A (volume builder) charged $181,000 for their house excluding site costs, upgrades etc. After adding everything we wanted, it came to approx. $275,000 inc. site costs. Builder B (smaller builder) charged $210,000 for their house excluding site costs etc. After adding everything we wanted (or everything that we had selected with Builder A) this quote came to approx. $250,000 . We believe this was mainly due to the fact that they included alot of the things most people upgrade as standard so to get display finish, you didnt have to spend too much. Added bonus - their 'pool' of contractors was alot smaller than most volume builders selecting the best for their homes so they have higher expectations of quality finishes - that is in my opinion anyway ... after seeing ALOT of displays. If you want any more info, let me know Re: Big volume builder or small companies? 3Sep 26, 2013 7:38 pm Suntec Anyone building at Narre Warren Springs? First timer, very daunting. Undecided if we should go for the big volume builders like Metricon or smaller ones like Boutique. Is there a difference between the 2 categories in terms of pricing and quality? Thanks. You *may* get a faster build with a smaller builder since there is less bureaucracy. Big builders batch up their trades. In my experience I think I am getting much better value with the smaller builder I selected, although it depends on the builder. Build thread: here Land Nov 12, Contract 6/07/13, Consent 15/08/13, Start 20/09/13, Slab 25/09/13, Frame 4/10/13, Brick 21/10/13, Roof 2/11/13, Lock-up 17/12/13, Handover 3/3/14 Re: Big volume builder or small companies? 5Sep 26, 2013 9:59 pm I went with a small company. So far so good. You get personal attention and they know that your experience with them can make or break them at times. I didn't get quotes from volume builders. Our's is a custom design and construct coming out at around $1900/m^2 Re: Big volume builder or small companies? 6Sep 27, 2013 9:28 pm animal I went with a small company. So far so good. You get personal attention and they know that your experience with them can make or break them at times. I didn't get quotes from volume builders. Our's is a custom design and construct coming out at around $1900/m^2 I never actually did comparisons on a per sqm basis. I've just done it for the builders that gave me detailed pricing: Builder A, $1187 ( popular project-home builder, no landscaping / blinds, some [limited] upgrades ) Builder B, $1516 ( energy efficient project home design, no floor coverings, no landscaping, no upgrades ) Builder C, < $1100 ( turnkey package which includes landscaping, driveway, blinds ) Builder C, < $1400 ( turnkey package, significant upgrades ) Builder C is the smallish custom builder I selected. To be fair to them, I have overstated their per sqm prices above. This is for a build in Sydney on a relatively level H1 class site. Their base turnkey package price with reasonable inclusions including floor coverings, aircon, downlights to living/kitchen/dining, landscaping, driveway, blinds, alarm, etc, etc was significantly better than Builder A. Upgrades I have include LED downlights, spa bath, huge island bench, timber-look floor tiles ( 96 sqm ), tiled alfresco, crimsafe doors ( 6 doors ), laundry cabinets, extra laundry storage, 6 feature timber doors, frameless shower panel in ensuite, spa bath in main, IT nook, 3 extra walk-in robes and walk-in linen, coffered ceiling in home theatre, etc, etc. This makes up for over 20% of my contract price. I knew their pricing was good but I'm actually astounded. Build thread: here Land Nov 12, Contract 6/07/13, Consent 15/08/13, Start 20/09/13, Slab 25/09/13, Frame 4/10/13, Brick 21/10/13, Roof 2/11/13, Lock-up 17/12/13, Handover 3/3/14 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 18562 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110559 Hi, Seeking volume or semi-custom builder in victoria(east), which have existing double story wide floor plans. Seeking 18-20m wide homes with depth of 12-15m long. Or… 0 25162 |