Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 23, 2012 5:32 am Hey Iam new to all this and just have a few questions on some things. I currently have a block of land in Adelaide and i am going to build my new home on it. What I am tossing up with is if to get a builder to do a complete build or just build to lock-up with most the plumbing done. We are looking at getting a 4bed, 2bath and alfresco with retreat (280m2) for $300,000 not including driveway and landscaping. Well I am in the military and currently deployed to Afghanistan so its hard to get info over here and want to get as much knowledge i can and this seems to be the best way that i can do that in my situation. Well I am be posted to Sydney till start of 2015 so we will have over 2 years to complete the build so should have plenty of time after lock-up to do stuff since looking at taking long service leave and will have some help. The thing is we are looking at getting mid-high spec bathrooms and kitchen and we have heard that to upgrade with the builder it will cost you so we thought we might save a bit of money getting them done after lock-up with other kitchen/bathroom company's. Would this save us money? or would the builder not take much of price for taking them off the build? The flooring is going to be floating floorboards and my dad has done this many time so we will do this our selfs, same with the decking for the alfresco. Also carpet in bedroom wont be done by builder because I don't like builder carpet lol. I have done some painting in the past can do this myself but do hate it. But i hate paying for something i can do more. My brother-in law is a electrician so have all that covered. I have read that some things like A/C, ovens and other appliances you can get good deal on that the builders don't get cause they have a set price from their supplier. Is this the case. So i guess the main question is do save much money and get more for your money if you go to lock-up and do what is said above since i have the time? Or are the saving minimal and its a case of just doing the complete build? Also if i was to go just to lock-up what type of builder should i go for? Last thing i know this might be of topic a little but was looking at building a pool (2x7m) with a water feature wall that goes along the retreat and alfresco. It would need to be done before house goes up because there is limited access to the back yard. I know this is a how long is a piece of string question but What would something like this cost (ballpark)? and would it be better to get the builder to organise or go through outside company? I know its been long winded but anything will help thanks Re: Question from person new to building 2Sep 23, 2012 11:51 am If you use a project builder and get the home finished quickly you’ll have the opportunity to rent it out until you move to Adelaide – just a thought….. You’re right in your assumption that larger project builders way overcharge for upgrades. Smaller builders (my case, the one I’m working after wasting 8 months trying to deal with a big builder) may let you do and use whoever you want but still manage the project for you. Appliances, A/C, etc. – with both the big and small builder (my experience) we have been allowed to supply all the kitchen appliances and some other bits and pieces. Using your own trades – most builders like using their own crew. Pool – Rough rule of thumb is about $1400 - $1600 per liner meter of pool edge for a mid-spec pool. So for a 2x7, 18m of edge – upwards of $25K ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Re: Question from person new to building 3Sep 24, 2012 2:32 am Hey Pab Thanks for your reply. With getting it done quickly and having someone rent it,, this is not an option because we dont what to rent it out. We just want it to be our home and more into it new. Yeah with what i have been reading i have come to the same conclusion if I what to get outside people to do thing a smaller builder is the way to go. Do you find that getting the appliances yourself was cheaper? Was going to use the builder crew for all but electrical, painting,flooring and decking, which can been done after lock-up. Thank for the the answer on the pool we where looking at being able to pay 20-30 max so this may be an option. Thank Blake Re: Question from person new to building 4Sep 24, 2012 7:51 am BlakeyP Do you find that getting the appliances yourself was cheaper? A couple of things were (e.g. floor coverings, we got 40% cheaper; appliances - not sure if cheaper but I did get exactly what I wanted) BlakeyP Was going to use the builder crew for all but electrical, painting, flooring and decking, which can been done after lock-up. When shopping around for a builder put this requirement on the table from day one, if they baulk at it, walk away, if they are OK with it – it’s a good sign that they want the job and area prepared to work with you. We had a great outcome with our 'little' builder on Saturday, he's good with us using a different electrician than he regularly uses> The electricians I’ll use are from a home automation and AV specialist shop, they will do all data, automation and A/V integration in one install - my builder actually preferred them to do it all. ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Re: Question from person new to building 5Sep 24, 2012 10:46 am We are using a small, locally owned builder and they have been fantastic with inclusions from the start. A lot of things included as standard that a lot of the other builders we got quotes through weren't including. We wanted them to include as much as possible - we had no interest in supplying things ourselves; however when we did ask about taking things out and doing them ourselves they had no problems with that. They don't seem to be too badly priced for most things - e.g. an allowance of $2285 for European (Venini) appliances -900mm electric/gas stove, dishwasher and slideout rangehood. We had a quick look around the shops and it didn't seem like too bad of a price. We also have a 8.2x4.2m pool and it's costing us $26000. That includes everything e.g. council approval, filled with water, all fencing, tiling 1xtile around the whole pool and an extra tile at one end. We are supplying two feature lights ourselves, the builder is just having their electrician fit them and will just invoice us at the end. Stelle 1st build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59376 *New*-2nd build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70324&p=1154282#p1154282 Re: Question from person new to building 6Sep 26, 2012 6:16 am Pab Yeah we will be getting and doin the flooring ourselfs. And i know what you mean about getting what you what and that what we like about this option. Thank for the advice on telling the builder about what you would like and see how they react we will be does just that. Which state are your building in? Thankyou Stelle Thank a lot for your reply. Yeah some local small builders in adelaide have some good inclusions as well. The problem is we are just trying to see which way we want to go and which way will save us the most. We have a lot of time so i think we can do some thing ourselfs we are just trying to find out which ones are worth it for the money. It fun this building stuff lol. That is a pretty good price for your pool was it concrete? and what was your fencing? Thank again for the reply. Re: Question from person new to building 7Sep 26, 2012 8:01 am BlakeyP Pab, Which state are your building in? In Brisbane, Qld. We've had our property for while now and as of a month ago sold the house off and had it removed from the block. This week the block is being cleared of trees, shed, etc. All going to plan, we should start building in November. ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Re: Question from person new to building 8Sep 26, 2012 10:52 am The pool is just fibreglass (I think? whatever pools are when they are not concrete lol) as we've been told by a few people in our area that since we can go for long periods without rain and the ground starts moving (happening at my uncle's place right now haha) concrete is not a good idea because it can crack. So we went for the safer option! We've just got the normal aluminum pool fencing in black. We did consider glass but a: it's pretty exy! and b: my friend who has glass wishes she never did, because it takes so much cleaning and if someone is sitting outside the pool area and you are trying to talk to them, it's pretty impossible since it's basically a solid wall. You are lucky to have time to plan on doing some things yourself - I don't have the time to do that, plus I'm too lazy and just want it all done as easy as possible haha. Our plans should be going into council this week - though they were supposed to be going in two weeks ago, so we'll see! We signed the house contract on 17 April so it's about time something started happening methinks lol Stelle 1st build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59376 *New*-2nd build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70324&p=1154282#p1154282 What you are looking at is fibrous plaster, true gypsum, it is cast on horizontal beds with fibers included to give strength. I has no Asbestos in it. Houses before 1985… 2 7249 For reference, this is the Austlii reference. My take on this is, that they would be breaking the law denying access to a homeowner in Victoria, or their agent from having… 1 9240 |