Hey all,
I’m starting this thread to share our build process with others. It is partly due to the wealth of info we have got from others, and I’m hoping to give something back.
We have signed with Statesman Homes, Construction Services Australia (also trading as Hickinbotham Homes).
The house is a slightly modified Dutton.
We have a 10 acre block. The property already has a small cottage on it, we had intended to extend it when we brought the place. But after a couple of years of deliberation we have decided it was better to build a new home.
We felt that we could have a blow out on the reno and still have half an old house to show for it. Not to mention the poor insulation quality of the old part.
We really liked the Adelaide Mk2 but it didn’t suit the position on the block.
So we modified the Dutton to suit and are pretty happy with what we came up with. The only thing we might of done was make the kitchen a little bigger.
The main reason for going with Statesman was the price and design, and as they build the most houses in Adelaide (so I’m told) they must be doing something right (or mostly at least).
Like any of the big building companies I have heard of a few bad experiences with them. We even had a friend cancel the contract with them after paying the deposit.
The large company they choose instead, poured a trapezoid shaped slab rather than a rectangle. Resulting in one end being cut off and the other being added with a repour. Presenting a nice entry for termites.
What I’ve taken from this is do your home work, then do your home work again. Don’t trust them trust you. If at all possible use a good independent building inspector at as many stages as you can afford.
I believe none of the large builders are immune to admin and building errors.
I think a lot of the bigger companies issues are their administration / site supervisor work loading and lack of good tradies . Given the current slow in the industry I think it’s a great time to build.
Having said all of that I have still strapped ourselves in and braced for the worst!
We are hoping to keep the existing house on the block and convert it to a B&B.
This means we have to submit a non complying application to council. It is done in two stages which we will have to pay a private planner to sort the second stage.
So unfortunately it will take longer and cost more to get the approval.
Council at this stage sound really positive about it but time will tell.
So at this stage, we’ve signed and payed deposit, plans and submission is at council, soil and survey report complete and I’m just waiting to read site work price variation and report.
We can also book selections but I think we’ve got a lot more visits to display villages prior to that!
Cheers for stopping in.
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