Browse Forums Building A New House Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 141Nov 13, 2012 9:04 pm So kids, we just got the costing back for the entire project and it is a scary piece of information! I am slightly stressed, BUT i know the end result will all be worth it. Although i think any plans for travel in the near future have been thrown out the window! Having said that, we are VERY happy with the plans and the inclusions, and are now eagerly awaiting a meeting on Monday to sign everything off! Hope all is well with everyone else - we did our weekly LV drive through on Sunday, and noticed the brand-spanking new playgrounds in Waterford! Starting to really take shape! June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 142Nov 13, 2012 9:07 pm Ooh.. was it far off what you expected? Are you SURE you've got everything you want? Signing off = plans on H1? 5.5m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) Moved in!! - 22 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53455 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 143Nov 13, 2012 9:22 pm It is about $7k off what we really wanted... BUT it is including pretty much everything (ie. they have included all the upgrades even before doing selections so there shouldn't be too much of a variation) It is just stressing me out a little. Money is the root of ALL EVIL! (and arguments between myself and T) Yup, plans will be up next Monday night i promise! I think we have picked it to pieces so much much that if we change anything else, we will start ruining it! June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 144Nov 14, 2012 3:02 am $7k off is not bad at all, ours was $81k off than the basic standard house. We would like few more extra but it will be more than another $30k extra easily....sign. we will go selections soon, hopefully next week, we are thinking of upgrade few more things even we already in gold range. 7.5M Dual Frontage terrace @ lightsview SA /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=58754 moved in - April 2014 furnitured - August 2014 home theatre - September 2014 Game room - December 2013 moved in - 09 April 2014 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 145Nov 14, 2012 8:22 pm Money is the root of all evil! I still spend too much time stressing about it. We have spent about 8k more than our original contract due to various variations and a 3kw solar system. With all the variation (excluding solar) a lot of the money spent went to variation fees and admin fees to the builder. So, if you can avoid having to vary your contract later on, you will definitely save money in the long run. We don't regret upgrading the things we did, just wish we had have thought of it before we signed the contract. In saying all that, once you start getting into the nitty gritty bits and pieces like selections, you'll soon forget about the money aspect and enjoy the experience! I'm reeeeeeealllly looking forward to seeing your plans! 6m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) First fix completed ... 15 February 2013 Render completed... 19 February 2013 Insulation... 19 February 2013 Plasterboard... 21 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=58747 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 146Nov 14, 2012 8:46 pm Yeah, our variations have gone a little further than expected too.. mostly electrical/appliances (which we're getting cheaper than if we bought them outright, and we would have bought them anyway), so we feel that they're justified. Money sucks but the houses it buys are pretty cool 5.5m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) Moved in!! - 22 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53455 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 147Nov 14, 2012 10:15 pm Yeh when they quoted/costed our build, we had them include all premium upgrades such as stone benchtops to kitchen and 3 bathrooms, higher quality carpet, upgraded staircase, upgraded WIR, high-gloss kitchen cupboards, rectified edge tiles and the list goes on. So pretty much, we wont need to upgrade or vary much at all when it comes to selections which is good. I am having a mini-melt down this week though, money stressing me out as well as work as well as the inability to wind down after a day. I think it is all part and parcel with building a house (i hope so anyway?) June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 148Nov 14, 2012 10:27 pm If you have everything upgraded... 7k sounds good to me! I think building a house is just inherently stressful. Our build has been remarkably smooth - especially compared to what you can read on this forum - but I still find that it weighs on my mind, I feel like I always have to be on top of things, and when I am stressed about work and other things I do think it makes it worse. I am trying to focus on sleeping, exercising (haha.. some day) and not letting myself stress out too much at work. Can't keep getting so run down... Builds will be done before we know it, and when we all look back we will see it as an important experience and a learning curve. Plus, we'll all have these amazing new homes 5.5m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) Moved in!! - 22 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53455 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 149Nov 14, 2012 10:34 pm True... Juski you are always so wise. I am coming into my most busy and crucial time of the year at work... it puts alot of pressure on, and then add the back-n-forth with the plans etc, it's weighing me down. Worked 9am to 8pm tonight, with no lunch, so maybe im just cranky tonight! haha. Yeh, i am pretty happy with the $7K.... it is mainly due to extra render on the front portico that they initially had as brick, and me adding an extra 30cm depth to the kitchen island bench (ended up being an extra $1000 stone, ooooops)... Like you say, no one will even think of the money once the houses are all built. June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 150Nov 15, 2012 8:15 pm Juski sure is wise!! And I'm sorry to hear that you have been stressed out and unable to wind down J_and_T. Working such long days is tough too. I guess at least your busy season would be good for your business? Sounds like you've done the right thing regarding the house - making sure you have all of your wanted upgrades sorted before the contract is signed. It's harder to justify it when there is a variation and you have to pay extra fees. We really would have loved stone bench tops but it just wasn't affordable for us unfortunately. But I'm glad you're able to have everything you want Sounds like your house is going to be awesome 6m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) First fix completed ... 15 February 2013 Render completed... 19 February 2013 Insulation... 19 February 2013 Plasterboard... 21 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=58747 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 151Nov 15, 2012 9:42 pm Yes, its great for business and I AM slowly learning to delegate Im reconsidering stone in the bathrooms.... Its an unessessary luxury that will cut the price down a bit if we remove! June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 152Nov 15, 2012 10:09 pm Yeah... I see stone in the kitchen as a nice extra, but stone in the bathroom as OOH! Fancy! 5.5m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) Moved in!! - 22 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53455 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 153Nov 15, 2012 10:17 pm So are you going to think i am a haughty taught snob if i end up with stone in the bathrooms now?? Hahaha.... we will see. I never knew how much RENDER can cost though... and they charge extra to do poles because, as THEY say, it is a fiddly-er job. Lucky we are not rendering the whole house! June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 154Nov 15, 2012 10:20 pm Haha not a snob! All I mean is that if you didn't have stone in the bathroom, it wouldn't be unusual. A lot of people have stone in the kitchen and not in the bathroom. Granted, a lot of people don't have stone in either, but you don't HAVE to have it in both if you do. I would have no idea what render would cost.. it was just done as part of the contract. 5.5m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) Moved in!! - 22 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53455 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 155Nov 15, 2012 10:27 pm Didn't your contract have a costings sheet?? Like a price next to each customised choice? Or is your home not custom? (sorry, i cant remember if it is or not). What we got today was a 7 page inclusions contract with ALL prices next to everything. Like, worked out to the Sq Metre for brick, render, stone, wood etc. Also the prices for all the upgraded things such as doors etc. Everything that the builder includes in all build contracts (standard stuff) just says "Included" next to the item instead of a price... Just makes you realise just how much each individual thing is! I feel worried now, that if i do keep my stone in the bathrooms, it (and my choices) will look excessive.... We have time to think about this though, as we can change it in selections... June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 156Nov 15, 2012 10:31 pm I just read that back, and my questions at the begining sounded rude... Sorry, typing quick equals no emotion! OOppps. June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 157Nov 15, 2012 10:33 pm For some builders, including ours, terraces are all 'custom' in design but the contract is mostly 'included/not included', and the facade was included so no price there. I wouldn't worry about people thinking your benchtops are excessive! But if you are thinking that maybe you don't really want the stone in the bathrooms any more, and you'd rather save the money, I don't think anyone would notice that your bathrooms aren't in stone and your kitchen is. It's more like I'm saying that noone will think you cut corners if you don't have stone in the bathrooms, rather than someone will think you're excessive if you do. But if you want the stone - get the stone! You intend to stay in this house for a long time. Make sure you love it! Haha no worries.. I was worried I was offending you! 5.5m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) Moved in!! - 22 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53455 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 158Nov 15, 2012 10:38 pm No no, not offended Ive actually seen these cool basins at Direct Interiors, that are all in one... so the basin part becomes the vanity are too... was going to see if they are a cheaper option too... they look really cool. No harm in asking i guess. Ahh thats fine with the costing.. i guess we get some of facade included but ours is so different to what we started with, it makes sense they charge so much more. June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 159Nov 17, 2012 10:43 am juski For some builders, including ours, terraces are all 'custom' in design but the contract is mostly 'included/not included', and the facade was included so no price there. I wouldn't worry about people thinking your benchtops are excessive! But if you are thinking that maybe you don't really want the stone in the bathrooms any more, and you'd rather save the money, I don't think anyone would notice that your bathrooms aren't in stone and your kitchen is. It's more like I'm saying that noone will think you cut corners if you don't have stone in the bathrooms, rather than someone will think you're excessive if you do. But if you want the stone - get the stone! You intend to stay in this house for a long time. Make sure you love it! Haha no worries.. I was worried I was offending you! I do wish that they gave us a price for everything - purely out of curiosity! It has been good though not having to worry about things like footings as the contract is fixed price. I was very surprised that they let us do whatever we wanted with the facade though. Originally it was all render and timber but LV didn't like that so we added Stria as another material. J_and_T, I don't think it's excessive for you to have stone in your bathroom. In saying that, I do agree with juski that if you were to not have it, no one would think you'd have cut any corners. It's your house, you should do what you want with it! I'm worried that people will think that we have cut some corners by not having stone in the kitchen. Very disappointing really, but I guess this is our first home and it's pretty awesome overall despite that! 6m Terrace House - Lightsview (Northgate SA) First fix completed ... 15 February 2013 Render completed... 19 February 2013 Insulation... 19 February 2013 Plasterboard... 21 February 2013 /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=58747 Re: J_and_T's House Build in Lightsview 160Nov 19, 2012 7:53 pm Hello everyone, I haven't posted in a few days... we spent the weekend in Sydney which was a nice little break (and Coldplay were awesome!). So today we got an amended costings... And it is cheaper again, wooooohoooo! We left the stone, but took out 20 LED downlights (just put normal downlights in instead). Stone or no stone, all of our new homes are going to be phenomenal and just perfect for us! June12 - Land settlement (18 x 27.5) Jan13 - External selections complete April13 - Selections complete viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60306 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 18748 1 10542 hi guys. Please be nice. First time home builder in Qld. I would like some feedback please on whether I should build my granny flat first before my main house at the… 0 4850 |