Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 121Sep 11, 2013 11:53 am Pre-start appointment booked for first week of October! Starting to feel excited/nervous now, cos I'm still waiting on pre-appoval... _chylatte_ I know exactly what you mean about the roller coaster emotions right now!! Oh impish73 the Monarch looks incredible! So much space... How have you guys gone about your electrical layout? I know I want to raise a point in the lounge along with the antenna point thingy to wall mount a TV, and have 2 points in the master bedroom, but then I'm not sure if there's anything glaring that I'm missing?? Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 122Sep 11, 2013 6:51 pm Ez85 - We haven't done an electrical or colour selection yet, still waiting for our plans to be drawn up. The Monarch is going to seem huge to us as we currently own a small 12 square house, we will probably get lost in all the rooms Pooks - we have upgraded the kitchen, made it into a u shape instead of an island bench, added sliding doors to all robes, added doors to various spots, added the big oven etc, the benchtop 40mm stone, upgraded bricks to cat 2 and off white mortar, whirly bird on roof, exhaust fan in laundry, extended the garage by 800mm, higher ceilings, pendant lights for kithcen bench, pendant lights in main bedroom, laminex silk in the kitchen instead of standard, window splashback as per display home, downlights, extra pot draws, stacker doors - so much more but haven't got the contract in front of me. Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 123Sep 11, 2013 7:39 pm That's awesome news ez85! At least you know you have a booking for pre start now! Something to look forward to! That's always good. Impish73 - I love the Monarch! We originally chose the Monarch 23 but our sales guys pushed for the Indigo22. I guess it's cheaper. Haha. Anyway, I want pendant lights too but we'll probably do it after handover. When you get the prices for the upgrades, do you mind sharing? If not, that's ok. Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 124Sep 11, 2013 7:43 pm Impish73- LOVE your chosen upgrades! So detailed too. You really did your homework! We too are getting pendants (all extra electrical) after handover. Researching lighting is my new favourite thing. The Monarch is awesome. Yay for you! On the weekend I will sit down and add my costs of upgrades to this thread- maybe we can come up with a collection. Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 125Sep 11, 2013 7:48 pm I spend SO much time looking at pendant lights for the kitchen island bench!! I'd say a good 75% of my house research is dedicated to pendant lights. Looks like we're all on the same page there I was going to be lazy and just get the fittings included as an upgrade, but my consultant flat out said don't, it's far cheaper to do it after the fact. He said the same for landscaping and electrical... I'm having serious size envy of all of your houses guys, my little 15 is feeling smaller by the day haha! Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 126Sep 11, 2013 7:52 pm Yey, thanks pooks! That would be awesome. We got quoted $1700 for cat 1 stone benchtop upgrade. I forgot to ask if it was for 20 or 40mm and that's for the island benchtop and the area around the hotplate. Not sure if that's a good price outside of any promotions. By the way, can you negotiate the prices of upgrades or is that a fixed cost kind of thing? Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 127Sep 11, 2013 8:39 pm Ok - here is my official list from prestart upgrades (expenses paid for on the day which included a $2000 allowance and a credit of $390 for knocking down the toilet wall in the ensuite) *PROMOTION - 900ml oven/rangehood/cooktop/20mm caesarstone benchtops (all benches)/overhead cupboards - $950 * Category 2 bricks - Truffle to the whole house - $560 *Laminate flooring extended to the retreat area and hall instead of carpet - $154 *Front entry door - Hume Newington XN5 painted finish with clear glazing - $282 *Glass Splashback (6mm) in Dulux Shale Grey Satin to full width of bench and 650mm high - $850 * Glass Shelves (Caroma Cosmo) added to 2xshowers - $134 * Soap dishes x2 (Alder Alto) added to showers - $74 *900mm double towel rail (Caroma Cosmo) x1 in main bathroom - $55 *600mm double towel rail (Caroma Cosmo) x1 in ensuite - $19 * Undermounted double bowl (Clark Orion EXDU) sink in kitchen - $685 As far as I know there are fixed prices for upgrades, though in saying that...I would ask about promotional deals. Just say "my friend got...." haha. Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 128Sep 11, 2013 8:49 pm Pooks that deal you got on the kitchen appliances/bench top/cupboards is INSANE! I was told to expect at least that for the bench top alone... I was leaning towards a glass splashback, but it all adds up pretty quickly. Thanks for putting this up! Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 129Sep 11, 2013 8:59 pm I also forgot to add *Upgrade to cat2 carpet to all 4 bedrooms - $768 We only added this last month, that's why I forgot! When we signed up this kitchen promotion thing was happening. i didn't know until later that the benches were included because we too were told it was going to be $1000 for the benches alone. Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 130Sep 12, 2013 4:57 pm Hi pooks we chose he same bricks and yes went to cat 2 carpet . Think the carpet is a big thing to upgrade much nicer. And I agree with you all with the emotional roller coast. Make you want to chuck it in some times. We are going with boutique and they have been great. They are ready to build all plans are in and approved. It just the finance that's slowing us down. Due to the change in post code just after we got pre approval. Which I have talked about on the resolve thread. All seems so close to happening but so far away . Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 131Sep 12, 2013 7:39 pm Monarch 26 Extras • Facade Traditional Option 4 (which we didn’t end up choosing) - $2,432 • 450ml wide eaves for front $967 • Raise ceiling height $2,739 • High internal doors $950 • Addition ceiling lights point with batton holders and switches to bedroom and kitchen bench $129 • Ceiling exhaust fan in laundry $220 • Promo deal - Ceaserstone bench top 20mm, 900mm built in over, cooktop and rangehood, overhead cabinets to either side of rangehood $950 • 2 banks of pot draws $570 • Waterfall edge to kitchen benchtop (stone 40mm) $ 426 • Silk Laminex cupboard and draw doors to kitchen $631 • Soft closers to all cupboard doors and draws $635 • Extend kitchen bench to external wall to make u shaped kitchen $1050 • Window splashback as per display $888 • 2 door laminate cupboard and plaster bulkhead above fridge $450 • Overhead cabinets with plaster infill in laundry $450 • Provide internal bulkhead in WIR doorway $54 • Provide internal bulkhead in ensuite doorway $66 • Provide internal bulkhead in WIL doorway $66 • Extension to garage by 800mm $ 2640 • Obscured glass to laundry door / window $244 • Obscured glass to bathroom $160 • Obscured glass to ensuite $80 • Stacker door to alfresco $1780 • Electrical package – 5 additional double power points, 1 extra tv point, 8 downlights • Gas point to alfresco $175 - upgrade mortar $890 - upgrade bricks to cat 2. $700 Still need to upgrade carpet and laminate flooring as well as getting dimmers for the lights and more downlights. I have arranged a quote to get heating and refridgerated air con from an external supplier. There are other things but my mind is numb... Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 132Sep 12, 2013 8:42 pm Loving that list impish73! Absolutely fab! Did you go with the standard heating? We are thinking about getting the add on refrigerative cooling after handover which is suitable for the standard model they use but I'm not sure. What type of info did you give to get a quote at this early stage? Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 133Sep 12, 2013 10:36 pm Thanks impish! That's awesome! I'm interested in the air con quote as well but most likely we'll just get evap cooling. Also, did any of you get the landscaping promo for around $990? I wonder if that's the one we got instead of the kitchen promo... Anyway, I have a question regarding gifts from relatives. Say for example, we will be given $20k but we really only want to use half as a deposit. Should we declare that we are getting $20k and say that we want to use $10k as a buffer during the rent/build stage or should we just say flat out that we are only getting $10k? Sorry for the questions, I hope I'm not being too annoying! Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 134Sep 12, 2013 11:31 pm Hi guys we are getting evaporative cooling am pretty sure it was around $5000 and that have us ducts in all 4bedrooms , study, 2 ducts in living meals area and one in the theater room Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 135Sep 13, 2013 7:10 am We were originally quoted $9,890 for add on refridgerated air conditioning for a small system with 8 ducts which would struggle to cool our house. We decided to have the standard heating removed from the contract and received $3K credit. So we could spend $13K on a system and still be within budget. Several professionals said that the system HB’s were quoting on would only do a so-so job in our house, not enough vents to keep the place cool and no zoning which I think is important, the system would be great for a smaller house but not ours. So we gave the floor plan (from the website) to a company and they quoted a bigger heating / refridgerated air conditioning system that will do our house easily – 12 vents, zoning – all the works for $11K, that includes installing 3 phase power for the bigger unit. Chylatte – We didn’t have a landscape option so yes, I think it was replaced by the kitchen one. The kitchen one has just finished so i don’t know which one they have now. In regards to the $20K I would tell them you received $10K as a gift for the deposit, they don’t need to know how you will pay for the extras. Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 136Sep 13, 2013 7:58 am Hmmmm I'm intrested to see what the upgrade promotion deal is now, considering I'm coming up to pre-start. Man I would've LOVED the kitchen one! I'll keep you all posted... Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 137Sep 13, 2013 5:23 pm We didn't have a landscape promotion either. We got front landscaping in our loan, to be done by HBC, it was $3000. To be honest, I didn't like any of the 3 options to choose from at the pre-start in regards to the choice...but I had to pick one! I figure I can change it over time! We asked not to have heating from HBC not included either but we had to. I think because we have the deposit assist it was a little bit strict with removing items but the model is compatible with refrigerative cooling, I'm just not sure if it will be suitable for the house. I guess I will do a bit more research on that one after handover. Ez85- my promotion stuff was included in the preliminary works contract- do you have anything listed in there? It might be worth enquiring about what deal you can get before pre-start. I received a letter from the land estate today telling us that the paperwork for titles has been lodged with the Victorian Land office so titles are just around the corner now!! Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 138Sep 13, 2013 5:52 pm Makes sense, so the ongoing promo now is the landscape. We had just come home from our meeting with Resolve. We also declared that we had received $20k as a gift. I was just curious as to why we were not offered Deposit Assist - maybe because they knew we were getting money from relatives. We also had a quick stroll through the selections room. I am again just scared that if we do upgrade/add stuff, our build will be undervalued. Oh well, we'll wait and see. I'm so jealous of you Pooks! You can almost see your house now! Interested to know how long it will take 'til you get the keys!!! Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 139Sep 13, 2013 6:51 pm Awesome news Pooks! Definitely not long now for you guys. In my contract I've got upgraded facade, elevated ceilings, upgrade from solar to gas hot water, recycled water to toilets and laundry, and NBN cabling. Thanks for the heads up, I'll try and find out if there's any deals available currently. I'm signing the land contracts tomorrow, yey! Still no word on the pre-approval, but the girl at the estate rang and said oh I hear you've got pre-approval!! Hmmm... Still wish I knew though. Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 140Sep 13, 2013 7:27 pm How exciting ez85- locking the land down! Good luck tomorrow. OMG!! Pre-approval, yay! Hopefully they heard right at the land office and your official notification is only a phone call away! _chylatte_ how did you feel the resolve meeting went? It's all happening! Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au I havent, and i havent looked to much into it, but on face value its not the saviour its trying to make out to be. Shared equity in your home is never a good idea. The… 1 3959 Hi, have purchased a house with 2 single garage doors. The Centre pillar one side sits proud to the other. Can I change 2 doors into one. Please see picture. 0 6335 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 9070 |