Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 261Oct 10, 2013 6:54 pm They won't increase it. I just know it! Hehe 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? 262Oct 10, 2013 6:56 pm impish73 What sort of questions were you asking Niccles? We have had a great run with our Sales guy. He has never once pressured us, we actually went and away for months to look at other houses, had quotes done from two other builders but came back because we like the house design, the price and the sales guy. Questions we had were about pricing on the site costs, as we had an estimated amount and then later in the contract they were charging us another 2.7k for things that are site costs. Wet weather access, temporary fencing, council OHS. Our sales guy either didn't know or didn't want to answer . There were a few other things my dad was asking them about, NBN, ceiling height prices etc. We really like the house design and what you actually get included in the base price! It's just been frustrating, if our sales guy had just been straight up with my dad he would have had us closer to signing. Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 263Oct 10, 2013 7:56 pm Hi Niccles, I see what you mean about the extras, however generally speaking 'site costs' refer to the actual levelling and preparation of the site for laying of the slab. The temporary fencing etc are additional building expenses that are required regardless of the site. ie if you had a site that was completely level and ready to go you would still have to pay the cost for council requirements such as temporary fencing etc. I know it sucks but it is prob something most builders will slap you with at some stage, difference is some may include them in an elevated site cost quote. The joys of building!! Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 264Oct 10, 2013 8:19 pm Hi Hayles! I agree, with the joys of building! Hehe. Only reason we bought up the extra cost, was because on our PWC it states site works allowance includes some of what I posted before. Then later it's mentioned again with an extra cost. I understand we'd pay for it somewhere, but think they should really double check what they give us before we see it Plus according to one sales guy, the alfresco we were looking at for 6.7k was as it is at the display home and then the other said it's just concrete and whats stated on the contract isn't correct. Just frustrating thats all! But from everyone I've spoken to about building they all have stories Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 265Oct 11, 2013 4:28 pm Just an update- I ended up being able to upgrade the heating to the 5 star model we wanted (there was $150 difference between 4 star and 5 star) so this should really help with reducing our bills by about 30% and it is the one we wanted for the add on cooling. I knew it wasn't that hard!! Hope everyone has a great weekend 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? 266Oct 11, 2013 8:54 pm That's great news Pookes! So, how much in all to upgrade to that one from the one included? Does yours have a thermostat in every room? 19.03.14 - Land Settlement 15.04.14 - Building Permit 28.04.14 - Earthworks 14.05.14 - Slab Stage 20.05.14 - Frame Stage 11.06.14 - Lock Up Stage 03.07.14 - Fix Stage 15.08.14 - New Home Presentation Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 267Oct 11, 2013 9:50 pm Thanks! It was $3300 to upgrade from 3 star to 5 star. We got added network zoning though as well and upgraded ducts which will be needed for the cooling. It will operate from two digital controls that can zone areas of the house. It may sound expensive...it is, but adding on the cooling later on will be much cheaper because nothing needs to be changed to have it be compatible. Had I gone through Brivis direct for the heating it would have been $4700 so basically we are only paying a little more through HBC but that is to be expected. 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? 268Oct 12, 2013 10:13 am Hi Pooks, does that mean it costs only 3300 for upgrading to 5 star and upgrade all ducts and zoning? 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 269Oct 12, 2013 10:21 am Yes - $3300 for the whole lot (which also includes extending the platform in the roof to be able to hold the cooling coil). 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? 270Oct 12, 2013 11:20 am Ok, thanks for the info pooks. I will look into this as well, if gng with HBC. We had session with SC from HBC. he showed me couple of options. Vogue 17 is something which we liked n fits in 2 our budget as well. Does anyone here know whats the std price for vogue17. I asked SC the same qn and he ddnt give me an exact ans. I wanted 2 c how much the house costs including our upgrades; that way we can compare it with other plans from other builders. Monaco16 from PD is something wh we liked and thats 138k basic. with all upgrade pkgs, it coming to ~160k. Trying to make a decision btwn these 2 (vogue 17 & Monaco 16) as of now as the land we r looking @ wud b having a width of 10.5. 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 271Oct 12, 2013 12:44 pm im building the vogue 17. standard was 146,900 but with site costs and our changes it came to 169,000 Site Start 11/3/14 Slab Pour 2/4/14 Framing Complete 8/4/14 Lock Up 1/5/14 Fixing Stage Complete 14/5/14 New Home Presentation 20/6/14 Handover 2/7/14 blog: http://firsthomebuilding.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 272Oct 12, 2013 3:51 pm Niccles, have you contacted HBC to enquire about the alfresco? My plan came with it and my understanding is when you have an alfresco it is the concrete slab and the extension of the roof line over it, no decking etc. 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? 273Oct 12, 2013 4:18 pm Hi guys, Sorry I have another question. If there is a provision in your plan for the ceiling batten lights but you want to get your own batten lights or install pendant lights instead, will HBC allow it and if so, how much extra would they charge for it? I don't think I want to use whatever light they give me... 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? 274Oct 12, 2013 4:19 pm Niccles, Pooks is correct. When we were looking at floorplans we spoke with Hbc as well and they advised most alfresco (depending on floorplans) is inclusive but comes standard with concrete slab only. Decking is an added expense and they probably wouldn't do it either. This is the same with most builders. Good luck with sorting out ur contract and budgets! Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 275Oct 12, 2013 10:22 pm ruby123...thanks for tht info. Could u pls let me know what all were ur upgrades and their costs? 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 276Oct 12, 2013 11:04 pm impish73 -- when u mentioned Toilet upgrade ($226) -- could u please explain what upgrade did u go for? 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 277Oct 12, 2013 11:22 pm For $226 more, it better come with an electronic wiper. 19.03.14 - Land Settlement 15.04.14 - Building Permit 28.04.14 - Earthworks 14.05.14 - Slab Stage 20.05.14 - Frame Stage 11.06.14 - Lock Up Stage 03.07.14 - Fix Stage 15.08.14 - New Home Presentation Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 278Oct 13, 2013 5:15 am bkoolrocks ruby123...thanks for tht info. Could u pls let me know what all were ur upgrades and their costs? hi bkoolrocks pretty much all the upgrades were to stick with our estate guidelines double garage- $7075 (our estate required this for frontages over 14m) render to front pillars -1350 roofing category 2-$397 recycled water to toilets and garden taps $1995 nbn- 768 landscaping to front- 3095 we got a $1517 credit as we used a instantaneous hot water system instead of a solar then you've got there fees eg temporary fencing $2031 and building re establishment survey -850 - think that is refunded if not needed site costs- $6888 hope this helps Site Start 11/3/14 Slab Pour 2/4/14 Framing Complete 8/4/14 Lock Up 1/5/14 Fixing Stage Complete 14/5/14 New Home Presentation 20/6/14 Handover 2/7/14 blog: http://firsthomebuilding.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 279Oct 13, 2013 6:25 am Interesting, ruby123, regarding the instant hot water system instead of solar. I'm intrigued. Did you discuss this prior to Colour Selection / Contract Signing? I could sure use that credit towards electricals. 19.03.14 - Land Settlement 15.04.14 - Building Permit 28.04.14 - Earthworks 14.05.14 - Slab Stage 20.05.14 - Frame Stage 11.06.14 - Lock Up Stage 03.07.14 - Fix Stage 15.08.14 - New Home Presentation Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 280Oct 13, 2013 7:25 am this was discussed before the pwc was signed. im quite happy with this as only one solar panel wont be very cost efficient any ways. on my pwc it says can only be used in an estate with recycled water or people with a minimum 200lt water tank connected to toilets. I think its to get its 6 star rating Site Start 11/3/14 Slab Pour 2/4/14 Framing Complete 8/4/14 Lock Up 1/5/14 Fixing Stage Complete 14/5/14 New Home Presentation 20/6/14 Handover 2/7/14 blog: http://firsthomebuilding.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 4032 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 6488 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 9270 |