Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 01, 2013 8:58 pm Hello, We are hoping to build a new home using a flat pack kit home in the next 12 to 18 months. We've never built before so I'm sorry for any obvious questions. The home we want to buy is 100 sq m single storey and we would like to buy another unit which is 26 sq m which we want to connect to the main house via an enclosed walkway. The company suggests Spantec flooring systems - has anyone used these flooring systems before? What were the costs like? The home we want to build is easy to install, everything is premade before delivery, so we'd like to do a lot of it ourselves. But we thought we would employ a builder to oversee it and help us with co-ordinating getting services connected. Our thinking is that it would be easier to get finance if we're technically not owner builders - is that right? I've read that owner builders need a large deposit and we will only have around 5% for land and 5% for the construction plus the first home grant for new homes. In my initial budget I've allocated 20K for plumbing, water and electrical connections. The block will have services to the boundary already and the house is set back approx 40m. Is this sounding Ok or am I way off? Last question - does this sequence sound right? Buy land -5% deposit Get plans drawn up to meet council requirements (we are aiming for complying development but not sure if this is possible or not) Submit to council for approval Once plans are approved organise financing - I assume we need to have detailed quotes from builder, plumber, electrician etc plus plans when we apply? Order kit set home to be delivered and flooring system Install flooring system Install house Plumbing / electrics etc Kitchen and bathrooms - we're not going with the kit set kitchen and bathroom as we'd like to do our own thing using recycled bits and pieces Can kit set homes be used for construction loans even though they're mostly constructed off site? Thanks so much. Re: Kit home questions for a first timer 2Jun 01, 2013 9:35 pm Hi Jeremybec, There are a few owner build threads on this forum who have built steel framed homes. Hopefully one of those forum members find this post to share their knowledge. You may even be able to search for those topics (sorry can't tell you exactly where to find the posts). The only thing I would do is organise all the finance (pre-approval), prior to starting anything. Once you have your preapproval (this is what you have to play with), start speaking with builders, kit home providers, freelance builders etc. to have a good understanding of costs, scheduling and requirements. I suggest this, so you don't start off and reach the next milestone only to end up disappointed if an unexpected cost or requirement arises, which puts a halt on the project. Always best to have all the ducks lined up. By the way will you need a water tank and septic systems or will you be on mains water and sewerage? As these 2 items are big ticket items. When it comes to plumbing and electrical costs, it is always best to call local service providers to get a realistic price. Good luck! I hope it all goes well, after all the stress subsides and the house starts taking shape, you do get overwhelmed with excitement. Sometime after this, the stress begins to surface again once you start setting out all the projects to do around the place . Re: Kit home questions for a first timer 3Jun 01, 2013 9:58 pm Hi, We plan on using dry compost toilets and diverting the greywater so I'm still researching the best option for kitchen water. We have sewer services in the area though so we don't need a septic tank. We will be on mains water with a rainwater tank as well, we're in a bush fire zone and I'm pretty sure we're required to have a rainwater tank on the property. Thanks for the advice about preapproval, we thought we'd talk to a mortgage broker and see what they think we could be approved for. It is exciting, but scary at the same time. We've been saving for a long time and have only just decided to build rather than buy. The stamp duty saving, the government grant, plus realising that we could get a four bedroom new home instead of a very run down two bedroom fibro in our area have all contributed to our change of direction. We've fully renovated a house before so we're happy to do some work, it's just the council and financing which scares me a little. Hi Suku18 In NSW the statutory required insurances are: 1. HBCF ( Home Building Compensation Fund) - This is if the builder dies or goes broke. But this only covers 20%… 1 1279 Thanks NativeZen! I can't wait to start landscaping, though it's going to be a while away yet. No movement on site yet as of the weekend. Hoping to see some earthworks… 3 2148 Personally, considering your layout (study/work desks in bedrooms), I don't think you have any other option but to leave NW windows and make them as big as possible e.g.… 7 7855 |