Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 10, 2013 12:51 pm Hi all, Short time user... First time poster. My husband and I are really keen to build in the North of Melbourne. We have also narrowed it down to our favourite 2 properties with Henley. As first time house builders, it can be so confusing with all of the processes, inclusions (or more importantly exclusisons) and steps. We really want a fixed price, an absolute final figure before we sign the contract but that doesn't seem to be the way it works. Our issue is the commitment without knowing that final price - we don't want any surprises. Is the building a home thing really as difficult as it seems? Or does it get easier?? Any advice / comments / suggestions is much appreciated! Re: Commitment Issues.... 2Jun 10, 2013 1:46 pm Well we're in QLD and building with Plantation Homes which I believe is the same company as Henley. They could give us a rough estimate right up front when we discussed the vague things we wanted. Then we paid 1.5k to freeze the list price/current promotion, and for them to do soil and contour tests and a much more detailed quote. Now after a 3.5 hour appointment with a consultant and a walk through the home etc we are awaiting specific house plans and a full, detailed quote which we can amend as many times as possible before committing to a contract. Quite reasonable I think. Can't expect them to do all that work for nothing. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Commitment Issues.... 3Jun 10, 2013 2:05 pm I think every builder is slightly different in the way they approach it, so it makes comparing very difficult. To avoid surprises I think you need to consult someone who knows the ins and outs of the whole game. Because "you don't know, what you don't know". I actually went the opposite way to you, we went with a Cost Plus contract, because it enabled us to work closely with the builder to cut costs in design and now we've started we can control costs. The advantage was the builder doesn't add in a "buffer". The disadvantage was that blowouts are at our expense. BUT, now excavation is done and slab down the only blowouts possible are due to A) material increases and B) us changing things. It's quite complex. What we found initially years ago when looking at project builders is the actual cost of finished product is way beyond what they quote. Because most people would not settle for the basic inclusions and they don't include site costs, and a whole host of items. Hey, you better check out the mega thread on things that people forget, it's gold: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=5823&start=520 Re: Commitment Issues.... 4Jun 10, 2013 2:50 pm Hi and welcome! Had to have a read after giggling at the title. I'm,exactly the same. Can't tell you how many quotes I've had done! I also paid a builder a deposit, then changed builders and paid them a deposit, and just this weekend stopped myself paying another and WILL stick to builder no. 2 . Oh, before all this I got plans drawn up from 2 other builders for a custom build lol You need to ask for fixed site costs, very important, especially in melbourne's north (I'm currently in Epping, building in mernda) as there can be lots of rock. Then need to get a price on all items to comply with estate covenants. Go through the house with sales staff and take note of everything you want to upgrade and get all these added to quote. Then, for me this was important as its where things fell down with builder no.1 for me, go for a tour of their selection centre so you can see first hand their standard options, plus their upgrade options. You want a wide standard range and plenty of upgrade choice for the items that matter most to you Electrical is anther big added cost. Check out this forum and blogs from henley builders and try get pricing on your electrical upgrades. Ask builder for copy of electric plan to work out what you may need. Many things can be done cheaper after handover. Good luck! Building the Porter Davis Dunedin 29 maybe, thinking of forfeiting deposit and going with CH or UE Re: Commitment Issues.... 5Jun 11, 2013 7:42 pm The general consensus around here is add $50k to the advertised price. Or just go basic, but you will soon be wanting to make changes. Re: Commitment Issues.... 6Jun 11, 2013 10:40 pm donna61 The general consensus around here is add $50k to the advertised price. Or just go basic, but you will soon be wanting to make changes. +1 I personally would assume the cost will be 100k minimum to your 'basic cost.' I don't know about Melbourne, but in Sydney the major builders can be divided into two groups; 1) The builder will charge you a "fixed" price to build your home (gives you certainty) or 2) The builder charges you a "basic" price. To this you must add site cost. Re: Commitment Issues.... 7Jun 11, 2013 10:48 pm Fixed price house and land solves some of the problem but not all. Electrical and colours can add tens of thousands of unpredictable costs to your home. The builders are all extremely good at drip-feeding you information, but since they all work the same way there's little you can do. You'll have a base price at tender, but won't see the full price until contract at the earliest. The best you can do is spend lots of time digging up quotes for things you might have to get done after handover. Frustrating, I know. In my case I didn't have a final figure for about a month AFTER contract. HD Thanks for your reply. I will just wait and see I guess. Trying to get some more information from our builder. 9 29919 I am looking at building a house. Has anyone used Construkt Homes (based in Adelaide)? Does anyone have experience with this builder? 0 6398 12 5297 |