Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 21Jan 04, 2014 1:28 pm Just as an example I pulled out of my volume builder contract because the had approx $50k of provisional site costs on a job they actually did bore tests and survey report and siting plans. Now some I expect but most I do not. This demonstrates they are lazy and that doesn't work with me just one way to screw you once you've signed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 22Jan 04, 2014 1:59 pm No problem, glad you found the thread useful
We did approach coromandel valley constructions and he gave us a very thorough quote including everything and pricing was good. We did not end up going with them as my husband was reluctant to go with such a small builder, anyway thought I would mention it. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 24Jan 04, 2014 5:47 pm The builder doesn't have to be small, just quote what is asked. One other thing I did was get all cabinetry drawn up also including any doors/cupboards/drawers/linen/shelving etc. in robes/kitchen/pantry/wir/laundry/wet areas. - dimensions and materials. If not you'll find the builders only allow a PC sum which is very low. If a builder requests cabinetry drawings when quoting, it could be a good sign. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 25Jan 04, 2014 6:02 pm Out of the approx 10 builders we approached, both big and small they were the only ones to quote exactly, even to the point of asking us what appliances we wanted in the kitchen. They also were willing to supply from anywhere that we wanted.
Our sales guy from the builder we chose was a close second. The price, preference of my hubbie and a decent quote were the reasons that they got our business. It was my fault that the prelim quote was not exact. The two blowouts were tiling and cabinetry. I did not realise that I would be upgrading size of tiles as they were the only ones I liked, big expense. Plus we also got cabinetry drawn up by an interior designer after the builder quoted and this also meant significant upgrades. If I had known about this before the quote I would have got both costed in. That is not to say I am recommending either builder, just sharing my experience Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 26Jan 04, 2014 6:20 pm Was the tiling cost blowout due to the material or size? I have stated in my list that we would like the option of going upto 600 x 600 if necessary - even though we may only go 300 x 600mm. I also specified mitered tiling around corners... otherwise mitered can be extra as they put a silver strip along the edge. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 27Jan 04, 2014 6:44 pm The tile I chose is 300 x 600. The builder was not keen on this size tile in the wet area as it makes establishing the fall more difficult. However we spoke to various tile places and they stated it is not that hard just one of those things that gets put in the too hard basket by some tilers and/or builders. We had to pay extra for the tiles, to have strip drains and for them to be laid. We have larger tiles out of the wet area and that was not a problem.
Mitred edging was not a problem in terms of cost or getting the builder to agree Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 28Jan 04, 2014 6:50 pm FairmontSAcustom Very practical and looks good too but unfortunately the smallest the tile came in was 300 x 600. The builder was not keen on this size tile in the wet area as it makes establishing the fall more difficult. However we spoke to various tile places and they stated it is not that hard just one of those things that gets put in the too hard basket by some tilers and/or builders. A tile that size is pretty stock standard even in the shower (have a mate that's a tiler)... just an excuse for the builder to charge you more. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 30Jan 04, 2014 7:04 pm They did not even want to install that size tile in the shower which was the most annoying thing. Agreed there is no reason to charge more and no reason not to lay them either. The thing is I could have said no and I did think about it but the final cost for what we are getting was so good that I chose to ignore individual items. To me all the builders seem to be the same and I just wanted to get on and have our house built and the builder we chose ticked most of the boxes.
Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 32Jan 04, 2014 7:23 pm FairmontSAcustom They did not even want to install that size tile in the shower which was the most annoying thing. Agreed there is no reason to charge more and no reason not to lay them either. The thing is I could have said no and I did think about it but the final cost for what we are getting was so good that I chose to ignore individual items. Live and learn I guess. They always want the easiest outcome for them. Does anyone know who Pepsi ended choosing as his builder? Haven't seen him on here for a while. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 34Jan 04, 2014 8:13 pm Ethank deluxes Stellar Homes and their sister company Reflection do a build to lock up option... then the owner finishes off from there. Not sure if you've already checked them out, or if they are suitable? But, we liked Stellar Homes quite a lot. Did you end up building with them? Long story, but No, we ended up at the 11th hour finding a home we loved off the plan (just some minimal changes & tweaking needed) with Simonds. We had previously had nothing jump out at us with other builders, hence the custom plan route. We were getting quotes for that from Stellar, Rendition and Dechellis - when by chance we wandered through a Simonds display. Anyway, we had a shot to the heart with the Sierra, even though it was completely different to what we thought we wanted - spoke to the SC (who for the record is the BEST person we have come across in this whole process) and we signed up a few weeks later. Threw the custom idea out the window! Simonds have been fabulous and we don't regret our decision even a little bit. They were flexible with supplying what we wanted, getting it quoted up fixed price before contracts and doing what they could to make our home "ours". In the end the splashback and the bathroom tiles was the only thing we went outside their range on, but we were able to attend Beaumonts to get what we wanted quoted before we committed to anything anyway... Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 36Jan 04, 2014 8:55 pm Thanks Ethnak... I'm sure you'll get where you want to be, stay positive It took many many months to find what we wanted and many hair tearing hours within those unfortunately, but we got there... I look forward to following your build when you do find what you're looking for (and you will!) Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66299 Slab: 16/6/14 Frame: 4/7/14 Roof: 22/7/14 Lock Up: 20/8/14 Fixing: 26/8/14 PCI: 9/10/14 Handover: 20/10/14 Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 37Jan 04, 2014 9:03 pm Thanks mate. Looks like yr happily married... Hope I still am by the end of our build lol. Will keep you all posted on my endevours to get the quote I'm after... Which hopefully will end in a house we want. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 38Jan 04, 2014 9:35 pm Yay, in the meantime would love to see the plans that you have and know where you are building. The nosy side in me coming out hey there! 😊 so, it’s kinda common for standard drawer depths to be around 500mm since most cabinets use this size to fit the usual runners… 3 20855 I was being kind to the builder. With the amount charged for the upgrade the builder is probably charging closer to 100% margin. There are a few variables as I… 5 14272 I had 28m2 of engineered pavers laid six months back and it was difficult to find someone not taking the pi$$. Internet suggested it should be $85-100/m2 to lay them.… 3 12323 |