Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 18, 2014 6:26 pm Seems like everyone here lurks for a while before posting, so I am going to break that trend and post my build on my first day. The initial sales process was in interesting journey. We met with a number of builders who seemed to want to bung us into one of their pre-packaged designs ("do you really need a theatre?", "Large kitchens are a waste of space anyway"). We were almost about to sign up with the design that looked closest to what we wanted but we had one more meeting left (the first one booked, but with a 2 week lead time). We expected to see yet another lack-lustre performance of whipping through pre-made designs, to which we would say "thanks but no thanks" and leave to sign up with the plan we had picked out. To be honest the only reason we still went was because we didn't want to be rude and cancel a meeting that had been in place for 2 weeks. The builder was so different from the others. Before showing us any of their designs they actually listened to what we wanted in a house (big master bedroom, big kitchen, alfresco, theatre, study, kids activity area). They did show us a couple of pre-made designs, but were very transparent that they didn't think they really suited. They asked us to come back next week and they would see what they could do for us. Fast forward a week and there are three custom designs based on our requirements. We chose the most expensive (extending our budget by $20k which was arbitrarily set at $20k below what we could afford because we had a feeling it would be pushed). In hindsight we signed up during a period that we were both working 50 odd hour weeks and were completely knackered. There are some small things that I would have liked to change, but I am still happy with how things turned out. Timeline so far: 18 June 2014 - Preliminary Plans Agreement 29 July 2014 - Signed Full Contract 8 September 2014 - Land Settlement 25 September 2014 - Prestart 19 November 2014 - Slab Down 8 February 2015 - Bricks Start 19 February 2015 - Bricks Completed 18 March 2015 - Roof Frame Completed 26 March 2015 - Electrical and Plumbing Completed 1 April 2015 - Plaster Float Installed 7 April - Ceilings completed 14 April - White plaster set completed 18 April - Lockup! 24 April - Cabinetry installed 10 May - Tiling 15 May - Garage hard stand and electrical 21 May - Insulation 23 May - Shower screens and mirrors Most recent plans: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Siteworks: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pad: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: FHB - 4x2 in Baldivis 2Dec 18, 2014 7:06 pm Thought I would share the 3D rendered design that I pulled together as well. There are a number of assumptions in here which won't be in the final design (ie full tiling to the wet areas, furniture position etc), but it gave me an idea of the space I was playing with. Front of house Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Front Door Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Master Bedroom - entry Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Master Bedroom - to ensuite Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ WIR Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite - Double shower Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite - to WC Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hall to garage Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Study Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Open Plan Living - To TV/Dining Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Open Plan Living - To Kitchen Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Theatre Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kids Activity Area Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bed 2 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bed 3 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bathroom Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Laundry / WC (from external door) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bed 4 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kids Activity Area - from Bed 3 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Alfresco Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: FHB - 4x2 in Baldivis 3Dec 29, 2014 12:03 am I'm starting to question the competence of my builder. As shown on my plans, the garage wall runs along the side of the retaining wall on the block. When I received the invoice for the pad, the concrete footings only went up to the retaining wall along the back of the garage, but not along the wall, or back towards the right for the front pillar of the garage. More than once they have told me that the pad is complete, nothing to worry about. There is "most likely" footings under the retaining wall that they can build on... This seems a bit suss to me. Has anyone else got experience with a garage wall along side a retaining wall? Surely the wall footings would be much deeper, and wouldn't accommodate the return at the front of the garage? Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 4Jan 02, 2015 7:32 pm Hey! Welcome to the building forum. Its such a good place to get ideas! My house is on the boundary retaining wall. In my cost there was a fee set up for the curing back of the wall. They have commenced building on the retaining wall. They normally just cut it back to fit the type (size) of the bricks you have chosen. You can see photos on my blog of my build and how they are doing it. I will follow you now to keep afloat of your build! Justin Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 6Jan 02, 2015 8:27 pm Thanks Justin. I couldnt quite tell from your photos, but it looks like your retaining wall is not too high or you are on the top of the wall? The problem I see with using any of the retaining wall is that my lot stops at the face of the wall (I am on the lower side, the top of the wall belongs to the lot next to me). At the moment I am going to keep the builder private, mainly because I don't want to say something that is incorrect - once this issue is sorted I might let people know. Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 9Jan 02, 2015 11:33 pm Hey Alex. Love the plan, is there a display? I feel as though I've been through it haha. That 3 model looks awesome, good work they all the colour choices you made at prestart? Welcome to H1 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 10Jan 03, 2015 1:49 am Ah i get what you mean now. I just played with the 3D modelling - its awesome. Images to come!! Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 11Jan 03, 2015 10:48 am dacurt Did you model the house in 3d yourself? Has it been useful? Yep, did it myself using roomsketcher.com which is really easy to pick up (and there is a free version). I tried Google Sketchup, and even with a bit of a CAD background, the program was too complicated for what I wanted to do. It was really useful. One example I can think of is the ensuite. We extended the shower to make it a double shower which meant we used up the only bit of wall space for a towel rack. In the model I put them on the walls leading into the ensuite. The floor in this area was going to be carpeted, which doesnt work with wet feet, so we extended the tiling in the ensuite to come up to the bedroom and decided we preferred it that way (whether the towel rails go there or not). Its also really useful to drop furniture in to see what size the rooms are going to be. ToriMatt8132 Hey Alex. Love the plan, is there a display? I feel as though I've been through it haha. That 3 model looks awesome, good work they all the colour choices you made at prestart? Welcome to H1 There is no display, the design was a custom one (although I believe they have sold the same plan a few times since). The builder took a promo home of theirs and moved rooms, added walls etc to the point where the design is no longer recognisable (see original design below). This meant the PPA was a list of about 20 changes (ie. "Alter Kitchen as per plan", "Alter Master as per plan")... The colour choices were just playing around before pre-start. Unfortunately one of the downsides of Roomsketcher is the limited colours / wood patterns etc. We are going for a "greyish" wood look floor, light bricks and roof with scales of grey in the tiles / render. Sounds a bit "blergh" calling it all grey, but I think it will work (I will track down some photos of colour selection bits and pieces and post them up). Thanks for the welcome everyone. Original floor plan - completely unrecognisable when you put them side by side. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 12Jan 03, 2015 12:05 pm I just put some pictures up from Room Sketcher Pretty cool!! Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 13Jan 03, 2015 2:42 pm Great 3D design. Looking forward to watching this build progress. Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 14Jan 03, 2015 10:19 pm Nice house and renders Alex. I drew our first custom design up with Chief Architect/Home Designer. I upgraded it a month ago and cant get 3D views now Thanks for posting the NBN pics. Which state are you in? Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 15Jan 03, 2015 10:25 pm I'm in WA. The NBN pics were no problems, just found them on the net, but have seen similar at a few houses locally. Roomsketcher has some other features I'd like to try, but can't justify the upgrade price. My first home progress: viewtopic.php?t=74975 Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 16Jan 06, 2015 7:04 pm Managed to find some spare time (procrastinating until its home time really) so thought I would share some colour choices. Flooring in the main living areas with kitchen bench top (black) and kitchen cupboards (looks white in the photo, but has an element of cream to it): Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bedroom Carpet: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ With 3 kids under 10 we wanted to go for something which would hide some stains. Wet area tiles: Dark grey 30x30 floor tiles Light grey 20x40 wall tiles White feature 20x40 tiles in the showers Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Splashback tiling (They grey, not the white one behind it): Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 17Jan 06, 2015 9:58 pm I like the tones and choices. Is the flooring laminate or wood? Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 18Jan 06, 2015 10:01 pm Follow my build here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74975 Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 19Jan 06, 2015 10:02 pm Cool. I got something similar but its called timbernate Re: Alex's first home build: 3D design 20Jan 06, 2015 10:11 pm Love your colors and texture choices Alex! I had a few white limed pieces of furniture and travertine in my current house. Just sanded back and stacined dark for the new home. But I still love white/creamy timber. And best thing is its a bit different, not a trend We've got vinyl 'marble' tiles in our kitchen. Been down 14 years and still good with dogs running over every day. Good choice there. So still no slab and apparently the concreter cancelled. Here come the delays... apparently things haven't recovered quite as much as I thought. I've been told maybe next… 8 32052 hi guys. Please be nice. First time home builder in Qld. I would like some feedback please on whether I should build my granny flat first before my main house at the… 0 4996 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 19238 |