Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 25, 2014 10:42 am G'day all, For the past few weeks I have been reading with interest everyones build stories, while some have scared, most have put my mind at ease somewhat. After searching countless display homes, builders, blocks over a period of about 3 months my partner and I ended choosing the very first house and land package we found. Much to my chagrin because it was my favourite, matched our budget and was with a builder my company do work for. My partner and I decided to build with Hickinbotham for a few reasons. One was that the design of the home was perfect for us, the company I work for does work for them so I have an inside knowledge on how they work, and of course the old, price. We signed our contracts in late December (to get the $23,500 first home builders grants). My partner being a Head Chef means we had to do a few alterations to the kitchen. 1.6m wide butlers pantry, 90cm free standing over (to be supplied by us). A few other cosmetic changes we're adding double sliding doors to the entertainment area and adding a bay window to the facade (because we didn't want it looking like every other house on the street). My only gripe with the process so far was the salesman. Being in retail I understand they want a sale but this particular salesman's lack of knowledge of some of the most basic things really surprised me. It seems continued little errors on his part are starting to add up. So it wasn't really a surprise to us when I rang to book selections......he no longer works for the company....! One of the biggest hurdles we had to overcome was my money history....pretty bad! But we had the most amazing broker (seriously cannot speak higher of this woman if I tried) we exchanged e-mails daily she always replied within hours if not minutes even though she was extremely busy. She had a fantastic understanding of the way the big 4 work, and modelled our loan application to be the most successful. At this stage, we have plans and footing reports, just waiting for land evaluation and loan documents then we will be having colour selections on the 6th of March. Hopefully the council approvals are speedy, I have heard they are for the Playford Alive stage 1 area as they are trying to complete it as soon as possible. I have added our plans to give you an idea of what we are building. Yes I know the driveway is out the back but I have lived in a house like this for the last 4 years and to be honest I think they are fantastic. We have three reasonable sized bedrooms, but come sell date or investment time we are able to convert the front sitting room into a 4th bedroom. I can't wait to hear any thoughts or comments. I've done basically all the leg work for the house thus far as my partner works 50 hour weeks so it will be great to vent, discuss, whinge and celebrate some experiences with you all. Kind regards, NEWBIE! Re: New Hickinbotham Build 2Feb 25, 2014 11:36 am Welcome! Your house plans look good, nice functional spaces. That pantry is great Whereabouts are you building? I built with Hickinb0tham about 9 years ago, no gripes with the house, the end product was lovely … BIG gripes however with the sales & administration process … eek. But having said that, there have been a lot of happy Hickies customers come through the forum. So it really depends. Have you had your soil tests/footings report come in yet? We are building with Simonds up in Mt Barker, it’s nice when new SA builds pop in. Looking forward to seeing your build progress! 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: New Hickinbotham Build 3Feb 25, 2014 11:41 am Hey Deluxes, Yeah we wanted to keep the final cost to a minimum so we had a big focus on functionality and using the limited space as best we can to make it feel open. Yeah we had the soil and footing reports come back about a week or so ago, we had a variation of about $1500.00 which we can live with, because I have had some people had variations of thousands of dollars. Re: New Hickinbotham Build 4Feb 25, 2014 11:52 am Oh that's a relief... I was one of those people unfortunately. Total estimation of Siteworks on the contract $7,000. I copped a $28,000 variation! The soil was particularly troublesome, flat block, but very unstable soil. That was a very rude shock - the site works were grossly underquoted and lured me in to a very false sense of what I had to pay, lots of shocks. You've done great, the space is used very well. Great thinking 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: New Hickinbotham Build 6Feb 25, 2014 12:07 pm I did... but as a naive 19 year old at the time, when they consultant put a PC Sum of $7k on a contract for site works, i assumed that was correct. I mean, they were the builders right? ha! I wouldnt have had a clue of what site costs were supposed to be. I was shopping the builders at the time for the best quote - they of course came in cheapest at the outset with low allowances (I didnt even know that a PC Sum was subject to change!) and happily signed thinking they were the best value. When in the end, they actually werent as site works came in over, no septic tank was allowed for (another $4,500) and some other missing bits totalling around $5,000. It all worked out in the end and I was able to complete the build, but it left me feeling very sour for a while... learned lots of lessons the hard way! No PC sums this time... haha. 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: New Hickinbotham Build 7Feb 25, 2014 12:59 pm Hi Harry86! Welcome to the club I am building with Statesman (basically the same company as Hickies) and wish you all the best with your build. The plan looks nice. I particularly like that the company has its own selections center which makes life so much easier. Good luck with the selections. If you have time, go and look at the materials prior to the appointment. I have also gone to the bricks company to look at the bricks on the bigger scale and glad I have done that as I did not like what I have chosen as the first choice when I looked at the whole wall so I went with the second choice after that. Anyway, it is very exciting time Looking forward to hear about your progress. First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 Re: New Hickinbotham Build 8Feb 25, 2014 1:02 pm deluxes, it seems they have learnt the lesson as well because now they are usually put extra costs on as PC sum and most of the times it works out cheaper so they actually give you money back. That what happened with my footings. The PC sum was $24,000 and it turned out to be $20,404 which was really good. First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 Re: New Hickinbotham Build 9Feb 25, 2014 1:10 pm Thanks Vladmari, Yeah we had a look at Statesman as well, but the plans they had on offer didn't 100% suit what we wanted for the block we wanted. My partner and I have been to the selection centre and only really upgrading the benchtop, power points (from single to double), stainless round drains and I'm not sure about the doors it would depend on how much. I've heard there is a big jump in price if you change from the standard RMDF doors to the silver, also a big jump to change the standard cupboards in the kitchen. They were exceptionally cagey when we spoke to them about price indications so looking forward to it in one way but dreading it in others. Re: New Hickinbotham Build 10Feb 25, 2014 2:05 pm Harry86, I have dome my selections already and can give you some indications on the price. I have not done much upgrading during the selection either, only absolutely necessary things for me like increased height of the bench in the kitchen as I am pretty tall person, about 10 extra double power points, internal doors, silver range range hood, oven and gas stove, extra draws in the mains bathroom vanity and mixer tap in the laundry. First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 Re: New Hickinbotham Build 12Feb 25, 2014 2:39 pm Extra power points cost $45 each for single and $55 for double, oak door from silver range is $50 each, TV points $70 each, chrome square inlet $161 for the whole house, two tone kitchen (cupboard on the walls made one colour and under the bench second colour) $150, draws for the main bathroom vanity cabinet $180, mixer tab for the laundry $150, bottom of the wall cupboards done in main color $116 (calculated on the length of the cupboards), bench height to 100 cm instead of 90.5 cm $301 (based on the size of the kitchen), soundproofing 2 walls in bedroom 4 (it is located between ensuite and main toilet) $340, Westinghouse gas stove from silver range $328, Westinghouse double fan range hood $470, Westinghouse oven $607. That's all I have upgraded. First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 Re: New Hickinbotham Build 13Feb 25, 2014 2:41 pm or al least it is what I have remembered I will check my spreadsheet tonight and let you know if I have something else... First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 Re: New Hickinbotham Build 14Feb 25, 2014 2:45 pm if you are looking for something specific in the booklet then you can come to the selection center and ask the consultant there. They have the same booklet but with the prices. That's what I was doing prior to the appointment as I like to know everything before hand so I can make a decision:-) First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 Re: New Hickinbotham Build 15Feb 26, 2014 4:46 pm Hey guys, So I sent Hickinbotham an email regarding estimations for bench tops and upgraded cupboards but they told me they would have to send off for a quotation. Is there anyone heret hat has upgraded one or both of these? And roughly how much did it cost you? Will post pics of my selections when next Thursday finally arrives!!! Re: New Hickinbotham Build 16Mar 14, 2014 12:20 pm Harry86, how did your selections go? Did you get the quotes back from the builder? First house - Statesman Greenock (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66876 Second house - Fairmont Grand Design (modified) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=100789 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… 8 17180 A person needs to be licensed to offer financial advice. Surely the accountant you use would have been chosen for his/her expertise in this field. Have you asked your… 1 6681 |