Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 07, 2014 12:23 pm I'm just wondering if anyone can share their experience with how accommodating the project builders (DA, Summit, etc) are/were with changes to their house plans? How many changes, to what extent and the costs? I'm trying to gauge whether we go with a project builder and their plans and make the changes to suit our needs, or just go straight to a draftsman to get our own design. I know every situation will be different, so i'm just asking for peoples experiences with making changes to existing plans. Thanks! Re: Changes to plans 2Jul 07, 2014 12:39 pm I think every builder is different, it really depends on how much extra overhead there is to change plans. If you have a look at our build thread, here, I think the third post down has some links to the changes we made to the floorplan. Now it DID cost a bit more to have the sun shading & verandah out the front (although you might include those costs in "facade" rather than "floorplan changes"), but the rest of the changes in floorplan maybe added up to a couple of thousand. We've made quite a few changes to standard, although without changing external walls. Re: Changes to plans 3Jul 07, 2014 2:49 pm The costs will really depend on what you want to do, but right at the start we spoke to Dale Alcock, Gemmil, Switch and Aveling - they were all willing to change their plans to what we wanted. My build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=68002 Re: Changes to plans 4Jul 07, 2014 6:26 pm We've had quotes between 5-7k for a building designer/draftsperson to do prelim plans, then another 5-7K for the working plans. I'm trying to work out if we find a plan with a project builder and made all the necessary changes etc, is that cost added into the final contract price, do we pay for that upfront, or are changes up to a certain point 'free'? Re: Changes to plans 6Jul 09, 2014 10:26 am Because we are clueless (third time home owners, first time builders) can someone please explain to us what PCQ is, how many changes you can make to a plan before signing a contract vs changes at pre-start, etc? I've tried googling the whole process and I can only find links to different states or threads on this forum that dont really step out the process. TIA Re: Changes to plans 7Jul 09, 2014 11:55 am Before you sign anything you can make as many changes to the plans as you like. The builder will try to get you to sign as soon as possible and try to scare you with price increase stories. I wouldn't suggest signing anything until you are completely happy with the design. At prstart you don't really want to be changing anything structural as that will slow everything down as the plans will all need to be redrawn and resubmitted etc. Prestart is mainly for selecting the colours and fittings . My build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=68002 Re: Changes to plans 8Jul 09, 2014 12:38 pm WE started with an idea of a plan that we liked but pretty much totally rearranged it several times during the planning period. We spoke to many builders and they all were willing to make whatever changes we wanted. The builder we chose allowed us to make change after change, and their prices were very reasonable, and they were always quick to credit back when the changes meant less materials etc were required. When we were happy with the plans we signed the contract. We were still allowed to make changes until the building permit was issued but after that we could only make non-structural changes. After construction was started however, they have a strict no changes of any kind policy. My Building Thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66153 Re: Changes to plans 9Jul 09, 2014 5:07 pm Heyzy We've had quotes between 5-7k for a building designer/draftsperson to do prelim plans, then another 5-7K for the working plans. Is that including energy assessments and certified engineers details? Seems a bit on the steep side to me. Re: Changes to plans 10Jul 09, 2014 5:47 pm tim_k Heyzy We've had quotes between 5-7k for a building designer/draftsperson to do prelim plans, then another 5-7K for the working plans. Is that including energy assessments and certified engineers details? Seems a bit on the steep side to me. Agreed, for a single story that sounds a little steep. We paid $4k for concept plan and $4k for planning approval drawings. Working drawings were included by the builder. This was for a double storey house in Perth. Re: Changes to plans 11Jul 09, 2014 7:46 pm Dukecaddy tim_k Heyzy We've had quotes between 5-7k for a building designer/draftsperson to do prelim plans, then another 5-7K for the working plans. Is that including energy assessments and certified engineers details? Seems a bit on the steep side to me. Agreed, for a single story that sounds a little steep. We paid $4k for concept plan and $4k for planning approval drawings. Working drawings were included by the builder. This was for a double storey house in Perth. The quote from one designer is - $7200 +GST for the design scope of works, then $7500+GST for the construction drawings scope of works. Another place quoted us $13,500 for full design and documentation. I gave both our building budget of $450k. We've asked for a design that includes the following: 4x3 with study, minor bedrooms to one end of house with an activity area, main bedroom with ensuite with outside access, Scullery and laundry off kitchen, open plan kitchen dining games rooms all with a northern facing aspect. High ceilings, lots of light, bifold or stacker doors to allow indoor entertaining to flow to outdoor entertaining. Am I dreaming that we'll get that for $450k? Re: Changes to plans 12Jul 09, 2014 10:30 pm I think that's achievable. We're a bit over that but the second storey adds cost. We're 4x3 with a balcony and most of what you've listed apart from a proper scullery (we have an appliance nook instead). We used Mark Anthony Design and would recommend. Our plans are on my thread if you want a sticky beak. Re: Changes to plans 16Jul 12, 2014 1:10 am I made so many changes to the plan that the builder and I decided it would be easier for them to build a custom design. So i worked with them on what I liked and wanted. Then I changed every single speccd item. It will be the house I want and the way I want, I have not really compromised that much but have tried to save a little here and there...... Speak with them and see what they are willing to do.... Re: Changes to plans 17Jul 12, 2014 8:11 am Burnsfirsttime Before you sign anything you can make as many changes to the plans as you like. The builder will try to get you to sign as soon as possible and try to scare you with price increase stories. I wouldn't suggest signing anything until you are completely happy with the design. At prstart you don't really want to be changing anything structural as that will slow everything down as the plans will all need to be redrawn and resubmitted etc. Prestart is mainly for selecting the colours and fittings . +1. We moved so many walls. Widened this closet. Added this and took it away. Did everything. Each step cost nothing, and only additional was the cost to add a wall etc but moving them cost nothing. Our project builder was accommodating (smaller PB maybe that's why). Back and forth for 3-4 months, but cost me $0 we probably had nearly 6-7 versions. We used a standard plan and played played played. I'd heard of another who is building with my builder, they took a standard plan, and erased everything and just kept the floor size/shape lol didn't cost them a thing either from memory. But yeah trade off is the time it takes to get it right since they're a smaller but more focused team --- Re: Changes to plans 18Jul 13, 2014 12:04 am Your scope of works seams pretty straight forward, and something most builders would have numerous standard plans of. I think the call between a builder or going down the custom design path really depends on what changes you want to make. Most of the main stream builders will make within reason as many changes as you like. Whether the pricing the come back with is acceptable or not is generally the question. As it doesn't cost anything to chat with a few builders and have some draft plans and pricing done for you, that's probably the best place to start. Then if your not happy with the layouts they comeback with or the price, then have a think about going down the custom route. Re: Changes to plans 19Jul 13, 2014 1:08 am Heyzy We've asked for a design that includes the following: 4x3 with study, minor bedrooms to one end of house with an activity area, main bedroom with ensuite with outside access, Scullery and laundry off kitchen, open plan kitchen dining games rooms all with a northern facing aspect. High ceilings, lots of light, bifold or stacker doors to allow indoor entertaining to flow to outdoor entertaining. Am I dreaming that we'll get that for $450k? If you choose a project builder that builds big houses (~350 sqm), choose a similar plan that you would like have, work with the consultant rigorously for a month (5-10 plan changes), you can build the house with highest specification for about 350-380ks; much faster (~18 months) compared to the full custom build. I engaged my builder in December last year and we’ve been working on preliminary drawings for last couple of months. I got a call from the salesperson this morning… 0 580 Really tight at the top of the stairs- how to get furniture into those rooms? Study books - does anyone really use them these days? Large storage closet would be more functional. 2 6894 Ask the council if there is a chance of getting build over easement exemption. Sometimes easements are unused and 24cm is not all that much. Good luck. And yes any builder… 2 13781 |