Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 19, 2014 12:13 pm Hey guys!
Question for those whose homes are done and dusted (or close to). Is there anything you would change if you could go back in time? Layout, features, upgrades, finishes etc. Interested to hear from you all Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 2Aug 19, 2014 12:43 pm We're not quite done but there are a couple things I would have done differently: 1. Get them only to take ownership of the portion of the property that is required for building so you can still erect some fencing and make a start on the garden. 2. Spend a lot more time focussing on the kitchen practically rather than just the look or cost. Should have added a few extra drawers and greater overhang on the breakfast bar. 3. Insist that all site drainage (to side passages and the yard etc) be included - this won't cost be a lot but I'm dreading having to dig up and attach to the storm water pipes and really would've been simple if I'd pressed for it earlier - not to mention protecting my slab. Also see other posts on "what you forget" and slab heave/protecting your slab. http://camdenbuild.blogspot.com.au/ by invite only please pm me Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 3Aug 19, 2014 1:16 pm We are still very early on but there are a couple of things I would do differently... 1. I would add a normal opening door to the laundry instead of a glass sliding door. 2. I am very unhappy with one window... I tried to change it previously but the builder said it can't be done... I should have pushed them for a solution but I didn't and now I sit with one window at a different height to all the others and it really bugs me. If you don't like something, make the builder find a solution until you are happy! 3. I would have moved my electrical point in the bathrooms to inside the cupboards so that my toothbrush, straightners, hairdryer etc can be plugged in and hidden inside the cupboards. My build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=68002 Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 4Aug 19, 2014 9:45 pm Got a LOT more conduits put in to save me time running smart wiring and aerial points ! Our build thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=64997&start=40 Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 5Aug 19, 2014 10:07 pm learn how to read plans! not to listen to hubby ( I really want to put a door on the ENS) Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 6Aug 19, 2014 11:21 pm 2-cupcakes-pls learn how to read plans! not to listen to hubby ( I really want to put a door on the ENS) Now that's funny It's gets easier as you go along. Ms Echo had no idea when we began , now she's got the gift. Prestart used to take 3 hours, last time I was 20 minutes late to the meeting , and she had finished. On your next build you'll be the guru Timeline Aug 08-Land Mar 09-Demo/Titles Sept 10-Handover No1 Sept 11-Handover No2 April 12-Sold No2 Aug 14-Land/Demo Jan 15-Slabs viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25736 Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 7Aug 19, 2014 11:27 pm I would put my plan up on H1 to be critiqued <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=62083">viewtopic.php?t=62083</a><!-- l --> Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 9Aug 20, 2014 12:16 am I would have increased the size of the double garage by a metre so that 2 vehicles could comfortably fit , and you could open the doors properly when they are both in there! Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 10Aug 20, 2014 7:49 am Not a lot, but ... - I'd check the plan better. Some things are hard to "see" on paper. An example is our powder room. Toilet could have been better placed. - I might go the extra mile in costs and do things I really want. An extra $30-50k on the mortgage is nothing in 10 years ... - Maybe garage bigger. - Check linen and storage space - is there enough ? - Maybe have a few extra PPs outside ... Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 11Aug 20, 2014 8:54 am I'd have been less impatient - the few months it takes to get something planned & drawn & whatever is nothing compared to the admin process with a project builder anyway. I'd also have gone to an architect or draftie and had something drawn-up and pimped it around a few custom builders. Only now as we're finishing, and we've been through so many modifications, can I see how we should've designed the house from the start. Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 12Aug 20, 2014 9:36 am Put an exhaust fan in the laundry for when I use the dryer which with two kids is a lot... Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 13Aug 20, 2014 6:54 pm Frosted glass to toilets and bathrooms and a little bulkhead in the master to cover the curtain tracks. Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 14Aug 20, 2014 9:21 pm i would of gone with a different builder and done more research before being rushed into signing contracts. Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 15Aug 21, 2014 1:55 pm We also had a skylight in the powder room - the fan noise in the day time drove me crazy. Sky lights in general can be gr8. Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 17Aug 21, 2014 4:22 pm Added way more power points. Also in the terrazza. Kas.Mark+4 Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 18Aug 21, 2014 4:22 pm staceyd Picked a different builder And not listened when they said we'd be in or close to by Christmas 2013 (we're still not in) Wow! Who are you building with?? Kas.Mark+4 Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 19Aug 21, 2014 5:19 pm Merlotguest staceyd Picked a different builder And not listened when they said we'd be in or close to by Christmas 2013 (we're still not in) Wow! Who are you building with?? Or ... not building - as the case may be - with ... Re: Finished builds - what would you do differently? 20Aug 21, 2014 7:27 pm You might like to check out this thread :- viewtopic.php?f=31&t=5823 It's already there with plenty of things that people would do differently next time. Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Hi, We are looking for a builder that can build a small home (smaller length) on a sloping site. We came across Mojo's Zephyr design 10.6 m wide and 11.5 m length. Does… 0 23014 Bought in Nov 21 at the height of the market (classic). Good area, atrocious floor plan. BUT has land out to the left-hand side that we can extend out on (see second… 0 8770 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 39682 |