Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 29, 2014 4:05 pm Hi all, new to the forum and looking at building (most likely with Blueprint). My wife and I built some number of years ago, sold due to ending up next to the neighbors from hell (they bought and built after us...sigh). Anyhow we have decided to re-enter the market and wanted to ask a few questions about inclusions. The first time we built we didn't upgrade a single thing and in the long run it probably made us wish we had. This time round we are in for the long haul and want it to be nice from the get-go (price permitting of course) for us and our 2 under 10's. Has anyone upgraded from the X to Y and what did it cost you (final out of pocket) 1) tiles -> laminate (lose all carpet and tiles in all areas except bathrooms, toilets and laundry) We don't like carpet and I hate cleaning grout. (flooring without laundry, bathrooms etc is approximately 130m2) 2) laminate benchtops -> 20mm stone (approx 5.22m2) 3) standard verticals -> something other (if so what. Been thinking roller blinds) 4) added splashbacks 5) better oven and stovetop 6) better lighting instead of just bayonets We are also thinking we will get them (Blueprint) to do the internal painting of the walls but again we don't really know if we will get value or not. When you drop inclusions (standard) I understand that you do not get the 100% supposed value back and I can live with that I guess. I understand that this is a long sort of wishlist (in terms of hoping someone or the collective) has done similar but here is hoping and thanks anyway. Cheers Squarewheels Re: Some inclusion questions 2Aug 29, 2014 4:55 pm I guess it depends what standard inclusions are included. They advertise that they are pretty good with Blueprint. It'll also depend on what spec you go for. We went with a display spec house and got a number of things automatically upgraded. With regards to laminate, we have gone with laminate and we got a small rebate if we chose the basic range. However we went for a better quality laminate and it'll cost us about $3k to up grade. We also upgraded the carpet and that'll cost about $2k. We are getting our walls painted after handover as it'll cost $2k less that way. The same with the down lights, we are having them throughout and it'll cost us about $2k less to do them after, plus we didn't like the builders lights. Ovens etc will cost the difference plus any builder mark up. We added curtains to our package and had the choice of verticals, roller blinds etc all for the same price. However in hindsight these probably would have been cheaper to get after too, although the curtain place did say that they give builders a fairly large discount. I'm not too sure about splash back as I'm having a window instead. We dropped a couple of things and got back more than we thought. We also changed a few things such as showers and actually got a rebate for some! Hope this helps! Re: Some inclusion questions 3Aug 29, 2014 5:08 pm I'll respond using your numbering for ease of reference: 1) all the builder has to supply (to get an occupancy permit) is tiling to wet areas, otherwise floor coverings can be done after handover which is certainly the cheaper option. How much that costs you is very dependent on what you want to have installed; 2) I paid just over $2,000 to upgrade from laminate to Caesarstone benchtops (roughly 3 years ago). I can't recall the exact amount of bench space but it's an island and another L shaped bench with cut outs for sink and cooktop so maybe around 5 metres; 3) Window coverings are also not usually provided by your builder (but can be for a price). Again, this may be cheaper to do after handover as whatever your builder charges will include a bit of commission for them; 4) I'm not sure if you are looking to upgrade the splashback from, say, tiles to glass? Again, your builder will have to put something fireproof at least behind the cooktop to get an occupancy permit, otherwise you can get whatever you want after handover; 5) It cost me about $1,500 to upgrade to a larger (900mm) oven and cooktop; 6) Not sure what you mean by "better" lighting. I simply got my builder to install the usual light points (bayonets) and then upgraded those that I wanted to (using an electrician of course) after handover. Otherwise my advice is to have a read of the "things you forget" thread on here and also to first consider upgrading things you can't change (or can't change easily) after changeover. For example: increased ceiling height. Good luck with it all Re: Some inclusion questions 4Aug 29, 2014 5:10 pm Hi guys/gals thanks for the replies thus far. Much appreciated. i will head over to the "Things you forgot" thread as well. Cheers Re: Some inclusion questions 5Aug 30, 2014 1:01 pm squarewheels 1) tiles -> laminate (lose all carpet and tiles in all areas except bathrooms, toilets and laundry) We don't like carpet and I hate cleaning grout. (flooring without laundry, bathrooms etc is approximately 130m2) 2) laminate benchtops -> 20mm stone (approx 5.22m2) 3) standard verticals -> something other (if so what. Been thinking roller blinds) 4) added splashbacks 5) better oven and stovetop 6) better lighting instead of just bayonets We are currently building with them. 1. Changing tiles to basic grade laminate will save you ~2k; not sure if you opt for better grade. 2. Laminate to stone will cost ~ $500/sqm, they used to run a promo which costs 2.2k for stone for the whole house, ask them. 3. 2.2k 4. not sure 5. better do it after handover Re: Some inclusion questions 6Aug 30, 2014 3:05 pm With internal paint get some quotes. They will just need a copy of your plans to work out room sizes. Our builders painter approached us to see if we wanted a quote on painting so we said sure. $6000. The father of a friend has a team of painters and his quote without any sort of friends discount was only $3500. He said the first guy must have not wanted to paint our house as the quote was so inflated. I think they just ask everyone, quote high and some people go for it as they assume they would be cheapest and best. Re: Some inclusion questions 7Oct 14, 2014 9:08 pm Hi All, I am in a similar boat in that I have build before (on a budget) and am looking at the long haul with Blueprint as well. What House plans have you guys choosen? Building at Bletchley Park, WA with Blue Print Homes Hi VK, Think it's worth investing time in an Owner Builder course to equip you with basic knowledge on Australian Building Industry and its regulations. Also, I suggest… 11 23374 Personally, considering your layout (study/work desks in bedrooms), I don't think you have any other option but to leave NW windows and make them as big as possible e.g.… 7 10481 We had this happen to us last year and got charged a variation. Try and give away as much as you can that is usable to charity otherwise if you are in Sydney I have a… 1 4506 |