Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 05, 2014 6:26 pm Hello, My partner and I are first home buyers, we have purchased a block (awaiting title - expected March 2015), so we are now in the process of looking at display homes and determining what we want. Any advice to ask when we meet with our preferred builder would be extremely helpful! Thank you in advance Blog: https://houseamour.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseamour/ Our build thread with Ben Trager Homes: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=77796 Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 2Sep 05, 2014 11:23 pm A good builder will provide you with more information than you'll need anyway. I would ask if they can provide you with an estimated site cost as that will be good to know. You may have to leave some money for this. Also titles are often delayed (some by over a year). What will the costs be if you signed up now but didn't get your land released until later in the year? Some builders will add 10 % etc. Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 3Sep 05, 2014 11:49 pm ^^ agree with joannek about costs incurred if titles are delayed. A couple of things from our experience so far - ask for their standard specification list (or lists if they have different levels of spec). The quality of standard inclusions can vary greatly between builder. - if you want something a little bit different or specific, ask early on if your builder will accommodate this. It will hopefully save heartache later if they say no. Some project builders don't allow certain finishes, ie polished concrete floors, which are much harder to do post-build. - ask what is their current average turnaround time from PPA to keys. Leaves no guarantees but should give a reasonable idea of what to expect. Building in Eliza Ponds, Spearwood I talk about my community here: https://www.facebook.com/22suburbs Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 4Sep 06, 2014 4:19 pm Thank you! Blog: https://houseamour.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseamour/ Our build thread with Ben Trager Homes: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=77796 Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 6Sep 06, 2014 9:00 pm Hello, Our's is split level land, difficult to find a builder, as not all builder build on split level. Ourplan is for approval now, custom build, searching for builder still, any suggestion , advice welcome! Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 7Sep 15, 2014 12:30 am Some good questions when looking for a builder in my opinion as building consultant are: 1 How much do they charge per square not including eaves porch, gutters, garage, pergola, verandah. This can sometimes sort out who you don't want. Smaller builders are more because they cannot compete materials prices down, but they use tradesman they trust and have worked with continually and that can be important Hope that helps and does not confuse Leonardo_23 2 Who supervises the works and what experience do they have - preferably get a builder (unlimited) who actually does the supervision himself 3 Will they accept the Standard Project Specifications back section as part of the contract so that workmanship clauses are contained in your specification (you will be one of just a handful) 3 Will they accept a building consultant to look over the works at say frame stage and completion? 4 What experience do they have 5 What do they call standard inclusions 5 Will they give you a full quote and not just from the floor up as for some bigger builders Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 8Sep 16, 2014 8:55 pm Your not getting the most important information of all to ask, and saying small builders are more expensive has they can't compete is only partly true,compare a good small builder and you will find out that it's what you can't see that is done considerably better such has ,how far apart stud walls,what concrete is used,quality of wood,tradey quality,volume builders generally only just will pass code with their slabs,what's used from everything from tile adhesives to grouts,what's behind plaster walls,quality of windows,most the volume builder materials will be entry grades,even stone will be entry grade,so comparing inclusions is like only comparing the icing on the cake,most people will not have any idea on the most important parts of the home,it's construction,don't be blinded by the dressings,the dressings are changeable in future years,the construction is forever,and it's this that commonly ruins lives. Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 9Sep 16, 2014 11:02 pm I agree that quality is likely better with a smaller builder, but price rules... hence the advice about getting your own building consultant to look over at least frame or lock-up and completion... but only if they get on the roof, get in the roof and are capable (have a definition of defect that includes at least all implied warranties and know manufacturer requirements plus lots of experience... but I go on). And did I mention ask to look at a few houses they built recently. Leonardo_23 Re: What to ask at your first meeting with a builder 10Sep 26, 2014 10:40 am There are many things to ask a builder when you first meet them. Are they the builder or just the sales staff? Always ask for references. Ask what is their standard inclusion list, because you will find that their standard list will not include numerous items. I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15265 Ardo That is so funny! I wonder how many people know who Larry Haun is these days. I have a couple of young guys we call Mo 1 & Mo 2 who run a crew of 6 boys and… 9 15511 Hi All, I just wanted to close this topic out with an update. So we ended up agreeing to a number with the insurance company, and after an extensive amount of hand… 8 23394 |