Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 19, 2014 11:21 am First big steps - too scared to be excited yet! We are trying to be prepared for everything! People always complain that the worst part of building were all the unexpected costs. We have spoken to friends, read blogs, and scrutinised the sales person about the smallest details. We have a fairly sophisticated spread-sheet that incorporates all items from lowest to highest possible cost. We have a best case, worst case and “most likely” budget. We have decided to go with the Allcastle Grandworth 42.5, as it will give us floor space to cater for a small internal granny flat, with the Easy Build package. On 13/9/14 we paid our initial tender fee which allowed for a contour survey and site test. On 4/10/14 we received our quotation tender 1 by email. On 11/10/14 we met with the sales consultant to scrutinise inclusions and expenses. This sales consultant was outstanding. She spent 2 hrs with us going through the document then walked us through the homes to point out all the upgraded features we have included in our Easy Build package. Our block is flat and a rectangle so site costs were relatively low. However, that didn’t stop us querying the requirement for screw piering due to “soft soils” which added a reasonable cost to our bill. We requested a second opinion which was arranged in just over 2wks. The original surveyor came out again also. We are yet to hear the final outcome of this. We had custom variations of just over $50k. The changes we made to the floorplan to allow for the granny flat (far cheaper than building a seperate granny flat in backyard), increased ceiling height and façade accounted for most of this. There were a few variations made FOC, and the Easy Build package seems to be an amazing offer. Let’s hope it’s not too good to be true! Other costs that are still to be budgeted for are: demolition, possible asbestos removal, tree removal (as few to be removed as possible), driveway and landscaping. Some things I had to compromise on were timber frames, fireplace, pool, pitched roof, hardwood floors, french doors and verandah off master bedroom. Maybe we can do those things down the track. Yesterday, a large express post pack arrived. It was our colour pack! This included a bunch of brochures for Taubmans paint palettes, Boral bricks and roofing, etc. There were a few brochures missing, such as for the “Fabulous Smeg freestanding oven” and Smartstone kitchen benchtops. I have left a message for the sales consultant. We also received a revised tender which had the extra cost for the second soil survey included. We have made an appt to meet with our colour consultant mid-Nov and need to have decided on bricks, roofing, fascia, render colours, etc. by then. It’s taken me a while to “buy into” this KDRB idea, but now that I have colours, taps, and doors in my mind I am starting to envision my dream home. Re: Building our Allcastle home 2Jan 25, 2016 6:33 am Hi there, interested in hearing how you went, are you still on here? Hi we are looking to talk to people who have built with them recently. We have signed mid range built contract but identified that a lot of things are not included.… 0 624 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16075 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110211 |