Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 03, 2014 5:37 pm Hi Everyone,
So my partner and I have just started on our first build and are just about to receive our contract. I was contacted by the builder yesterday and where they had originally quoted us $31k for our site works they have all of a sudden come back and said there is a $55k blow out bringing the works up to at least $85k! I think this is insane for our fairly flat block and makes the whole project unfeasible. It is an M class block and they say they will need to put some retaining walls in and 800mm of clean fill. Does anyone know if that sort of money is reasonable for my block? HELP!! Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 2Dec 03, 2014 6:10 pm I feel your pain and know the shock you get when you're hit with those unexpected costs. Our costs are a little above yours and at one stage were estimated at 50% more. We needed 900mm of fill and this cost alone was significant. There were a few things we did to reduce our overall cost, but unfortunately, your soil is your soil. What state are you in? And what footing design detail have you been given? Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 3Dec 03, 2014 6:18 pm Hi D_rail, thanks for your reply! I've been looking through some of your posts. Really!? Wow! Were your provisional site works costs as low as mine first were? I just think it is so wrong of the builder to come up with a sum that is less than half of what is really needed! Any tips on how to get the costs down a bit would be fantastic! At the moment I am waiting for the builder to come back with 'options' but reality is I just cannot afford an extra $55k. I'm in WA in the Eastern suburbs and have been given an M30 footing detail. Thanks for your help!! Means so much! Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 4Dec 03, 2014 6:30 pm Oh my god I think I would of had a heart attack! I didn't have this problem but from one first home builder to another I hope it all works out for you! Our build thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70984 Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 5Dec 03, 2014 6:58 pm I had started a very long response and my PC has frozen. I'll send some further info by PM later tonight. On your slab classification we were given a C8 rating. Based on your info, I'm guessing you're around the c6-c7 mark. I have a good idea of your location. We were lucky and spoke with a sales rep who gave us a heads up on the potential issues with soil in our area. He gave us a wide range on costs (30-80k) and suggested we order soil tests before signing a PWC. We then shopped our soil test results at a few builders to get confidence on the extent of the problem and what was required. We also spoke with a person building nearby and confirmed their builders costs and approach. We came to the conclusion that it was going to be expensive to sell and start again. Taking into account selling costs and stamp duty, we ended up wearing the costs. It took six months of uncertainty and frustration to come to this position. As for ways to minimise your cost: Our biggest saver was changing our FFL. Rather than digging out all of the clay we built up at the maximum level we could. (500mm) this cost us extra in retaining but dramatically reduced the earth work costs. Consider using your own earthworks company. Consider building a framed home. Good luck. My building topic has a lot of info on it, but feel free to ask any questions. Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 6Dec 03, 2014 8:58 pm Oh thats annoying! I would appreciate it so much if you are happy to! Yeah not sure of my slab rating yet sorry. Thats the biggest annoyance with mine! I tried so hard to get some semi accurate site works provisional quotes as I was told that site works can easily blow out. They based the provisional quote for mine off of the surrounding blocks which are all S classification. It seems I'm just a bit unlucky that mine is M. If my current builder can't give me a better price I will definitely be looking elsewhere and I have the site reports now so can get a better idea. Indeed. I did think about that but figured its still probably going to end up cheaper to power through and make the site work. Which also should hopefully avoid too many more delays after this. I have just had an email from the builder about 20 mins ago saying they may be open to letting me use my own earthworker so will definitely look into your idea of raising the FFL. Thanks again! Will definitely be having more of a look through your topic! Your build looks really interesting! Hope it all goes well for you too! Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 7Dec 03, 2014 9:01 pm archetto Oh my god I think I would of had a heart attack! I didn't have this problem but from one first home builder to another I hope it all works out for you! Oh and archetto! You're certainly right there! Was a big shock! but we'll get it sorted! Hope your build is going well! Ill be looking through your topic too for any tips! Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 8Dec 03, 2014 9:43 pm Hi there, with the 800 fill, i believe the cost comes from the deepened edge beams to retain the fill, perhaps you can step your slab, to reduce the fill, and also reduce the deepened edge beam, assuming its a waffle pod slab. also, if you are cutting quite deep as well and require retaining walls, you can consider doing that yourselves to reduce cost. consider doing own floorings? or, if the council allows, lower the fill, and just have them batter it, without need of retaining the fill. goodluck Re: My First Build - Siteworks costs blown out to $85k 9Dec 03, 2014 9:55 pm Hi foot-print, Thanks for your suggestions I will definitely look into them! At this point they have told me they must do the flooring or it is not classed as a complete build but I may try to push for that. Unfortunately as it is a battle-axe block I don't think they would let me batter it but I will still ask! Thanks! hi guys. 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