Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 03, 2015 5:49 am Hi
I have been following most of your builds (specifically those in WA) for about 8 months now with great interest watching them develop and getting ideas and learning what to be wary of. Decided it was finally time to create our own thread for our build. We have had a 734m2 block in Settlers Hills for about 5 years and we had planned on building our dream home but due to changes in circumstances we have decided to build something that will see us out for a few years while we decide what the next step is. We have dealt with alot of builders throughout the process so far and met with some very friendly, knowledgeable and most professional sales consultants. We have also dealt with some who were well... not going to ever see my business to be polite. We've not signed contract yet but are working with a particular builder that we like and are developing a plan that will hopefully fit the bill, within budget and to a spec we are happy with. So at this stage this is our most likely candidate and I thought I'd post where we are at for some feedback and ideas, perhaps there's something that I've overlooked that may be obvious to you. Had a few issues pop up also with regards to the 6 star ratings which made the plan we'd been working on very difficult to work with due to the internal rooms study and what will be the little ones play room. Hopefully this will be passed though with the skylights installed. Unfortunately they are very pricey so will require sacrifice of Alfresco at this stage I think but will see at pricing. Alfresco can always be added later. The Block Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The current plan we started with... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Where we are currently at... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Looking forward to your thoughts and feedback. Cheers Phil and Stachia Re: Building in Baldivis, WA 2Jan 03, 2015 6:51 am WOW! Massive improvement on the initial plan, will be an amazing house to live in nothing really sticks out to me except the fridge space. Not sure about the dimensions but maybe just check you can open the doors all the way without hitting the shelves either side? To get the drawers out of my fridge I need the doors open all the way so check just in case! Re: Building in Baldivis, WA 3Jan 03, 2015 8:23 am with your study and playroom would it be easier to get the star rating if you put on the doors afterhand over?? Re: Building in Baldivis, WA 4Jan 03, 2015 8:26 am what about having the kids robes under the eaves? that's one thing I wished I did. your kitchen looks great! and the master Robe a great idea! I am loving how you have changed the house design around Re: Building in Baldivis, WA 5Jan 03, 2015 4:41 pm This is just me, but I would delete the home theatre and use that as your family room instead. I find the living spaces look cramped, and for such a big house, you'd expect it to have decent size living areas. Another thing I'd do is change the WIR to get rid of the awkward corner (easier for furniture) and if you add some more full length glass to the back you'll have an amazing view of your backyard as you open the front door. Just push the WIR a bit more into the ex-theatre-now-family-room like shown. Also, by moving the family room to the side you'll have room for a lovely big 10 or 12 seater (a 6 seater is so small!), and an extra cupboard next to the leisure room (now theatre?) for storing all your big plates and servingware. The result is a big open space with lots of glass and light, truly luxurious and wonderful for entertaining. PS - make sure the ceilings are at least 31c or you'll risk creating a cave-like room It is of course your house and you do what you want but I believe living in one big open space beats having a theatre if it means good sized living areas. Here's a drawing of what I had in mind for the living areas: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building in Baldivis, WA 6Jan 04, 2015 1:39 am Cheers for the quick feedback guys xxKatxx thanks for the compliment on the floorplan changes. I think it should be nice to live in also. Just looking into fridge sizes and working it out as I have overlooked the opening all the way thing. it looks like the width of the actual fridge space is about 1500mm with a depth of 750mm so may be able to shave some of the width off to open up more as I was only going to have a space say 920mm for a french door fridge/freezer such as the LG 951L or Samsung 924L. I'll have a play around and look at fridges to see what fits. Currently on got a small fridge/freezer top bottom combo so unfamiliar with the side by side combos and pulling shelves out. Thanks for the heads up. Thanks Cupcakes appreciate the comments it was really hard trying to figure out a way to configure the robe to block off the view through the home as my wife doesnt want people being able to see right through the living space as she also works from home as a beauty therapist, hence the study at the front of the house and having a water supply/waste installed into it. Would like to put at least the Bed 2 robe under eave budget dependant. Not entirely sure how it all works but because the rooms are in the centre of the house and need to meet the lighting and ventilation requirements that has resulted in the velux skylights requirement doors or no doors. Will need to discuss the options further with the builder but they are fairly expensive from my understanding. Raytia appreciate all the feedback and they are good ideas and concerns I have myself regarding the living space and feeling cramped. I do think in adding the extra stacker doors that it will open it up alot to the planned Alfresco and give more of an illusion of space. Unfortunately its not really feasible to use the Activity room as a theatre room which is important to me as its just too small. The WIR is laid out to try and help shelter the living space from my wifes clients and with a decent fitout will hopefully work. but I do hear what you are saying. Ceilings are 31c throughout with recesses to 34c in main bed, theatre and entry. Kitchen dropped to 28c and 28c bulkheads on ensuite over bench and makeup bench. Was thinking that with a nice Alfresco running from kitchen back to the rear boundary 4x8m (with outdoor kitchen at the rear fence end) and then with a pool to the right of that with nice glass fencing it should still have an open feel to it. Would be amazing having an nice 10 seater table though so mabe that can be earmarked for Alfresco. Its hard trying to cram everything in without overdoing it. Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 7Jan 06, 2015 1:19 pm Your plan is fabulous, I like it a lot... it is HUGE compared to mine too, so I can't see how the rooms will look like caves We looked at having the skylight windows in our last bathroom, I love them and can't wait to see yours in action! ______________________________________________________________________ Signed up Jan 2013........Almost done! My thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65763 Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 9Jan 07, 2015 12:11 am So I've done a VERY rough (paint...) mock up of backyard and how I'll try to open up the living areas with the backyard. Just to help visualise. Will likely fit Ziptrack mesh along Alfresco so that the doors can be opened to the Alfresco even if theres bugs. Will see how it all pans out. Just thoughts at the moment haha... xxkatxx, I''ve made the changes to the kitchen with the fridge so hopefully the recess is correct now with room to open. 2_cupcakes, made the change with robe to Bed and it looks alot better so will see how it goes when priced. evelin, attached the kitchen blown up a little. Di Nosaur, glad that you like the plan its exciting and scary trying to visualise how things will look so hopefully the skylights are worth the investment. Great news about your results today with the builder. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 10Jan 07, 2015 12:31 am Can you say on the plan that the study is a store room for it to pass . We have a issue with a fridge not opening right out .it hits the pantry door handle .something we should of picked up on but also the builder I think should of too . So we dont have enough gap on one side .probley not good for the fridge but I hopefully enough venting space one the other side and top . . We toke out our alfresco too to put space in our living room .we will put a patio around the house at a later stage . Backyard looks great Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 11Jan 07, 2015 4:08 am Cheers Melsie its definitely a starting point. Love what you guys have done. Your place is massive. Really love your long hallway.Bet the kids have fun running up and down it. We almost built the Rouge Star with Red Ink a few years ago but ended up deciding to wait. I am guessing that was your starting point with your floorplan. We definitely need to spend some time planning the kitchen. Its a shame about your problem with the fridge but there is so much to plan and think about that you can't possibly get everything 100%. Alot more thought going into homes these days and extravagant features. So its only natural that there is more things that dont necessarily end up how you envisaged. Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 12Jan 07, 2015 9:43 am Thanks .that bloody hallway .the kids are learning the rules . He he . The fridge is liveable thankgod .could of been a total disaster. But could of fixed it if I knew it was going to happen .maybe even a smaller fridge . Our house plan was based on the luxury but very curious about the rouge star now . I think we will always miss something or which we added things . Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 14Jan 07, 2015 10:00 am Lol they must have changed the name... It was rouge star when it was the display at Baldivis 5 years ago. Wish I had a long hallway like that when I was a kid. I'd have been throwing balls down it and running a muck haha Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 16Jan 09, 2015 11:56 pm Look at that massive back yard - the perfect entertaining area complete with a fire pit?! I will bring the marshmallows lol ;P Also, well done on the WIR. It's just beautiful. Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 17Jan 10, 2015 12:16 am Thanks I'm hoping that it ends up like planned... budget and all haha.. Havnt told the mrs yet that her robe is on the right hand side...haha... Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 18Jan 10, 2015 12:28 am Lol, yeah, I think budgets are meant to be broken...ours quickly went out the window it seems. As for the second part, I'll just pretend I didn't read that lol Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 19Jan 10, 2015 1:14 am Posting to follow. Wow your house will be huge!! Love the firepit idea We too are also toying with idea of ziptrack blinds on our alfresco mainly to keep the mozzies out. Re: D3US_85 - building in Baldivis, WA 20Jan 10, 2015 1:35 am posting to follow!! That is a good sized house love what you have done to the plan as well... 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 110550 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11033 |