Hi guys,
Looking to build my first home - aiming for an investment property largely so nothing too frilled up or fancy. Trying to add costs or value where it makes good sense i.e. just in the unlikely event of needing to sell in the short term. The idea of being able to move in if I need to woul dbe great, but again my ideal goal is as an investment.
I'm currently looking at a few builders for my 400m2 block (15 m frontage) - smart homes for living, celebration homes, redink, new home generations, ideal homes and blueprint homes.
So far new home generations hasn't been too on ball with design. Smarthomes and redink have hit the ball the most in terms of design, celebration a little bit off (as my aim was to maximise internal living space allowed of around circa 238m2). Ideal homes is ok but isn't that cheap, and blueprint homes I keep hearing is a cheap, decent quality builder but whom to get more detailed designs and costings I need to commit to the $2k deposit.
That said - wondering firstly on thoughts regarding the above... and secondly, I've attached a draft design possible through SmartHomes and what I have had costed up. I tried to get it fully costed to cover any hidden costs, sales person was great in that sense in being obliging which I appreciate. Just wondering if anyone could run their eye over the screenshots attached below and chime in your feedback. Am I missing anything? The quote basically starts at 187k for the house design (also attached), and the additionals bump it up to 206k.... essentially I asked for all site works and required costs to be shown, hence the 14-18k. This includes the $990 max upgrade where they throw in carpet/tiles throughout, and you can choose either high ceilings throughout (bump up to 30course and 27 course through house) and stone bench tops, or just reverse cycle air conditioning.
You will also see some additional costings there (the his and her costing i was provided a little stick on overlay where the current WIR for ensuite can be split into his and her - same space but just physically split in two).
Thoughts? Is the builder missing anything in terms of costings, site works, or anything to get full costs up to speed? Would love to hear of it as I did not even know about the concrete bump and european house borer. One thing missing which I queried is there should be a $750 for footpath repair (footpath protection fee essentailly).
I thought DIY painting, perhaps venetians , and am tossing up if flooring and air conditioning is best off done myself? If I use the $990 max range upgrade it makes good sense to add the flooring, tiling and stone/high ceilings... to bump up to 31 course in selected areas such as open living, entrance and ensuite I've written it is about "$1500" next to the 30c ceiling throughout... so it's about $500 more expensive. Means secondary bedrooms would not get a bump up whereas the first option would be 30c throughout. Thoughts on what is better ? Sometimes I notice 31 c seems alot lower than 30c but unsure.
Any thoughts on attached specs sheet as well? How are the brands/inclusions compared to your home builds? Anything worth getting worked up about?
I will note competitors such as celebration homes and redink are coming up around 220-230k... so there seems to be a considerable difference I can't pinpoint? Should I just got the cheaper smart homes - or is there a reason for it being alot more affordable?