Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 07, 2016 8:51 pm Has anyone built the Azure with the fusion upgrade? We are looking to sign contracts in the next couple of weeks and would love to hear from anyone that has built with Simonds. Re: Azure - Simonds 2May 08, 2016 5:40 pm releigh1980 Has anyone built the Azure with the fusion upgrade? We are looking to sign contracts in the next couple of weeks and would love to hear from anyone that has built with Simonds. Hi releigh1980, There are lots of people on here that have built with Simonds, have you done a forum search for the threads? Do you have any specific questions? Where abouts are you building? I don't think anyone around here has built the Azure yet, looking forward to your thread! We built the Rathdowne with Simonds Express in Western Melbourne Site start Oct. 2015 Keys Jan. 25th, 2015 My build thread -here- Re: Azure - Simonds 3May 08, 2016 5:46 pm Thanks for replying! Yes I've had a look at a few threads. We are building in Ormeau Hills. I think at this stage we are concerned at the spiraling costs to get something that we like and are a little unsure what most people spend on "extras" which to me feels like really just covering the basics. The information we were told at the sales stage is already suffering from what we are being told at the tender stage. The design and flexibility has been really good and if we can get past the contract stage then we will be very excited to see how quickly it can be built Re: Azure - Simonds 4May 08, 2016 6:08 pm Hi I'm about to get the keys from our Simonds build in willow vale. We stuck to our budget and upgraded only a small bit. Upgrade structural like high ceilings and electric Re: Azure - Simonds 6May 08, 2016 7:30 pm releigh1980 Thanks for replying! Yes I've had a look at a few threads. We are building in Ormeau Hills. I think at this stage we are concerned at the spiraling costs to get something that we like and are a little unsure what most people spend on "extras" which to me feels like really just covering the basics. The information we were told at the sales stage is already suffering from what we are being told at the tender stage. The design and flexibility has been really good and if we can get past the contract stage then we will be very excited to see how quickly it can be built We built express so I'm no help with gallery tips/tricks. A lot of people have said (and I agree) to upgrade things that are difficult or impossible to do later - structural things mainly. Do a bit of research to see what Simonds is charging vs what you can get done post handover. Lots of people have done inspiration boards on Pinterest and stuff, definitely go in with a solid plan of what you want. We had a fantastic experience with Simonds, as have most people here. All the best! Don't be afraid to post or pm if you have any other questions! We built the Rathdowne with Simonds Express in Western Melbourne Site start Oct. 2015 Keys Jan. 25th, 2015 My build thread -here- Re: Azure - Simonds 7May 08, 2016 8:08 pm We paid about 80k in upgrades and I don't think we went crazy either. Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 Re: Azure - Simonds 8May 08, 2016 11:48 pm Wow $80000 grand!! That's why your house looks amazing. We only spent 5000 but it was a sale buy 5000 for 26000 of updates Re: Azure - Simonds 9May 09, 2016 5:55 am We bought $20000 I think but then we had stuff not covered like tiling to roof, outdoor, upgrade to tiles, driveway and path, different paint colours, extra lighting and data, flooring and air con were outside the package too as well as render. The package we used for things like tapware, increased ceiling height, stone benchtops etc - it runs out so fast!! We went external for other things because they were SO over priced in the upgrades list. I saved 3k on air con with a bigger system and almost 7k on render - 5k on flooring! It was a pain but so worth it. Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 Re: Azure - Simonds 10May 09, 2016 6:32 am So we have gone from a base price of 255 to 367 pre gallery. We know we have around 12k expected additional there. It's hard because every decision we have made has been based on the value we were told by the sales person. Most of which are more expensive and then the upgrades don't include what you actually want and have an additional cost to get what you actually want. We have tried to look at contractors to bring price down but not had much success yet. Re: Azure - Simonds 11May 09, 2016 6:41 am Where are you building? What sort of non-included upgrades are you talking about? Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 Re: Azure - Simonds 12May 09, 2016 6:42 am Most of it is structural - extended alfresco and movie room downstairs. Bigger ensuite and master bedroom upstairs. We are building in Ormeau Hills Re: Azure - Simonds 13May 09, 2016 8:38 am We couldn't do any upgrades directly with Simonds but we've spent about 10k post handover on stuff. Most of that being blinds, extra concrete, and fencing. We just got a couple power points and external lights put in ($500), tv aerial & tv point ($200), we're up to about $700 on landscaping and have another $200-300 before we're done. Mailbox was about $260, no clothesline yet ($200-300). It's crazy how things add up Some things might not necessarily be cheaper for Simonds to do but way less hassle so that's another thing to keep in mind. Getting quotes and chasing up tradies is basically my least favourite job ever We built the Rathdowne with Simonds Express in Western Melbourne Site start Oct. 2015 Keys Jan. 25th, 2015 My build thread -here- Re: Azure - Simonds 14May 09, 2016 10:18 am Yep that's the big stuff! Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 Re: Azure - Simonds 15May 09, 2016 2:50 pm We are about to getting into contract for Simonds Marriott. I have a friend who is building with Simonds at Ormeau Hills as well. He chose Dakota but not with lot of upgrades. Our base price has gone from 23o to 280 Pre-gallery. Re: Azure - Simonds 16May 11, 2016 11:45 am Has anyone had any problems going from estimates to tender prices? We were told that we had credits due back for several items only for none to appear at the tender stage. Re: Azure - Simonds 18May 11, 2016 1:30 pm Easier said than done. Sales manager left the company the day after we signed the estimate and the director of sales hasn't called me as promised. Re: Azure - Simonds 20May 11, 2016 9:42 pm releigh1980 Has anyone had any problems going from estimates to tender prices? In Adelaide, we had the BEST experience with regards to this. We had the BEST sales experience we've ever had for any item. Costs were completely transparent. Spot-on. Absolutely no surprises from initial quote > deposit down > contract. Do you have the 'extra upgrade' booklet in Queensland? It's like a pictorial catalog with the most popular upgrades with costs. I went to every builder in Adelaide and only Simonds did that. Very helpful. |