Stalked for a while about time we did something to spread the home building love and frustrations
2nd time new build. This time going in with far more thought and experience than the first time. We have secured a nice little 585sq block in a secluded part of The Woods estate in Mickleham, there was two provisions, the block needed beautiful views across the Mt Ridley conservation area and wide enough to store our caravan down beside our home. Both of which we have achieved.
House wise was always going to be Henley, price wise finish and inclusions all seemed to be a step ahead of the other volume builders that we looked at. Especially with the current flooring promotion was difficult to compare on price. Tossed and turned btw the variations of the Palace, Sahara (don't like the orientation of the bench in relation to the stove top, but does have a bath in the ensuite) and Emperor Belle Q2, which unfortunately was going to be too wide for our block, once the garage is widened by a 1mt.
So we choose the Q1 due to the increased size in the family bathroom, through access to the garage from pantry, windows on butlers and kitchen windows and not too ridiculous sized master bedroom. My wife and I can't believe so much space is allocated to a region of a family home that is rarely occupied outside of the night time arrangements.
Facade is going to be the Duke, beautiful large unobstructed windows to take in the light and view to the park lands across the road, unfortunately the possibility of a balcony is ruled out for the expense and also again with kids how often are you really going to escape and enjoy the views and peace and quiet without the scream of "Mum/Dad where are you??"
Some inclusions will include
Main Event flooring
Facade promo
Double glaze to all available windows
Deluxe lighting package- plus some extras for pendants over island bench, beside bed in master
Increase garage width 1mt and roller door
Increase 1st floor ceiling to match ground floor
Square set ceiling to ground floor
Increase front door not sure on pivot but def height will get a boost
Cavity sliders to theatre which will become the fitness gym room
lower doors will all be the stained timer glass infill internal doors
Door on ensuite
40mm island bench ceasar stone cooktop and pantry will remain 20mm
Splash back will increase to ceiling height behind the range hood
3 uneven pot drawers to stove run
Remove microwave and place single portrait door- will be retro fitted with pull out bins post handover
Still considering doors for storage onto back of the island bench
Stacker doors to alfresco will get the boost in height and also double glaze treatment
Alfresco provisions for water plus seperate 15amp circuit to install ceiling heater after handover
Storage under stairs
Increase wall tiles on feature walls to powder rooms and bathrooms
Upgrade heating to minimum 5 star with provisions for refrigerated cooling post handover
Change hot water unit to instantaneous unit and relocate it to wall between kitchen and pantry
Ducted vacuum
Upgrade all external wall and ceiling insulation to max possible, include insulation between floors
Acoustic insulation between internal walls
Seems like a lot considering I have left out some little things. But pricing is still very reasonable and well under $390k. Our vision is to make the home a dream build, functional and extremely energy efficient. We originally looked at hydronic heating but costs were upwards of $15k just for the ground floor! Then another $10+k to door radiators to the 1st floor.