Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 14, 2016 1:27 pm Hi All, We are in the final stages of choosing a builder to go with and are pretty set on AllCastle Homes. There doesn't seem to be as many threads about AllCastle on this forum, compared to other builders, even though they do have quite a number of display homes at Kellyville at the like (i.e. they don't seem to be the smallest builder around). Who else is building with AllCastle? What house did you select? And how has the process been? It would be great to start a thread so we can help one another out/follow each others journey. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 2Nov 09, 2016 8:59 pm Hi Sodapop, We're doing a KDR in Winston Hills. Grandworth Newbury 37 Mark II. Used to lurk on there quite a bit but when we started demolishing and getting build started I've been too busy. We've got a wedge shaped block so needed a house that would fit. Looked at Eden Brae and Rawsons. They were very nice (and I think they had more expensive fixtures). However my wife and I agreed that some floor plans had a lot of wasted space (angles in hallways) and why they have different sized kids' bedrooms we'll never know. We liked the floorplan for the GN37MarkII - just seemed to be the most suitable for our family (we've got three boys between 10-6). * massive living room upstairs * all three kids get a 5x3m same sized bedrooms. * standardish open kitchen, bench, dining area + another living area (mum and dad can keep an eye out in all direction from the kitchen to check kids are behaving, including through large servery window that looks into the backyard. It's a boxy house - but that give you the space. The staircase is to the side so it allows a large open space to be made availlable. Not sure if you'll be able to follow this link https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByCT6VSCNgRlVl81QVRScXRleVE. This is our floor plan. The only real mod is that the large room at the front right of the house is originally a guest bedroom, we've taken the walls out, the WIR out, and moved the bathroom so we can make that the pool table room. The best advice I have received to date is "all builders are ba$tards, pick one and go with it". I certainly haven't experienced any of the issues other people have suffered to date (we're bricking up now). Do what you will with info - but I almost got a lawyer to review the building contract. I talked to someone who is the Operations Manager for a another builder. His advise was that this is a standard HIA contract, it's hard to get it changed. He advised I was better off spending money on an independent building inspector, suggesting someone called Howard Ryan. Apparently this would be a better use of my funds than the lawyer. I requested a walkthrough with the site supervisor - the office got back to me quickly. Had the walkthrough on Monday (at that stage framing was completed). The site supervisor showed me around, answered all my questions, did what they do. There's a lot of emotional investment in building your own home, but i think as long as your expectations are realistic - hopefully it will go well....I was seriously worried after reading all the internet comments, but up until now - really no issues at all... I'll tell you what though, when you do your colour selection etc in the showroom, expect to be reamed hard - every variation costs $$$!! My wife wanted the marble looking bench top but we got quoted $15K. We're going with the standard engineered stone instead. Let me know how you go, and ask away - better sharing info than not. Met someone at the display home who had cheap demolisher and hydraulics engineer so it's definitely worthwhile talking to others when you see them in the display home measuring up - they've probably signed the contract. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 3Dec 06, 2016 8:04 am The prices and finished product is very attractive when you visit their display homes. The price increase from first estimates to contract sign and sales person will give you assurance that if this is not used, it will be returned but trust me no credit and later cost increase while selecting inclusions along with hidden cost. Your final house cost more what you budgeted and poor quality delivered. I have gone through stress while building house with them. A practical advise, get real feedback from the owners of Allcast Homes in different areas, it sound difficult but worth it before spending + 500K. Otherwise my recommendation is stay away from this builder. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 4Feb 08, 2017 5:02 pm Hi, we are constructing a 4bed 1 study and 3 shower house. This is the first time we are building a house and naturally are overwhelmed with the experience. At ghis stage the land is registered and we have visited a few builders such as Allcastle, clarendon and rawson. Our choices are very limited due to the shape of the block. It is a big piece of land narrow from front and wide at the end. We have liked the floor plan of Allcastle grandworth 37, but and their initial pricing is looking ok. However I have been reading nasty feedback about the builder and need some help there. Honestly we are finding Clarendon and rawson a bit expensive. The only way we could consider these other builders is by compromising on a smaller house. Would ve keen to know how is it going with constructing house with Allcastle yourself? Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 5Feb 08, 2017 8:21 pm Hi, Thanks for contacting, I have written my experience and you can go to Blacktown and The Ponds area yourselves and ask other home owners who chose Allcastlehomes. This is a initial attraction that Allcastlehomes seems cheaper but they will introduce you hidden costs later. They do not design flat contract slab but introduce dropage bin cost + $7000/- depend upon slop in block while the other builders do not do this. The Marketing person will not tell you in the beginning until you pay them $5000/- for design. Alcastlehome very easily charge you +15000/- from their initial estimates. At the end, I must admit their quality of workmanship is very poor because they hire in-experienced chineeese labor. I also point out that their inclusion like basin, tap, toilet sheet are very basic quality and their upgrades are very expensive and still not current design or model. I have written this to provide you information and rest decision is up to you. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 6Feb 09, 2017 7:40 am Hi thanks for letting me know. Our trouble is that due to irregular land there are not too many plans fitting in efficiently. Allcastle has 2-3 options for us and also they are talking about some easy build plan where the cost of construction is contracted to remain same for 12 months. May be we should meet more builders. Thank you! Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 7Feb 09, 2017 8:39 am Hi, It is confusing for new persons like you to understand their terminologies and we assume that "easy build" price means no more to pay and we compare this price to other builders. Once you sign the contract, you have to pay more for site cost in the name of slab dropage bin (+ $7000), driling piers (+ $2000/- ), removing soil from piering ( + $3000/- ), number of light and power points are not enough for this size of house then you pay + $5000/- , brick color change + $2000/-, mortar colour + $600/- any upgrade from their standard inclusion costs you 4 times of retail price etc. I have given all those estimates from the lower side. Do your calculation yourselves when you sign the contract nobody from marketing take the responsibility and you have to pay whatever they ask you. The customer service is very poor, delay in construction time justifying with their own excuses and low quality is very common. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 8Feb 09, 2017 11:29 am Your response is going to be very helpful for us to make decision. May I ask is there any builder who you recommend? Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 9Mar 16, 2017 12:11 pm onetonnesam slab dropage bin (+ $7000), driling piers (+ $2000/- ), removing soil from piering ( + $3000/- ) Hi onetonnesam, Did AC "introduce dropage bin cost + $7000/- driling piers (+ $2000/- ), removing soil from piering ( + $3000/- ) upon slop in block while the other builders do not do this. The Marketing person will not tell you in the beginning until you pay them $5000/- for design." My tender already have additional site cost close to 70K for drop edge beam (27m2), increase floor height, import/export of fill, additional piers etc... if there will be more after contract signing, then ..... Any tender clarification questions I asked and take them 1 week to response, now they said 2 weeks later price will increase 7k urging me to pay the deposit. Anyone any advise please. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 10Jun 29, 2017 10:23 pm Sorry for the delayed response. I must admit my experience has been quite fuss free. I did go over budget - by about $1,200 due to the traffic control cost exceeding the provision in the tender. I've had an independent building inspection, the independent inspection didn't find anything of note and what they found, AH addressed...reviewed in my PCI today. All good minor a couple of cosmetic things so have sent the form to the bank to pay the final progress payment, looking for handover. Duration wise, piering was done early Oct 16. Take out Xmas to Aus Day holiday, and they are finishing up end June...around 8 months which is as per contract. IMO, the sales person wouldn't really know what to quote on - they haven't seen your land, they haven't soil tested yet. the geotechnical report hasn't come back. However, if you have since gone with another builder who has provided a very different report, then yes, something's not quite right. I remember after the initial soil test (they only sampled once) they wanted an extra $70K for screw piers...at my request they did some extra soil tests various points on the block and we didn't need this after all. This is a big expense, so shop around, ask questions. If you go to the product review website you'll find every builder has complaints against them. I'm not affiliated with AH by any means, and I reckon if I had another $150K in my budget I would have done Eden Brae or Rawson - they didn;t have any plans that fit my block, and I didn't have the extra $150K I learnt from the inspection today that you could specify higher grades of gyprock etc that are straighter, or more soundproof etc...my first house build so I wasn't aware of this stuff. SO any n00bs out there, I suggest you ask for what the options are on everything! I've got three boys so I wish I now got the more soundproof gyprock. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 11Jun 29, 2017 10:32 pm By the way, the base price is for the minimum...you'll upgrade your facade, fittings, you'll need more powerpoints, lights, the stacker door will be higher if you do 2700mm downstairs, more blinds the bench tops etc - and more electrical variations will cost you more money. The first display home I thought I liked was Rawson and the sales lady said that I can expect to spend another $100K on top of the price they advertise - I nearly pooped my pants. But yes, the brick upgrade, offwhite mortar, the choice of tiles - walk into it knowing that what you see at display homes are the optioned up versions. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 12Jun 30, 2017 11:29 am thank you for the information. Now progressing to about submit CDC. Price keep add on to the tender. base house price easy build 376K , acoustic requirement for thicker window, seals 16k, all the misc plans reports by owner- Arborist report 1.2k, Hydraulic design, flood impact 5k, pipe locating 5k. Brick upgrade 5.8k, off white mortar 600 ( yes all bricks in display homes are upgrades) Afresco 20k, Facade 11k.Ultra infinitely package upgrade 8k )still got the Stormwater hydraulic to quote: " the stormwater will have to be organised by the owner, at the owner’s cost. Reports, surveys, work-as-executed drawings, positive covenant, inspections, certification etc.. " , any recommendation on plumber or contractor can do or quote this. Electrical, carpet still yet to finalise. Up to now it adds 160k to the basic price already. (mainly site cost add 70k and option upgrade 55k) I was told the build time allow for is 2 years, so yours started Oct 16 and finished end of June is smooth sailing. It is hard to tell which builder is good until you built with them. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 13Jul 26, 2017 8:30 pm LevaneT thank you for the information. Now progressing to about submit CDC. Price keep add on to the tender. base house price easy build 376K , acoustic requirement for thicker window, seals 16k, all the misc plans reports by owner- Arborist report 1.2k, Hydraulic design, flood impact 5k, pipe locating 5k. Brick upgrade 5.8k, off white mortar 600 ( yes all bricks in display homes are upgrades) Afresco 20k, Facade 11k.Ultra infinitely package upgrade 8k )still got the Stormwater hydraulic to quote: " the stormwater will have to be organised by the owner, at the owner’s cost. Reports, surveys, work-as-executed drawings, positive covenant, inspections, certification etc.. " , any recommendation on plumber or contractor can do or quote this. Electrical, carpet still yet to finalise. Up to now it adds 160k to the basic price already. (mainly site cost add 70k and option upgrade 55k) I was told the build time allow for is 2 years, so yours started Oct 16 and finished end of June is smooth sailing. It is hard to tell which builder is good until you built with them. Where are you building - between the arborist report and the acoustic windows - I'm curious as to where you are. 2 years sounds like a joke! Our contract had 38 weeks. Interestingly though, we met some people in the same suburb building the same as ours (Grandworth Newbury Mark II) - their contract had 48 weeks! I don't mean to imply our experience was the norm...should be the norm, but there are far too many variables. Good luck with it. I have to say this house is a really liveable house and my wife and I agree on somethings....for once Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 14Jul 26, 2017 8:36 pm One more thing. I had the air con installed yesterday. You choose between Daikin and Actron. If any AC mechanics are on here they might be able to factually compare the merits of the two. But anyway, we got the Actron with wifi control. Using an app I can control the air con from the home wifi or just via the internet! Quite novel and quite amazing! Intent is to turn on in afternoons in summer (when I stick 10kW of solar panels on the roof) to cool the house using some of the solar energy. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 15Jul 27, 2017 12:31 pm I am building in Sydney developed area Lane Cove Rd, Ryde. I think if they are building other houses in the same area it will take less time 1 year. There are trees to remove so need arborist report as council requirement, traffic noise impact need acoustic report - thicker glass windows etc..lucky not in flight noise affected area, planes are thousands feet high. AC said they had 5000 homes on hand to build. Stormwater drainage also need council approval. Progress is very slow. My experiences during colour section to to insist on what you like, they will recommend the popular colours, ( window frame - white or grey, Door - Caoba Stain, Eave - white ) so do your study and hold on to what you like. Will probably do the same for air con, solar panel with remote on/off control. My wife always turn on AC for comfort so I can quietly turn it off remotely. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 16Aug 04, 2017 8:43 pm Hi Levane T and OnetonneSam We are just starting on the Journey, originally we were going with Clarendon but they wouldn't build on the block we are looking at even though the slope isn't massive. The block slopes front to back about 1.2m over 10mtrs then levels off. All Castle came and had a look and said they would build, we still have to Neg the contract for the Grand Newbury 37Mk11 but was trying to get a decent estimate. Base Price is $387,000 and we have been told to allow $50 - $60k in site cost because of the slope. I know its dependent on the upgrades but we have budgeted a all in price of $650k to Knock down and build and a contingency of $40k Do you think this is a feasible price or are we dreaming,? Base House $387,000 Site Cost $60,000 Knock Dwn $25,000 Da Cost $25,000 Total $497,000 leaves us $153,000 for upgrades / front fence and minor landscaping Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 17Aug 04, 2017 11:59 pm Mate I'm not an expert in this field, but you are going to want to upgrade bits in your house. Everything in the display home is an upgrade. Facade is a minimum $10K, and electricals, window coverings, kitchen, bathrooms, floor coverings will need to be upgraded depending on your taste and budget. There are other council bonds (mine was $8K), drainage costs (mine was $5K). But that might be covered off in the DA cost you've allowed for? So I think it's mainly rent and variations you'll need to ensure you have funding for. Can't think of much more expenses right now...except for the new furniture you might want in your new house. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 18Aug 05, 2017 9:12 am Thanks it's for the reply Rent we have covered and we will need furniture as with 3 growing kids they won't stay little for long. We have basically budgeted $60k for upgrades as we knew the display homes are optioned to the hilt. Worse case the landscaping budget can take a hit if we need it. Re: Building With AllCastle Homes 19Aug 07, 2017 12:54 pm Hydraulic design and drainage cost is by owner. You seem in developed area so get council drainage map check the storm water pipe connection. ( make sure no easement issues) Building a bigger house means drainage requirement increase. I end up put in 10kL water tank. I took the Ultra infinity upgrade. 8k. Sales person can give you the upgrade price reference for Alfresco 20+ , bathroom upgrade , downstair toilet, the stairs (20K). Front fence, steps, landscape all by owner so you can worry it later. Hi we are looking to talk to people who have built with them recently. We have signed mid range built contract but identified that a lot of things are not included.… 0 3561 Was the offer also on their website? If so, you could check the Wayback Machine. 1 2965 Hi All, We are looking to purchase a Allcastle home Grandworth 34 design in Sydney. However in the hall way it has two pillars and we want to remove it. Is there… 0 1063 |