Bigger home Vs Ducted Reverse A/C

ronaldtanael · Oct 03, 2017 12:32 am

Hi everyone

My partner and I recently bought our land in Wollert, Victoria.

We are going with Metricon to build our double-storey home. Like most of us, we are on a budget and would like to stick to it. We are now having a dilemma on whether we go for a bigger Bentleigh 38 Sq house but No ducted reverse A/C or just go to a smaller 34 Sq but with ducted A/C.

I am thinking that it's better to build a bigger house now then just put the ducted A/C after. Im going to ask the builder if they can do the ducting now and will just install the A/C system later on with another company which hopefully we can have for a cheaper price. I was thinking that it's easier to just install the A/C after as it's harder to renovate a house to make it bigger? 😊

Please advise. We will appreciate all your thoughts.

Thank you heaps. 😊

PS
I have attached the floor plan of 38 Sq and the 34 Sq.

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Like ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

bank · Oct 03, 2017 10:26 am

I would go the smaller house and spend more on upgrades, but that's just a personal view, I'm not a fan of bigger houses when they are not needed. The less cleaning, heating and cooling the better. All the spaces in the 34 are a good size, if they were pokey my thoughts would be different. The main advantage I see to the 38 is the bigger minor bedrooms, however the 34's bedroom are still a good average size. Keep in mind lots of upgrades will cost more with the 38. Flooring, tiles, ceiling height, some kitchen upgrades, facade, roof etc usually cost more with a bigger house.

Rocchet · Oct 03, 2017 4:08 pm

If you don't have the budget for ac with the 38 then I would be worried about whether you could build it in budget anyway. There will be quite a few additional expenses and upgrades that will come up even when you think you'll go standard. It's also difficult/impossible to do ducted in a double storey post build (ground floor access etc)
I would definitely build the 34

rum_home · Oct 03, 2017 4:46 pm

I too brought in Wollert and the Bentleigh 38. I'd go for the larger over the 34, as the WIR are something you cannot add afterwards. Where you can go with a AC option after build.

Though I'm looking at the evap cooling at least, not sure if can retrofit afterwards. But some standalone reverse cycles can be put into key rooms later on, budget permitting.

ronaldtanael · Oct 04, 2017 12:29 am

Hi

Thank you for your thoughts. You are correct that upgrades are more expensive with bigger homes. I hope We can make a decision soon. We have seen the bentleigh 38 at one of metricon's display homes. It's very nice and I'm tempted. haha The title registration is not until sept 2018 so I still got time (i think. haha).

ronaldtanael · Oct 04, 2017 12:31 am

bank

I would go the smaller house and spend more on upgrades, but that's just a personal view, I'm not a fan of bigger houses when they are not needed. The less cleaning, heating and cooling the better. All the spaces in the 34 are a good size, if they were pokey my thoughts would be different. The main advantage I see to the 38 is the bigger minor bedrooms, however the 34's bedroom are still a good average size. Keep in mind lots of upgrades will cost more with the 38. Flooring, tiles, ceiling height, some kitchen upgrades, facade, roof etc usually cost more with a bigger house.

Hi Bank

Thank you for your thoughts. You are correct that upgrades are more expensive with bigger homes. I hope We can make a decision soon. We have seen the bentleigh 38 at one of metricon's display homes. It's very nice and I'm tempted. haha The title registration is not until sept 2018 so I still got time (i think. haha).

ronaldtanael · Oct 04, 2017 12:35 am

Rocchet

If you don't have the budget for ac with the 38 then I would be worried about whether you could build it in budget anyway. There will be quite a few additional expenses and upgrades that will come up even when you think you'll go standard. It's also difficult/impossible to do ducted in a double storey post build (ground floor access etc)
I would definitely build the 34

Hi Rochett

Thank you for your thoughts. That's true about the expenses. we were just torn between the 2 options because we love the 38 sq and allocated budget for some upgrades and expected more upgrades once we started with the process really. It's just that having ducted refrigerated AC supposedly part of the planned upgrades but now having second thought because of the price. Metricon quoted us 22k for it and not sure if it's already the zoned one or just the basic.

ronaldtanael · Oct 04, 2017 12:40 am

rum_home

I too brought in Wollert and the Bentleigh 38. I'd go for the larger over the 34, as the WIR are something you cannot add afterwards. Where you can go with a AC option after build.

Though I'm looking at the evap cooling at least, not sure if can retrofit afterwards. But some standalone reverse cycles can be put into key rooms later on, budget permitting.

thanks rum_home!

I see in your posts you bought from Aramont? that's nice. We bought in Rathdowne and title reg. is not until sept 2017 ( 1st delay from june 2017 ) so i am expecting more delays haha. Actually the WIR is a big factor that's why we love the 38 sq. thinking of asking metricon if they do the ducting while building the home then I can install the actual AC system later on when we have a budget. This is actually makes it easier for the AC to install after the house construction. I read from other posts that some builder agree to that. Have to talk to the consultant about this.

How was your experience with Metricon so far?

ronaldtanael · Oct 04, 2017 12:44 am

rum_home

I too brought in Wollert and the Bentleigh 38. I'd go for the larger over the 34, as the WIR are something you cannot add afterwards. Where you can go with a AC option after build.

Though I'm looking at the evap cooling at least, not sure if can retrofit afterwards. But some standalone reverse cycles can be put into key rooms later on, budget permitting.

also I thought about ducted evap as well but not sure if ill be satisfied with it. I love the cold but can't stand the heat. Since im building our home, i would like for me to be teally vomfy with it. Others are saying Melbourne houses really don't need the ducted Refrigerated. They say Evap is enough. Not much experience there since we still live in Sydney. 😁

building-expert · Oct 04, 2017 9:54 am

Purely from building economics point of view, you are better off with extra 4 squares of house, why?
Investing in ac is investing in depreciating asset
Investing in house size is investing in appreciating asset
Sooner or later your house will go up for sale, you will get nothing for 15y old ac system but you may get a whole lot more for extra 4 squares.
Obviously, personal considerations or preferences may trump this but nothing trumps building economics.

rum_home · Oct 05, 2017 9:53 am

ronaldtanael

thanks rum_home!

I see in your posts you bought from Aramont? that's nice. We bought in Rathdowne and title reg. is not until sept 2017 ( 1st delay from june 2017 ) so i am expecting more delays haha. Actually the WIR is a big factor that's why we love the 38 sq. thinking of asking metricon if they do the ducting while building the home then I can install the actual AC system later on when we have a budget. This is actually makes it easier for the AC to install after the house construction. I read from other posts that some builder agree to that. Have to talk to the consultant about this.

How was your experience with Metricon so far?

Yes, went with Arramont. I was looking at Rathdowne, but the price was more than I saw was justified for the same area, though the residents center might be a great asset in the future that'll be missed. Title for Arramont was originally DEC 2017, and now 1st qtr 2018, I'm hoping for Mar-Apr at least. Have you had any confirmed information from your developer?

My experience has been decent so far, but I'm only at the first call from my CSR and they are saying it'll be a month or two before I get into Studio M. They aren't in too much of rush. My salesman at the display home was very good and always willing to communicate, much better than some other builders in the area.

As for Melbourne and AC, evaporation cooling is still quite lacking in Melbourne. But it's better than nothing.

RonJT · Oct 05, 2017 10:12 am

rum_home

ronaldtanael

thanks rum_home!

I see in your posts you bought from Aramont? that's nice. We bought in Rathdowne and title reg. is not until sept 2017 ( 1st delay from june 2017 ) so i am expecting more delays haha. Actually the WIR is a big factor that's why we love the 38 sq. thinking of asking metricon if they do the ducting while building the home then I can install the actual AC system later on when we have a budget. This is actually makes it easier for the AC to install after the house construction. I read from other posts that some builder agree to that. Have to talk to the consultant about this.

How was your experience with Metricon so far?

Yes, went with Arramont. I was looking at Rathdowne, but the price was more than I saw was justified for the same area, though the residents center might be a great asset in the future that'll be missed. Title for Arramont was originally DEC 2017, and now 1st qtr 2018, I'm hoping for Mar-Apr at least. Have you had any confirmed information from your developer?

My experience has been decent so far, but I'm only at the first call from my CSR and they are saying it'll be a month or two before I get into Studio M. They aren't in too much of rush. My salesman at the display home was very good and always willing to communicate, much better than some other builders in the area.

As for Melbourne and AC, evaporation cooling is still quite lacking in Melbourne. But it's better than nothing.

That's good that your experience has been decent so far. My SC is patient as we changed our minds several times. We initially paid for the price of bentleigh 42 last april then changed our minds to 38 recently. They have to refund the initial deposit since the price freeze is only for 12 months and it's not in our best interest since title date was moved to september 2018. We have to deposit again and what our SC will do is she's gonna make it as a house and land package so if ever the title date will be moved again, we don't need to pay for penalties. Unfortunately, the bentleigh 38 price increased by 5k from the price in april.

So you mean evap cooling in Melbourne is not enough during summer? Glad to know. Hopefully Metricon will allow fthe ducting during construction so it's easier for us to install refrigerated AC later on.

aloenyx · Oct 05, 2017 10:14 am

Depends on your needs, but typically I would say go the bigger house.

RonJT · Oct 06, 2017 7:02 pm

building-expert

Purely from building economics point of view, you are better off with extra 4 squares of house, why?
Investing in ac is investing in depreciating asset
Investing in house size is investing in appreciating asset
Sooner or later your house will go up for sale, you will get nothing for 15y old ac system but you may get a whole lot more for extra 4 squares.
Obviously, personal considerations or preferences may trump this but nothing trumps building economics.

Thank you for your input. We do ended up with 38 sq. I just asked the CS if ducting for FUTURE ducted AC system can be done during construction. she said she will enquire about that. do you know if builders usually allow this? I have read from other posts that people request this from their builder. Cheers

RonJT · Oct 06, 2017 7:03 pm

aloenyx

Depends on your needs, but typically I would say go the bigger house.

Thank you. We just realised we prefer bigger home so we ended up with 38 sq. thank you!

alexp79 · Oct 06, 2017 8:18 pm

I don't see any issue for builder to bring in/install this duct grills/openings for your future ducted aircon (an extra cost will be cost of grills and in-plaster installation job). Also make sure you get provisions in your wardrobes for future ducts between the floors.

From what I see you have either a very good offer on this extra 4 squares of build (well, even at $1K per sq m it costs ~$40K to build extra 4 squares) or very overpriced offer on ducted A/C installation (in my opinion, even $20K is a bit on a high side).