Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 09, 2017 9:26 pm So we are at the initial stages with our builder - finalising plans prior to signing the PCC. We are pretty limited with builders do the development only having a selection of 4 available. I just wanted to know whether the vague/secrecy thing when it comes to estimates and upgrade costs is usual? We are having a lot of back and forth as we've changed their plan about a bit and added higher spec fixtures (mainly tapware) and I feel like I'm hitting my head against a wall with trying to get a price out them. They won't email me the estimates, we have to go in and speak to them face to face. This means it's taking ages, because we go in, they present us with a list of costs and we take them away to consider them/make changes and so forth. Upgrade costs - are these usually unreasonable? Are they trying to get you to just go with the builders spec stuff? For example the tap they supply has an RRP of $215. The tap we've upgraded to has an RRP of $263. Now I'd expect an upgrade cost in the region of $50 - yet we are being charged more than the RRP of the upgraded tap ($300). Where is the justification? I don't understand, someone please help! I feel like we should get both taps for that price! Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 2Oct 09, 2017 10:58 pm They probably have paid $50 for the $215 tap as a big volume buy, now when you request a upgrade they will charge you full retail minus the $50 credit, plus a admin fee, thats how they become so expensive to upgrade almost anything. Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 3Oct 09, 2017 11:26 pm Joker They probably have paid $50 for the $215 tap as a big volume buy, now when you request a upgrade they will charge you full retail minus the $50 credit, plus a admin fee, thats how they become so expensive to upgrade almost anything. Isn't it the builder's margin supposed to be only 20% tops (on top of wholesale price of course, who cares about RRP)? Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 4Oct 10, 2017 9:05 am Our builder has a margin of 27%. With some upgrades you are better off doing them yourself after handover. It's not hard to change taps as long as they are the same type Villina Lane 11/14 $3900 08/15 Contract 11/15 DA Approval 02/16 Demolition 03/16 Peg out 06/16 Slab 06/16 Ground floor frame 07/16 1st floor frame & windows 09-12/16 Bricks blog Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 5Oct 10, 2017 9:14 am nicolac34 Get everything in writing nobody remembers what was said 3 months ago when disputes arise. During the build get photos, check species and engineering..Caveat Emptor (Buyer beware) LOL, you have more rights when purchasing a fridge, than when upgrading your builders taps, So why not take control of the finishes yourself? BTW, most doing developments here in WA (which IMO incidentally is ahead of the East Coast) are doing it to lock up and getting their own finishes (ex China) and saving heaps, no admin costs or exorbitant upgrade costs, quality is excellent, AS Compliant,etc,etc. Please leave a PM for Data, costs & Proofs Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 6Oct 10, 2017 10:50 am So in terms of all taps, toilets, showers etc you would just do this after handover? I didn't think they'd be able to hand over the house without those types of things? Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 7Oct 10, 2017 12:10 pm nicolac34 You can agree to whatever you want in the contract. BTW all the containers you see on home & unit builds sites are (Ex China) awaiting fit outs..You can organise it yourself... or the builder can..still cheaper than being Ripped off locally with post contract variations (that still comes from china?) Tho you can't make changes once the order has been placed Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 8Oct 10, 2017 12:28 pm nicolac34 So in terms of all taps, toilets, showers etc you would just do this after handover? I didn't think they'd be able to hand over the house without those types of things? Hi nicolac34, Are you selecting the upgrades from the same supplier that your builder use? If not, that's probably the reason why. Your builder will buy those upgrades at the RRP then add some overheads on top of it. If you selected the upgrades from different suppliers, it's probably good idea to buy them yourself and ask your builder if they are fine to install it for you. Don't forget to ask for credits if you decided to do this. One of the drawbacks of doing this is that your supplied items are not covered by your builder's insurance. Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 9Oct 10, 2017 12:32 pm andonk nicolac34 So in terms of all taps, toilets, showers etc you would just do this after handover? I didn't think they'd be able to hand over the house without those types of things? Hi nicolac34, Are you selecting the upgrades from the same supplier that your builder use? If not, that's probably the reason why. Your builder will buy those upgrades at the RRP then add some overheads on top of it. If you selected the upgrades from different suppliers, it's probably good idea to buy them yourself and ask your builder if they are fine to install it for you. Don't forget to ask for credits if you decided to do this. One of the drawbacks of doing this is that your supplied items are not covered by your builder's insurance. They are from the same range, same brand just a different version. We've asked if we can supply ourselves and although we didn't get a 'no' we didn't really get a yes either. Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 10Oct 10, 2017 12:40 pm Who cares about builders insurance?, when those $260 taps only cost $50...ex Alibaba China throw it away and buy another set Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Initial Builders Meetings - Why so secret? (1st timer) 11Oct 10, 2017 1:58 pm StructuralBIMGuy Who cares about builders insurance?, when those $260 taps only cost $50...ex Alibaba China throw it away and buy another set Yes maybe don't need to worry for non expensive stuff. Just want to let other know the implications when supplying our own fittings. @OP: I'd try to chase the builder if I were you. Hi there, We’ve recently had plans approved to add a 1st storey addition to our existing house for a growing family in Sydney. With the current cost of building… 0 4296 That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 17871 Hi All, I just wanted to close this topic out with an update. So we ended up agreeing to a number with the insurance company, and after an extensive amount of hand… 8 23401 |