Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 19, 2018 8:10 pm We were initially quoted a base price of $324,000 for a 300sqm double story. By the time we added some desired upgrades the prelim quote came in at $375,000. We were allowing maybe $25,000 Incase it went over. The updated estimate has now come back at $453,000. Big variance. They have put it down to costs of upgrades and little layout tweaks that cost money. We have a good understanding of that as we have built before but this puts the house at $1,400 a sqm. Sounds crazy dear? Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 2Mar 19, 2018 8:37 pm We spent $370k on our 27sq single storey house. Given that you would also need stairs, have additional wet areas and other two storey structural needs, I don’t think what you’ve been quoted is over the top Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 3Mar 19, 2018 8:42 pm Brenton41 We were initially quoted a base price of $324,000 for a 300sqm double story. By the time we added some desired upgrades the prelim quote came in at $375,000. We were allowing maybe $25,000 Incase it went over. The updated estimate has now come back at $453,000. Big variance. They have put it down to costs of upgrades and little layout tweaks that cost money. We have a good understanding of that as we have built before but this puts the house at $1,400 a sqm. Sounds crazy dear? You can pay to the moon! How about $1.3M for a house with 185m2 internal dimensions, a couple of decks plus a detached shed, carport and a driveway. When we first embarked on our project the Architect gave us a questionnaire to complete, titled "Reality Check" - a very worthwhile exercise. Anyway, here is a simple guide that might suggest to you if you are being quoted on or above the odds for a house of your size, configuration, finish and level of customisation. Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 4Mar 19, 2018 8:49 pm Just seemed so far off that we were never going to achieve close to the initial quote. Most of the upgrades were in that quote. So I have to wonder where 75k has been spent. And it’s sort of misleading in a way to have that type of surprise at the end. Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 5Mar 19, 2018 8:52 pm What did you pick? The jump between prelim quote and final seems a tad ridiculous. Does it include upgraded site costs? Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 6Mar 19, 2018 8:58 pm kirashogun What did you pick? The jump between prelim quote and final seems a tad ridiculous. Does it include upgraded site costs? Soil was M class and we had a site cut allowance already. We did go for some nice upgrades but it was all pretty much covered in the initial prelim. The staircase was 14k but they had allowed 4K already so that was the main expensive upgrade. They said that they had miss quoted on the facade cost and things like cornerless stacker doors required steel beams which they initiated put an allowance in also. They also said we had made some cut ins and cut outs that cost money. Bit confused with it all really. Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 7Mar 19, 2018 10:39 pm Brenton41 Soil was M class and we had a site cut allowance already. We did go for some nice upgrades but it was all pretty much covered in the initial prelim. The staircase was 14k but they had allowed 4K already so that was the main expensive upgrade. They said that they had miss quoted on the facade cost and things like cornerless stacker doors required steel beams which they initiated put an allowance in also. They also said we had made some cut ins and cut outs that cost money. Bit confused with it all really. It's exactly how the volume builders work. While the houses adhere to the cookie cutter approach with no changes, they can keep the costs down through easier build approach and consistent demand for materials; but you pay top dollar for variations because that changes the equation dramatically. Re: How much $$/sqm should you pay? 8Mar 20, 2018 6:17 am Ours is $500k for 47 squares and no driveway or landscaping yet. Dies include side and back fence Petercurtis You able to contact the certifier and get a copy of your structural plans, if they are not in your contract. If your home was approved via CDC then they… 1 20162 Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20413 7 11992 |