After browsing this forum for many months and getting ideas of features from other build, we have decided (and finally had a chance) to do our own log to hopefully help others out with ideas/pricing in the future.
Myself and my partner had three requirements in the house, 1) Scullery for her as we like to entertain, 2) Workshop or large garage for myself and 3) a house which isn't a giant hallway. After visiting countless display villages, we found many homes which had features we liked but could never find one which had everything until an Impressions sales agent recommended we go look at the 'The Akiko' (The Vastu base plan) in the Springtime Haynes display village... We were sold!
The agent (Anthony, highly recommended!) found us the perfect 450sqm land in the private estate 'The Avenue' opposite parkland with living stream and now were all set to build our new home.
We did have a few dramas to reach the construction phase:
- Our first bank knocked back formal approval based on the house being 38k over-valued. As Hilbert is a new suburb, they valued houses in older suburbs further SOR. Our sales agent put us in touch with a new broker and their bank valued our house at exactly what we needed
- Council planning said there wasn't enough outdoor space. Had to more house forward by 1m and remove eaves off our alfresco.
The outcome was this modified Vastu plan:
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Changes:
- Moved master suite behind the theatre and had ensuite backing the laundry
- Pushed the front theatre wall forwards to increase depth
- Widened the garage to add rear roller door
- Lengthened the second WC and fridge recess
- Reduced alfresco size (council open space requirement)
Timeline
17/10/17 --PWA with builder
31/03/18 --Sold old house
22/05/18 --Land titled
02/07/18 --Formal contracts signed with the builder
04/07/18 --Applied for formal finance. Valuation knocked back by C.B. Told us we were required to contribute $38k ourselves.
17/07/18 --Prestart selections meeting
17/07/18 --Applied for formal finance with new bank:
02/08/18 --Formal Approval (without contributing money) received
21/08/18 --Land Settlement
04/09/18 --Siteworks
07/09/18 --Footings
10/09/18 --Pad
13/09/18 --Soakwells installed (pad reburied under sand!)
21/09/18 --Bricks and Window/Door frames delivered
25/09/18 --Brickwork commenced
12/10/18 --Brickwork complete
15/10/18 -- oof carpentry started
19/10/18 --Roof carpentry, eaves, gutters/fascia, plumbing complete, electrical prelay started
mitchell_owens
:-D
