Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 12, 2018 5:24 pm I would love to build and have been looking at display homes. I've seen a few display homes with layouts that I like. What are the next steps i need to take to get an idea of what it would actually cost me without committing to anything? Metricon were quite upfront about a floorplan that I liked and gave me a printout of what all the extras were in the display home and how much they cost whereas others seem more cagey. Any advice would be great. Re: First steps? 2Aug 12, 2018 9:01 pm Melissa.b I would love to build and have been looking at display homes. I've seen a few display homes with layouts that I like. What are the next steps i need to take to get an idea of what it would actually cost me without committing to anything? Metricon were quite upfront about a floorplan that I liked and gave me a printout of what all the extras were in the display home and how much they cost whereas others seem more cagey. Any advice would be great. You won’t get a true price from any builder until you have done your site survey which is usually part of a tender process which most builders charge you a fee for. Be very wary of any free tender and also be very careful about any price you get without a site survey. Remember that different builders include different things in there packages such as floors etc. some don’t include it in the price. Some builders have this very attractive initial price then you sign and find out everything is an upgrade as the standard stuff is very basic. Re: First steps? 3Aug 12, 2018 9:09 pm Melissa.b I would love to build and have been looking at display homes. I've seen a few display homes with layouts that I like. What are the next steps i need to take to get an idea of what it would actually cost me without committing to anything? Metricon were quite upfront about a floorplan that I liked and gave me a printout of what all the extras were in the display home and how much they cost whereas others seem more cagey. Any advice would be great. With the big volume builders, you can sit down with a salesperson in either a display home or one of their offices to get a quote. This quote will not cost you anything and is not a commitment to build. During the quote you can tell the salesperson which upgrades you want to be included so they can price it up. One of the main items in the quote are site costs. This cannot be ascertained until a proper soil test is done so they usually put in a "provisional" amount depending on the location of your land. You go home with the quote and then decide if you want to continue with them or not. If you want to continue with the builder then you come back and pay for the soil test to get the process started. Re: First steps? 4Aug 12, 2018 9:19 pm Thanks. At that initial stage of getting a quote without a commitment can you also get them to include changes to the floor plan, or will they only include more standard upgrades such as ceiling height, kitchen upgrades etc. Also, has anyone taken a standard plan and made it smaller by removing a lounge or bedroom for example? There are some layouts that I like, but they have too many living spaces (such as loung, living and rumpus) and I don't need all of that, but the same plan isn't available in a smaller size. I'm presuming they'll reduce the price accordingly? Re: First steps? 5Aug 12, 2018 11:32 pm The last build I did I reduced the size of the house and got a reduction in price. Also be aware that many of the display homes are the biggest in the range and the builder may have several smaller options. When doing your budget remember there are many more costs than the builders rep will tell you about. One upgrade that you should think about is doubling the number of powerpoints. Most builders basic provisions is pathetic. (even in Display Homes) There are some thoughts at this link: anewhouse (a bit out of date but it will be a staring point) The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: First steps? 6Aug 13, 2018 7:06 am Thanks that’s good to know. I’d like a master to the rear layout and there aren’t many with this layout, but i know PD have a smaller one in their midrange so i’m going to look at that hopefully next weekend. Otherwise the option is to modify a hotondo or carlise plan to make it smaller or look at a custom builder. Yes, the extras all add up quckly! I find it crazy that things like doors on ensuites aren’t standard inclusions these days, but i guess if they were the base price would be higher again. Re: First steps? 7Aug 13, 2018 9:52 am Just be aware that volume builders will often prefer not to go extensively modifying designs, since the whole point of their existence is to churn out high numbers of houses that are ostensibly of the same design. This what enables them to be at the sort of prices they offer versus the more expensive custom builders. They are usually well-oiled machines, but the more you deviate, the less likely you are to find builders willing to do it and the greater the chance you will encounter issues in the actual build process due to deviating from the norm so to speak. Most are willing to do "simple" things like extending garages, adding eaves (where there might have been one before), add some width here and there but if you go start radically changing internal layouts, imo you are better off continuing to look around for stock designs to suit rather than go making significant alterations (even if the builder says they are willing to do it). I'd actually go so far as to say that if you are dealing with a volume builder, change as little as possible and don't be any more radical than the simplest of changes. Just one drafting error not picked up before you even sign the contract can put you into a whole world of pain down the track, for example - not to mention the increased costs to begin with. If you want a custom home, go with a custom builder. Re: First steps? 8Aug 13, 2018 10:23 am I found it varies from builder to builder, and I guess depends on the sales person you get. Some will give a lot of information and pricing of options before you pay anything, others not so. The good ones with a lot of experience can generally estimate and give ballpark figures for major changes off the top of their heads. There is also a huge difference in standard inclusions between builders, so need to check that. And I agree with the door on the ensuite - I mean who doesn't want one?! 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