{Dawn} SE Melb Build - Done and dusted!

aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 9:31 pm

To all of those who have been following my home building journey, welcome to my new thread!

I've decided to start a new thread and put the last two years behind me. My build permits have been issued at last and I'm looking forward to building my new house over the next 6-8 months.

To everyone else, hi I'm Dawn! I'm a 29 y.o woman building my first house.

I purchased land in stage 3 of the Ascot estate, Pakenham in July 2014. My land is 294m2 (10.5x28m). Titles for stage 3 were released February 2016, after a 10 month delay.

I'm building with a small custom builder that I engaged October 2014. I signed the building contract on the 15th of March 2016.

Progress of Build

22/07/2014 - Holding Deposit Paid on Land
18/08/2014 - Land Deposit Paid
28/10/2014 - Build Quote & Holding Deposit Paid
14/02/2015 - Colour Selection
11/02/2015 - Settlement
15/03/2015 - Build Contract Signed
31/03/2016 - Build Deposit Paid
23/09/2016 - Build Permits Issued
01/10/2016 - Build started
13/10/2016 - Slab down
18/10/2016 - Frame completed
4/11/2016 - Bricks going up
14/11/2016 - Lock up completed
19/11/2016 - Bricking completed, hob in, insulation going in
13/12/2016 - Fixing stage completed
14/06/2017 - Garage door on
21/6/2017 - Gas line installed/front fence going up
30/6/2017 - Render
19/7/2017 - PCI
11/8/2017 - Handover

aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 9:35 pm

This is my land when I paid my deposit:

This is my land today:
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aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 9:48 pm

I am building a 3bdr, 2 bath, single garage home.

Floorplan

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Facade

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With Front Fence

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Colour Selection

Brick: Boral Mocha (Horizon Range) with rolled joints and natural mortal

Render to pillars: Drive Time - Dulux

Render to bedroom: Grey Pebble - Dulux

Roof Tiles: Boral Concrete Striata in Gunmetal

Window Frames & Sliding Doors: A&L Aluminum in Surfmist Satin

Fascia: Colorbond Basalt

Gutters: Colourbond Basalt

Downpipes: Colourbond Basalt

Entry Door: Horizontal glass inserts with Gloss Finish in Glide Time - Dulux

Garage Door: Sectional Door in Colorbond Surfmist

Exterior Selections

Floor Tiles: 600x600 Manhattan Light Grey MATT with Mocha Grout

Kitchen Wall Tiles: 100x300 White Gloss Flat laid in brick bond (subway) with light grey grout

Bathroom/Laundry Wall Tiles: 200x400 Vogue White Gloss laid landscape with white grout

Glass Feature Tile for Bathrooms

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Kitchen Cabinets: Polytec Polar White Sheen

Kitchen Bench Top: Caesarstone White Shimmer

(on right)

Bathroom/En Suite Vanity Cabinets: Polytec Soft Walnut Matt

Bathroom/En Suite Benchtops: Caesarstone White Shimmer

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Wall Paint: Haymes Matt Finish White on White

Ceiling/Cornices/Skirting: Gloss Finish Builders White

Carpet: Dark chocolate brown (last sample)

Handles: Chrome Door handles from builder's range throughout

Tapware: Chrome from builders range

Toilets/Basins: White from builders range

Light switches and fittings: White from builders range

Interior Selections

aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 10:12 pm

Fittings & Lighting

Bedroom and Bathrooms - Oyster LEDs

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Kitchen Pendants x 3

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Hallway pendant x 1

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Showers

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Bathroom taps

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Bath
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Basins

Bathroom Taps

Toilets

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Frameless En Suite Shower
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Kitchen Sink
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Kitchen & Laundry Tap
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Rangehood

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Oven & Cooktop

aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 10:15 pm

Upgrades, Inclusions & Variations

Inclusions at no extra cost:

Render to Facade
2550m Ceiling Height
Feature Entry Door
Overhead cupboards to kitchen
Double Bowl Sink
20mm stone benchtops to kitchen, laundry, bathroom and en suite
Tiled shower bases
400mm x 400mm wall niche to showers
Vinyl sliding doors in lieu of hinged
Rangehood ducted to outside
Split system
Recycled water tap
Extended mirror in bathroom
Installation of pendant lighting
Privacy locks to bathrooms
Concrete pad for HWS
Opaque glass to en suite
Raft Slab

Upgrades at additional cost:

Exhaust fan to laundry
Stainless steel trough inset into bench with underbench cupboards in laundry
Sliding door to outside in lieu of hinged
Floor tiles in lieu of standard carpet
Extend height of overhead cupboards
Dishwasher
Upgrade carpet to Cat 2
Roof Sarking
Double glazed windows and sliding doors
Awning windows in lieu of sliding
2700mm Ceiling height
Frameless shower screen panel to en suite
MDF painted finish sliding doors with handle in lieu of vinyl doors
Brickwork above all windows and doors

Additional Site Costs: $6,860
Front Fence – 5x 1m high rendered brick piers on concrete footing: $4,760
Total Upgrade Cost: $23,62

Total House cost approx $180k

aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 10:18 pm

SO EXCITED!!! Received my build permits today. Hopeful this means things are back on track and I'll be at lock up by Christmas.

I'm planning to be at the Grand Opening of Ascot Park on the 22nd, if any neighbors are going to be there let's try to meet up

Charley · Sep 23, 2016 10:41 pm

Finally!!!! You must be so happy!

aloenyx · Sep 23, 2016 10:48 pm

I am ecstatic

I left my builder a very happy voicemail. Just feeling so much relief, I don't even care if the build doesn't actually start for a while... I just feel like at least the clock is ticking now! I'm thinking I might be moving in around April, which wouldn't be too bad.. at least I'd have heating next winter!

I also went to the Royal Melb Show today to meet a dog breeder, didn't really go well, but definitely having some new thoughts about my future dog.

charlibear · Sep 23, 2016 10:54 pm

Yayayayayayay!!! Hooray!!!

GJ Gardner Modified Coolum 277
viewtopic.php?t=83643

rosemi · Sep 23, 2016 11:05 pm

Congratulations! Great to hear that something is finally happening

View thread:
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=83776&start=80

cant decide · Sep 23, 2016 11:37 pm

Good to hear you are finally moving forward, looking forward to your updates!!

bank · Sep 23, 2016 11:56 pm

Congrats! It's great to hear things are are on the move for you.

aloenyx · Sep 24, 2016 10:03 am

Thanks everyone

I woke up this morning and the sun was shining.... feeling very happy for a change.

Hopefully things will start on site in the next few weeks, might even have a slab down before the block party on the 22nd, that would be awesome.

aloenyx · Sep 24, 2016 10:25 am

What do people think about this article in the Domain?

http://www.domain.com.au/news/first-hom ... 21-grk4pe/

I thought it was a little disheartening for first home buyers, and didn't talk much about other options out there (like building!!). Plus they make it sound like 20% deposit is the only option, which isn't true.

When I bought my land I was earning approx 50k a year and had 9k in the bank (which took about 12 months to save while living with my parents). So its not EASY, but I don't know that its THAT impossible... and what's wrong with living in Melbourne's outer ring

I was reading articles like this before I bought my land and was convinced I would never be able to own my own home, but once I stopped listening to them and actually tried to buy, it all worked out.

capricorn · Sep 24, 2016 10:04 pm

Congratulations Dawn! Where did you find the grand opening of the park?

aloenyx · Sep 24, 2016 10:51 pm

It was on the facebook page for the estate, 22nd of October at the park. There will supposedly be a BBQ, activities, etc.

aloenyx · Sep 25, 2016 12:26 pm

Does anybody else use a budget? I've been putting one together this morning on excel to get a feel for how expensive owning a house is going to be

bank · Sep 25, 2016 12:52 pm

aloenyx

Does anybody else use a budget? I've been putting one together this morning on excel to get a feel for how expensive owning a house is going to be

haha yeah it's not fun looking at the post build budget. I've been following a budget very strictly whilst saving for the house, always had one but it wasn't tight before we knuckled down with the saving so didn't follow it closely. I made a post build one a few months ago, it's amazing all the extra little costs! Obviously you expect rates, water rates, extra insurance etc but there are lots of less obvious things too like more petrol, fibre internet plan(currently on cable so it really shouldn't be more but it is), extra for public transport (currently walking distance to school) and it just goes on! Our oldest is also starting high school next year too so that adds more as well.

aloenyx · Sep 25, 2016 2:13 pm

I was following a really strict budget until I paid all the deposits. I have a little buffer now, but I know once the house is handed over that will disappear quickly on furniture, landscaping, fences, etc. I'm trying to find a balance between making extra repayments on the house (while interests are low) and still living life.

I haven't been able to really work out the post build costs, I can only make some guesses. At least being on my own I only have to worry about what I cost

I'll save a little on travel as I'll no longer be parking at the station for work, and I'll be in walking distance of shops, libraries, etc that I'm currently driving to. Internet and phone costs will probably go up, along with having to pay electricity, water, gas & rates.

Will be interesting to see how it ends up. For now I want to buckle down and getting saving again before the house is ready, I've been a bit careless of late.

annielee · Sep 25, 2016 4:54 pm

Congrats, Dawn..been following your previous thread silently.... im in the 'almost' same situation as you....
- doing it on my own
- small block of land (3+1 rooms)
- original land purchased got delayed and delayed, so decided to look for another land.another suburb..and found one..
- builder prices increased and adjusted coz need to redraw the plan to fit the new block of land..
- finally signed the HIA last 2 weeks and home loan just got approved (under valuation by $13k), luckily i saved enough with all the land delays..so i will be paying the difference..
- very happy with the builder sales guy but not with the admin.. asked her some questions during the contract day, and she cant answer most of my questions, which got me frustrated and she knew that i wasnt happy..

And im waiting for permit now and the admin girl did told me the earliest they can start will be in November.... would be happy if i can move in April next year, but i doubt it.... but mine is a small house.. so im praying i can move in by June the latest...