Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 24, 2016 6:25 pm We are in the process of finalising our custom build on a very steep block. We have a floor plan that we are happy with. The initial costing which was within our budget but once we looked into the inclusions we found them to be very basic and not at all what we wanted. I asked the builder to re-price with the better quality inclusions and the price they came back with was astronomical (in my opinion). We were not asking for anything exorbitant security screens to all windows and doors except front door mirror robe doors (3) free standing bath small hand basin in toilet glass balustrades to deck ceiling fans (8) and down lights spotted gum solid timber flooring - 120sqm canopy rangehood upgrade taps and shower heads (3) tiles to ceiling in bathrooms (3) frameless shower screens (2) semi-frameless shower screen (1) stone bench tops to kitchen wall mounted, stone top vanities to bathrooms drawer units to wardrobes (3) and WIR 2 x split system air cons They want to charge an additional $86K for these changes We are now considering having the house built to lock-up stage (including electric and plumbing) and organising the rest ourselves. Does anyone have experience in doing this? Are there big savings to be gained? Is it worth the additional stress? We are first time builders so maybe a bit naive in this area but it seems to me that the builder is adding their mark-up to everything which would be better in our pocket at the end of the day. Looking forward to hear impartial opinions. Ann Re: Building to lock-up stage only - does it save $$ 2Nov 24, 2016 7:56 pm Some of those inclusions sound as though they will be expensive anyway. The builders do charge a higher margin on additional items however it is worth remembering.
The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Building to lock-up stage only - does it save $$ 3Nov 24, 2016 8:35 pm Builder usually can get cheaper materials and labour but they will sell it to you for the retail price! Ann, just wondering which builder are you building with? Im looking to do the same. get them to complete up until the lock up stage and do everything else myself. Re: Building to lock-up stage only - does it save $$ 4Nov 24, 2016 10:14 pm michaeltito Builder usually can get cheaper materials and labour but they will sell it to you for the retail price! Ann, just wondering which builder are you building with? Im looking to do the same. get them to complete up until the lock up stage and do everything else myself. We are building with a small local Tweed builder. They did not seem too receptive when I mentioned the possibility of only building with them to lock up stage. We will have to wait and see..... Re: Building to lock-up stage only - does it save $$ 5Nov 24, 2016 10:16 pm bashworth Some of those inclusions sound as though they will be expensive anyway. The builders do charge a higher margin on additional items however it is worth remembering.
You are correct Bashworth. There is a lot to consider. We will have to carefully weigh up all options Re: Building to lock-up stage only - does it save $$ 6Dec 29, 2018 3:09 pm Hi Ann, I was looking for information regarding stages of work being completed on building and saw your post. I have had issues with my builder because they charge an "at cost" price for supplying their fixtures which are way below what one would expect to pay in a normal retail/builders outlet. Say for argument they gave me a price of $127.00 for a toilet suite. WT....... it cost me $550.00 for the one I wanted to buy so I got $127.00 credited. Big woop. Anyway, what I would recommend is that you source prices for each of the requests you have made. Then ask them what they are prepared to pay and then work out the difference. I put in a spotted gum staircase and walkway to master bedroom 6 years ago and it cost me $4,000 plus. Beautiful but expensive. Years ago we put in glass balustrades around our pool and it was EXPENSIVE. A good ceiling fan is around $250 - $450 plus installation. Stone bench tops depending on mm thickness are expensive, especially if you want 40mm. Do not ever get Essa stone. It's crap. I made that mistake and hate it. Stick with granite or Caesar stone. Don't bother with split aircons. Go for the complete package and get it put in when the frame goes up and roof goes on and before ceiling is put in. Get is zoned specific to your family's needs. The other things you asked for you could actually do yourself. I completely gutted two built in wardrobes, put in new shelving, rails and didn't bother with cupboards. Lots of hanging space and rooms for toy boxes, etc. But bought nice dressing tables/low boys. I also took out a room for a walk in to adjoin the master bedroom. I outsourced the WIR to be made by a company here in Sydney and they did a fantastic job. You are asking for above expected quality as would be provided normally. You have good taste, but expensive taste. If you want top end you have to be prepared to pay for it. If it's your forever home then do the groundwork, find suppliers and cost it out and then decide what you want to keep or get rid of off your list. If you don't want to compromise then negotiate with the builder if possible. I'm 65 years old, female, and live alone. If I can do it, you can do it. Good luck. Lynne Re: Building to lock-up stage only - does it save $$ 7Dec 29, 2018 10:29 pm All builders will have slightly different definitions of "Lock Up" stage. Just make sure you spell out exactly what you expect to be done by this stage. It will make your build more complex and stressful I think Good luck!! 1 4678 I've just had a look at the website. The company are just building broker's. There are plenty of similar companies that basically draw your plans (they own them so you… 8 10854 Not unless you have managed to put it as a special condition into the contract somehow. 1 6150 |