Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 22, 2019 9:42 am Hi, I'm hoping somebody could give me some advice. I am a first home buyer and have gone with a builder who offers a full turn key package. I had our first colour selection meeting and all went well with variations noted and agreed upon. At this meeting I asked about changing the garage door from slimline to flat line. I have done some research on costs and its the exact same costs, just a different style. I was told no at the meeting. I then emailed them a week ago asking for this and they informed me that they cannot do a flatline for me coz they have already placed their orders for my build. Please note we have not started the build as yet nor do we have council approval yet. I questioned this as theres no difference in costs and they informed me that this is not a variation they can entertain as its a full turn key home inclusive of all standard items. They further explained that they are able to keep their contract prices down by using the same standard items in every home and obtaining better proceed for these items in bulk. Is this correct? is this what full turn key actually means? I am aware that this was my first choice but I suppose I didn't expect this to be an issue if the door costs the exact same and its only a difference in style? Advice please Re: Variations/Upgrades to a new build 2Feb 22, 2019 9:53 am confusedmuch Hi, I'm hoping somebody could give me some advice. I am a first home buyer and have gone with a builder who offers a full turn key package. I had our first colour selection meeting and all went well with variations noted and agreed upon. At this meeting I asked about changing the garage door from slimline to flat line. I have done some research on costs and its the exact same costs, just a different style. I was told no at the meeting. I then emailed them a week ago asking for this and they informed me that they cannot do a flatline for me coz they have already placed their orders for my build. Please note we have not started the build as yet nor do we have council approval yet. I questioned this as theres no difference in costs and they informed me that this is not a variation they can entertain as its a full turn key home inclusive of all standard items. They further explained that they are able to keep their contract prices down by using the same standard items in every home and obtaining better proceed for these items in bulk. Is this correct? is this what full turn key actually means? I am aware that this was my first choice but I suppose I didn't expect this to be an issue if the door costs the exact same and its only a difference in style? Advice please At what stage are you at? Have you signed the building contract? Re: Variations/Upgrades to a new build 3Feb 22, 2019 11:07 am As it appears the builder has said, that they offer a standard build/inclusions with only a limited number of choices. The garage door not being one of them. I've seen this often with house/land packages, ie: a particular design with a limited choice of colour variations/finishes. If this is the case here, I can understand them not doing other changes, as its part of the offer you accepted. You've mentioned in another post you signed the contract, that should specify what things can be changed. In the other post you mention you went with a low deposit agent. Is that regarding a construction loan to build the house? If you are increasing the cost of the build through variations, I can see that they would need to approve any increases. Or instead of dealing directly with the builder, you effectively went through a broker? Perhaps they've been paid a commission on your contract price and at this stage are still involved if there are changes? I recommend you have a thorough read through all the documents you've signed to see what your obligations are. Re: Variations/Upgrades to a new build 4Feb 22, 2019 2:18 pm confusedmuch They further explained that they are able to keep their contract prices down by using the same standard items in every home and obtaining better proceed for these items in bulk. Is this correct? Their argument makes sense on the surface. But you have to also keep in mind that upgrades are probably the best profit making scheme used by builders. So what you are experiencing doesn’t surprise me. I personally think the default choices you get with the base package are specifically made to look as unattractive as possible; so people are forced to upgrade. This helps the builder to advertise a low base price, yet make a healthy margin at the end in the way of upgrades. If you want that other door, you’ll have to pay more regardless of the actual difference. The upgrade premium may not make much sense, but that how it is. Another option may be to replace the panels after the handover, but you’ll have to check this with the manufacturer. But even if you could do that, the cost would probably be more expensive than builders upgrade premium. IMO that’s how they price upgrades, cheap enough to prevent people from getting them after the fact, but high enough to get as much money out of a client as possible. Re: Variations/Upgrades to a new build 5Feb 22, 2019 6:13 pm opti IMO that’s how they price upgrades, cheap enough to prevent people from getting them after the fact, but high enough to get as much money out of a client as possible. So true. Exactly the same tactic for their standard house offerings too, just enough to get an occupancy certificate, but most people would like to upgrade something in the build, especially after seeing the tricked out display homes. I can help you with all that, you can PM me with details if you wish 3 5854 Any advice on a builder in NSW who is demanding an extra 22000k after the house is completed and contract paid in full .Standard HIA contract. Never received a variation.… 0 20524 It seems very clear to me that your contract states that a security account does NOT need to be established so the answer to the builder is NO. If in doubt find a contract… 1 8511 |