Custom build with Format Homes

cobalt · Jul 21, 2019 10:25 pm

We picked a block of land with a very nice view, but it has a slope that we knew was going to cause us problems if we used conventional designs. We wanted to go with a wide and shallow arrangement, rather than the usual long and narrow, so that we could avoid cutting deeply into the hill.

It's 2 storeys with 4 bedrooms, a study, and a rumpus upstairs to take in the view.

We've been thoroughly impressed with our experience with the sales consultant at Format, who has been endlessly friendly and helpful (even long after signing the contract).

At this stage, we're still making tweaks to our design, and Format are quite happy to process these variations with no extra charges. We haven't yet got as far as engineering and council, but I'm hoping we should be ready for that soon.

For anyone considering a custom build: if you're a perfectionist, be careful! Being able to design, redesign and tweak *anything* might make you feel compelled to do so. It can be exhausting at times, although a mostly rewarding experience overall.

cobalt · Jul 22, 2019 12:39 am

While we're still free to change things, can anyone see any issues with the layout that we may not have considered?

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Callifo · Jul 24, 2019 9:06 pm

Doing a custom build with Format too though only single storey, and it sounds like I am at roughly about the same stage as you. I just booked my selection appointments and start later this week.

So far been reasonably smooth going, though in the beginning seemed a bit slow. Its picked up somewhat in the last few weeks.

How close did they get your footing costs from the initial pre-contract contract? Mine unfortunately turned out not great, as the soil was classed H2, and my footings cost has gone up 33%.

Callifo · Jul 24, 2019 9:29 pm

Since you have a lot of toilets and bathrooms sharing walls with bedrooms, have you considered putting soundscreen insulation into those surrounding walls? Same with the garage to bedroom if it doesnt already have it.

Not much bench space in the main bathroom, perhaps slide the bath south and extend the bench to a 90 degree corner unit?

Considered turning some/all of that storage space into a walk in pantry (you could multi-purpose and use some for storage) rather than just cupboards?

cobalt · Jul 28, 2019 11:19 pm

Thanks for your thoughts, Callifo.

We haven't got our footings yet. +33% is a lot, it must've really been tough to get that to work in your budget. I hate having that risk still hanging over us. We've kept some budget in reserve just in case, but it'd really be nice to be able to spend some of that on our remaining wish-list items.

We've got plenty of soundcheck plasterboard throughout the walls of the upper storey, but actually not between the toilet and the blue bedroom, as we figured the BIR would do the job for us. Does that sound reasonable?
I'm not worried about the downstairs bedroom, as it's just a guest room, so it'll usually be unoccupied.

You make a good point about the bathroom cabinet space, but I think there's little that can be done without a big redesign. Unfortunately, that "empty" space the bottom of the room is actually the shower! The app I used just displays it as thin glass panels so it's really hard to see.

We actually had a pantry on an earlier design, but it had to go to let us expand the bench space. There's actually more room in all those cupboards than in any home we've lived in before, so I think it'll be okay. Adding a pantry now doesn't actually help much (I did the maths!) as plenty of space is lost for the door and a place to walk.

Good luck for selections! We got in early and began browsing some of the suppliers already, but when it comes to the colour schemes and details, we have a long way to go.