Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: Stages of owner building... 21Jun 18, 2010 7:59 pm I wonder Chippy what your connection is to the "estimation" industry.... We are trying to help Connie here and all I am saying Connie, be careful about what your estimator will tell you, manage your finances well. You already saw that your quotes were MUCH less than the estimation. There are many people here who had similar experiences "The fearless are merely fearless. People who act in spite of their fear are truly brave" - James A. LaFond-Lewis Re: Stages of owner building... 22Jun 19, 2010 12:24 am I'm a carpenter, so absolutely no link with the "estimation industry". You say that you are trying to help and so am I. I just think it is dangerous to lead people to think that they are going to build a house for 25-30% less than a professional estimate. It most likely wont happen. Here is a personal example. My estimate came back with a costing of $2800 for engineering. The actual cost was only $1800. Yes that is a big percentage saving. My grano work had an estimated cost of $24680 the actual cost from the grano worker I want to use is $26084. That is a relatively small percentage difference but will wipe out the savings of my engineering. I could list a number of other examples but I'm sure you get my point. I'm probably in a better position than most to be able to judge building costs as I work in construction, however at least I now have a fairly accurate figure to work to and can adjust as I build depending on how I am running compared to the schedule. For people like Connie who sound like they have absolutely no idea about building, an estimate is a good starting point. The estimator I used told me that most people end up coming under budget and I certainly hope that I and Connie can. Littlemoscow you obviously did the owner builder course at Homebase. The first and last thing they try to impress on you is the importance of getting an estimate. These are people that work with OB's day in and day out so they know the mistakes OB's make. Not having a budget (which is adhered to by using the estimate) is the number one mistake people make. These are their words not mine. The planners you recommended are based on an estimate or bill of quantities and form the basis for tracking your build. By your own description you never did your own estimate, you just got some quotes. You never new how much the total cost of your home was going to be before you started, at the best you just new how much some of the big ticket items were going to set you back. This can work out fine as it did for you but can be fraught with danger as well. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Stages of owner building... 23Jun 19, 2010 7:28 pm Connie, sorry but I think Chippy and myself have hijacked your page Chippy, I never said I did not agree with what you were saying. Yes, I certainly attended the course at Home expo, and some of it was very helpful. The planner was very usefull as it broke the whole project down to stages. I then started collecting quotes (before even applying for an OB permit). But the most help I got was from other OBs that I found here in Perth and from this forum. I budgeted down to the smallest thing before starting, just to make sure there would no surprises (mostly based on what other OBs paid for the same job). At the end of my project I was out on a couple of items, but fortunately well under budget on most of them. By all means, if Connie will be able to find a good estimator, it will surely help her to run the project smoothly. I just would not want to see someone overpaying because of the over-estimation. I hope both of you run well under budget. Good luck Nina "The fearless are merely fearless. People who act in spite of their fear are truly brave" - James A. LaFond-Lewis Re: Stages of owner building... 24Jun 21, 2010 9:49 am Thanks everyone for your comments... as the quotes continue to come in, and I am finding that the estimation was way off. Once again, I dont want to generalise and say they are all useless, maybe I just got a bad egg! I have since spoken to 3 different builders, and they have given me their quick estimations... each have said that the estimation is way off. I have decided that I am going to use all the info from the estimation, and include what applies to me (take out what doesn't) and use it as a rough guide... I suppose in some ways it's better to have a starting point rather than nothing. The only thing you are not taught, or there is no resource for is what should be included in a quote. E.g. I have 2 framing & trusses quotes now, about $3k difference in the 2, but I dont know if they have included everything we will need. So I am now going to show them to a builder and a carpenter to get their opinions. Without knowing people in the trade, I think this process would be VERY VERY difficult. Re: Stages of owner building... 25Jun 21, 2010 10:53 am The trouble with estimates there are always going to be many variables. I think estimates are important however the builder should be researching this. and as an owner builder you should investigate rates an which people work. A good example is plastering for a 35 square house you could pay 13K to 18K for plastering. I had paid 18K incl GST and to this day I actually thought they where cheaper than the 13K people. Because of the work they included and the methods they used to install. Its a bit hard to use an external estimator when they may have different ideas, or not recently have built a house and don't have a good hands on experience on what things should cost. Hi VK, I am now retired however I have stood beside over 300 owner builders in the past 18 years that have successfully built their own homes. First of all a building… 10 22606 Hi all. Anyone know when the $11,000 limit was set in legislation for renovations in QLD? Ive been renovating for 5 years now and this was the limit back then. As we know,… 0 4237 |