Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: First Time Owner Builder 10Nov 14, 2012 9:48 am Hi all, I bought in Ferntree Gully foothills (Melbourne's East) just recently and want to start building as an owner builder. Not sure if i should do a short course or not, but thought to get some prices from a draftsman first to see what kind of costs will be involved in building a house in a high fire risk area. The land is steep and costs will be higher and so i'm told... @JB1 How's the owner building going in Wantirna, moving along nicely? Did you use a local draftsman for your house design, was he good and allowed you to make a lots of changes to your liking etc? Are you happy with the tradies you've so far used, would you recommend them? I too want to save money and have a higher build quality and am willing to do a lot of the work to save. Re: First Time Owner Builder 12Nov 19, 2012 3:54 pm pauleepaul @JB1 How's the owner building going in Wantirna, moving along nicely? Did you use a local draftsman for your house design, was he good and allowed you to make a lots of changes to your liking etc? Are you happy with the tradies you've so far used, would you recommend them? I too want to save money and have a higher build quality and am willing to do a lot of the work to save. It's coming along nicely, slow, but I am happy with the quality- at lock up. Local draftman, I did change the plans a few times. Now, the best thing about a custom home and owner building is you can change the design of the house during construction as long as it's not structural. Yes, very happy with the trades people from Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Drainage Plumber, Roof tiler, Roof Plumber, Renderer, Brick cleaner. Brickies were good and cheap, but wasn't a perfect job (however still very acceptable). Issues. Concreter did a good job, but stodged me out of $600 for pump cost, after we agreed the price would include a pump. Site excavator subcontracted out the truck to take the fill/rubbish to the tip. At the end of the day there was still one more load to cart away, the truck driver went home. The excavator guy wanted to charge me an hourly rate in the morning for his labour + 6 hours min fee for a truck for the last load. I was very unhappy and told him to push the dirt aside and go home. I ended up using a guy with a bob cat to take the last load for $300. He is also good guy. I haven't have any issues with agro tradies or tradies trying to pass substandard work or doing a shifty, so my experience has been very positive. Quality of work so far has been very good. When you're ready to build, let me know and I'll pass you their details. Can anyone give me any onfo on New Homes WA? Good or bad, hopefully good just need to know if my choice was good or not? Thanks ❤️ 0 9243 And we're finally moving forward! Trenches and plumbing in, should hopefully see a slab any day now. 9 33230 |