Hi all,
As a bit of an intro, I'm planning a new build in Melbourne's north-east (Banyule). It is a dual occupancy on a corner, so I've got full site access.
Site size is 20mx20m. Two storey build, with ground floor at approx 90sqm. 3 bedrooms, master with ensuite. Simple and efficient design. Passive solar orientation. M-class soil.
The site is a bit of a pain. Loads of shrubby veg, several large trees, and a slope on the block with a fall of about 1m - so a bit of benching will be required.
I've been working so far with a custom kit manufacturer, who is also an architect. To date, I had been intending for the build to be done by one builder. Tender went out, pricing came back in way over the estimate. I'd been working to $1900/sqm (which is what the kit manufacturer told me to work with and I've since had a building consultant and one other builder advise that $1900, for the plans I have, is more than reasonable). However, the costs coming back in came to more like $2500-$2700/sqm once kit was included, with site costs on top of that. Not happy.
So, I'm now having to consider owner building, but will possibly also re-tender before I make that decision.
Before I re-tender, I want to get some trades on-site to talk through my plans. I'm concerned the site condition is leading to the crazy quotes. I'd like to get a good understanding of what my drainage/clearing/excavation costs would be.
The slab engineers came back with slab on ground, but I'm wondering about a waffle pod and whether that could help to reduce excavation costs (obviously would go back to slab engineers to see if waffle pod OK on benched site - M class soil).
I'm not clear on who to contact first to start to work this out. Concretor? Excavator? Should I be clearing my trees before getting these people out on site? A few tips welcome. Recommendations for builders/project managers, site prep, excavation, concreting, drainage plumbers also welcome!
Note that if I do end up as OB I will be looking to appoint a project manager, but in the interim I need to nut out as much of this stuff as possible.
Cheers