Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Dec 15, 2013 6:45 pm Looking at buying a small 15sq kit home for $72,000 (including all the upgrades I want) and owner building. I like the idea of doing a bunch of the work myself, as I like that kind of thing, and I am quite handy. So this is my thoughts on what work will need to be done, and who will do it: I'm thinking I'll do the following: - frame - corrugated iron roofing - gutters and downpipes - windows and flyscreens - cladding - insulation, ceiling and walls - painting (supplied with undercoat only. paint itself will be extra costs) - hanging internal and external doors - skirting and architraves - towel rails, wardrobe hanging rails, toilet roll holders etc Things I'm not sure if I could so the following: Your thoughts/experiences? - installing kitchen - bathroom vanity and shower screen - putting up the plaster board on the walls and ceiling including cornices Things I can't/won't do: - foundations - electrical - plumbing - tiling - carpeting - retaining walls (in needed) Im sure there is a few things im forgetting there...please point them out to me. But how does that sound. Any advice on the things I'm not sure about would be great. What have I left out/forgotten about? Electrical and plumbing work are going to be expensive I would assume. What are we talking here for total plumbing and electrical costs? As a rough guess, $10,000 max each? That's doing ALL electrical and plumbing work including installation of sinks, taps, toilets etc...labour costs only. I have no idea here. Im thinking the cost for tiling (labour only) would be around $75-90psm? Will have around 30sqm in bathroom, kitchen and laundry. Not to sure about carpeting but Im thinking about the same costs as the tiling maybe more since I'll need to buy the actual carpet as well? Will have around 80sqm. Im thinking about $30,000 for foundations and site works. That's $2,000 per square. I couldn't see it being much more than this as it's not a huge house, but I am looking at some sloping blocks so it's possible I'll need retaining walls, which of course means higher costs. In the area I'm looking at, blocks are going for between $70,000-$100,000, fyi. Thoughts on all that? Re: Considering owner building kit home 2Dec 15, 2013 9:15 pm Its normal for roofing to require a licenced roof plumber so you will need to get someone to do that. I've never had problems installing kitchens or tiling walls myself. Have you got a mate who is keen to help assembling a frame and installing windows is more than a one man job. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Considering owner building kit home 3Dec 15, 2013 9:25 pm Yes, kitchens are pretty easy. I put ours together from flatpack form. I think your guesstimate for plumbing and electrical is more than will be required. We built a 43sq home and both of ours came in under $10k each - unless your house is miles away from elec/water services. Our kit came supplied with all the fittings (Lights, switches, taps etc, but we got the trades to supply the wiring/pipework). I'd say give it a go!!!!! And good luck Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Considering owner building kit home 5Dec 16, 2013 11:22 am Flat pack kitchen seems to be the way to go. Thanks everyone. @bashworth Thanks. I definitely did overlook the need for a roof plumber. Thanks. And yes, I'm aware a lot of the jobs I'm thinking I'll do are not one man jobs. That's not an issue though. I have plenty of help. Thankfully. I didn't even really consider doing any of the tiling. I mean, I have no experience with tiling at all. It doesn't look that hard, but the tiles come with the kit so I just need to pay for labour...and in the grand scheme of things I figure it's not going to cost a lot extra to get a bang up job done. I noticed you said you tiled walls...so assuming you didn't do floor tiles? Excuse my ignorance, but why is that? Is wall tiling easier than floor tiling? @lynny-jane Well yeah I was hoping plumbing and electrical would be less, but not quite sure so always better to budget on the high end when deciding whether this is what I want to do. Its good news to hear it may indeed be less. The kit im looking at is the same re the inclusions and exclusions you mention. @qebtel Well, from what I can gather so far I am going to be able to save between $35,000-$70,000 (or about 15% - 25%) depending on how much I pay for land and a few other factors. To me, this seems like is would be worth it. Even on the low end. And that's just the financial aspect. There are other reason one might be drawn to.a kit home... Re: Considering owner building kit home 6Dec 16, 2013 5:21 pm grimstamble Flat pack kitchen seems to be the way to go. Thanks everyone. @bashworth Thanks. I definitely did overlook the need for a roof plumber. Thanks. And yes, I'm aware a lot of the jobs I'm thinking I'll do are not one man jobs. That's not an issue though. I have plenty of help. Thankfully. I didn't even really consider doing any of the tiling. I mean, I have no experience with tiling at all. It doesn't look that hard, but the tiles come with the kit so I just need to pay for labour...and in the grand scheme of things I figure it's not going to cost a lot extra to get a bang up job done. I noticed you said you tiled walls...so assuming you didn't do floor tiles? Excuse my ignorance, but why is that? Is wall tiling easier than floor tiling? Never needed to do Floor tiling but had to do plenty of wall tiling. Brian The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Hi VK, Think it's worth investing time in an Owner Builder course to equip you with basic knowledge on Australian Building Industry and its regulations. Also, I suggest… 11 23034 Hi all. 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