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The fact of the matter is that you cannot have comfort of a lump sum contract and flexibility of cost plus contract. When you sign off on a standard lump sum contract you sign away rights to variations. Builder does not have to accept any or if he does he can charge whatever he thinks (if you accept the price)
I think you have to remember that resources put in to implement and administer contract variations can outweigh profit from additional house construction.
My advice is to think carefully before you sign and don't ask for variations, it will cost you.
I agree 100% with this. Fixed price is a relatively "easy" was to build,but you will not have control. Owner Builder gives you 100% control, but added work, responsibility and liability.
Owner builders deal with the pain of dealing with Draftsmen/Architects,Banks, Council, Certifiers, Engineers, Surveryors, earthmovers, Insurance brokers, Tradies ( good and bad ), utilities and all of the suppliers......... But it will be done 100% to your specification.
Everything comes at a cost and will never go 100% your way.
Also, for the OP. I have my breakdown of costs and materials. I did it from scratch and it took me about 120 hours of work just to get it to a level I was happy with and the bank accepted. It was probably only 70% accurate in the end as the costs change and on the fly upgrades. But i did get to make EVERY change and decision myself.