Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 4Aug 28, 2013 1:02 pm My Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74269 Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 6Aug 28, 2013 3:44 pm My Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74269 Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 8Aug 28, 2013 10:20 pm Demo + Build in Rivervale, Western Australia Moved in June 2014 http://rivervale.tumblr.com/ Building Thread Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 10Aug 29, 2013 11:19 am My Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74269 Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 14Sep 03, 2013 2:19 am pzzldmind Thanks for your responses! I see what you mean - I actually don't even know what i do or don't need so will have to really try to even understand what certain 'freebies' mean - as an example, I don't even know what the difference between an 'Essa' benchtop and a normal benchtop is.. and up until two days ago, I had no idea why consultants seem to always mention 9 inch?/mm? cooktops!! One of the builders did mention that they included into their price, the specific requirements for the estate (DAL and Soundproofing of windows) which we thought was beneficial to us so that we didn't have to factor extra costs associate with that on top of the quoted build price. All other builders mention it as something extra we'd have to factor in (with one builder even saying that she couldn't quote a price on that until she knew exactly which lot we've got) Anyway, as you can see, it looks like i have a LOT to learn!!! I should probably start a new thread for this question, but taking on a point above - any recommendations for builders in the =< $200K category would be great! We've checked out the following that seem to fit within our budget so far: Affordable Living Aussie Living Home Group WA Commodore Homes Complete Homes Ventura Homes Aveling Have read either negative (Affordable Living) reviews, or no reviews on some, and most display homes display larger homes than what we're after. It feels like we're wading through all of this a bit blindly!! avoid affordable living, aussie living, commodore homes, ventura stick with home group wa, aveling are amazing, ross north, blueprint, celebrations Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 15Sep 03, 2013 10:16 am We've just finished our build with Aussie, while we've had a few issues I wouldn't outright say don't use them.one thing I still hunk is great is their display homes are built based on what their standard stuff is, usually they have non standard tiles and that's it.other builders you would be paying another 50% on the original price to get the house to look like the display! I'd go for the floor plan that fits your budget, that's the most important thing! Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 16Sep 03, 2013 10:37 am Have a look at some of Celebration's plans.. they might suit what you are after and be within your price range? Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 17Sep 03, 2013 11:28 am tsmith avoid affordable living, aussie living, commodore homes, ventura stick with home group wa, aveling are amazing, ross north, blueprint, celebrations If I've learnt anything from these forums, it's that it can be dependent upon who you get from office staff, to SS, to CL, to the various trades you get on site and just a bit of luck. I think trying to find threads on here for the various builders in the area that you are looking to build might provide a better idea. If you have the time/patience, I'd suggest investing it in looking around - we spent every Saturday/Sunday for a month visiting various locations before narrowing down our choices and continued on with a few options to get a basic PCQ done up. And even after that, I drove my wife bonkers by continuing to look around just to provide the peace of mind that we'd made the right decision and covered off everything that's important to us. Of course, it depends on your personalities as well - if you are likely to be indecisive and unable to make up your mind, looking around might not work the best for you Demo + Build in Rivervale, Western Australia Moved in June 2014 http://rivervale.tumblr.com/ Building Thread Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 18Sep 06, 2013 1:29 pm I have just been talking with a mate about... well not exactly freebies (which as everyone says is a bit of a misleading term)... but what matters for inclusions when the budget is tight. And let's face it, the budget is always tight because human nature is such that we tend to push the limits. The most important things, as per grom40, are the things that can't be easily added in later. Ceiling height, comfortable room dimensions, and above all in my book, double glazed windows because of the enormous advantage these will give a home in terms of comfort, reduced external noise, and ongoing costs of heating and cooling. The best option or price and function is hinged from the top, double glazed aluminium. Benchtops, tiles, fancy lighting and taps can all be added in down the road when you've saved up a bit of extra. Above all, make sure you trust your builder and that they are being transparent with costings, especially site costs and things like that which can add up to A LOT more than those "freebies." Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 19Sep 06, 2013 1:36 pm Thanks for the advice Mater! I've had a few people tell me the same. So quick update: I've since picked a home and land package where the priority was actually the land rather than the builder in the end(!). The builder that we have chosen seems so far to be, from what i've read/been told, good builders so fingers crossed! In terms of 'freebies', the package we got in the end will include pretty much everything except internal painting and landscaping out the back. We'll be looking to upgrade a few things but overall, we made our decision totally NOT on the freebies!! Matergabiae Above all, make sure you trust your builder and that they are being transparent with costings, especially site costs and things like that which can add up to A LOT more than those "freebies." - how does one (who is a total newbie and has no idea what constitutes as a fair price!) determine whether the builder is being transparent about the costings? I wouldn't say i trust my builder 100% yet at this stage and that's no reflection on them, more on my lack of knowledge making me not really wanting to trust anyone!! My Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74269 Re: Builders and their freebies - which is best? 20Sep 17, 2013 2:03 pm There are a lot of good questions to ask your builder, which will educate you and also let them know that you are an informed client, and they will be able to communicate with you on that basis. Thoroughly acquaint yourself with your Land Contract/Section 32 which will give information on easements and other factors that influence where you can build and what the foundations will need to encompass (Do a bit of research on terms like easements and angle of repose and what are they) Ask some questions: -What initial deposit is required to start building? -Does this factor is as part of the price of the house? -At what point do I find out final site costs? -Does the initial estimate include: -Council building application and town planning fees -Site costs for earthworks, tree removal, retaining walls, foundations -drafting, structural variations, fittings upgrades -insurance, connection of services -How long does it take to get a final contract price? -When will contracts be ready for perusal and signature? -How long after contract signing can we expect construction to start? -What is the average construction time? By educating yourself on some of the basics and asking questions that require your builder to give you specific answers, you will begin to get an idea in regards to communication/transparency/trust. I have stone pavement (?) in my backyard around the pool. I have not tended to them and so there is moss growing on them. I intend to clean them but was wondering what the… 0 733 Thanks again Simeon for being so elaborate. Appreciate it. Its gives us a very idea. Kind Regards 4 3666 Hi, I'd like some advice on the best option please on the estimate options we've been provided from our builder. This is for the… 0 4066 |