Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 05, 2014 10:20 pm Hello all We have a block of land approx fairly narrow, about 15m wide. > 500 sq metres. I have no idea what I'm doing building a house, but I'm trying to learn ... What are the *basic* pros / cons, differences between using a large builder like "Metricon" "Porter Davis", etc, to build one of their stock standard homes, vs using an architect / draftsman to come up with a basic plan, and getting a separate builder to build it ? Looking to build a large double storey home, 40sq+. Cheers ~! Re: Volume builder standard plan -- vs -- custom plan+builde 2Feb 05, 2014 11:25 pm I went through the exact same thought process. It came down to costings really. We found a small builder who also did custom plans and we just modified away. The advantage with the architect or draftsmen is really that you can specify certain things like 3 coats of paint, freestanding bath, polished concrete and various other things that the volume builders won't do. One of my dislikes was the panel they put over the polished boards when they layed them (like a strip between the floor skirting and the floor) and PD and Metic&& still do that. Mind you a friend of mine just moved into her PD house and its lovely. If you want highlights ceilings or anything 'fancy' you kind of need a flexible builder. I just started by going to display homes and ringing builders (small and large companies). I do recall being shocked beyond belief at the cost of some builders in the architect side of things (about $15000 a square) Good luck Re: Volume builder standard plan -- vs -- custom plan+builde 3Feb 06, 2014 6:28 am I think it is a question we all ask as we start the process. I've made a list of my thinking here. Do a search of this forum as well, lots of information on volume/project versus custom. We were lucky enough to find a volume builder and floorplan that was exactly what we wanted (well, pretty much!) http://metriconadventure.wordpress.com/ ... e-builder/ Re: Volume builder standard plan -- vs -- custom plan+builde 4Feb 06, 2014 10:21 am Some of the volume builders are quite flexible on many things, you just have to ask. Though I get the feeling some of their salespeople just say no to some things to make their life easier. Less changes means an easier quote for them to do. It really depends what things you want to change, and what compromises you are perfectly ok with and what is a deal breaker. Moving a couple of internal walls is easy and they should do it with pretty much no change to basic price. If you don't like their kitchens you can always get them to build it without a kitchen and have a kitchen company install a custom kitchen after handover. there are usually lots of options. Hi, Seeking volume or semi-custom builder in victoria(east), which have existing double story wide floor plans. Seeking 18-20m wide homes with depth of 12-15m long. Or… 0 25163 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 18562 Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20410 |