Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 01, 2015 11:36 pm Hi all,
We have just recently signed on to build with Dale Alcock in Burns Beach Estate. We are building one of their new promo homes (plans to follow) and are looking forward to it. Land is titled so things are beginning to move quickly, we are expecting pre start in the next few weeks! We are currently looking at other threads religiously and are developing a pre start list the length of our arms, as well as the changes we have made pre contracts! Hopefully we can avoid going over the top with pre start and electrical costs. I would love to hear from other Dales customers and how you went with pre start - were you under or over budget and were your prices mostly pretty reasonable? Look forward to keeping you updated and providing photos and plans along the way - any questions feel free to ask away! Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 2Mar 02, 2015 12:50 am Welcome Herbie. Best of luck for your build. I look forward to seeing your plans. We're building with Dales and overspent our budget but we went to town at prestart and got a lot of wish list things priced. We ended up taking out some items we could do cheaper ourselves afterwards (e.g paving/aggregate, some electrical, recessed doors etc). Overall, I think the pricing is probably no different than any of the other builders. It's overpriced and his is because you're pretty much locked in at this stage. I have some examples of overpricing in my build thread. I also found their pricing quite irregular from build to build. We were quoted an external gas point for $750 which was obscene, yet a relative of mine got charged around $250 (and I reckon they had to run their gas line further). The electrical pricing was relatively fair (with the exception of ceiling fans) as was most of the building modifications and cabinetry. I found the cost of fixtures quite high relative to the fixtures retail prices (e.g. Showerheads, oven upgrades era.) If you have any specific upgrade prices you're keen to know, let me know and I'll see if I can help. Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 3Mar 02, 2015 6:35 pm Hi herbie, Welcome to the forum. I look forward to seeing your floorplans and following your build especially as we are in the same suburb! Prestart we probably spent as expected. One thing we didn't expect to do through dale was all our down lights and we were surprise that it wasn't that much more than getting it done ourselves and a lot less hassle. We did some things ourselves mainly landscaping, decking, paving, driveway, window treatments, wooden flooring and skirting. Will say really happy DA were in charge of everything else, painting, carpets, electrical. Can't emphasise the stress that multiple tradies creates. So much easier to deal with one person at Dales and they take care of it all. Let me know if you have any specific upgrade questions as our list was pretty long! Good luck Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 4Mar 02, 2015 9:35 pm OK, well lets see how I go with updating the floor plan - this is basic as it isn't drawn on the block as of yet and we are still undecided about a couple of things - the block it is sitting on is 544m2 with a 17m frontage. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The house is symmetrical and doesn't get smaller at the back by the way - it is just the angle of the photo I took off the hard copy of the plan. We are currently undecided about extending the alfresco another 3.5m (past the games room window); we could do it but would sacrifice pool size which will sit directly behind the alfresco down the side of the house. Tbrown - what size is your pool in the photos and how much space did you have behind your alfresco (to the fence)? Any other suggestions you can see? In pre start we will look at bi fold doors to the alfresco from the kitchen as it is currently a sliding server window, as well as a few other minor changes we are still working on. What is everyone's opinions on driveway? Paving? Limestone? Aggregate? Thanks, Herbie Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 5Mar 02, 2015 10:47 pm Welcome Herbie! I am very much looking forward to following your build. Like Tbrown regarding prestart, there were some things that took us by surprise such as downlights, custom wardrobe, extra cabinets, glass splashback etc (weren't much more compared to getting it done after the build) so we included most things through Dale Alcock. We did spend a bit more than we wanted to at prestart but in saying that I don't think we were surprised by the costs at all/they weren't unreasonable. We could have kept everything really basic and standard and came in within budget, but we were looking at creating our forever dream home so of coarse we had to extra spend to create a home which we will love. We are getting our flooring, carpets, painting (because of the flooring we want the painter to be able to patch up any knocks to the walls), exposed aggregate, deck, pool, landscaping, window treatments etc after handover. Intelligent homes also install speakers, tv brackets after handover so we made sure we got all the correct wiring, points etc at the intelligent home consult (because to do this afterwards would have obviously been a massive expense as opposed to getting it all done properly now). We extended our alfresco so it is 9m long and still have 7m left from the end of the alfresco to the back fence which is enough room to put a pool (however we are only wanting a 5m x2.5m pool in) I think it helped us when we seen the plan on the block and we actually got Dale alcock to draw in our proposed pool to make sure it would work with the size of the space. We just went through prestart about 2 weeks ago so please feel free to ask any questions if needed! If you can I would defiantly go pour in limestone or aggregate if you can over paving too All the best Herbie, look forward to it! Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 6Mar 02, 2015 11:20 pm Hi Herbie, A good looking plan you've got there! Particularly like your ensuite shower and the WIL up the back between beds 3 and 4. Also means the wardrobes to those bedrooms aren't in the way of the bedroom space either, good work. Just had another look - how huge is your dressing room/ensuite??? I'd have a look at extending the alfresco too, if you can - it's one thing I wish for with our new build, a bigger alfresco. We are building with Dales too, ignore my signature thread, we were going to build with HGWA but we divorced them. I haven't started a new thread just yet but we are building a custom design based off the old Amari display and we have pre start on the 11th March. I'm preparing for a big spend up. Like the others say, definitely worth getting everything costed, so much easier to have the builder do it! Good luck with it, I look forward to following along. Our Custom Dale Alcock build in the Village at Wellard https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=78620 Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 7Mar 03, 2015 9:33 pm Thanks for the replies - we are slowly starting to make a few choices on what colours etc we want. With regards to swimming pool, since we really want to extend the Alfresco we will probably end up going with a similar sized pool (5m x 2.7m) to you Wellard2ndtimers. I am just a little worried that it may be a bit small as it is our first pool and we are pretty new to this. With regards to the ensuite we really wanted a double shower but space is a bit limited with this design so are sticking to a single - my partner is loving the idea of a big dressing room though (hopefully I get left with a corner somewhere!). On the contracts and pre start front we are expecting building contracts later this month and pre start is to be confirmed but we have been told to expect second week in April - plenty of time to research! Thanks again for the feedback - is a big help to us! Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 8Mar 03, 2015 9:58 pm Hi herbie, We had 7.5m from alfresco to fence. We put in Riverinas smallest pool which was 5mx3m. It fits pretty well and still fair amount of room around pool to sit etc. We had a much bigger pool in our last home but this is fine and kids still manage to have fun and play. I think an extended alfresco will definitely have better value. Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 9Mar 09, 2015 11:44 am We are nearing PCI for our Dales build and I can tell you from experience you will definitely over spend at pre start! But to be fair Dales are pretty reasonable when compared to some other builders mark ups. Some of the things you have to decided is this home one you are going to be in for 5 years or more? If so its worth spending a little extra to get the things you want. If not then the standard range of pre-start items are fine. We found that carpets, blinds, air con, exposed aggregate driveway and majority of lighting was worth doing after handover. For an example if you are having down lights around the home get dales to install junction boxes in the roof space and lots of extra conduits in the walls for adding extra power points, dimmer switches, smart wiring etc, etc. In the bedrooms and around the outside for lighting just go for the simple bayonet fixtures which can easily be replaced after handover.
Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 10Mar 09, 2015 3:09 pm Hi Herbie, great initial layout. With a land size that big, you'll have a lot more flexibility with your house design. I was within budget during pre-start because I over budget everything at the start (since I've heard about all the experience in this useful forum).. but that also involved a lot of restraining from myself from upgrading every single things! But anyway, there's a lot of useful estimates about what you would be expected to pay for upgrades in this forum. From my experience I also had DAH overestimate our Site Works (which is good), so now I actually have gotten about $2000 back in my pocket which I can use towards other things to put in the house. Building process has been smooth so far and no significant delay whatsoever. I wish you would have even better experience My first build journey here https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=71028 Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 11Mar 09, 2015 5:14 pm Thanks for the feedback guys. I am one to overestimate things too, so hopefully the final bill wont be too much of a shock after we are done with pre-start! On a positive note; I have managed to extend the alfresco out to 7m x 4m now, which is good - cant believe we didn't think of it at the PWC stage. Luckily Dales were good to us and allowed the structural change after the normal "point of no return" for changes. Will keep everyone posted as things progress....next step is waiting for that sold sign to appear on the block! Its been a couple of weeks now so hopefully it will show up any day now Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 12Mar 09, 2015 8:05 pm The alfresco will look great that size herbie! what a relief you could change it! I must admit Dales is pretty good with last minute changes Can't wait to start seeing some of your selections soon Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 13Mar 22, 2015 6:37 pm Hi Herbie, welcome to the Forum & Burns Beach, im building not too far from you with Ben Trager Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 14Mar 22, 2015 6:46 pm Thanks all - we have colour meeting on Thursday morning! Looking forward to it and hoping we are prepared enough! Will post updates once colour meeting is done and dusted! Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 15Mar 27, 2015 11:39 pm OK colour meeting done and the (preliminary) results are in! I say now that we are set in what we have picked, but I am sure we will change things as we go. Also - Pre Start is booking for a week Thursday and building contracts were signed yesterday too! We should be RTS (Ready to site) for July 23rd which seems very quick OK - so we have picked the following: Outside: (Please ignore the pavers - we will be doing Exposed Aggregate to driveway and either aggregate or timber decking to alfresco) Roof: Surfmist Colorbond Main Render: Cloudy Sky Feature Render: Botany Grey Window Frames: White Lustre Front Door - TBC - but will be 1200mm stained wood Gutters and Fascia: Botany Grey Walls (Non-Rendered): Bricks: Cervates Downpipes: Colorbond Paperbark (Closest Blended Match to Brickface) Kitchen: Benchtop: CaesarStone - Osprey (20mm) Underbench Cupboards and front of kitchen bench: Gesso Lini Sheen (Wood Look) Contrasting Fronts (Overheads): Classic White Sheen Glass Splashback: Fools Gold Bathroom and Ensuite: Floor Tiles: 200x200mm Cinnamon Border Tile: Travis Light Grey 200mmx400mm Wall tiles: White Gloss 200mmx400mm Bench Top: Caesarstone Osprey Fronts: Artisan Oak Matte Finish (Wood Look) Laundry: As Per Bathroom - however with White Wall Tiles (No Feature) Overall Flooring/Scheme Floor Tiles: Showing 450x450mm Belga Ivory however we are probably changing to 600mmx600mm Stonehenge Stone (not pictured) Carpet: Trevors Carpets Pepperdine - 9 Buckskin Colour Wall Colours: for the internal wall painting (included in our promo home package) we are going for Whitecliffs - which is a discontinued Solver Colour. We have seen it on other homes and love it. They are also allowing a coloured feature wall for $100 (as many walls as we like). We are contemplating doing a feature wall in the theatre and the master bedroom - even though furniture isn't final - for $100 if it doesn't match we can always paint over, but if we do like it $100 is less than the cost of paint and materials so why not!? Thats It - Feedback/Comments/Criticism is welcomed! Also - TBrown - hopefully you read this - on your kitchen pic, you have a picture of these pendants (see below) - my partner is in love with them and she wants to know where you got them from? Thanks! Herbie Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 16Mar 29, 2015 11:12 pm Hi Herbie, Selections look great! Pendant lights from Beacon! Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock 17Mar 30, 2015 12:02 pm Hi Herbie! Love your selections!! I especially love it how you have done the contrasting cabinets in the kitchen love that idea Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock - PreStart Done! 18Apr 11, 2015 11:02 pm Ok so we have just done PreStart and are waiting on costings which should come through Tuesday. We bought The One (promo home) so had a few standard inclusions such as - Reverse Cycle Ducted 4 Zone Samsung AC - Carpet - 450x450 floor tiles - Internal wall painting - high ceilings to entry/living/dining/kitchen/games The downside is no further structural changes besides a list of bolt on changes (which are all already done on the above floor plan). In Prestart we did the following ( prices we know are listed): Front of house - Aggregate Drive/Path/Porch - $4163 - letterbox as per "Abbey Road" Display in Burns Beach - TBA KITCHEN - Glass Splash Back - $2100 - Modify Pot Drawers to make top drawer shallower - No Cost - tap to fridge recess - $110 - Rear access door to corner kitchen cupboard - $220 - Contrasting kick board and overhead cupboards - $200 - goose neck tap w/ pull out hose - $175 They are trying to say Waterfall edge is a structural change which I am arguing as it is definitely a pre start upgrade for other people and something we really want - delete half of one shelf to allow appliance recess in pantry FLOORING - delete tiles to entry, living, kitchen, dining, games - add carpet to games - delete carpet to office - we are doing engineered timber (spotted gum) to entry, study, living, dining, kitchen through Touch of Class Flooring in Joondalup OUTSIDE (OUT BACK) - add aggregate from garage door to alfresco (1m wide) - add aggregate from laundry to corner of house for washing area - weighing up timber decking or aggregate for alfresco DRESSING ROOM - custom fit out including half hangers, full hangers and 3 drawer set ups - TBA - we will also add mirror in dressing room on rear of shower ENSUITE - Hobless showers - shower head upgrade - $250 - add glass shelf in shower - $55 - double towel rail - $34 - low set bench in between dual vanities MINOR BATHROOM - extend mirror and feature tile over bath - mitred tiles MINOR BEDROOMS - change robes to mirror/mirror - $55 each COLOUR CHANGES - feature walls added to theatre, master and games - $100 - changed face brick to Jurien - Changed feature tile in bathroom to kit kat light coffee OTHERS - added conduit in places - pricing downlights to most of house - want to change to stacker door but again they are saying no due to it being "structural" despite salesperson saying it's ok - we are fighting that one too! Any ideas of things we can change or add, or things you think we missed as we don't want to overlook anything and then regret it later! Floorplan with a few proposed changes Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Elevation of kitchen ( with secret door drawn in) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen front (highlights are contrasting sections ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ ensuite (with low set central bench we are looking at doing) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ New floor and kitchen colour scheme - this is using dales spotted gum sample, however we are outsourcing and the colour we are getting is slightly different Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bathroom and ensuite colours with new feature tiles Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Thanks Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock - PreStart Done! 19Apr 12, 2015 12:03 am Looks like you did really well at Prestart! One thing I would suggest if it was me with your kitchen layout view K2 I would swop the bin drawer to be the cupboard nearer the sink and make 2 banks of wide drawers. I am personally not a fan of the small cutlery drawer and think a wide one stores more and looks nicer. I also love to have my plates in drawers which makes it easier pulling out and putting on island for dishing up etc. hope I explained myself ok. Good luck with the costings! That driveway aggregate price seems really good. Re: Burns Beach Build with Dale Alcock - PreStart Done! 20Apr 13, 2015 9:57 pm Congrats on prestart Herbie! Loving all your colours and love all the upgrades! I would defiantly be fighting for that waterfall too.. if moving an internal wall to make the fridge recess bigger is not structural, then how can a waterfall edge be?! If this helps you win the battle we added a 30mm bench top to our alfresco servery at prestart and it wasn't even questioned! I especially love that dropped bench in your ensuite! Nice feature All the best with your costings look forward to the next update! The spacing of the studs looks pretty large especially for a load bearing wall. 3 11378 Nope, only on the inside, I've literally has my ears to the brick outside and can't hear anything. I can sort of 'reset' the noise by pressing firmly on the studs. This… 10 13540 Oh no! I would use a can of expandable foam ( there are some that will take render) then cut it back and render over the top 1 4379 |