Here are our final and updated plans for both electrical and the house plan:
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We were lucky in a way. We had a lot of time to think about our house plans etc over Christmas/New Year. After Gallery we had a lot of ideas (as the electrical plan is the first time you see it at gallery). We were told there would be no issue to change these over at our contract signing.
Let's just say we had a really hard time at contract signing because we made a lot of changes. I tried to make the changes before going, however Simonds were closed for the Christmas new year break (our appointment was while they were still closed). I would go as far to say we were made fun of for the amount of changes we had, and lectured that after this point it would cost to make changes. We were fully aware of that, that is why we made the changes at contract signing, like we were encouraged to do!
We have been waiting for the bank now for over 2 weeks and as of yesterday finally approved (issues with valuation and variations).
Finger's crossed that all the hurdles we have jumped means a smooth build.
Please feel free to ask me any questions about our build, cost, dealing with Simonds, dealing with the developer (which has been an utter nightmare and I have been in tears trying to deal with fencing).
Here are most of our costings for our new home, this is guide for anyone wanting to build with Simonds (please note these prices change per location etc):
Site Costs Fixed at $12,404
Free upgrade to Butler's pantry: $0
Upgrading shower in ensuite from 900mm x 900mm to 1200mm x 900mm: $586
Semi frameless glass to ensuite shower: $401
Upgraded shower head in ensuite: $344
4 x cavity sliders: $1,822 ($455.50 each)
Enclosing MPR to become a theatre room with 2 sliding doors: $976
Extending Master bedroom by 400mm into Alfresco: $196
2 x Pot drawers (with 3 drawers) in lieu of standard: $673 ($336.50 each)
2 x 1000mm wide vanity unit in lieu of standard: $3,130 ($1,565 each)
2 x extended mirrors to match 1000mm vanity in bathroom and ensuite: $94 ($47 each)
2 x 610mm x 410mm niche's in both ensuite and bathroom: $627 ($314 each)
3 x ceiling fans: $1,000
Remote control unit for garage: $1,000
Capped gas point to Alfresco: $182
75M2 Laminate Floors: $6,765
50m2 Carpet, Category 3, Luxury underlay: $2,687
Ceiling height to 2590mm: $4,761
BAL 12.5 Bushfire rating: $5,124
Timber grain finish panel lift garage door: $553
40m2 of 100mm coloured through concrete: $5,016
Upgraded oven: $370
Upgrade to 2340 x 820mm Front Door: $668
Upgraded bricks to Group 3: $786
450mm eaves to entire house: $1,980
Capped cold water for fridge: $185
Sliding door in dining room instead of window: $517
Passage lever with Deadbolt to garage: $104
Waterfall ends in laminate finish to kitchen island: $825
Additional hanging rail in WIR: $38
Removing sliding door in laundry and replacing with swinging door: $17
SoundScreen insulation to some internal walls: $498
Extended garage + butler’s pantry by 650mm: $2,843
Extended Master Bedroom and alfresco by 500mm: $2,757
Removed smaller window in living to 2118 window: $571
Recess all sliding doors to be flush with ground: $600
Additional outdoor tap: $175
Sliding mirror doors to bed 2 and bed 3: $1,120 ($560 each bedroom)
External light points x 3: $367 ($122 each)
7 x internal power points: $493
Additional power circuit and safety switch: $252
Additional light circuit and safety switch: $252
4 x additional light: $288 ($57 each)
3 x Additional TV point: $192 ($64 each)
Outside power point: $149
Dimmer switch to 3 x fans + MPR light: $288 ($72 each)
Tiles total: $583.23
Broken down:
Gloss White 100mm x 300mm (standard tiles) laid in subway pattern for bath top, shower walls, bath hob and splashback: $168.83
Como Black Shine 450mm x 450mm (non standard) laid laundry, ensuite and bathroom floor, and niches: $236.79
Gloss White 100mm x 200mm (standard tiles) laid in herringbone pattern for kitchen splashback extending to behind range hood + butler’s pantry: $177.61
Following along! So weird how different all the costs are depending on your area. That's a bit annoying that your tile lady was hard to deal with, it's stressful enough! Love your timber vinyl floors
We have been in our modified Hudson for a year now. There is only two of us but we love the house. I have most of the landscaping finished too now. All the best with your Hudson. We all make them own own in one way or another.
Thanks! Will follow along with yours too! I'm hoping all the stress is behind me!
Hi Asha27, Have you got any private building consultant to inspect your building process. I am thinking of getting one but curious if the amount I spend on them is worth or not.. i was quoted around 3k for almost complete inspection and report of building process
Thanks! Will follow along with yours too! I'm hoping all the stress is behind me!
Hi Asha27, Have you got any private building consultant to inspect your building process. I am thinking of getting one but curious if the amount I spend on them is worth or not.. i was quoted around 3k for almost complete inspection and report of building process
I was given a lot of advice and have decided that we will only get someone to look through at final inspection. This is the role of the independent building surveyor that you choose at the contract signing anyway.
Is the plumbing in the right location? That is the question. I had the bathroom shower waste in the front bedroom. It happens. It was fixed but it was avoidable too. Sorry to put you on alert but be alert throughout your build. Mistakes will happen and don't expect Simond's paid building surveyor to pick them up. Your SS won't pick them all up. Your private building inspectors will pick up most of the issues. If it seems wrong, it probably is. Building is a complex process. I am happy with the end result of my finished Hudson by Simonds but the process is never a breeze. All the best with your build.
Is the plumbing in the right location? That is the question. I had the bathroom shower waste in the front bedroom. It happens. It was fixed but it was avoidable too. Sorry to put you on alert but be alert throughout your build. Mistakes will happen and don't expect Simond's paid building surveyor to pick them up. Your SS won't pick them all up. Your private building inspectors will pick up most of the issues. If it seems wrong, it probably is. Building is a complex process. I am happy with the end result of my finished Hudson by Simonds but the process is never a breeze. All the best with your build.
Thanks goody, I understand you had issues but I'm trying to be positive about my build and will deal with any issues if they arise.
Everybody has issues when they build. It is not a bad thing, it is just what happens. You pick up the issues, you get them addressed and you move on. It is still exciting. It is just you need to be aware, that is all. As I said, I have a lovely house that I am happy with. It didn't just happen, it is because I was aware and kept good communication up with SS. It is no good getting angry as things go wrong. It is just a matter of getting issues addressed.
Everybody has issues when they build. It is not a bad thing, it is just what happens. You pick up the issues, you get them addressed and you move on. It is still exciting. It is just you need to be aware, that is all. As I said, I have a lovely house that I am happy with. It didn't just happen, it is because I was aware and kept good communication up with SS. It is no good getting angry as things go wrong. It is just a matter of getting issues addressed.
I am under no illusion things won't go wrong. I don't know if you're suggesting I am naive in the building process, I am fully aware of what I need to be aware of. I am a very intelligent person with a vast background.
" I don't know if you're suggesting I am naive in the building process, I am fully aware of what I need to be aware of. I am a very intelligent person with a vast background." I am not suggestiong that at all and don't doubt what you are saying. I will leave it there. It wasn't any attack at all.