Hickinbotham build adelaide

lovisa · Jul 27, 2017 11:37 am

oh so frustrating! our soil reports came in $1800 under quote the soil ended up being H2-D.

but now we got stabbed with extra fees for soil removal up from $2000 to $ 3900

expensive , and then ontop of that we have to arrange with the neighbours to remove their fence and install and pay for a temporary fence to go up and then after build reconstruct their fence , apparently if the builder does it there will be even more fees added on and then to just top it off.....

wait for it, all these costs does not include the cost of the removal of the soil from the perimeter for paving nor the driveway and cross over.and apparently the top scrap does not include the removal of the soil scraped, we have to ensure there is no vegetation in the soil or it will up the costs even more if it is included with the building soil that's being removed. oh yes and the cost for drainage went up too.

not to happy with all of this at this moment

Just feels like they are adding more and more costs every second, and excluding more and more that we have to pay for extra and ontop of things.

Entilzha · Jul 27, 2017 11:57 am

ouch and yes part of the joys of building
the costs in my perimeter paving from 3rd parties factor in about $900 on average for siteworks and soil removal. and my stormwater quotes are between 1500 and 2500 if thats of any assistance. No neighbors fencing to worry about though i did get a letter to pass onto neighbors to advise i was building on boundary line - block was still listed as for sale when i checked so nothing for me to worry about hopefully.
was for approx 76m2 square of driveway/paving/concrete and 70meters approx of stormwater

Also on H2-D soil like most of Adelaide seems to be. my excess soil removal went from $2000 to $3244

I had no reference to excess vegetation removal costs etc when they do the scrape - at least nothing that i have seen was it with your site costs variation?

lovisa · Jul 27, 2017 12:00 pm

that reference to the vegetation is in the small print, in the FAQ's section of the soil report and costing differences. And with a note saying that the extra costs will be passed on to us if they do it and costs go up. I'm about to question the paving quote as I think that might include it but it is not specified at all.

lovisa · Jul 27, 2017 12:05 pm

same with the info on the fence and costings.... would have been nice to have all of this disclosed when we signed up for the home and land package

and not hear about it after wards

Entilzha · Jul 27, 2017 12:21 pm

going to recheck mine when i get home now. but realise the note about keeping site clear of vegetation/grass
was just thinking it meant trees or significant vegetation. will seek clarification i think
but don't have access to the faq currently for details.
with this recent rain i guess i will just have to go out there with some bags and load up my boot.

their site costs should assume some grass/weeds growing esp this time of year

i have noticed documents saying something not included in costings then another document provided the costing as its an extra that has been included/added on at some point.

Like anything as much is in the fine print as they can get away with

There is a part of me that wishes i had just waiting and kept looking for established that suited me
have seen 2 houses since i embarked on this that i could have settled for - smaller than what i am building and missing things i would have had to add and about the same cost as my build so far (not including my future costs for fencing, curtains, lights etc)

lovisa · Jul 27, 2017 12:37 pm

was thinking of that loading it in boot, but to take in consideration its not just the clippings its basically all the grass/weeds

so unless we have soil with out any of that there is extra fees. and even after scrape to remove it is around 3-4 cubic meters of soil, it will just take to long to load and drive it up and down or to put it in a skip, think I will be standing there for days loading it. at one point I think its just easier to leave it to but just spoke to our financial lady said its cheaper to remove and get someone to take it away our selves otherwise all the soil removal prices goes up , so looking for quotes now!

Entilzha · Jul 27, 2017 12:42 pm

had not thought of it being that much but makes sense - yet another hidden cost
on top of playfords fixed price rate charge that i think is a ripoff as well - but still cheaper than paying 60-70k more for a block in paralowie.
everytime in in that area i will ensure i try and use some council resources since im am paying them now - maybe i should ask them for a green waste bin on my block next week

lovisa · Jul 27, 2017 12:58 pm

which fixed prices is that?

Entilzha · Jul 27, 2017 1:05 pm

they charged a variable based on value and then a fixed price of $941 that they charge everyone regardless of property value
comes out about $400 more than i was paying in Salisbury council area for about same value property. received my rates notice yesterday

lovisa · Jul 27, 2017 1:20 pm

oh I have no idea what others charge but might be because of all the new developments and as part of the new scheme they have to attract businesses and to create more jobs up here by having the fixed rate to residential owners and to give a reduced rate to businesses in order to have them come up this side.

ThomasMaloney · Oct 17, 2017 3:48 pm

Congratulations on signing on for your build! No advice here coz I haven't signed with Hickinbotham myself, but eager to see what they're going to come up with and see how your build goes! Lucky thing that there are a number of responses here so you've got some other people in the same boat as you with the company now though. Let's hope that everyone's build goes on efficiently and quickly hey?

lovisa · Oct 17, 2017 3:54 pm

Our soil removal is $750 under quoted amount (for scrape snd trenches ) was told can go up if more soil needs to be removed like for i think site cleanup and paving. So far they have over quoted pc items which is good for us and mean no extra pay in. Our slab is down and bricks + timber got delivered now the will start the frame/bricks soon

Hapoy so far
Pre construction communication from consultant was really goid. Construction communication as been beliw oar But if we email we do get a reply and some times we have to initiate communication
But regardless we do get answers within 3-5 days.