Building Dale Alcock's Archipelago in Wellard, WA

zo3jon3s · Jul 12, 2020 2:15 pm

Hello! I have found the past threads to be very insightful, so thought I would use this forum to track my own progress.

I have finally secured a 510m2 block of land in Providence Estate (Wellard, WA), which proved difficult in the midst of the increased demand due to the government grants - but land contracts are done!

Will be doing as much as we can do ourselves post-build as possible in order to save on our build. If there are any tips for this, I would be most appreciative! We have already decided to do ourselves:
- Flooring (anything other than standard options should we not like any of them)
- Wall painting
- Skirtings

I fell in love with Dale Alcock's Archipelago design and display home a few years ago, so have decided on that. Currently working with my sales consultant to get the plan perfect. Unfortunately, DA increased their prices all round by $26k over two price rises in just over a week.... which is pretty disappointing seeing as I have been working with the consultant since the start of June trying to find a block suitable. My consultant has said he will see what he can do given I was a pre-existing customer - so fingers crossed!

We are looking at building the Advantage series of the Archipelago design and upgrading to the display features that we loved - kitchen and ensuite. We will be getting the changes to the plans itemised on Tuesday and hopefully it's not going to blow the budget. But with the price increases, we may not be able to justify the upgrades.

Brett0004 · Jul 12, 2020 2:45 pm

Good choice on the Archipelago it is a good design especially the master and ensuite design also the kitchen pantry and laundry is excellent. I would have just closed in the theatre a bit more and not have it so open. It is really important to get the items you cant change later correct during the build and just get the basic in all the other stuff you can upgrade yourself later on. Good luck with the build process going forward as it is going to get a bit hectic later on. We have just finished brickwork now and will be roofing next week so I am pleased will miss the rush.

zo3jon3s · Jul 12, 2020 3:05 pm

Brett0004

Good choice on the Archipelago it is a good design especially the master and ensuite design also the kitchen pantry and laundry is excellent. I would have just closed in the theatre a bit more and not have it so open. It is really important to get the items you cant change later correct during the build and just get the basic in all the other stuff you can upgrade yourself later on. Good luck with the build process going forward as it is going to get a bit hectic later on. We have just finished brickwork now and will be roofing next week so I am pleased will miss the rush.

Thanks Brett0004 - having the theatre and office enclosed are actually some of the changes we are getting itemised! In the Advantage, the office and theatre are swapped so office is at the front opposite the master suite (thinking by having it enclosed it can be used as a nursery in the very, very far future).

We are considering the ceiling upgrade to 31c as this obviously won't be able to be done later, but the living area ceilings are already 31c, not sure if it's worth it just for the bedrooms?

Congrats - yes it is definitely going to get very hectic!!

Brett0004 · Jul 12, 2020 3:16 pm

zo3jon3s

Thanks Brett0004 - having the theatre and office enclosed are actually some of the changes we are getting itemised! In the Advantage, the office and theatre are swapped so office is at the front opposite the master suite (thinking by having it enclosed it can be used as a nursery in the very, very far future).

We are considering the ceiling upgrade to 31c as this obviously won't be able to be done later, but the living area ceilings are already 31c, not sure if it's worth it just for the bedrooms?

Congrats - yes it is definitely going to get very hectic!!

Good idea with the ceilings at 31 courses, We have the whole house including the garage at 31c and now that it is all bricked up it looks fantastic, really pleased we did it. We also included a 34c boxed out ceiling in the entry. Also all of our doors are 28c high. Enclosing the office and theatre is a no brainer really as it enables you to utilise them other rooms if required.

zo3jon3s · Jul 12, 2020 7:40 pm

Great to know you are pleased the ceilings - I think I am sold!

amilelka · Jul 13, 2020 12:41 pm

I would suggest putting wall painting in the contract. That way if you have any plastering issues the builder can't blame the painter (and vice versa). If you add the cost to your mortgage you won't even feel the difference.

I don't think bedrooms need 31c, you never notice then there and you're better off spending the extra money elsewhere.

Brett0004 · Jul 13, 2020 12:50 pm

We went 31c in the bedrooms because in summer I want to install ceiling fans rather than running the ducted aircon all night so you can sleep.

zo3jon3s · Jul 17, 2020 6:52 pm

We ended up going without the 31c ceilings as we prioritised upgrades to our kitchen and bathrooms instead. Our plans will be drawn up over the next few weeks, so we are on the way!

spinvests · Aug 03, 2020 3:05 pm

Hello zo3jon3s - we're building in Providence too but with Impressions. When is your home schedule to be completed?

Feel free to view our build post:
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=99835

zo3jon3s · Aug 05, 2020 1:28 pm

Hi spinvests, our land is not titled yet (expected November) so still a long way to go!

zoltaire · Aug 07, 2020 4:45 am

Archipelago is a great design, bloody big house - I am also building with DAH and went with the Wedgewood.

I originally also pulled out Flooring and Painting but beware that it can make financing a construction loan more difficult depending on the lender (assuming you need one), so I put them back in the contract to avoid any issues down the track as it's all covered under the warranty.

Not sure if your plan is to do it yourself or what, but if you're planning on using tradies beware there will likely be shortages and price increases due to grants.

itsmartin · Aug 07, 2020 8:48 pm

I'm also waiting on titles in Providence though mine are due in October apparently. I assume we aren't too far away from each other then, looking at the stage plans.

I'm also waiting on plans etc to be drawn up and once they are I think I'll start my own thread; its been a few years since I was in these forums so am very excited to get back to it, and keen to follow along with yours!

milktea · Aug 09, 2020 1:19 pm

We are also building our first home with DAH. We chose The Soto and have upgraded to kitchen display specs

zo3jon3s · Aug 10, 2020 12:41 pm

itsmartin

I'm also waiting on titles in Providence though mine are due in October apparently. I assume we aren't too far away from each other then, looking at the stage plans.

I'm also waiting on plans etc to be drawn up and once they are I think I'll start my own thread; its been a few years since I was in these forums so am very excited to get back to it, and keen to follow along with yours!

Hi itsmartin! Yes, we are probably very close!! I was trying to get a lot in stage 11 with October titles but by the time I got a response from the developer there were none left. Then the bigger lot I had on hold in stage 12 got sold while I was waiting for a response about the price as they weren’t released yet... now I finally have a lot secured 😂 I went by and had a look yesterday and they have made heaps of progress on the sites, so hopefully we will get our titles on time!

Mooks11 · Oct 08, 2020 1:47 am

I’m building the archipelago too. Well, working through site works etc now.
Like you we did base model and upgraded kitchen and en-suite to match display.

How is your build going? Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?

kester · Oct 09, 2020 4:51 pm

Mooks11

I’m building the archipelago too. Well, working through site works etc now.
Like you we did base model and upgraded kitchen and en-suite to match display.

How is your build going? Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?

May I know what was your base price for Archipelago with Dale?

Mooks11 · Oct 12, 2020 1:00 am

kester

Mooks11

I’m building the archipelago too. Well, working through site works etc now.
Like you we did base model and upgraded kitchen and en-suite to match display.

How is your build going? Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?

May I know what was your base price for Archipelago with Dale?

$287k was for the base house which had a totally different kitchen to display etc