Browse Forums Building A New House Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 10May 21, 2011 6:21 am The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 11May 21, 2011 7:42 am Matt's Brando: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46340 Started March 30th 2011 PCI July 15th Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 15May 23, 2011 9:38 pm Hi BV & CA, We are building with Mirvac in Sydney. Mirvac do turn key packages - Well not really turn key - as the following is still outstanding on handover - Blinds/Curtains, - Rear landscaping - Fences - Light fittings But for the most part not too much hassle trying to get tradies to do things for you.... Anyway good luck with your build - just got confirmation that we will get the 422 retaining wall variation back (which means we will be able to spend it on the retaining wall that we actually need) Project History Deposit - 20/4/2010 Land Settled - 20/8/2010 Council - 30/9/2010 Slab - 17/11/2010 Bricks - 28/01/2011 Roof - 5/02/2011 Gyprock - 4/03/2011 Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 16May 23, 2011 9:52 pm qonyx One very hint that I have learnt from our experience is that if you are even 'thinking' of upgrading your tiles go to the tile provider and scope out costs of tile and labor. You can save yourself a fortune (probably 30-40%+ by going outside ie..our tiles in total ending costing 20k including labor and we could have easily saved a big bundle by doing it after a handover but it is a an extra hassle - but worth the 5-10k we could have saved). In relation to this point, we did this for our carpet (or are doing) and while we are saving a fair bit of money (and getting a better product) it is money we have to find ourselves. So sometimes while it can be cheaper upfront to do something yourself, sometimes it's easier to put it on the mortgage and pay it off over 30 years Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 17May 23, 2011 11:18 pm Twiggy In relation to this point, we did this for our carpet (or are doing) and while we are saving a fair bit of money (and getting a better product) it is money we have to find ourselves. So sometimes while it can be cheaper upfront to do something yourself, sometimes it's easier to put it on the mortgage and pay it off over 30 years We actually managed to arrange finance with CBA that allowed us to pay for things that weren't part of the construction contract. So for example blinds, light fittings, fences. All we had to do was get invoices from the suppliers, sign them and send them through and the bank released funds for us to use as we pleased. Mind you we asked for about 40k more upfront - which would make it easier for you to do things post handover (mind you we are already over budget on that 40k ''çontingency") Project History Deposit - 20/4/2010 Land Settled - 20/8/2010 Council - 30/9/2010 Slab - 17/11/2010 Bricks - 28/01/2011 Roof - 5/02/2011 Gyprock - 4/03/2011 Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 18May 25, 2011 8:11 pm We have been in discussion with the builder re the tiles. They said that they write us out a cheque which they allow $28 per m2 for floor tiling and $27 per m2 for wall tiling and we go to the tile/floor places and choose our own. They dont have a huge range of tiles there so they get all their customers to choose their own and if its more you can just add the difference but if its less you get to keep the change Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 19May 25, 2011 8:20 pm We have done the following so far but havent locked everything in a selection so prob upgrade a few more things: -Extend main roof by 6m for verandah -full render to front of house -panel roller door -additional powerpoints + tv points -all tapware -ungrade s/s appliances -front door -additional man-hole -added huge linen press in second lounge oh wow cant think of the rest.. Building in Adelaide, SA Slab poured 08/09/2011 Handover 18/01/2012! WORLD CONCEPT HOMES Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44725 Re: What upgrades did you get when building? 20May 27, 2011 10:13 am Building Virgin We have been in discussion with the builder re the tiles. They said that they write us out a cheque which they allow $28 per m2 for floor tiling and $27 per m2 for wall tiling and we go to the tile/floor places and choose our own. They dont have a huge range of tiles there so they get all their customers to choose their own and if its more you can just add the difference but if its less you get to keep the change Our bank also allows us to do this... our carpets were given to us a a free bonus so no point doing them outside the contract (may upgrade the standard though).. but we are also doing our own downlights/feature walls etc with the contractors outside of our building contract.. Building in Adelaide, SA Slab poured 08/09/2011 Handover 18/01/2012! WORLD CONCEPT HOMES Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=44725 No the fireplace doesn’t work. It’s been enclosed. I’m not sure what was removed, as it was done quite some time ago - well before what I can see with photos online… 2 11631 Depends how much direct sun it gets. Is there any shading (eaves or trees)? If the sun hits a window directly it doesn't matter too much if it's double or single… 1 12689 9 24881 |