Buzzy--Bee

It is not cheaper to have a custom-built house necessarily. It is probably cheaper to buy a project home.

Thousands and thousands of people are doing just this.

Buzzy

CDM

That's not a concept I'm familiar with. Can you explain what a 'project home' is?

- CDM

NickyC

You go to a project home 'village' where there are lots of sample houses, all built by different building companies, all beautifully decorated and finished. It's a bit like buying a house from a shop - you pick your house, you pick your facade, you pick your bricks, you pick your tiles, you pick your kitchen etc, etc and then the building company plonks the house down on your own land. If you don't have any land there is usually someone in the same 'village' that will sell you some.

The reason most people don't do it is because the houses might look flash but are derogatively known as McMansions. They're not usually the highest quality and the available cheap land is usually on the furthest outskirts of civilisation, in characterless new suburbs which involve a long commute to get anywhere.

If have the cash you can get one of these houses built on a better plot closer in - but you will pay much more for it. If you have even more cash you can get an architect to design your house.

Check out here for a typical village. http://www.homeworld.com.au/ They're good fun for an afternoon out but I wouldn't buy one of those houses in a fit.

Buzzy--Bee

In Melbourne if you have land in the inner suburbs, which is not on a new estate, the project home builders won't build there due to difficulty of access, increased cost of transport etc. Not sure if this is the case in other cities.

Buzzy

Geelong Gent

Simon I checked with Metricon, Porter Davis, Henley and they all came in with the same price subject to soil test reports).

In terms of subdivision they would also do it but the price was double doing it independently.

I completed my soil test independently and yet they initially said they would have to take the results of their own. After discussion they revoked and said they would accept the results.

In the end I decided their buildings did not offer what I as looking for and are going through the road of self design and self build.

Buzzy--Bee

Engineering, engineering.....

We have had to have another round of soil tests as builders tendering wanted to know whether there was anything solid in the hill we are removing.... which there wasn't

Also the house site has had to move a couple of metres so as to avoid tangling with a tree.

This part of the process is doing my head in.

On the plus side, I was up on the block yesterday evening and a flock of a dozen or more Sulphur Crested Cockatoos came silently flying through the dusk, settled for a few minutes for a rest in our trees before taking off again in the direction of the Dandenongs. Very lovely. Then the frogs started up their evening chorus which makes us feel like we're out in the midst of Africa or something.

It is such a beautiful spot. I can't wait til we're living there.... this bit is taking tooooo long. :curse:

Buzzy

Geelong Gent

Before you know it, you will be sipping margarita's on the deck enjoying that great view. Whats a few months compared too 20 years

Bexie

It will be worth the wait!!! I love this country so much and smile every morning I open the curtains/blinds....so beautiful!

Buzzy--Bee

Engineering complete - check.
Builders preparing quotes - check.
MAJOR are-we-doing-the-right-thing nerves increasing - check.

aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh

Buzzy

Wol

Just think of the fun of signing all those BIG cheques every month or so! And how you will miss it when you sit watching the sunset and remembering the days when you could still afford to have a beer whilst doing so <g>.