The sh*t has hit the fan
Nov 13th 2005, 3:52 pm
#16
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Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
I think that is a good idea as well. The builders should be made aware of what bad publicity on this site can mean for their reputation and possible future orders from Expats. A bad reputation is easy to get but hard to get rid of. Good luck mate, hope it works out somehow.
Nov 13th 2005, 4:07 pm
#17
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Location: parkdale, melbourne
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Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by eintracht
I think that is a good idea as well. The builders should be made aware of what bad publicity on this site can mean for their reputation and possible future orders from Expats. A bad reputation is easy to get but hard to get rid of. Good luck mate, hope it works out somehow.
True, it will certainly make me think twice about going with them. It's like reading all the bad threads (and knowing 2 people personally who used them and were basically scr*w*d ) makes me tell others to avoid Pickfords removals. A bad reputation goes a long way on this site even for just occasional users.
LJJ
Nov 13th 2005, 4:20 pm
#18
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Location: Melbourne
Posts: 389
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by fraser
I'm in Point Cook, I'm a plumber without a licence and not likely to get one at the moment.
Are you building a land & home package or have you bought the land first and then instructed the builder?
We bought a house & land package where all these costs are covered.
Nov 13th 2005, 4:25 pm
#19
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Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by fraser
We had our tender meeting today.
We're on a very tight budget as paying cash for our house and neither of us working.
So before we bought our land we did our sums carefully, we asked the Porter Davis salesman how much our site costs would be.
He said they estimate $5000 but it could come in less, I said what about if there's rock, he said I'd be very surprised as there isn't any over there but as a worse case scenario a couple of grand extra so $7000 tops.
Well within two minutes of our two hour meeting we're informed of our $17500 site costs.
We now can't afford to build on the land, we've already spent $6000 on stamp duty and fees. If we sell that's at least another $4000 not to mention the land is going to be worth less.
Oh and we lose $2000 government grant, so can't afford to buy a house now either.
I'm not really surprised just the latest setback.
We're on a very tight budget as paying cash for our house and neither of us working.
So before we bought our land we did our sums carefully, we asked the Porter Davis salesman how much our site costs would be.
He said they estimate $5000 but it could come in less, I said what about if there's rock, he said I'd be very surprised as there isn't any over there but as a worse case scenario a couple of grand extra so $7000 tops.
Well within two minutes of our two hour meeting we're informed of our $17500 site costs.
We now can't afford to build on the land, we've already spent $6000 on stamp duty and fees. If we sell that's at least another $4000 not to mention the land is going to be worth less.
Oh and we lose $2000 government grant, so can't afford to buy a house now either.
I'm not really surprised just the latest setback.
seems your OZ experience has been a disaster from the start......keep getting up off the floor as it's not how many times you get knocked down that counts but how many times you get up........good luck
Nov 13th 2005, 4:28 pm
#20
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Location: parkdale, melbourne
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Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Just a thought, have you thought about applying in person to Bunnings? You also get 20% discount at the store handy for paint etc?? It's better than no money don't you think?
They are taking on Casuals right this second, you may have missed out but if you have one near by I'd get my resume handed in before they close tonight!
LJJ
They are taking on Casuals right this second, you may have missed out but if you have one near by I'd get my resume handed in before they close tonight!
LJJ
Nov 13th 2005, 5:04 pm
#21
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,834
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
I would find another builder mate........tell em to stick it up there arse...ask them to see the soil test results and also ask them what Rating the foundations need to be....ie S. M bla bla
Nov 13th 2005, 5:06 pm
#22
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Fraser, without commenting on your land or your builder the following info may be useful.
Nobody knows what the site costs are untill a soil test if done. The results of that will mean an engineer will design a footing/slab accordingly. If rock/clay/sand or a thousand other combinations of those factors occur its not unusual to see costs come in at $30,000+. Now if a person has gone for a budget design from a showhome there is generally a very minimal allowance made. Buildling a home in OZ can look very cheap by the advertised prices seen in papers etc
everyone needs to read and understand the allowances made on these bargain prices.
Some might say the current trend is to over engineer some sites, anybody working as a contractor here (like you will be when you get a licence) is financially and legally liable for the work they perform, making sure the work anybody performs is over and above what is necessary is vital, most contractors have little choice but to err on the safe side. If any risk on site is involved you should go to the highest possible and therefor (costly) standard.
Of course there are unscrupulous tradesmen (like anywhere) who will bump up your costs to make a buck, the best way for anyone contemplating building is to have a soil test done prior to purchase of the land, you can put in a clause, and if the engineer sees a problem, you have the chance to get out then.
Nobody knows what the site costs are untill a soil test if done. The results of that will mean an engineer will design a footing/slab accordingly. If rock/clay/sand or a thousand other combinations of those factors occur its not unusual to see costs come in at $30,000+. Now if a person has gone for a budget design from a showhome there is generally a very minimal allowance made. Buildling a home in OZ can look very cheap by the advertised prices seen in papers etc
everyone needs to read and understand the allowances made on these bargain prices.Some might say the current trend is to over engineer some sites, anybody working as a contractor here (like you will be when you get a licence) is financially and legally liable for the work they perform, making sure the work anybody performs is over and above what is necessary is vital, most contractors have little choice but to err on the safe side. If any risk on site is involved you should go to the highest possible and therefor (costly) standard.
Of course there are unscrupulous tradesmen (like anywhere) who will bump up your costs to make a buck, the best way for anyone contemplating building is to have a soil test done prior to purchase of the land, you can put in a clause, and if the engineer sees a problem, you have the chance to get out then.
Nov 13th 2005, 5:26 pm
#23
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,374
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Thanks for all the advice, I've actually got a labouring job which starts tomorrow. The guy phoned about an hour go.
We've just spoke to another builder who's asked to see the soil test results and he says he'll be amazed if they'd have to charge that much, he says the original $2000 quoted should cover it.
They also include all floorcoverings, flyscreens and loads of other stuff that where extras with PD, the house isn't as nice but gone past caring.
We also spoke to our friend and she has a good friend who finds houses for people, he says just walk away they will and always do come back with a better offer and if the guy next door is paying $1000 ou shouldn't be paying much more.
We've just spoke to another builder who's asked to see the soil test results and he says he'll be amazed if they'd have to charge that much, he says the original $2000 quoted should cover it.
They also include all floorcoverings, flyscreens and loads of other stuff that where extras with PD, the house isn't as nice but gone past caring.
We also spoke to our friend and she has a good friend who finds houses for people, he says just walk away they will and always do come back with a better offer and if the guy next door is paying $1000 ou shouldn't be paying much more.
Nov 13th 2005, 5:30 pm
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by fraser
Thanks for all the advice, I've actually got a labouring job which starts tomorrow. The guy phoned about an hour go.
We've just spoke to another builder who's asked to see the soil test results and he says he'll be amazed if they'd have to charge that much, he says the original $2000 quoted should cover it.
They also include all floorcoverings, flyscreens and loads of other stuff that where extras with PD, the house isn't as nice but gone past caring.
We also spoke to our friend and she has a good friend who finds houses for people, he says just walk away they will and always do come back with a better offer and if the guy next door is paying $1000 ou shouldn't be paying much more.
We've just spoke to another builder who's asked to see the soil test results and he says he'll be amazed if they'd have to charge that much, he says the original $2000 quoted should cover it.
They also include all floorcoverings, flyscreens and loads of other stuff that where extras with PD, the house isn't as nice but gone past caring.
We also spoke to our friend and she has a good friend who finds houses for people, he says just walk away they will and always do come back with a better offer and if the guy next door is paying $1000 ou shouldn't be paying much more.
Nov 13th 2005, 5:32 pm
#25
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,374
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by jad n rich
You need an independant appointment with an engineer, footings for $2000 :scared: is almost as worring as the other figure. Believe it or not the block next door is not a guide, the soil result can change half way across a block let alone next door.
He said he would give me a fixed price to build a house seeing as he'd have the soil test results.
Nov 13th 2005, 5:38 pm
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 196
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by fraser
No he said he thought $2000 extra on site costs seemed more realistic.
He said he would give me a fixed price to build a house seeing as he'd have the soil test results.
He said he would give me a fixed price to build a house seeing as he'd have the soil test results.
Just wondered which builder you were looking at? good news on the job front!
Nov 13th 2005, 5:42 pm
#27
Cleveland, Bayside
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Bayside, Brissy
Posts: 1,595
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Hi Fraser and Rachel
Sorry about this and can't give you any advice as I don't know about these sort of things.
Just wanted to say Good Luck with it and try not to worry. Im sending you some good virtual vibes here.
Hope it all works out for you guys
Ang
Sorry about this and can't give you any advice as I don't know about these sort of things.
Just wanted to say Good Luck with it and try not to worry. Im sending you some good virtual vibes here.
Hope it all works out for you guys
Ang
Nov 13th 2005, 5:43 pm
#28
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,374
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by playbunny75
Hello
Just wondered which builder you were looking at? good news on the job front!
Just wondered which builder you were looking at? good news on the job front!
They're only a small firm but the guy said he'd look over the soil test results regardless.
We were considering a Northridge we went to their display home in Berwick, but in our case for a 29 sq home it was more expensive.
Nov 13th 2005, 6:56 pm
#29
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Heres some real costs on a footing and slab, M site single level, 230 sm
Cut 2257 machine hire
Level and compaction $1100
Bobcat 750
rock excavation 3 hours ONE rock big one tho
720
Concrete and crusher dust $10870
Labour for concretor footing and slab $5570
Concrete pumps $1800
2 inspections $300
Steel $1800
Ive probably forgotten something but that was just the bills in so far. Thats builders cost, no profit no GST added.
Total $25167, very straighforward and unusually small job.
Engineers fees reports and findings and design added around another $1950
Edit sorry did forget some stuff
Cut 2257 machine hire
Level and compaction $1100
Bobcat 750
rock excavation 3 hours ONE rock big one tho
720Concrete and crusher dust $10870
Labour for concretor footing and slab $5570
Concrete pumps $1800
2 inspections $300
Steel $1800
Ive probably forgotten something but that was just the bills in so far. Thats builders cost, no profit no GST added.
Total $25167, very straighforward and unusually small job.
Engineers fees reports and findings and design added around another $1950
Edit sorry did forget some stuff
Last edited by jad n rich; Nov 13th 2005 at 7:27 pm.
Nov 13th 2005, 7:02 pm
#30
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Noosa Heads
Posts: 3,507
Re: The sh*t has hit the fan
Originally Posted by fraser
We had our tender meeting today.
We're on a very tight budget as paying cash for our house and neither of us working.
So before we bought our land we did our sums carefully, we asked the Porter Davis salesman how much our site costs would be.
He said they estimate $5000 but it could come in less, I said what about if there's rock, he said I'd be very surprised as there isn't any over there but as a worse case scenario a couple of grand extra so $7000 tops.
Well within two minutes of our two hour meeting we're informed of our $17500 site costs.
We now can't afford to build on the land, we've already spent $6000 on stamp duty and fees. If we sell that's at least another $4000 not to mention the land is going to be worth less.
Oh and we lose $2000 government grant, so can't afford to buy a house now either.
I'm not really surprised just the latest setback.
We're on a very tight budget as paying cash for our house and neither of us working.
So before we bought our land we did our sums carefully, we asked the Porter Davis salesman how much our site costs would be.
He said they estimate $5000 but it could come in less, I said what about if there's rock, he said I'd be very surprised as there isn't any over there but as a worse case scenario a couple of grand extra so $7000 tops.
Well within two minutes of our two hour meeting we're informed of our $17500 site costs.
We now can't afford to build on the land, we've already spent $6000 on stamp duty and fees. If we sell that's at least another $4000 not to mention the land is going to be worth less.
Oh and we lose $2000 government grant, so can't afford to buy a house now either.
I'm not really surprised just the latest setback.
