When having a house built
Feb 4th 2009, 12:53 pm
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Currambine
Posts: 810
When having a house built
Right, when you're deciding upon which house you want and discussing your
requirements with your builder, is it the done thing to barter for a better deal?
Obviously if you're looking at a house which has already been constructed, you make an offer, usually less than the asking price. Do you do the same if you're having a house built or do you just go along with what the builder tells you it will cost?
Cheers
Steve
requirements with your builder, is it the done thing to barter for a better deal?
Obviously if you're looking at a house which has already been constructed, you make an offer, usually less than the asking price. Do you do the same if you're having a house built or do you just go along with what the builder tells you it will cost?
Cheers
Steve
Feb 4th 2009, 1:57 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Wherever I drive to after work each evening I guess
Posts: 309
Re: When having a house built
I guess that as it is the construction industry, always haggle!
TD
TD
Feb 4th 2009, 8:01 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Westernport Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 1,761
Re: When having a house built
In building you do get what you pay for though.
I had a few builder clients and they were not in the running when it came to quoting but I know who I would want to build my house.
The big builders will throw in extras I think rather than reduce money.
The big thing about building is the building contract and its prudent to get this looked over by a solicitor, it might cost you, but it might also save you in the end. Things to look at are time limits if there is no time limit you might be last in the queue and take months.
However at the moment with building downturn you should be able to make some headway.
I had a few builder clients and they were not in the running when it came to quoting but I know who I would want to build my house.
The big builders will throw in extras I think rather than reduce money.
The big thing about building is the building contract and its prudent to get this looked over by a solicitor, it might cost you, but it might also save you in the end. Things to look at are time limits if there is no time limit you might be last in the queue and take months.
However at the moment with building downturn you should be able to make some headway.
Feb 5th 2009, 6:43 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 187
Re: When having a house built
In building you do get what you pay for though.
I had a few builder clients and they were not in the running when it came to quoting but I know who I would want to build my house.
The big builders will throw in extras I think rather than reduce money.
The big thing about building is the building contract and its prudent to get this looked over by a solicitor, it might cost you, but it might also save you in the end. Things to look at are time limits if there is no time limit you might be last in the queue and take months.
However at the moment with building downturn you should be able to make some headway.
I had a few builder clients and they were not in the running when it came to quoting but I know who I would want to build my house.
The big builders will throw in extras I think rather than reduce money.
The big thing about building is the building contract and its prudent to get this looked over by a solicitor, it might cost you, but it might also save you in the end. Things to look at are time limits if there is no time limit you might be last in the queue and take months.
However at the moment with building downturn you should be able to make some headway.
I would decide on basic off the plan design you want, make sure you take control of the discussion and get them to cost in any changes you definitely want and have a list of items on your wish list and then try to get some things included for free. In my experience it is things like tiling upgrade, stone worktops, tap upgrade and cosmetic things they add in. Get prices for everthing beforehand though as in my experience they just apportion the cost of the free items over those you are paying for!
Also see if you can talk to other customers at the same stage as you, I did this and found out I was being overcharged for some items compared to others and as a result got these included for free (eg.changing windows to sliding doors).
It may be worth getting ideas for some items which maybe included such as aircon. They often over value it and we removed our aircon from our contract ($7,800 price reduction) and had the same make fitted but with a bigger evap unit with more outlets for $4,800 after key handover.
Same for the alarm and carpets, blinds etc if they offer to include them.
As the OP said, with the building downturn you have more likelihood of getting a better deal now. Just ask nicely, nothing ventured, nothing gained and our builder took no offence.
They just got back at us with a shoddy build of the entire house so we wouldn't go with them again!!!!
Feb 5th 2009, 7:47 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Currambine
Posts: 810
Re: When having a house built
Agree with the above. Absolutely you can and now several people building who have done just that!
I would decide on basic off the plan design you want, make sure you take control of the discussion and get them to cost in any changes you definitely want and have a list of items on your wish list and then try to get some things included for free. In my experience it is things like tiling upgrade, stone worktops, tap upgrade and cosmetic things they add in. Get prices for everthing beforehand though as in my experience they just apportion the cost of the free items over those you are paying for!
Also see if you can talk to other customers at the same stage as you, I did this and found out I was being overcharged for some items compared to others and as a result got these included for free (eg.changing windows to sliding doors).
It may be worth getting ideas for some items which maybe included such as aircon. They often over value it and we removed our aircon from our contract ($7,800 price reduction) and had the same make fitted but with a bigger evap unit with more outlets for $4,800 after key handover.
Same for the alarm and carpets, blinds etc if they offer to include them.
As the OP said, with the building downturn you have more likelihood of getting a better deal now. Just ask nicely, nothing ventured, nothing gained and our builder took no offence.
They just got back at us with a shoddy build of the entire house so we wouldn't go with them again!!!!
I would decide on basic off the plan design you want, make sure you take control of the discussion and get them to cost in any changes you definitely want and have a list of items on your wish list and then try to get some things included for free. In my experience it is things like tiling upgrade, stone worktops, tap upgrade and cosmetic things they add in. Get prices for everthing beforehand though as in my experience they just apportion the cost of the free items over those you are paying for!
Also see if you can talk to other customers at the same stage as you, I did this and found out I was being overcharged for some items compared to others and as a result got these included for free (eg.changing windows to sliding doors).
It may be worth getting ideas for some items which maybe included such as aircon. They often over value it and we removed our aircon from our contract ($7,800 price reduction) and had the same make fitted but with a bigger evap unit with more outlets for $4,800 after key handover.
Same for the alarm and carpets, blinds etc if they offer to include them.
As the OP said, with the building downturn you have more likelihood of getting a better deal now. Just ask nicely, nothing ventured, nothing gained and our builder took no offence.
They just got back at us with a shoddy build of the entire house so we wouldn't go with them again!!!!
We're considering National Homes, but haven't heard anything good or bad about them.
Feb 5th 2009, 10:19 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Currambine
Posts: 810
Feb 5th 2009, 2:33 pm
#8
Legal immigrant
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Wellington Point for now
Posts: 287
Feb 5th 2009, 6:21 pm
#9
Timelord
Joined: May 2006
Location: Lost in space...
Posts: 2,834
Re: When having a house built
Get enough power points...! Builders never seem to allow enough...
If you decide to arrange some extras yourself, make sure your builder will allow trades directly engaged by you onto site during construction... some don't, and for something like aircon this can be a real problem if you want hidden bulkheads, etc... Check out their cost plus percentage too...
If you decide to arrange some extras yourself, make sure your builder will allow trades directly engaged by you onto site during construction... some don't, and for something like aircon this can be a real problem if you want hidden bulkheads, etc... Check out their cost plus percentage too...
Feb 6th 2009, 6:46 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 187
Re: When having a house built
Feb 7th 2009, 2:52 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Currambine
Posts: 810
Re: When having a house built
Many thanks for the info. guys 
Steve
Steve
Feb 7th 2009, 3:36 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Ridgewood , Perth
Posts: 3,134
Re: When having a house built
Get enough power points...! Builders never seem to allow enough...
If you decide to arrange some extras yourself, make sure your builder will allow trades directly engaged by you onto site during construction... some don't, and for something like aircon this can be a real problem if you want hidden bulkheads, etc... Check out their cost plus percentage too...
If you decide to arrange some extras yourself, make sure your builder will allow trades directly engaged by you onto site during construction... some don't, and for something like aircon this can be a real problem if you want hidden bulkheads, etc... Check out their cost plus percentage too...
John
Feb 7th 2009, 5:48 am
#13
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: When having a house built
Get enough power points...! Builders never seem to allow enough...
If you decide to arrange some extras yourself, make sure your builder will allow trades directly engaged by you onto site during construction... some don't, and for something like aircon this can be a real problem if you want hidden bulkheads, etc... Check out their cost plus percentage too...
If you decide to arrange some extras yourself, make sure your builder will allow trades directly engaged by you onto site during construction... some don't, and for something like aircon this can be a real problem if you want hidden bulkheads, etc... Check out their cost plus percentage too...
Feb 7th 2009, 7:51 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Bromsgrove/Melbourne
Posts: 606
Re: When having a house built
Cos all "builders" love to throw a curve ball with all the cash extras
