Anyone Built a House in Sydney or NSW?
Discussion
We're pretty deadset on building a house on a block of land my family have in the Northern Suburbs but would welcome any feedback or pointers from people who've done it in the past.
Block is level but needs clearing and all the usual stuff water, power, sewerage etc..
We had planning permission but that's expired quite a few years ago so will need to re-apply.
Heading out to Homeworld in Aug to check out Builders/Houses as well.
Cheer in advance,
Robin.
Block is level but needs clearing and all the usual stuff water, power, sewerage etc..
We had planning permission but that's expired quite a few years ago so will need to re-apply.
Heading out to Homeworld in Aug to check out Builders/Houses as well.
Cheer in advance,
Robin.
A couple of blokes I work with have built houses this year. They used different companies and builders but both had the same problems.
The company you use claim to have a project manager but these blokes found that if they were not making a serious pain of themselves with the builders, suppliers, project manager etc and were not on site twice a day then nothing ever happened.
The company you use claim to have a project manager but these blokes found that if they were not making a serious pain of themselves with the builders, suppliers, project manager etc and were not on site twice a day then nothing ever happened.
We're having renovation work done on our block in Sydney and what was planned to take 3 months is easily going to take 4 or more likely 5 months. The main issue is the quality of people doing the work. In short they're lazy and there's no forward planning so when it rains, they stop, when something doesn't turn up they stop. Oh, and when they do work it's not exactly a full day and lunch starts at 11.30 until 2 ish.
The Project Manager is there maybe once a week which just isn't enough.
So make sure you get a full time PM or get a thick skin and be onsite yourself. There's a few people at work who have built there own places in the western burbs, all did the PM work themselves and all would get an experienced professional to do it next time.
My wife and I are seriously considering going down this route in a couple of years, the key for us will be to find the right bit of land in the right place for the right price - could take a while
The Project Manager is there maybe once a week which just isn't enough.
So make sure you get a full time PM or get a thick skin and be onsite yourself. There's a few people at work who have built there own places in the western burbs, all did the PM work themselves and all would get an experienced professional to do it next time.
My wife and I are seriously considering going down this route in a couple of years, the key for us will be to find the right bit of land in the right place for the right price - could take a while
deviant said:
A couple of blokes I work with have built houses this year. They used different companies and builders but both had the same problems.
The company you use claim to have a project manager but these blokes found that if they were not making a serious pain of themselves with the builders, suppliers, project manager etc and were not on site twice a day then nothing ever happened.
this is pointy elbows The company you use claim to have a project manager but these blokes found that if they were not making a serious pain of themselves with the builders, suppliers, project manager etc and were not on site twice a day then nothing ever happened.
1. Dont believe anything until it actually happens.
2. Get on the case of the builder every day.
3. Get the phone number of the site manager and ride him (in a work related fashion) every day. Sooner the house is done the sooner he'll have you out of his hair.
4. Go up regularly and ensure that the work matches the spec. Dont presume that all measurements and lay outs are as the plans.
Mine took me as long in planning and admin as it did being built.
If you go with a house builder, then try not to make any changes, as these usually cause problems along the way. Don't get anything as extra's like lights, electrical sockets etc from the builder, go direct to the sparky on site.
Don't expect it to be done when they promise.
One tip, is to get pally with the tradies actually doing the job, a slab of beer come fridays works a treat too. Especially with the likes of electricians, who, I'm told can fit the downlights for a lot less that $100 ish each when they have an ice cold beer waiting for them.
Be prepared to grease those wheels so to speak.
Don't expect it to be done when they promise.
One tip, is to get pally with the tradies actually doing the job, a slab of beer come fridays works a treat too. Especially with the likes of electricians, who, I'm told can fit the downlights for a lot less that $100 ish each when they have an ice cold beer waiting for them.
Be prepared to grease those wheels so to speak.
Colonial said:
Send me a PM with all the details. I work in planning.
You may be able to do a complying development if you meet certain criteria, which gives you 10 day approval by a private certifier.
Colonial, I'm not sure what that means mate but sounds good You may be able to do a complying development if you meet certain criteria, which gives you 10 day approval by a private certifier.
Still in UK but moving Family across 1st week Jan. We've seen two blocks of land around Bilgola Plateau/Avalon, one with house and one without. Went out to Homeworld last month and saw some great houses.
Also need to talk to some mortgage advisers as will need to finance roughly 70% of the total package costs (would be less if I stopped spending my money on cars
). So realistically still some months away, say 6. robm3 said:
Colonial said:
Send me a PM with all the details. I work in planning.
You may be able to do a complying development if you meet certain criteria, which gives you 10 day approval by a private certifier.
Colonial, I'm not sure what that means mate but sounds good You may be able to do a complying development if you meet certain criteria, which gives you 10 day approval by a private certifier.
Still in UK but moving Family across 1st week Jan. We've seen two blocks of land around Bilgola Plateau/Avalon, one with house and one without. Went out to Homeworld last month and saw some great houses.
Also need to talk to some mortgage advisers as will need to finance roughly 70% of the total package costs (would be less if I stopped spending my money on cars
). So realistically still some months away, say 6. Once you find a block, etc etc drop me a line and I'll guide you through the process. If you are looking at homes at places like Homeworld they are generally designed around complying development controls which makes everything heaps easier.
Anyway, as I said, I do this all day everyday so anything I can help you with, let me know.
the other half is wanting to do another extension ATM. basically more living area, so just another lounge and bedroom. no wet areas.
anyone car to put a price on the expected cost per square meter for a single level development.
have figures in the range $1000-$2000 per meter. does that sound right.
Ryan
anyone car to put a price on the expected cost per square meter for a single level development.
have figures in the range $1000-$2000 per meter. does that sound right.
Ryan
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