You want to be wise in you’re choice of builder and you will be working with him daily for many months, so choose a builder you feel comfortable with, your builder is also the only person who knows what your project is going to cost, so don’t rely on what you think the project should cost, or what your architect estimates. An accurate, detailed price from your builder is the best price.
There are also many consultants to pay during the design stage whether they be designers or engineers etc.
If you have chosen an experienced and qualified builder, do expect to pay for his time also. It is worth it.
Getting the best value for money is something we all aim for in a transaction so, when it comes to building a new home or a major renovation, the idea of paying for a quote may feel uncomfortable.
A quote is a detailed financial plan for a build. It can avoid unnecessary changes, disputes, extended timeframes and cost blowouts, making it quite a valuable document.
A builder’s quote can be more than 30 pages long and can include the cost of materials, labour and compliance requirements. To complete a thorough quote can take days, depending on the scope of the build.
“It’s from their concept all the way through to construction,” says builder Craig Millar of Millar Projects in Whittlesea, Victoria. “If they choose not to engage me, they’ve bought that information.”
What’s wrong with a free quote from a builder?
If a builder is continually building a very similar product, such as a granny flat, they would have a good idea of what’s involved and how much the project would cost.
For smaller projects under about $50,000, an experienced builder could usually quote this quickly for free.
But for larger projects such as renovations costing more than $100,000, more materials and specialist tradespeople or consultants are needed. If the renovation is for an older house, surprises may turn up.
If a builder hasn’t quoted correctly and a contract was signed, someone falls short.
“Unfortunately, and we’ve all been in that spot, you find out there’s not enough money,” said Millar. “I’ve done a renovation and quoted $50,000. Then I find out, instead of $12,000 the kitchen costs $16,000.”
If this happens, a builder could either take the loss from their profit, complete the work more cheaply or the tradespeople don’t get paid.
Taking the time to create a detailed quote reduces the chances of a shortfall, minimising the risk of problems for builders, tradespeople and clients.
Don’t be surprised if the builder asks you to pay for a quote
Don’t move, build:
Rather than relocating to a larger home, consider a first floor addition, this may be the more economical option.
Keep your backyard:
Not only is this quicker in terms of the building process, but you will not have to sacrifice the backyard space to gain extra room for your growing family.
Affordable and obtainable:
A quicker time frame also comes at a lower cost.
Live your life normally: During the construction, you will not have to compromise living comfortably as you will be able to go about your daily routine as we work away upstairs.
If you believe that a first floor addition is the right option for your family and lifestyle, give Spannenberg & Son a call today and we can help guide you through the process. We have offices in the Northern Beaches and Macarthur and offer genuine service and quality workmanship #since1971 https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQk0pYlStd/?igshid=1rptt1z6yekv0
You may have an area out the back you would like to turn into a decked area for entertainment. A deck does need to be above ground level to accomodate the bearers and joists, so if your proposed area is to low to the ground you will need to pave or concrete instead.
How big does my deck need to be?
If your proposed deck is for entertaining, I normally recommend a minimum of 3 m wide so as to give enough space for your table and chairs, an ideal size would be say 4.8 m x 6 m so you can fit a decent outdoor table setting, lounge, coffee table and bbq.
The main picture shown here is a composite or manufactured decking called, ‘Modwood’ which is designed to last much longer in the elements than a traditional timber decking, although if you really want that real traditional authentic look then hardwood is the way to go.
