As part of the process of settling and signing off plans and contracts we needed to get a soil test done on the block. This is always required by the builder to assess and accurately cost footings for the home. As the block had no vehicle access due to the contour of the land from the road we contacted two earth moving contractors that seemed to be local and work in the general area. In doing so we were fortunate to meet a gentleman from the area (Steve) who proved to be invaluable. He was happy to talk and advise us and had extensive experience of earthworks in the specific area. He didn't mind reviewing our plans and giving his opinion and examples of other developments. He seemed to want to go out of his way to help us get it right - all before we'd even engaged him to do anything! If you're lucky enough to happen upon individuals like this, grab them and don't let go! (We are happy to refer you on to him after checking it's ok with him). Steve dumped some clean fill on the block to enable vehicle access and we decided that we would engage him to do earthworks on the block for the building of our home. Nusteel is flexible in this way if you want to arrange portions of your build yourself.
After the soil test was complete it was evident that while the block is a difficult one, the build using a steel frame in the manner of a pole frame home was particularly suited to the block with is shallow bedrock. (Yay - a small win! We'll see how this pans out when it actually comes to digging!)
With the contract quoted and signed off it was now time for us to look at the waste management system for our house since council requires a ratified on site disposal system.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Next Step - Find a builder...
We were lucky enough to have inherited plans for a previously approved development on our block that had never gone ahead. This was fortunate because it gave us a bit of a head start as to what placement would be most cost effective on the block with it's 1:3 slope. We decided the proposed development was not a good sized home for us but looked for plans that would have a similar footprint.
Most of the builders we approached just shook their heads and told us not to buy the block when we showed them our contour drawings. By necessity (due to our budget) we were approaching project builders rather than those that create custom homes from scratch. We briefly looked at the latter option but it was clear early on that it was outside our budget.
We became aware that concerns for bushfire protection would also dictate what could be placed on the block or at least what materials could be used. We thought that a steel frame home might be a good option but looked at hundreds of plans.
Finally we decided on a design by Nusteel Homes that could be modified to suit us and the block. The staff at Nusteel seemed keen to help and were not put off by the sloping block so we settled on a version of their plan called the Wilderness which we modified to be a 3 bedroom home and therefore fit across the block - maximising views to the back in 2 living areas and the master bedroom.
We liked the display home and its finishes as well which helped us to make our decision. Display homes are in general rather misleading though and in spite of several verbal assurances to the contrary the display home spec was not the same as the specs that we were given. Most finishes that are seen in display homes are NOT included in the quoted prices for the home. I had made a point of asking Nusteel staff about this 3 times and was told that the display home was an exact representation of the specification we wished to buy. The builder then changed over their staff and that assurance went out of the window. Be aware that no matter what you are told - if it's not written down in the spec with the contract it is not included in the price. Never think "oh we discussed that - they said it was included". If it's not written down in the contract it's not included.
Your builder should give you a contract and drawings for your prospective home prior to your signing this binding contract to build. It is important to make sure that everything you want is included in the plans and specification that forms a part of the contract. We felt this was important and sent the plans and contract back several times to get inclusions stated within it. A verbal assurance of a change or inclusion for your home is NOT reliable so make sure you understand and document exactly what is included. Everything else will incur extra charges. Even builders that say they have a fixed price contract will have variations and finish selections that will be sent to you with a bill in addition to the contract price if they were not documented in the initial contract. We first contacted Nusteel in around July 2010 and finally signed a contract in January 2011. Admittedly Christmas and changes in staff at Nusteel did delay this a little.
Most of the builders we approached just shook their heads and told us not to buy the block when we showed them our contour drawings. By necessity (due to our budget) we were approaching project builders rather than those that create custom homes from scratch. We briefly looked at the latter option but it was clear early on that it was outside our budget.
We became aware that concerns for bushfire protection would also dictate what could be placed on the block or at least what materials could be used. We thought that a steel frame home might be a good option but looked at hundreds of plans.
Finally we decided on a design by Nusteel Homes that could be modified to suit us and the block. The staff at Nusteel seemed keen to help and were not put off by the sloping block so we settled on a version of their plan called the Wilderness which we modified to be a 3 bedroom home and therefore fit across the block - maximising views to the back in 2 living areas and the master bedroom.
We liked the display home and its finishes as well which helped us to make our decision. Display homes are in general rather misleading though and in spite of several verbal assurances to the contrary the display home spec was not the same as the specs that we were given. Most finishes that are seen in display homes are NOT included in the quoted prices for the home. I had made a point of asking Nusteel staff about this 3 times and was told that the display home was an exact representation of the specification we wished to buy. The builder then changed over their staff and that assurance went out of the window. Be aware that no matter what you are told - if it's not written down in the spec with the contract it is not included in the price. Never think "oh we discussed that - they said it was included". If it's not written down in the contract it's not included.
Your builder should give you a contract and drawings for your prospective home prior to your signing this binding contract to build. It is important to make sure that everything you want is included in the plans and specification that forms a part of the contract. We felt this was important and sent the plans and contract back several times to get inclusions stated within it. A verbal assurance of a change or inclusion for your home is NOT reliable so make sure you understand and document exactly what is included. Everything else will incur extra charges. Even builders that say they have a fixed price contract will have variations and finish selections that will be sent to you with a bill in addition to the contract price if they were not documented in the initial contract. We first contacted Nusteel in around July 2010 and finally signed a contract in January 2011. Admittedly Christmas and changes in staff at Nusteel did delay this a little.
Monday, March 5, 2012
In the beginning.....
Once upon a time an average Adelaide couple decided that their current house was just a bit too small and just a bit too.... suburban and started to look for an alternative.
Yes folks - that's us - me being an IT Support Officer henceforth known as 'M' and he a Volunteer Transport Coordinator henceforth known as 'C'.
We had decided that if we were going to move house we wanted a bit more space than our current courtyard home in South Western Adelaide and we wanted a less suburban outlook. We househunted existing homes for a while and came to the conclusion that we weren't going to find what we wanted and decided to look for land to build.
First of all there was a block at Highbury that we had our eye on and we even got permission from the Realtor to do a soil test. We were disappointed that he did not inform us when the property was sold (we'd actually had the test done after he'd sold the property to someone else unbeknown to us!)
That was lesson one! ($900 ish down the drain.... cha ching!)
Next we found a block of land in Teringie. It was a little over 2,000 square metres and a lovely bush block but VERY steeply sloped. Our common sense (and everyone else we mentioned it to) said 'run away, run away, it's too difficult' but romantic souls that we are we decided to take a chance and make an offer and so began the adventure of Teringatu.
Yes folks - that's us - me being an IT Support Officer henceforth known as 'M' and he a Volunteer Transport Coordinator henceforth known as 'C'.
We had decided that if we were going to move house we wanted a bit more space than our current courtyard home in South Western Adelaide and we wanted a less suburban outlook. We househunted existing homes for a while and came to the conclusion that we weren't going to find what we wanted and decided to look for land to build.
First of all there was a block at Highbury that we had our eye on and we even got permission from the Realtor to do a soil test. We were disappointed that he did not inform us when the property was sold (we'd actually had the test done after he'd sold the property to someone else unbeknown to us!)
That was lesson one! ($900 ish down the drain.... cha ching!)
Next we found a block of land in Teringie. It was a little over 2,000 square metres and a lovely bush block but VERY steeply sloped. Our common sense (and everyone else we mentioned it to) said 'run away, run away, it's too difficult' but romantic souls that we are we decided to take a chance and make an offer and so began the adventure of Teringatu.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)