Building a new house, the good, the bad, the ugly...

[helicopterking]

Currently trying to get quote under 400k, I am 5k over,the salesmen won't budge on it. The only vaiable on the quote is the footings. They have put it at 25k, which I think is over priced for a flat block of land in morphettville. I have told them I will get an independent soil test done,but he has told.me that they don't have to accept the independent report. I'm guessing we will have to get a soil test done through them. Does anyone have any idea how they go about that,or have any idea with a rough estimate of footings in and around the area? The quote for the footings was far and away the most expensive of 4 quotes.

[heater31]

Currently trying to get quote under 400k, I am 5k over,the salesmen won't budge on it. The only vaiable on the quote is the footings. They have put it at 25k, which I think is over priced for a flat block of land in morphettville. I have told them I will get an independent soil test done,but he has told.me that they don't have to accept the independent report. I'm guessing we will have to get a soil test done through them. Does anyone have any idea how they go about that,or have any idea with a rough estimate of footings in and around the area? The quote for the footings was far and away the most expensive of 4 quotes.

I wouldn't be touching the footing allowance personally. Seen numerous times people screwed over by a dodgy soil report. You have no idea what was there previously, could hit an old pool, cellar etc. Then start spending big $$$$

[CENTURION]

Currently trying to get quote under 400k, I am 5k over,the salesmen won't budge on it. The only vaiable on the quote is the footings. They have put it at 25k, which I think is over priced for a flat block of land in morphettville. I have told them I will get an independent soil test done,but he has told.me that they don't have to accept the independent report. I'm guessing we will have to get a soil test done through them. Does anyone have any idea how they go about that,or have any idea with a rough estimate of footings in and around the area? The quote for the footings was far and away the most expensive of 4 quotes.

doesn't matter how flat the site is, it's the type of soil. It is more than likely classed as Highly Reactive, as is most of Adelaide, unless you go eastern suburbs, then it's E class. $25,000 is around the mark for an average size house in Morphettville. Might come under but not by much. Don't get an independent soil test, pointless exercise. The builder must do it, after all, they're the one building the house & supplying the warranty, not the indpendent. Put a condition on your contract f you like, stating that the footing cost is not to exceed $20,000, play their bluff. At the end of the day, the building industry is rooted & they will find the $5,000. Who is the builder & consultant? pm me if you like, I know them all quite well, I might be able to get the price down.

[gadj1976]

My offer on the land has been accepted

so now you've all got 48 hours to talk me out of it

PS: If you know anyone that is keen on purchasing a spacious unit with 2 double bedrooms and a fairly big private backyard, let me know

I Promise you will regret the sale in the future.

"If only I had kept that stupid unit."

Never get rid of an assett.

Funny Dogger, I used to think the same thing until my accountant said that smart people sold houses to buy more expensive houses in time of market depreciation so that when inflation did hit, the profit was greater. Clever thinking!

I hated selling my unit close to the city but when he told me the above (and I'd invested the money in something of greater value) I realised it was a smart move in the longer term.

I think as long as you don't pi55 the money up against the wall, selling can be a very smart move.

[CENTURION]

exactly.

[Booney]

Pretty much what we did.

Upsized while the market was low, rented the investment out for 12 months in which the return on it ( for sale ) increased very quickly and we sold. Turned out to be a nice little earner there geezer.

[Agile]

I am also in your position. Id say stay away from Statesmen, one bloke from there is sending us numerous aggressive emails and when we asked for a design on how it will fit on the block, he send us a hand drawn outline of the house. He has also sent email with just smiley faces in them.
Im going with Stirling, only because the blokes there has been excellent with his customer service and not push.

Am interested to hear how your project is going. Have they started yet? Have friends who have signed with them and it seems to be taking forever.
MUCH !!! bigger home next to me has sprung up in a fraction of the time

[carey]

Not sure if anyone can help but I'm looking at puttting a second story on my place. Anyone had experience in this? Facts are i love living where i am but with me the mrs and little one and talk the mrs wants another one the place is just getting abit small so i thought i'd go up instead of buying a new place.....

[heater31]

Not sure if anyone can help but I'm looking at puttting a second story on my place. Anyone had experience in this? Facts are i love living where i am but with me the mrs and little one and talk the mrs wants another one the place is just getting abit small so i thought i'd go up instead of buying a new place.....

Some houses are simply just not suitable to add another level with out spending $$$$. Could it be worth knocking over what is already there and starting again?

[carey]

Not sure if anyone can help but I'm looking at puttting a second story on my place. Anyone had experience in this? Facts are i love living where i am but with me the mrs and little one and talk the mrs wants another one the place is just getting abit small so i thought i'd go up instead of buying a new place.....

Some houses are simply just not suitable to add another level with out spending $$$$. Could it be worth knocking over what is already there and starting again?

Good point. I think this would be ok for a second story but knock this and build a new one is a great idea I'd never thought of to be honest.

Especially when i work for a demolition company

[Footy Chick]

but then you'd have to find somewhere else to live for 9 months...

[heater31]

but then you'd have to find somewhere else to live for 9 months...

Sign a lease for 12 months just to be on the safe side

[RustyCage]

Can you just build on out the back?

[carey]

Can you just build on out the back?

I could but i'd lose my back yard. I've been looking today in to prices and stuff i think i may look at knocking mine over and building a new one on my block.

Like i said i love where i live, its at the end of a court therfore no traffic, the neigbours are great and its a 616m2 block. I may look at building a double story to maintain a good size yard.

[helicopterking]

Anyone got any idea on footings costs for soil H1-D. Is it good,bad

[heater31]

Anyone got any idea on footings costs for soil H1-D. Is it good,bad

Ok. Expect footing trench size to be around 500mm deep maybe more.

[CENTURION]

Anyone got any idea on footings costs for soil H1-D. Is it good,bad

depends on size of pad and is it single storey, which suburb? HD is highly reactive soil, typical of South Australia, also price depends on your builder, it shouldn't but it does.

[helicopterking]

Anyone got any idea on footings costs for soil H1-D. Is it good,bad

depends on size of pad and is it single storey, which suburb? HD is highly reactive soil, typical of South Australia, also price depends on your builder, it shouldn't but it does.

380sq, Morphettville,single story, Sterling

[Jase]

We are days ( ) away from the foundations being dug out for our new place...

I can't remember if I've asked before but does any on here is, or know of, a competitive (meaning pretty cheap) business who does retaining/stormwater/fencing/paving?

Cheers

[CENTURION]

We are days ( ) away from the foundations being dug out for our new place...

I can't remember if I've asked before but does any on here is, or know of, a competitive (meaning pretty cheap) business who does retaining/stormwater/fencing/paving?

Cheers

Palm Fencing, George Neders, been doing it for years.