While waiting for tender …!

It’s time for us to do shop around to check whether we can do some task by our self. This will save us $$$$$. Remember builders got mark-up for the every upgrade you asking. 

So things like   

   1: Façade deco

   2: Landscape (Plan, Construction)

   3: Driveways and Paving

   4: Fencing

   5: Flooring (We are thinking to do timber flooring. Tiles sooo cold in winter and Timber looks nice)

Façade deco

Wisdom charging me $3000 to just to do rendering on one column in the façade .This is required by the ponds guidelines. But then I checked with local dealer. It seems I can do stone cladding for façade not just for one column but also to a larger area than that. For a one column it just $1200.

Landscaping

Wisdom home asked me $750 for just to get plan. But after sending few email messages I was able to find reasonable good contact under couple of $100 less than WH.

Things to consider when dealing with landscape guys . 

These are the questions I asked

1.    Consultation with Owner by phone and email.

2.    Review all relevant documentation to be provided by architect / developer: architectural plans & elevations, hydraulic drawings, details & survey information.

3.    A Landscape Plan will be drawn at suitable scale (1:200 to match architectural on A3)

4.    Addressing the design and treatment of all landscape areas and proposed finishes, levels, existing & proposed vegetation and surrounds.

5.    Reference to council D.C.P planting lists for suitable plant species selection.

6.    Planting schedules including proposed planting location, species, heights, spreads quantities & pot sizes.

7.    Typical detailing of proposed hard, soft cape works and specification notes for landscape works.

8.    Review Council guidelines discuss project with council staff to identify relevant landscape issues as required. 

Note: These questions will be valid when you building on vacant land .If there are any existing trees, and then the story will be different

Here is my contact, But still I haven’t tried these guys yet .But according to the response these guys pretty good and they have done lots of projects in The Ponds area .So they know the rules and guidelines

Exterior Australia Pty Ltd
Tel: 8805 6262 | Mob: 0414 268 154
www.exterior.com.au

Driveways and Paving

http://www.jimspaving.net/index.php?/services/driveways.html

Saw few comments about these guys. But not sure and need to contact them very soon

Fencing

http://www.ezyclipfencing.com.au/

Saw few comments about these guys. But not sure and need to contact them very soon

 Flooring

I don’t have any contacts yet .Will post once I got

Tender Time

We already put deposit with Eden Brae on 1/08/2012.We are expecting tender presentation on 28th  this month .

Meantime we are going to get tender with Wisdom for Prosperity 24 as well . Here we go ....List of upgrades

• Expand Bed 2,3 by 500mm (Up to bath room wall)
• Swap the stacker door and sliding door (if alfresco cannot fit in to current location)
• Make it short media Alcove in Lounge room -credit
• Sliding doors for bedroom robes without mirrors (if hanging doors more obstruct room) -credit
• Bigger windows for Master and bed 2
• Driveway
• Allowance for site cost 
•   H class Slab - 2950 
•    Saline Soil Requirements - $3200
•    Landscape plan - $750
•    Part Render to facade - $3000
•    Assumed level for additional site costs to be confirmed - Approx $5000
•    Posible site costs due to the sewer location 
• 3 Phase power supply
• Squre set of cronies to entry to,foyer and home theatre
• Provide 3No Laminated shelves to dining/leisure feaure wall cut-out
• Kitchen bench width to increase to 900mm
• Ceiling mounted shower head to main bath
• Upgraded mirror sizes to bathrooms
• Extra zone for AC
• Privacy locks to bath rooms
• Drinking tap water outlets to near the commode
• Alfresco -credit
• Delete tilies in living areas (Except bedrooms ) -credit

Eden Brae Vs Wisdom Homes

Our aim is to build single story home with 4 Beds. Size wise thinking to build 24sq (Excluding Alfresco). Reason behind we chose to build single story house was that it's easy to maintain. I hate going up and down for the weekend cleanups.

Also master bedroom not in the front of the house. Not sure why everyone need master in the front. Anyway both of us need more privacy.

Eden Brae 

They seems to bee very good at pricing. Also i believe their 2sq for 2500$ is a killer offer. No one can really match that deal. Also other promotions .I have visited their design gallery, brick selections all standards inclusions are actually not too bad unless you are very choosy.

I am more than happy with the sales person in Kellyville Homeworld V (Gaven ) .He was the most professional sales guy i ever met . He is so supportive. But they don't have proper floor plan, which suit us .The closest one we met was Manchester 22 . We went to see both model houses and they are quite good. With the two sq promotions actually it became 25sq.Also done lots of customisations.

Finally we asked them to do tender with few additional items .Not sure what will be the tender price. .... Because of customisations price might get high. But we have backup plan with Wisdom if all goes wrong.

Wisdom Homes

Prosperity 24 is 100% spot on . Seems like we need to do very minimum changes .Also better inclusion list

But 

   1: It's already 20K higher than estimate given for the Manchester.

   2:  Since my land still not registered,they cannot provide fixed price tender.So worried about site costs . 

   3: Seems like Allowance (5500$) is not enough for the driveway .where EBH fully covered .

  4: Some delaying issue with admin process. 

	Wisdom Homes	EBH
House	Prosperity 24	Manchester 24.6
Do we like layout	100% Very good functional Design	75% Even After making lots of changes
Cost	258000	237000
Fixed Price Tender	No (Site cost are TBA on land registration)	Yes (All site cost included and NO MORE TO PAY)
Promotions	· Prestige Inclusions 5990, · Acton Free Air Con with 2 Zone · Roof Upgrade	·Life Style Inclusions 4890 · Acton Same Air Con with 3 Zone 2$ · Kitchen Upgrade 2$ · Roof Upgrade (Monier or Color Bond) 2$ · The Expansion Sale 2sq for 2500 ·Eden Brae Home Grant 5000 credit
Allocated Start Date	Not Sure	Yes
Guarantee Completion Time	Not Sure	Yes
Driveways	Allowance 5500 (Some say not enough)	Yes Included
Capped Price Extended Start Date	Not Sure	Yes

Here is the list of items you get with Wisdom  in comparison with EBH inclusion list(For the extra 20k you paying for WH) - Not too bad huh ....!

Kitchen

Decorative glass splashback to Kitchen (up to 3m2 with 2No. GPO cut-outs)

Bulkheads

Undermount double bowl kitchen sink

Blum motion soft close Kitchen drawers and pot drawers

  

Laminated overhead cupboard above fridge space

Set of pot drawers to Kitchen

  

Stainless steel orgaline cutlery tray

Bathroom

Caesarstone to vanities throughout (standard range - 20mm thick)

Full height tiling to two walls only of Bathroom and Ensuite (main visible walls) 

Floor Coverings

Ceramic Tiles to Entry

Floor and Wall Ceramic tile upgrade from $25m2 to $35m2 throughout

Laundry

Built-in laminated Laundry unit with stainless steel drop in tub, mixer tap set and 20mm caserstone top

Outside

External Finishes

25 degree roof pitch in lieu of 20 degree roof pitch

Off white mortar to brickwork in lieu of natural coloured mortar

Aluminium awning windows to front facade and Bathrooms

Garage

Plasterboard lined interior to Garage in lieu of face brickwork

BASIX

Whirlybird roof ventilator for better cooling & BASIX score

Do you think it's worth it with Wisdom...? 

That is the question that i am struggling at the moment .Since we like Prosperity floor plan . if Eden brae tender comes close to 250K mark  we are going to build with Wisdom. .

Hastings Street, The Ponds.-14th July

We decided to go ahead and buying land in The Ponds. This is newest and fastest grooving suburb in Sydney. It’s very good peace loving community.

We put our deposit on 14th July which is on our wedding anniversary ......!!!! 

I found really good solicitor to deal with my contract and we put our 5% deposit and signed our contract. 

Before putting our deposit my mortgage broker was very helpful for me to get the initial bank valuation within the 21 days of the contract settlement time 

Also got loan approval from ANZ. Need to thank our broker to facilitate everything for us. 

Here is my Solicitor and mortgage broker .I would recommend them without any issue 

Solicitor

www.networkconveyancing.com.au

Mortgage Broker

Gamini Gangoda

Accredited Mortgage Consultant [MFAA]

Dreamhouse Investments [ABN: 73 891 325 822] 

M: 0425 263 455

Builders Questioner

 I have used this list in each interview with builders to understand what we are getting and Most importantly  WHAT NOT ...!!! 

Hope this will help full for some of you guys out there .

GENERAL

---

• Allocated Start Date
• Fixed Price Contract     
• Capped Price Extended Start Date
• Gurantee Completion Time
• Warranty
• Site Costs  
• Fixed Price Site Cost 
• Fixed Price Tendear 
• BASIX
•         How long will it take to finish 
• Driveways  (How long it will cover ?                      / What Materials ?                              is it colored ?          ) 
• Garden taps how many            Price?
• Fences
• Gas outlet to alfresco area
• Air Conditioning (Zones ?                   Kilowatt?           Ho many control panels ?                    How much?                      )
• Which façade  ?
• is it possible to visit selection studios prior to sign contract ?
• is it possible access the property during building in progrees for inspections ? 
• Post construction professional interior and exterior house clean

SITE NEEDS 

---

• Colored concrete driveway  & pathway 
• Site cost up to 1m of fall
• All piering ,up to 1m of fall ,M class site 
• All service connections power,water,sewer,gas, storm water

THE PONDS REQUIREMENTS

---

• H- Class Slab         
• Moroka Finish  (Texture applied on brick work of facade to comply with Ponds)
• Eaves including soft lining (450mm)
  
• NBN Connection
• Landscaping 
  

BASIX

---

• 4 star rated tapware and toilet
• Fire retardant sarking to underside of the roof tiles
• Whirlybird roof ventilator for better cooling & BASIC score
• BASIX  fee

KITCHEN

---

• Caesarstone  benth tops (Colour range ?     ,Thickens ?  )
•  Width of the bench top  ( 900mm )
• Kitchen kickboards as per doors 
• Provision for dishwasher including powerpoint and water point
• Provision for microwave including powerpoint
• Bulkheads to overhead cupboards 
• is overhead cupboards included       
• Overhead cupboards both side of the range hood  
• Double bowl stainless steel sink  (is this under bench drop in sink ?     if not cost ?         )
• 1 and 3/4 bowl stainless steel sink 
• Glass splashback to kitchen (1 Peace of glass ?      )
• Designer handles to all cupboards (Not knobs)  ?
• Extra power points to kitchen     Cost ?
• Power points to kitchen island  
• Cupboards under kitchen island 
• Heat resistance between back of the oven and wall 
• Cupboard hight            As seen in model house ? 
• 1m frige space 
• Soft close kitchen drawers and pot drawers              
• How many drawer and pod drawers provided ? 

KITCHEN APPLIANCES

---

• Electric upright multifunction oven in stainless steel finish with a 5 burner hob gas cooktop with wok burner ( Make ?                  Size ? 900mm                  Fan forced ?  )
• Gas cooktop in stainless steel finish (Make ?                           Size ?           )
• Range hood  (Make ?                                         Size 900mm ?        
• Is this ducted to out side                                  cost ?
• Dishwasher provided 
• Dishwasher space provided 
• Microwave provided 
• Inbuilt Cuno water purifier with chrome spout 
• Stylus mixer to kitchen sink
• Mixer  choice of either to kitchen sink

BATH ROOMS

---

• Bench tops (Caesarstone/Laminated)     How long ?
• Laminated square edge tops to floating vanities
• Laminated doors with PVC edges in a wide range of colours
• Fowler Regent porcelain counter top or semi recessed basin with chrome pop up plug and waste ?
• Fowler Regent or Caroma Liano porcelain counter top or semi recessed basins with chrome pop up plug and waste 
• Floating vanity units 
• Vanity door handles 
• Wall mounted bathroom mirrors     (  Frameless ?                          shadow line ?  ) 
• Towel rail to bathroom, ensuite and powder room with shower
• Toilet roll holder to bathroom, ensuite, powder room 
• Spa bath           Size  ?                                        Design ? 
• Special recess (Bath rooms .etc )
• Bath room water proofing      
• Tiled hobs for shower recess for upgraded waterproofing
• Stylus Prima close coupled toilet suite
• Semi frameless shower screens with pivot doors, chrome trims and clear laminated glass
• Clear laminated frameless shower screen without door to suit specifi c designs
• Privacy locks to doors 
• Stylus Pin chrome mixer and wall mounted Caroma Liano spout to all bathrooms, ensuite,powder room and baths
• Hand held shower with rail
• Floor wastes to wet areas  (Plastic/Chrome)

  

LAUNDRY

---

• Laundry bench     How Long ?             (Caesarstone/Laminated)   ,          Thickness  (20mm)
• Cupboard 
• Sainless steel drop in tub (Capacity 70L?      )
• Stylus Venecia mixer to laundry
• Floor wastes to wet areas ( Plastic/Chrome )

STRUCTURE

---

• External stud frames  (90/70mm)
• Internal stud frames  (90/70mm)
• Ceilings hight  (2450/2600/2700mm)
• Roof pitch (25 degree)
• Concrete to front porch including ceramic tiles over 
• Gas bayonet point to living area
• Brickwork above all windows ,external doors and garage door ( Any excluded location ?      )
• 300mm Engineered joist system
• White Ant treatment / barrier / chemical / re-treatment
• T2 Blue
• Feature Cut-out and Niches
  
• Bricks selection  ( PGH/ Austral / Boral                      Range ?                        )
• Mortar (    colours   ?                                               and joints ?               )
•         How many years of structural warranty ?

WINDOWS

---

• Aluminium windows and sliding doors 
• Obscure glass to bathrooms
• Security keyed windows and door locks to all opening windows and sliding doors
• Blinds/Curtains   (What type ?                               )
• Window coverings
•  

ROOFING

---

• Monier concrete roof tiles in a range of profi les and colours 
• Colour bond ® steel (selected from Rawson range)
• Sarking to the underside of roofing

FASCIA AND GUTTER

---

• COLORBOND® Fascia and Gutter with painted PVC Downpipes

INSULATION

---

• Batts to wall (excluding wall between garage and house)  (R1.5/R2.0 ? )
• Batts to ceilings (excluding ceiling over garage)   (R3.0/R3.5 ? )

FRONT DOOR

---

• Front Door made of  (Glass                Design            Lock Provided ?                              )
• Tri-Look lever entrance 
• Laundry entrance door (Design                       Lock ?         )
• Door Bell 

INTERNAL DOORS

---

• Door hight (2340mm)  
• Locks 
• Design
• Handles 
• Paint Finish 
• Internal doors: Gainsborough Amelia or Carla Series Lever handles with privacy sets to all bathrooms and WC’s
• Wall/door stops to bedrooms, wet areas and living areas
• Aluminium stacker door to alfresco

FIXOUT

---

• 67mm bevelled edge architrave and 
• Skirting in paint finish (  90mm/67mm)
• 90mm cornice to all rooms (  Decorative Cornice   ?               )
• Square set to wall and ceiling junction

DOOR FURNITURE

---

•       External doors designs ?
• Handles 
• Deadlock to other external doors including door between house and garage

ROBS

---

• Corinthian flush internal doors in paint finish to bedroom robes with one melamine shelf and hanging rail
•  Mirrors 
• Sliding doors 
• Handles
• 
  

LINEN CUPBOARD

---

• Corinthian flush internal doors in paint finish to linen cupboard with four melamine shelves

GARAGE

---

• Garage door (  Roller door ( COLORBOND )  /  Sectional overhead garage door 
• Double garage door ?                                can we make it single  ?                              cost ?
  
• Remote control operation    (How many controllers ?              )
• Wall switch
• Power point 
• Internal light

HOT WATER SYSTEM

---

• 5 star gas hot water system (Capacity ? 160L              ,        Make ?                               Controllers ? 

ELECTRICAL

---

• Three phase meter provision
• Light point to each room 
• 3 external light points 
• Smoke detector as required – hard wired 
• Double power points to all rooms
• Double power points throughout
• 3 in 1 heat fan in bathroom and ensuite
• Powder room exhaust fan ducted to outside
• Phone points,       How Many ?
• Tv points ,            How Many ?
• Down lights
• Light globs 
• Light fittings
• Power point and internal light in to garage

ALARM

---

• Alarm system   (How many sensors?          Model ?           Zones ?         )  
• is it possible to add more sensors later 

PAINTING

---

• 3 coat paint system throughout house including    (2 role cotes ?      )
• 1 internal wall colour
• 1 feature wall colour
• 1 ceiling colour 
• Taubmans gloss paint to doors and internal woodwork

WALL AND FLOOR TILING

---

• Ceramic wall and floor tiling to bath, ensuite and powder rooms   (  Selection Range ?                  )
• Floor coverings  (Carpets ?                          Colour Range ?                               Size of the tiles ?                                     Selection Range ?                         

• Tiling heights 
  1.   Bathroom and ensuite 2100mm high to shower recess, 500mm over bath, skirting tile to remainder
  2.   Floor to ceiling tiling in all bath rooms
  3.   Kitchen 600mm high splashback tiling
  4.   Laundry 300mm high tiling over laundry tub and skirting tiles to remainder