Thread: House building - any tips.

It's only going to save you a couple hundred, but don't buy premium paint. I've been putting paint on for 20+ years, and the value for money is the middle road of pricing as with most things.
Seal/prime everything, acrylic will do. Back roll new gyprock for the first coat. Spray is acceptable for 2 and 3 coats.
Traditional enamel in white or light colours will yellow in 3 to 6 months due to resins. Water based enamels are great but can't get the shine level of traditional enamels just yet; but they do dry fast, don't smell, and don't yellow. Think about a Semi Gloss finish on doors and trim. It gives a durable soft flowing feel opposed to gloss trim V low sheen walls. As mentioned before, you can mono-tone the walls and trim colours and then use furnishings.

Most of all try and make it fun, you have an unbelievable amount of decisions from now to sleeping in your new house. The builder will blame subbies for a lot. It's because he doesn't own them, and trying to coordinate them with all there other builders and private contacts they have is difficult. Add a few supply issues, weather, and the odd muck up and that's how it drags out. If the builder is good he won't BS you to save face, hill just say his been let down and trying to fix it. But only pay for what has been done, or approved. If he asked for payment before things are finished watch him carefully, as he may have to much on and running out of money.

good luck with it, don't forget try and have some fun with it.
I hope it is a pleasant experience

Gee not much faith in builders hey.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

All builders are bastards. Keep them under the whip (and the knuckle if necessary). Don't take crap from them. Insist they do what they are told, not " I thought it would be better this way". Keep inspecting relentlessly to see that specifications are being met. Builders will try to avoid this if they can save a buck. Insist that work is done on days that work is available to be done. Don't let the builder shift blame to subbies.
He is responsible for progress and quality and don't let him forget it. Don't make progress payments ahead of work done. Keep payments lagging. Nothing grabs a builder's attention better than the possibility of payment being withheld.

Sounds like you had a bad experience then ??

Originally Posted by jerryd

Sounds like you had a bad experience then ??

Several. One job in Sydney there was so much anger generated we were almost at the point of only communicating through solicitors.

I can't understand the mentality of people who are told to do something this way, not that way, and when you return find they have done what you told them not to do.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

All builders are bastards.

I must be a bastard then?

My advice (as a builder) is to look at least 3 houses the builder has done prevously and talk to their clients.

Even better use a builder a close friend or family member of yours has used to build their own house and would use again. The best recommendation you can get.

(I am actually a contract administrator for a commercial builder.) So my other advise is to write a clear / comprehensive scope of works and include it in the contract. Both parties need to agree it and sign every page before starting work.

Agree upfront at what stages progress payments will be made and how much. E.g. Excavation / footings / slab complete $10k, frame complete $20k, lock up $30k, services roughed in $10k, finishes complete $20k and fittings/ landscaping installed $10K. A detailed cost break up from the start is essential.

Originally Posted by newhue

It's only going to save you a couple hundred, but don't buy premium paint. I've been putting paint on for 20+ years, and the value for money is the middle road of pricing as with most things.
Seal/prime everything, acrylic will do. Back roll new gyprock for the first coat. Spray is acceptable for 2 and 3 coats.
Traditional enamel in white or light colours will yellow in 3 to 6 months due to resins. Water based enamels are great but can't get the shine level of traditional enamels just yet; but they do dry fast, don't smell, and don't yellow. Think about a Semi Gloss finish on doors and trim. It gives a durable soft flowing feel opposed to gloss trim V low sheen walls. As mentioned before, you can mono-tone the walls and trim colours and then use furnishings.

Have you heard of "Gold Coast Glug"? I am told it is a cheap paint much loved on the coast for spec. homes and units. I gather it looks good long enough to sell the place and for a few months after when it becomes see through.

Most places like tiles(floor, roof ,wall etc) and paint will give you samples. The brick mobs may either give photos or a few as a sample.
If your going the owner builder route try and hire tradies on a Total job rate rather than a hourly rate.e.g it'll cost $XXXX to tile all the bathrooms, laundry and floor areas and will take 4-5 days. Or it'll cost $XXX for the pipes for water and sewer and take 3 days etc This way you know the costs and dont get a plodder going 1/2 speed till his next job is up. If they cant do this they dont know their job.
Only pay for materials delivered to your site that you ordered dont pay before delivery and dont pay for labour till the work is done. Way to many I know have been scammed this way. Most good tradies will have 30-60 day accounts with their suppliers so beware the bloke who asks for you to pay materials as he may have credit problems and previous jobs with overdue acc for many reasons.
Start at bunnings or a similar store and then get your colour samples and go to the specialty places as you will regret it if you dont especially for tiles, light fittings and carpet.