Thread: House building - any tips.

normally you would get a quote from the builder and he will allow a certain amount for tiles and fixtures.
he will also have accounts at one or two place so would send you there.
then you go in and talk to the sales man and they will show you the normal range, most have displays.
then you can choose the ones the builder has allowed for or opt for a more premium product.
ie toilets
a normal toilet would set you back maybe $150 however you could bet a flash fully moulded and full china job for $600. you would wind up paying the extra.
the sales man normally has experience helping you select the colours.
The mitre 10 shop o worked in had tiles paint plumbing and laminates even roofing and windows so we were able to cordernate the lot to make then match.
remember you have roof colours and window colours to choose aswell.

Hi,
one thing we were advised, and would recommend it.
Depends on your house flooring of course, ours has a lot of carpet.
Look at getting a ducted vacuum system system in before plans are finalised with the builder.
Even if as we had to do (lack of $$$) just put in the pipes and wiring now and buy the unit and hose/tools later.
Get a space for the motor that is in an out side opening cupboard to let you empty the dust container without getting dust in your garage (where most people put it).
Putting a system in an already constructed house is difficult and expen$ive.
cheers

go back to the architect and sit down with him and sort out a colour scheme and that will save you heaps of time and trouble

Hi mate,
If you go with a building company in the first place they go through what fixtures you want, doors, flooring, paint colours etc. Within the budget provided, then the building company would sort all that out as centy was saying. Or you could hire a site manager/ supervisor and he would arrange everything. However today the quality of building products has dropped, yet the prices keep rising. Example: standard flat pannel doors, the pannels used to be 5mm thick (thin) and hollow inside. Now the pannels are 3mm thick, but the doors are not any cheaper.

Callum

This may be a bit off your subject, but the title of the post suggested you were building the house yourself, after reading your post that's not so.
So for those that are building their own home or having it built, these are my tips.
1. Never let an Architect anywhere near something you want to live in, get a Draftsmen to draw up your plans. They will be buildable and livable.
2. Foundations, have a soil test done for stability/movement and have a concreter who knows how to build a foundation that won't move and destroy your house.
3. Try and build your house on the available profile of the land, esp. on sloping blocks, This will give you space under the house if a steep/sloping block, don't dig a hole and put your house in it, you will regret it later on.
4. Don't go radical, esp if it's your first home as you will probably sell it later and upgrade, i.e. don't have stairs for access as this will preclude older buyers, have access to rear yard.
5. Spend as much as you can on insulating your home, it will pay for itself in no time.
6. If an owner builder, scrutinise contractors and refuse to pay for shoddy work till it's fixed.
Hope this helps, Regards Frank.

Thanks all for your invaluable advice.

The architect we have, actually designs houses that CAN be built, as a few friends and others I know have used the guy, with good results.

A soil test is in the process of being done, and a structural engineer will approve the foundations, as a pool will be installed very near the house.

I never thought of asking the architect for colour advice, but I will certainly ask.

I'm not sure how I will fit a ducted vacuum system with a concrete slab floor, but I will look into it.

Good tip on insulation; I will keep it in mind.

Frank, I am only having one go at this. At my age, the next step will be me being carried out in a box (but not for another 30 years, I hope).

Thanks again all.

Mate in another 30 years they might be able to extend another 10/20 years, good luck with the building, I have a few mates that are/were builders and they reckon architects were/are the bane of their lives, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by biggin

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Frank, I am only having one go at this. At my age, the next step will be me being carried out in a box (but not for another 30 years, I hope).

Thanks again all.

All the more reason to take Frank's advice. When we built out house it was deliberately designed with no stairs and wheelchair access. Quite unanticipated, but we ended up needing a wheelchair for my wife three years after we moved in. You never know!

I second the thing about insulation. Think about where you are building, and whether keeping it warm or keeping it cool is important (or both). This affects window position, eaves, verandahs and lots more, but regardless, insulation helps. And remember that it is very unlikely that energy will get cheaper!

John