Site Test Results are in!

That was quicker then expected.  I got a call a couple of days ago from J.G King's Office and have been sent our site report.

This was where my heart stopped.

It's a P Class site.

I had to do sooooo much research into finding out what this would mean as we have an M class included in the quote.

Anyway. The Site Report test recommends an M Class Slab with re-enforced edge beams. I'm not really entirely sure what that entails but I've been reading up about nightmare stories where some sites have cost $50,000 extra!!!??? OUCH!

Friends of our recently moved into their newly build home in Jacksons View in Druin (Near Warragul).

They told me their report came back and they needed cut and fill, and a H2 class slab.  They got a whole heap of piers and some of them needed to go 9 Meters deep!!!  Their site costs and Slab added an extra $38,000 to their home!

Other Friends of ours built a double Story on a P class site and theirs came to $18,000.

I'm feeling a little easier as our soil test was terminated after 2000mm so no 9 meter deep Piers.  I also can't find where it says we need any piers for a concrete slab so I have my fingers crossed but am trying to not get my hopes up until AFTER we get the first draft of the contract. Also very little cut and fill if any will be needed so hope that keeps the costs down.

In the meantime, I sent J.G. King a copy of the controlled fill/compacting report for my block.  Let's hope it all comes back without exuberant costs added for the slab.

Deposit Down, Pre-lim Quotes Signed

We've met with Mr K and signed the quotes and basic documents.  Put down the a deposit and now have to wait for the Soil Test, then move onto the design of the slab, and then the first official draft of The Contracts for The Memphis.

We've been told about 4 - 5 weeks or so.  I know there's all sorts of delays but we'll see.  Now it's the waiting game. Things are getting exciting... but at the same time I'm really starting to stress.  I know of all the issues that go hand in hand with building so I am dreading, and expecting the worse.

Fingers Crossed!

What Happened?

I don't get it.  I did a whole heap of research and everywhere I read I found that volume builders just don't do deals. I mean, they have their specials, but anything more then that, you'd be lucky for them to through in something for free.

Well, this was not the case for us.  We got a discount AND they threw in free 40mm Caesar Stone Bench tops.  The quote came in to the budget I wanted???  I know the sales people have to make sales and all but this is great news.  At least, I know we need to pay for all the extra things, like temp fencing, soil tests and then having the Slab meet certain grades... any cement pumps, etc... This budget at the price given will hopefully be enough to give us this extra buffer of cash to cover these hidden extras!

Well, now we are arranging to meet with Mr K and sign up, put the basic deposit down and get all the soil tests done.  Here's hoping things go smoothly from here.

Got the Quotes

We got the last of our quotes last night.  I wanted to get J.G King's - the Memphis last so I had all the quotes and could compare.

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed with their quote.  I sent an email back to Mr K (their sales rep), who mind you has been really good with dealing with us over the last year and a bit.

I let him know I was not happy and said the other quotes I got came in much better priced with larger homes, including the upgrades we wanted and site costs plus Bush Fire Rating etc.

I gave him my upper limit and said I can not pay any more.  Will wait to hear from him if anything can be done.  We have to really consider if the price from J.G King is worth it or go with one of the other homes we like.  My heart is set with The Memphis so it will be a real disappointment if we can't get our deal.

Such a long process...

I've just realised we have been searching for over a year. Wow. I guess we really do want to choose the right house for us... We do intend to live in it for at least 10 years so why not make sure it's perfect! Well, that's the plan anyway.

We've got a fair few quotes and are getting hounded by builders left right and centre. Everyone really wants our business.

We still have another quote or 2 to get before really making our decision. I'm still leaning towards The Memphis but with all these offers and great deals, I am very interested in these other homes.

Also, there's now speculation that the First Home Builders grant is going to be $10,000 starting 1st July... interesting...

Well I'll keep you posted as it's getting really close for us to put down a deposit.

What are we up to?

A few more months have come and gone and we are just plodding along, putting aside as much money as we can spare (with having a little spending money of course).

I think I am looking at getting serious with home quotes now and I want to start to get things moving.  Would like to put a deposit down by end May at the latest.

We've started cutting out certain homes now.  We are only going Single Story, so no more double stories. Nothing under 28 Squares. Have eliminated Porter Davids, Carl isle Homes and a few others (not because they are bad, just because we didn't find anything we really wanted).

We are still keen on Fairhaven, Inspired Homes, some Simmonds Homes, River Gum Construction and of course the Memphis from J.G. King.

Will have to start getting official quotes now so here's hoping we can get something to fit into our budget and start the ball rolling.

Still Searching for the right house???

Thought I'd update since the wife and I have started going through homes again... We want to keep our options open in case we can't go with J.G King's - The Memphis.

We've found a number of other homes we really like too.  Inspired Home have some lovely designs and being a smaller builder, we actually dealt with the owner. Very Nice. Very Helpful.  you'd expect that from the owner.  We got a quote and am surprised as it's bigger then the Memphis but has a better deal...

Also loved a home from Fairhaven, got a quote there too. Great price! I have to admit though, through the now hundreds of display homes we've been visiting, everything has been compared to J.G. King Homes - The Memphis... only a handful have stood their ground against it.

We decided to get another quote from J.G King.  We saw a different version of the Memphis on the other side of Melbourne.  This one was more of a low spec home while the one in Cranbourne is fully decked out.  Can really see and feel the difference what upgrades do to a home.  I needed to make sure the things I want stay in the quote and I that I can afford it.

Will keep you posted as things go on.  still some time before we really go for it.  I'm thinking it will be March or April next year before we really get serious.