Getting quotes. How do I choose what builder to go with?

Discussion in 'Granny Flats' started by krispy, 20th Mar, 2019.

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  1. krispy

    krispy Well-Known Member

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    Hi Everyone. I have a few companies giving me quotes this week but from those who have built before how do you choose between them ?

    What are must haves in your new GF ?

    Did you have any unforeseen costs i need to ask about ?

    What would you do differently next time

    Thanks :)
     
    krispy, 20th Mar, 2019
    #1
  2. Sackie

    Sackie Well-Known Member

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    Sackie, 20th Mar, 2019
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  3. mickyyyy

    mickyyyy Well-Known Member

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    Who did you get quotes from and what area you building it as depending on area it may require a little nicer finishes

    I'm getting quotes now too and think 5 star granny flats are very good from what I understand
     
    mickyyyy, 20th Mar, 2019
    #3
  4. Shahin_Afarin

    Shahin_Afarin Residential and Commercial Broker Business Member

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    Building contracts are a classic case of "You don't know what you don't know".

    You really need to compile a list of things to include within a contract and go from there. For example, does the contract have provisions for seperate metering? Do have the ability to pick your own tiles or other finishes rather than using the "builder's range"? What site works are included? etc
     
    Shahin_Afarin, 20th Mar, 2019
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  5. krispy

    krispy Well-Known Member

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    We are in Lake macquarie. Its an older suburb and the quality needed will be basic/mid range but large block so services plumbing/electricity might have varied costs. Also sulfur acid soils and bush fire zone.
     
    krispy, 20th Mar, 2019
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  6. krispy

    krispy Well-Known Member

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    Thank you. Good questions to ask. A few quotes are GF builders with showrooms with a range to choose from. I will ask about the separate meters and site works.
     
    krispy, 20th Mar, 2019
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  7. Blueskies

    Blueskies Well-Known Member

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    We went with Dixon homes. I think it depends on the type of end product you are wanting. Dixon were the right fit for us, they do a pretty standard brick house at a reasonable price, plus I like them as they are a large established company with good processes/quality checks etc in place.

    If I was doing a smaller granny flat and going with one of the granny flat specialising builders I would want one that have been around for a while and where I could get a good feel for the quality of their end product.
     
    Blueskies, 20th Mar, 2019
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  8. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    geoffw, 20th Mar, 2019
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  9. krispy

    krispy Well-Known Member

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    Thanks I think I looked into this company a year or so ago and they looked great but I am not sure they worked in the area. I have enough Newcastle based companies giving me quotes now that I am confident I will find a good one up there but just gauging feedback while I wait for the quotes on what a newbie needs to know to asks to help choose the best company.
     
    krispy, 20th Mar, 2019
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  10. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    I built my granny flat in Canberra. I had a builder, GFA did everything up to building.
     
    geoffw, 20th Mar, 2019
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  11. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    As far as must haves. I passed my design past my PM. Their feedback on my 2BR as a rental was that I should make a larger main BR and a smaller second, to discourage sharers.
     
    geoffw, 20th Mar, 2019
    #11
  12. krispy

    krispy Well-Known Member

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    That's a great idea. We are trying to build for what our target demographic will be aim for an older couple ( its an aging population area ) , single or maybe a couple with 1 child in which case the bigger main would work well for both of them.
    Will check out what our RE thinks as well. Thank you
     
    krispy, 20th Mar, 2019
    #12