Hi everyone, We have recently purchased a property in Noble Park which came with plans and permits to build at the rear. The plans are for a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Single storey weatherboard (9 squares of living + 2 square carport) and we are now looking for a custom builder. Objective : It’s purely an investment property only and therefore we want it built as cheaply as possible. Question 1 - Any recommendations for custom builders that can build it cheap? Question 2 - Would it be cheaper to look for a turn-key package OR a "build only" quote then organise my own trades for driveways, landscaping, fencing, drainage, painting, carport etc ... ? Any past experiences, ideas/tips or further questions welcome Cheers Benson
So it has DA? Does Metricon and the likes quote on building other people's plans? Perhaps @bedeveloper and @MTR can help you with some builders who would quote on it.
If you don't get any recommendations for builders, just put it on hi pages asking for quotes based on the plans. Ask for two options - with and without landscaping etc. Get the items in your list priced individually on the quote, so you can compare. Every trade or service engaged by the builder will understandably have a builder's margin put on it, so it is cheaper to engage trades for these sorts of things yourself. However, this takes time, co-ordination and perhaps knowledge. Whatever you do though, get independent inspections of each stage, even if you get a builder to do the lot. I would definitely do the fences separately.
Volume builders like Metricon don't do custom builds on plans. You could also ask the designer who did the plans if they could recommend someone.
Yes, it has DA, done the energy and structural so pretty much up to finalising the WD's which should be done in next couple of days then ready to get some fixed price building quotes. Gave Metricon and most of the other big builders a try, but they usually dont do custom builds. Cheers thanks for that! Correct. I have asked the architect but they have recommended a couple of builders but way too expensive!
Also worth remembering that volume builders start off sounding cheap, but their advertised price is before site costs and before the inner urban surcharge of $10,000 levied by many.
Thanks Joynz. Yes I've tried several big volume builders and they just do not want to touch custom builds (of this size anyway).
I have asked the architect but they have recommended a couple of builders but way too expensive![/QUOTE] Curious to know what sort of prices you are being quoted for what sounds like a small project.
Hey Tgan, Been quoted between $200-220k for a turn key package including : carport, garage to existing front dwelling, landscaping, drainage, driveways, fencing etc .. We're aiming for $1,200-$1,300 per sqm as a build only cost and may end up organising our own trades for the other work.