Building a House on Bargains

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  inherentchoice on 18/02/2018 - 18:27

  +4

  Leftovers and used ones on Gumtree?

  https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-building-materials/vic/c20103l3…

  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 18:42

    I totally forgot about gumtree. Thank you for that.

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  [Deactivated] on 18/02/2018 - 18:43

  +2

  I think you'll find that if you have a good, trustworthy builder, their trade discounts will get you significant savings. For example, we bought old reclaimed floorboards for our extension. They cost $17 a lineal meter, which is a huge rip off (new ones cost $4 a lineal meter), but I found out later that the builder could get the same reclaimed boards for $10 a lineal meter.

  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 18:52

    I am sure trade price would be better, but surely they would be adding their own markup on top hence why i am trying to do my own research. I will be getting a price list through my builder so atleast i have some prices of my own to compare. Thank you for the advice.

• 

  spackbace on 18/02/2018 - 18:49

  +6

  10 years from now:
  Advice: house is falling apart, should've spent more on better products

  But meh, your choice. If it was an investment, sure, but it you're gonna be there 10+ years then be realistic on quality vs $$s

  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 18:56

    +1

    My mistake if my post came across as wanting inferior products. I am definitely wanting quality but wouldnt mind saving a bit of $$ if i can aswell. Some of the items on my list surely isnt something that everybody out there gets for their house build like the better insulation or refrigerated cooling, etc & hence why i am happy to spend the money on quality items only but if i can find the same products at a cheaper price than what my builder can get, then i wouldnt mind doing my own research. I do appreciate the advice, thank you.

    P.S - i have updated the post to reflect the type of items i am after are good quality

• 

  Godric on 18/02/2018 - 18:56

  +8

  Build one in Sims it's cheaper, and you can use money cheats

  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 18:58

    +5

    If only it was possible for me to live in :P

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  [Deactivated] on 18/02/2018 - 19:15

  +1

  im sure theres good deals on asbestos

  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 19:21

    I'm sure there would also be a good deal on a short life if i went with your advice :P

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 18/02/2018 - 19:36

      +6

      coffin from costco?

      • 

        Kangal on 18/02/2018 - 19:50

        I think he can buy a used shipping container.
        Just add Wifi and a dunny, and ya golden!

      • 

        ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 20:07

        I did just renew my Costco membership, so i might add it to my next shopping list :P

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  poboy on 18/02/2018 - 19:38

  +6

  Wouldn't your builder need to ok everything as they will be offering a warranty? If I was your builder this micromanagment would do my head in.

  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 20:05

    I'm sure they would & i can atleast give them the details as to what i have found & from where, as they may only have a select few suppliers so their prices might not be as competitive so like that they could directly buy from them at trade price & let me have it at the price i have seen. Most of the items are considered as upgrades rather than standard inclusions so if i can find something that looks better or better quality than the limited selection my builder has, then i do not mind doing my research as a house is not a small investment for anybody especially myself. So i would rather ask the questions & do proper research rather than just go with what the builder tells me. No harm in getting a second or third opinion/option.

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  Quantumcat on 18/02/2018 - 20:19

  +7

  I don't think it is worth doing any of this, because:

  • you may not save any money versus the same thing that is sourced by the builder
  • the builder may add extra costs because they now have to adjust their schedule and plans to fit in the different stuff you're bringing in compared to what they're used to and have used many times
  • there could be a reason the builder likes to use a particular product or choice of products, because they work together. Maybe using your own sourced stuff adds problems and your house develops issues later down the track. Or they won't offer you the normal guarantee period because they don't have experience in how these particular materials interact
  • there's a risk of buying something that can't be used and now you've thrown money away for no gain
  • the builder might get pissed off at you and charge you extra on things or quit the project and leave you in the lurch
  • it is a lot of hassle, when you could instead just live your life and do a drive by every few weeks to check on how it is going
  • 

    ABZ300 on 18/02/2018 - 21:05

    Definitely good advice, thank you.

    When i consult with the builder about my build & the plans, i am planning on asking about specific items on my list as i will already have prices on them so i can compare to what they charge for the same product. I will not be buying anything at all before talking to the builder & will be making sure that the parts are the same or can be used.

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  0FoxGiven on 19/02/2018 - 11:54

  +1

  Have you checked with your builder if they even allow for these "upgrades"?

  I'm currently trying to finalize things with my builder (Mimosa homes) as well and its such a pain trying to get them to go do most of the upgrades because they apparently have never done most of them or they just flat out refuse to do it. They are charging a premium for every upgrade and they don't even let me choose the brand I want. Instead, they only allow brands that their supplier gives them (which are usually not good).

  • 

    ABZ300 on 19/02/2018 - 14:56

    Yes i have already as i am going with a custom builder & not a chain builder like Mimosa or Metricon, etc so that means i can get other quotes from different suppliers rather than just what the builder has access to as they may only have one or two suppliers.

    • 

      0FoxGiven on 21/02/2018 - 13:51

      Can you let me know who you are going with for the custom build? I would like to compare prices and see if I am better off going custom

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  chumlee on 19/02/2018 - 15:04

  Your list is to general.

  Do some research on what brands you want from each category and then you can drill down to prices.

  For example upvc windows. There's a big gap between bottom of the range and top of the range. Narrow it down buy going on building/renovating forums and see what others advise.

  Bid bathroom tiles? How big? Ceramic or porcelain? Larger tiles can cost more to lay as heavier to work with than standard 300x600 for example

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  Looking4Bargians on 19/02/2018 - 17:25

  Join www.homeone.com.au

  • 

    Euphemistic on 19/02/2018 - 20:08

    Try there. It is focussed on new builds over renovation. Read all of it and then come back with a shorter list.

    But really, do your research one item at a time, as you need it. It’ll cost you a lot of time and you might find its worth going with builders trade discount plus markup.

    Have you heard the phrase penny wise and pound foolish? Your builder might charge more to build using your stuff too.