Building First Home - What Is Best to Use 3rd Party Instead of Builder?

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  coxjon on 06/01/2020 - 12:21

  +1

  Your builder may be able to install tiles and taps and other fixtures you source for cheaper than they can provide them

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  flatwhitepls on 06/01/2020 - 14:28

  +1

  I would not recommend to have 3rd party for air conditioner and solar panel. Its best to have all the wires and copper tubes done in wall.

  • 

    Mechz on 06/01/2020 - 14:41

    +2

    You can get that done by a 3rd party while the build is happening, it's really not that difficult.

    • 

      renaldof on 06/01/2020 - 17:02

      yep, we can get the builder to prepare it all, just not install the equipment

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  GangGang on 06/01/2020 - 14:47

  Depends on the builder. The larger builder won't let you remove alot of things so you can purchase yourself. The builders have contracts with the suppliers and make sure you go to them to purchase the items.

  I was only able to remove tiles and doors throughout my build. I said to remove paint but they didn't.

  Do some research with solar panels. A builder told me to not purchase and install while building the new house as you won't receive rebate from the government. I haven't researched this yet so I can't confirm it.

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    lewislardboy on 06/01/2020 - 15:02

    Oh man… the paint quality they use is woefull (usually). I imagine this is why they don't let you take it out of the contract; they're charging full-rate for a basic job.

    • 

      GangGang on 06/01/2020 - 17:45

      A few reasons why.
      * They water the paint down to get more litres and reduces the quality of the product.
      * Only do one coat.
      * No undercoat.

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  lewislardboy on 06/01/2020 - 15:08

  +1

  -Flooring
  -Light fixtures (have the builder wire in light battens in the right location, and retro-fit downlights, pendants, LED's later)
  -Landscaping (keep storm-water as the builder's problem though)
  -Built-in robes (are cheaper outside of contract — but can be a hassle working around painting/gyprock)

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  Porker on 06/01/2020 - 16:39

  +1

  I've had 5 homes built; three were with private builders and the last two were volume builders.

  While I agree you would be able to save money with directly contracting build components, you'll need to also consider that there other costs/impacts. Timing is fairly important with building to ensure things go smoothly, but also, in my experience, given the builder takes full ownership of all issues, they also fix them up if things go wrong.

  Some friends of mine wish to paint their house to save on that cost of their build, but I told them what happened to me, which was - someone broke in and tagged some of the walls and the builder had to absorb that cost to repaint the house. Yes there was site security, but I think one of his (builder's) carpenters or something left the front door and security gate open. I think it just gets messy if that happens and you need to have something replaced, or something you did causes issue for something else or you left the gate/door open.

  But agree above that Air Conditioning is BEST done when building, not post. This became a decision point for me when I wanted the internal head unit to be installed in what was not an external wall. I think A/C can easily and cleanly be installed when both the internal and external units are on the same wall. But my house has the external units tucked away at the back of the house, and head units conveniently placed internally.

  In my most recent build, I took ownership of the following:

  • clothes line and letter box
  • compulsory shed
  • landscaping (builder's $24,000 vs my eventual $13,500)
  • Council asset protection and repair (builder's $10,000 repair vs my eventual $1,600)
  • solar panels
  • home alarm security / surveillance

  As lewislardboy says above, have the builder include some wiring or other things that you think you may use eventually. Eg. sound system wiring in the ceiling (for two storey), power points, lighting.

  • 

    renaldof on 06/01/2020 - 17:07

    this type of response is the reason why I pay my Ozbargain fees every month. Thanks so much! It's a response to save dozens of thousands of dollars.

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  tightpike on 07/01/2020 - 16:54

  Should save 5k organizing your own concreter for the driveway

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  ph88 on 30/01/2020 - 22:45

  I was here to post another topic, but saw you're from the Sunny Coast.. I worked for a SC builder for 8 years and now I work for a builder closer to Brisbane for the last 4 years. I've built one house with each.. Both consider themselves to be "value for money" builders, so prices are competitive.. none of this "extra 60k inclusions" or "Free Pool" BS.

  One thing I've noticed along the way is clients often call in just after their colour selections and say they have found the tiles cheaper at a flooring company. Often clients are pretty bummed out (pissed off and confused) when we have to add cost to their build, not take it away. They've invested a lot of time in selecting the tile, but we get a bulk price not shelf price and the shelf price often doesn't include cartage/wastage/install. Same goes for other products, and items like solar we get dirt cheap!

  I mean if you get products crazy cheap and an installer who is crazy cheap, you'll save a K, but it might cost you more for warranties / getting the installer back who went bankrupt after buying that new ranger / or additional build time which is costly if you're renting.

  If you instead vested your time in finding a really-really good builder and put a bit of effort in negotiations. You'll be better off at the end of the day.

  But don't listen to me, I bought my lighting from OzBargain, I probably saved $300, was it worth it ¯_(ツ)_/¯