Do I Still Go Ahead with House Build during COVID-19?

BuDWiZe on 06/04/2020 - 07:21
Last edited 06/04/2020 - 07:23

Before all these restrictions came In to place and corona took off here I was just about to sign on after spending 6 months on a house plan. Landscapers are still coming to dig and flatten property back to accommodate new house in a week. I'm still working as I'm in an actual essential service albeit 20-30pc down for time being but still ok. Wife also in an actual essential service and has moved to working from home full time as while office has been able to do this where she works
My biggest concern is builders being able to continue , house demolished ect so I won't be stuck renting for way longer than I should . Will builders survive , will they have materials to complete. Maybe me pushing ahead gives them the boost they need?

Anyways just after thoughts

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2020 - 07:33
    +1

    Maybe yes, maybe no.
    Seems better to forge ahead. Youll have to rent either way, so if youve got something locked in you are already paying

  • tightpike on 06/04/2020 - 07:45
    +4

    If your secure financially , definitely go ahead. Your house will be finished by the time this is over

  • Third_Gear on 06/04/2020 - 07:54
    +1

    Keep going ahead. Building material price rises may be coming down the line as the AU has fallen a fair bit. None of us can predict the viability of anything though with any certainty - think back what life was like 6 months ago.

  • oscargamer on 06/04/2020 - 08:03
    +6

    Go ahead, but only make payments as required. No massive up front deposits. As you say, there is an increased risk of trades or subbies going under.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2020 - 08:58
    -5

    Rent is cheap, building and builders are uncertain and you do not have any strict requirements.

    There's nothing in it for you to go ahead. Wait a few months and you will find many builders desperate for your business.

  • barbarella on 06/04/2020 - 09:25
    -2

    What do the builders think?

    • saintpotter on 06/04/2020 - 09:34
      +2

      Have a guess..

    • KBZ on 06/04/2020 - 09:34
      +1

      You think the people who are dependent on OP paying will be able to give a fair unbiased response?

      • barbarella on 06/04/2020 - 12:16

        well they are likely to know if they can get the building supplies!!! no use building if there is nothing to build with!!!

  • MrHyde on 06/04/2020 - 09:56
    +1

    We started construction in the first week of Feb on our house. It was planned for completion by end of July before the restrictions hit. So far; construction is continuing - raw materials are still available as they get it from trade places - not retail. They have had to reduce number of tradies on site; but are still managing.

    I am fully expecting a delay in completion which will cost me extra rent and interest. There is uncertainty - don't know when rules might change to prevent tradies on site. Till then, the tradies seem to be working double time to beat whatever restrictions might come out…. who knows, maybe the place will be ready before August at this rate.

  • axloz on 06/04/2020 - 13:09
    +1

    I see no reason not to proceed. A construction site is an isolation zone of sorts in its own right - the difficulty is for the builder to then manage/sequence the works in such a way that the subbies aren't working on top of each other (so to speak).. Most good builders can/will do this anyway.

    So my advice would be:
    1. Get it built before anything becomes scarce/expensive.
    2. Allow a bit of extra time overall as there should only be a small team on site at any one point in time.
    3. Keep in touch with the architect/builder/PM managing the works to stay abreast of any changes imminent

    I strongly doubt our govt would allow the construction industry to shut down if there are safe ways to keep it open.

  • BuDWiZe on 07/04/2020 - 07:20

    Thanks everyone looks like I will look to push ahead asap

  • Kreekerauxx on 07/04/2020 - 09:54
    +1
    Merged from Building a new house and coronavirus

    Hey all, longtime listener and lurker lol. Wondering if I could pose a question to the group? We were meant to start building our new family home in the next week or so but are wondering if we should pull out or postpone till this is all over? Builder is advising that currently it's business as usual and that their supply lines are all intact. Just concerned with the build stopping for an extended period of time and the builder 0otentially going bust. Does anyone have any insight?

    Thanks heaps in advance,

    Steph

    • Mentallysick on 07/04/2020 - 09:57

      Don't postpone.

    • Tee Rex Arms on 07/04/2020 - 10:08
      -1

      Builder definitely wouldn’t have anything to gain at all by telling you what you want to hear in terms of business as usual, supply lines are fine etc

    • TheBilly on 07/04/2020 - 10:12

      Is it an empty block of land or will you be knocking down a house to build a new one on top? I am in the same boat as you but I have an empty block of land. I did the calculations and the block is worth more to me with a house on it as I can then use it to produce income 'if needed'. However if I already had a house on it and it was a knockdown rebuild I would probably hold off to keep my debt during this turbulent time to a minimum. Also factor into account what will happen if you cancel, any contractual obligations or break fees etc?

      One thing to factor is the government has deemed the construction industry to be an essential service. If anything construction is going to ramp up in the country as it becomes a major employer and the government releases new infrastructure stimulus packages and fast tracks current projects in the pipeline. It is business as usual in the construction industry.

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