Small Residence at Reasonable Cost — How To Do It?

LMGL on 24/03/2023 - 20:21
Last edited 25/03/2023 - 10:12 by 1 other user

Dear OzBargainers, we're trying to get a small residence built on the rear of a residential block near the centre of a country town in Gippsland, Victoria.

The block contains a large shed that we want to keep, and we've had plans drawn and quasi-approval for a 14m x 8m (112 sqm) no-frills all-Colorbond house (think "home unit") that also fits on the block.

Trouble is … we can't find a builder. Out of a dozen we've contacted, only three have shown any interest. Two of these have said they're busy till the end of the year, and the third has come up with a fixed-contract price of $650k, which is almost double what we were expecting, even given the current labour and supply situation.

So, any fresh ideas or recommendations re getting a small residence built at a reasonable cost, for example:

  • Keep waiting and keep trying builders?
  • Prefab/modular homes?
  • Granny flat builders (can't find any in the area)?
  • Liveable shed builders (can't find any in the area)?
  • Owner-Builder?
  • Winnebago?
  • … ?
Home & Garden

Comments

  • djsweet on 24/03/2023 - 20:41
    +1

    I find it weird that in 12 builders you can't find any to do it before next year? Its like their job isn't it. And its a 300-400k build which seems pretty straight forward compared to an extension or something.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 25/03/2023 - 10:34

      Have you been living under a rock the past 3 years?

      Also OP lives in the middle of nowhere.

      • netjock on 25/03/2023 - 11:22

        Also OP lives in the middle of nowhere.

        Yup. The ones that rejected out right is the nice ones. The $650k people stay away from even if they come begging in the middle of a recession.

    • netjock on 25/03/2023 - 11:22

      I find it weird that in 12 builders you can't find any to do it before next year?

      HIA says pipeline is full until end of this year. If anyone wants to build anything wait until 1st Jan 2023 and don't appear keen to start before Q2 or mid year else you'll still get slaughtered with crazy prices like OP $650k. Tell them they are dreaming.

  • elgrande on 24/03/2023 - 20:56

    Do they have granny flat builders?

  • Mechz on 24/03/2023 - 21:11
    +5

    Build a second shed in the same style as you want the granny flat.

    Watch Bunnings youtube.

    Frame, plaster and plumb the rest of it yourself.

    Probably the only way to complete it this year on your budget.

  • sumyungguy on 24/03/2023 - 21:28
    +1

    The “builder” quoting $5,800 per square metre is clearly taking the p*ss. Did you engage a local designer or architect? If not I get why you’re struggling

    • MGL on 27/03/2023 - 18:26

      Yep, local architect.

      • sumyungguy on 27/03/2023 - 18:27

        Normally architects work with their preferred builders, is there just too much demand in your town?

        • MGL on 27/03/2023 - 18:29

          Architect's four preferred builders aren't taking on any new work for the next 18 months.

          • sumyungguy on 27/03/2023 - 18:37

            @MGL: I used to do a bit of work-related stuff with architects and sought their advice about renovating and extending my home. They advised the key to a successful project is a caring builder… whom you can only access by working with architects. So you've got the first step right

  • barbarella on 24/03/2023 - 21:43

    get a modular home if you have the access to get it in there…

  • altomic on 24/03/2023 - 22:20
    +4

    2 x 40 ft shipping containers in parallel with a 3 metre gap between them.

  • pegaxs on 24/03/2023 - 22:26
    -1

    Could buy a really nice mobile home for $340k. Can move it when you want. Take it on holidays. Don’t need any approvals for it. May need to upgrade your license though.

  • Richardc on 24/03/2023 - 22:28

    modular home all the way.

  • animasoIa on 24/03/2023 - 22:46

    Maybe try a modular/kit home? This one says $77k + assembly: https://i-build.com.au/kit-homes-wodonga/

    • Nugs on 25/03/2023 - 07:06

      The exclusions list is extensive
      .

      • thatonethere on 25/03/2023 - 09:10

        heh wow. suprised the thing stands up with all those exclusions

  • jjjaar on 25/03/2023 - 00:18
    +1

    Define “quasi-approval”?

    Have the builders shown no interest because you’re not intending to secure actual planning/building approvals?

    • MGL on 25/03/2023 - 08:51
      +1

      "Quasi approval" means that we've visited the local Building Surveyor for Q&A a couple of times and he didn't see any problems — we just haven't done the final submission because we want THE builder to go over the plans first.

      • jjjaar on 25/03/2023 - 10:08

        Fair enough.

        That’s frustrating you’ve not been able to find one. Could you possible engage a planning consultant for the planning approvals and ask if there’s any builders they usually work with?

  • Sinnerator on 25/03/2023 - 09:38
    +1

    Be aware with Owner Builder that tradies will eat you alive, they will think you don't have a clue (as not industry pro), also triple that because of current building climate.

    • MGL on 27/03/2023 - 18:27

      Yes, thanks for that warning.

  • idontalwaysnotlie on 25/03/2023 - 10:22
    +4

    https://samedaygrannyflats.com.au/

    These guys deliver australia wide and are pretty nice inside. basically container home on steroids but I could not get the parts for 30k.

    • hasher22 on 25/03/2023 - 19:29

      These look pretty good, I would def. invest in one or look for similar and shop around if I owned land :(

  • lostgoat on 25/03/2023 - 10:29

    Simple google ' temporary site buildings '

  • Euphemistic on 25/03/2023 - 10:34

    Pre-fab. Drop it in by crane.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 25/03/2023 - 10:36
    +1

    Lol, third builder adding "can't be (profanity)" tax.

  • saltypete on 25/03/2023 - 10:50

    I’d do a kit home.
    And if ‘we’ are reasonably fit and can communicate well with each other - do pretty well everything that you legally can yourself. If you back yourself, are prepared to not barrel into things and take time to think through and research the myriad of things you can’t possibly currently know a kit home of the size you are talking about is not hard at all.

    You will end up with valuable life skills , get your home built quicker and save money, and will put more care into some important details than many builders will - even if you only have weekends and before/after work for most of it.

  • netjock on 25/03/2023 - 11:26
    +2

    You might want to do owner builder.

    Imagine kit homes I found on the internet. Never used them. They will ship you all the bits required in a container. You will need to arrange for someone to do the foundations, plumbing and electrics.

    I'd do owner builder especially where you are in regional areas. Just take it slow and de scope the work where you can (example, buy your own final fitting like stoves, ovens, toilets baths etc. Tradies will slaughter you on prices on those. Had some fool try to tell me an extractor fan is going to cost $250 to pretend their labour is cheap at $250. I can get the fan at Bunnings and ducting for less than $100. People are going to tell me oh there is time and these is insurance etc. You can get it delivered for less than $100). Other than electrics and gas there is some stuff you could do yourself if you are game.

    As someone who done the course, family in the trade, some tradies are just in it because the circus industry isn't as big as it once was.

  • nswnotill on 25/03/2023 - 15:17

    Perhaps check with the local council re owner-builder regulations. I think in NSW owner-builders have to have done a short course with TAFE to qualify

  • MGL on 27/03/2023 - 18:32

    Thanks everyone!
    Will now investigate modular and kit homes more thoroughly.
    Cheers.

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