Specification
Control of costs is really important if you don’t want to run over budget on your new home.
One of the key areas in controlling costs is understanding the specification of the house.
One of the traps that many people fall into is paying a deposit based on an initial specification, They are then hit with major costs down the track to upgrade to the standard they want.
There are really 3 stages to the Specification of a New House.
Basic Stage
This covers the building of the main structure of the house and includes:
- Floor Plans
- External Elevations (what the house will look like)
- Foundations
- Construction (eg Brick Veneer , Double Brick. timber clad, etc)
- Windows
- Basic Insulation
Detailed Design Stage
This is when the things like fittings are detailed such as:
- Kitchen cupboards and counters
- Cooktops and Ovens
- Bathroom Fittings
- Tiles
- Electrical Fit out
Watch out for the builder including Prime Cost Allowances
There are extensive checklists in the Guide to Selection that will help you through this stage.
Finishing
These are the finihing touches which may be included by the builder, but are usually done by the homeowner after the move. These typically include:
- Driveways
- Paths
- Gardens
- Pergolas
- Pools
- Outdoor Kitchens
If these are the things that you want included in your new house you need to be aware of the likely cost and make sure that you have enough left in your budget.
See Budget for similar posts