BUDGET $509,000
Budget forecast compared to actual spend?
A quantity surveyor looked at the construction cost at the initial design stage so we could make changes to bring costs down. When the documentation was complete we tendered the project out to builders and also asked for suggestions on alternative cladding, roofing and decking. By seeking alternatives we saved $56,000 but we added in another $14,000-worth of items so, all up, we came in below our initial budget. Compromises? Splurges?
We did redesign the laundry to save about $30,000 of construction costs. It isn’t as big as we would have liked but is still a very functional small space. We saved money by analysing the big costs of the build. For instance, we saved about $8000 by sourcing locally grown redwood cladding rather than imported cedar. We also saved a similar amount by upgrading the wall construction. Moving away from standard timber framing to highly thermally efficient SIPs (structural insulated panels) meant the construction was quicker and less labour-intensive.
We also saved a significant amount on the internal joinery. By using standard hardware and simple, robust materials like plywood and Formica HPL, we achieved custom-built vanities, wardrobes, TV room and living room shelving, a study desk, pantry and kitchen, all for the same price as many spend on their kitchen alone ($25,500+GST).
We did splurge on the 2.4m full-height cedar doors, but there aren’t too many of them. It’s an easy, discreet way to add warmth and richness to a house. Do you tend to buy high-end homeware or seek out a bargain?
We prefer to buy things that we love, often seeking clever, durable design. More often than not there is a price for quality, but that isn’t always the case
– our Breville coffee machine was about half the cost of many of the Italian machines out there but it makes great coffee and is well built. Best advice for spending money on a home?
Build the house for you and the way you want to live – don’t worry about the resale – and make sure you enjoy the investment. If you step above the standard solutions to design a functional, durable, healthy and enlivening home, someone else will pay good money for it if you ever want to move on. Don’t try and do everything for a bargain as it is much more expensive to rectify bad decisions once you have built. Work with your architect and builder to discuss the options and prioritise what is important to you.