Finding a Builder

You would think finding a builder would be no issue but it was amazing the number that will not build on a sloped block.

We got a bit of help as the estate salesman gave us details of several small and larger builders who would build on sloped blocks and who also did custom designs.

We checked out a few but decided to go with GJ Gardner, being a large established builder (unlikely to go bust) and other people we spoke to all had good outcomes from them.  In addition to that they would do a fixed price contract - that suited us fine as we are working to a budget so did not need to find out about a multitude of "extras".

Our draftsman and guide is Steve, a friendly chap who is never short of good ideas and advice but who has played straight with us from day one so we know what is and is not included and who has provided us with examples or shown us the standard of all inclusions.

Planning A House

The next step in the house quest was designing the house.   We had a few criteria that we wanted to meet.

A big must was space for THE SHED!

We wanted a separate area for the kids where they could have their friends and not disturb us or be disturbed by us.  The model we had seen that we liked was a "kids wing" basically a family room with their bedrooms and bathroom off the family room.

All the kids bedrooms to be double size.

We didn't want a million little rooms with multiple functions - ie we are not into media rooms, gyms, small studys and the rest of the nookie rooms so many modern designs have.

What we did want is a REALLY BIG open living / dining area that also incorporated the kitchen.

The last "must have" was a decent size study.

Then there were some "nice to haves". 

A good size garage that did not require an acrobatic act to get out of the car and that would fit my IMax.

A decent size laundry.

A deck off the living or meals area.

The study to double as a guest room and which had access to the ensuite.

A main bedroom that was like a hotel bedroom.

A granny flat or space for one.

And an idea from my brother's house - a toilet that guests could use without walking through any of the bedroom areas to get to.

These are a few designs we looked at for ideas - noting some of them were the wrong shape or size for the block.

http://www.ruralbuilding.com.au

The Argyle by Rural Building Co   

Liked:

• The big open living area
• The self-contained kids area

Didn't Like:

• Walk through media room
• Having to go through the main living area to get to the kids area.

http://www.mccarthyhomes.com.au

Ruralview by McCarthy Homes
Liked:

• Self contained kids area
• Two big living areas
• Big laundry
• Parents area

Didn't Like

• Indent area between lounge and main bedroom
• Bathroom layout
• Walking through living area to kids area.

http://www.gjgardner.com.au

 Coolum 255 by GJ Gardener
Liked:

• Kids area
• Alfresco off main living area
• Parents bedroom area

Didn't Like

• All living areas right next to each other
• Small study
• Walking through living area to kids area

The Block

The older part of the estate which is on the road shown on the east of the plan was released about two years ago.  It consisted of about another 35 blocks, most of which have large designer houses on although there are still a couple of vacant blocks.

This part of the estate had been released in mid 2011.  The cul-de-sac we were looking at is on a ridgeline looking out over the creekline reserve and the suburb.

 

Looking Up The Road

Looking Up from the Creekline

Looking Down the Road.

 By the time we started looking there were only five blocks left lots 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27.

Initially we looked at lot 23 however being at the bottom of the hill and having a steep drop off on it, it was going to be a tricky one to build on.  It was also $20K more than the others.  Lot 22 being at the bottom of the hill was at risk from water run off down the street and was also the smallest block even though it was cheaper than the others.  That left lots 25, 26 and 27 which were all the same price.  We reviewed the services on the blocks and also the size of the covenant areas.  Lot 26 gave us the best option as lot 25 had a sewage line running down one side and lot 27 was smaller but had a bigger covenant area - so Lot 26 it was.

On 8th Mar we signed our lives away.