The Process

The Road to Building with Classic

 

The Client meets with Classic to discuss ideas and building options.
Classic provides preliminary sketches and preliminary estimates free of charge.

The next step is to put together a design which is then fine-tuned.  If satisfied the client pays a fee of $3,500.00 for preliminary drafting.

(NOTE: some custom designs may attract a higher fee depending on the level of complexity.)

 

This provides the following services:

• Detailed Plans for Council/building

• Detailed specifications and Tenders

• Site inspection

• Council application (note - council fees are separate).

• BASIX report

 

Structural Engineering will be required at the construction stage. This fee is approximately $3,500.00.

(NOTE: some custom designs may attract a higher fee depending on the level of complexity.)

 

Classic then submits your new home to Council for approval. At this stage it is a good idea to discuss with us if you would like any pools, sheds, fireplaces, external envirosystems, etc. so that we can coordinate approvals at the same time.

After Council approval we have a final meeting to confirm level of completion required and specifications. Contracts are signed (standard HIA), a deposit of 5% paid and we can commence the actual construction.

Classic urges clients to remain involved right throughout the construction stage. This avoids any confusion and any misunderstandings that may arise. Some parts of the building process are also quite complex and technical and it is easy to be lost in some of the jargon ... and at any stage something that may appear obvious to us, may not be to the client (and vice-versa). An early conversation can easily avoid later stress!

 

For more information on technical matters please email us at: info@classicbuilding.com.au

 

Construction: Start to Finish

The following describes in detail the house building process, leading you through all the stages, from the bare site to the finished home. We know that for every house there are different questions, and different solutions, but hopefully this should give you a helping hand, and at least outline some of the things you need to think about.

 

Contracts are signed

Now that the contracts are signed and we are about to commence construction on your new home, this outline should help you to get through the building process easier and with better understanding.

This material is not exhaustive, nor does all of it apply to all people. It is simply a general guide put together at the request of previous clients who have indicated that it would have been helpful to have such a document. It is our belief that communication remains the essential tool and this should assist with that philosophy.

 

Note: Your contract and specifications remain the binding part of our agreement and no part of this material should be used to override these.

 

Paperwork, lenders, builders and payments

First thing to do is check with your lending institution if everything is in order or if any paperwork is required from the builder etc. Deposits are paid on contract signing so if this money is to be borrowed you should advise your financier accordingly and advise us as to procedure.

Not all of our clients have us complete all aspects of building the home. Some prefer to do their own kitchen or bathroom for instance. So, you may ask us to build your home to a certain stage. When this is done, we are said to have reached ‘practical completion'. It is worth checking with your lending institution that they are comfortable with payments at the various stages, and what they will consider to be 'practical completion' for the purposes of releasing final payment.

 

Excavation

Now that we are preparing the site for your subfloor, have you talked to us about your external connections and any other required services that we may be able to assist with? For example, gas, internet, telephone. Whilst generally site connections are outside the scope of our contract it may be economical and prudent to make use of the onsite excavator to dig/prep trenches etc.

 

Trenches - plumbing, electrical, landscaping

At this stage you should talk to your/our plumber and electrician regarding these services to get an idea or quote for this component of the work. Check with your landscaper if you are considering drainage work or external landscapes, as once again the excavator may be able to be utilised for some of this work, or ag pipe can be laid etc.

 

Subfloor payment

Typically you will get a claim from us at the conclusion of the subfloor. Whilst the subfloor is going down other materials are likely to be arriving, a lot of these materials will require oiling or painting eventually and it may be a good idea to get on to some straight away for better results. Many of our clients like to take advantage of prepping some of these materials prior to going up. Remember it is important not to hold the job up as a result but get done only what you can.

 

Painting and oiling

• Decks - Oiled/stained straight away

• Oregon Rafters - (cathedral ceilings only) oiled/stained to protect against the elements and avoid getting to with a ladder/scaffold later.

• Pine Lining Boards - Oiled/stained (cathedral ceilings only)

• Cladding - Painted/oiled/stained on ground prior to mounting. (note: touch up will be required due to nails, joins, gaps and general scuffing)

• Timber Windows - Oiled/stained/painted prior to fitting in position.

 

None of this is essential and is clearly not for everyone, you can leave it for a professional undertake later or have us undertake this component for you. These ideas are just guides that we give people to show them options that may save money, hassle and time which we have learned over many years of building these types of homes. Also, in some cases it may be preferable NOT to pre-paint Pine Lining Boards, for instance if certain paints are to be used. It is worth talking through the best approach with us at the time.

 

Stairs, final house positioning

Consider also the positioning of your external stairs and match to plans to see if you are satisfied. In some instances it may be OK to reposition.

 

Note: there could be cost implications and council considerations as well. Feel free to discuss with your Project Manager. Some Councils and lending institutions may require a survey at this point to confirm the position of the home, check your council approval/loan document. Once again we can arrange this for you.

 

Framing

Now that the Carpenters are doing the framing it is time to liaise with the Electrician and Plumber again regarding your internal layouts. Remember to have your specs on hand so you can balance your allowances against your requirements.

 

Possible variations

If you go above your allowances, speak to your Project Manager and ask for a costed variation prior to deciding.

Typically, at the end of this stage, you will be asked to make another payment.

 

Bath, toilet, hot water service, oven...

Very soon the Plumber will need to know what PC's you are having, and where. You should now decide on your bath, toilet, shower position and style.

PC's are prime cost items and include all items such as hot water service, oven, baths, toilets, shower screens etc.

 

Talk to us, decide and purchase...

You will need to decide whether you are getting these items or whether you are happy with our standard items. Please advise us of your decision. Specific information (such as the toilet brand itself) is needed, as different toilet outlets are different distances from the wall, and have outlets to the wall, or to the floor, and so on. So be warned, the plumber will ask these questions and it's best to be ready rather than have to charge down to the hardware store in a panic. If you are unsure speak to us.

It is likely that you will choose the majority of your PC's yourself, so give yourself time to view alternatives and find bargains.

 

Suppliers and quality

Ask us about our preferred suppliers as they may save you money and give more understanding assistance. You can choose elsewhere, of course, but ensure you get a delivered price as we will need it delivered to site. Always check availability issues and double check with us.

Quality should be checked carefully as well, as no responsibility will be taken by us for substandard gear delivered 'by clients'. If it doesn't work and needs replacing be sure your supplier is prepared to meet the costs of rectification/redelivery etc. and not just the unit itself.

 

Front door

Choose your front door unit. This is important so the house can be 'locked up' at the appropriate time. Some front doors take a few weeks to be delivered, so don't assume the one you want will be in stock. You can either take our standard or purchase up to the equivalent value, otherwise you can pay the difference. However, check with us first for the size required.

 

Nearly weatherproof…

Now the roof is on, the cladding is on and the windows and particle board flooring is down we are technically at Lockup stage and you will receive a claim for further payment. Many of the exterior features are being completed, though it is likely that the front door, some sliders and the garage door are not on yet. (We do this for the protection of your new home, so they don't get knocked around during the labour intensive gyprock stage).

At this stage the stairs will be going in as well as the hardwood floors.

 

Bath, tiling

Your bath should be delivered to site now so that it can be framed in prior to the Gyprocking stage. You should be selecting (or have selected) your tiles now and you should reconfirm with your project Manager/supervisor the quantities required.

Remember to check your specs regarding heights and depths of tiling. Discuss with us if more will be required so calculations can be correct. Remember to discuss with the tiler any special features required such as borders, diagonal tiling, oversize tiling, etc., prior to purchase. Then if required have us calculate the variation amount before going ahead.

The biggest issue at this stage is availability. If the tiles you select have a lead time check with us first to ensure that this doesn't impact on the progress of the job.

'Order early' is the key!

 

Linings and rough-ins

Now the gyprock is complete, if you are arranging the PC items and tiles, make sure that they are on site now, (don't forget the floor wastes) and remember if you decided earlier whether you or the electrician were supplying light fittings, because you may need them as well.

Check with the Project Manager regarding site security.

Always be on site for the first day of tiling to discuss with us/tiler prior to commencing. This is a very subjective part of the job and requires careful planning and communicating to ensure what you get is what you had envisaged.

Another claim for payment is made at the completion of Gyprocking.

 

Bathrooms, kitchen, carpets, painting, floor sanding

Now that the doors are being hung, the architraves and skirting boards are going on and the Plumber and Electrician are fitting off power supplies and PC items. The kitchen maker is finalising his installation at this point as well.

At this stage you could be having curtains measured, carpets measured, painting colours organised and painter prepared, floor sander prepared and liaising with Telstra and the Gas Company regarding external connections. You may also be finalising landscaping, driveways etc.

 

Practical Completion

At the completion of fix out and PC fit off, our part of the project is complete and you will receive the practical completion claim for payment. At this stage we will liaise on site and walk around together identifying any omissions/defects and noting them on the practical completion form with a targeted date of compliance. It is important to have communicated with your lending institution prior to this meeting as often they have considerations as well prior to release of this final payment.

 

Speak to Council, check your loan requirements

At the practical completion meeting your cheque is received and keys are handed over, so if there is going to be a delay in payment, your handover and subsequent move-in can be delayed as well. This can be the tricky bit, as sometimes the bank requires an occupation certificate from Council prior to release of final payment. Our contract does not include gaining the occupation certificate from Council as many components are outside our contract and the client may be completing at a later stage. So if this is the case with your lending institution, you should arrange for other funds to cover the final payment, consider an alternative lender or accept that you will not be able to have the home handed over by us until all items have been attended to. If this involves a lengthy delay, unfortunately interest will be charged at the rate applicable within the contract. Hopefully none of this happens, and all goes smoothly...

 

We sit back together and toast your new custom built Classic home.

 

 

Hopefully this project outline will create a lot of questions for you to ask us.

This is a good sign, as having the client fully aware of the process before we start is good for all of us.

So, pick up the phone and call.