TomCat's new digs!

[ric_melb]

Interesting thread to follow.
Imagine a kitchen with only one powerpoint, even if that is only the standard inclusion.
I would think you need a minimum of 4 double powerpoints.
In fact all powerpoints should be double.

 

[Pushka]

I reckon the issue for many might be if not experienced in building then they might simply not know things are needed until it's too late. Get the basic structure right first time.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Where did anyone say we were building what we didn't want? The house is off the plan with standard inclusions. The extras are variations that we're paying for. And we certainly don't have anywhere near your budget.

"My budget"? I can't afford to build a house!

But I'd want more than one power point in the kitchen!

At least 6 in various positions. And, power points are cheap in comparison to other kitchen items.

And do seriously consider putting heat pads (fog off) behind your bathroom mirrors. Inexpensive on build but a lifetime of luxury in the bathroom! GIYF.

 

[cove]

Some extras that could prove handy.
Front and rear garden taps.
Heated towel rails in your bathroom.
Ceiling fan in your bedroom.
Wifi connection point extenders.
Charging points for laptops and IPads
Plumbed refrigerator point for ice water and ice.
Oven door that allows direct access to cooking so you don't hurt you back.
Power supply in the bathroom for hair dryer and electric tooth brushes.
A shower and a bath.
Mixer taps so it is easy to get hot water at desired temperature.
Storage area for gardening supplies, tools and bikes.
Charging point for electric cars and bikes.
Roof insulation
I hope that helps.

 

[Simo]

All power points to a USB outlet in them.
Run data cables to every room back to a common point.
Duel hot water systems so you don't steal other people's hot water during busy shower times. And you don't run out of hot water due to a 19 year old be hung over and falling asleep on the shower floor

 

[blackcat20]

What? No fans? That's stupid. It's almost like standards have gone backwards from when we built, ahem, 40 years ago.

Surely such things should be minimum base and a requirement eg a fan to prevent moisture build up.

They only put them in if the room has no ventilation ie a window. We've added them to both bathrooms.

Interesting thread to follow.
Imagine a kitchen with only one powerpoint, even if that is only the standard inclusion.
I would think you need a minimum of 4 double powerpoints.
In fact all powerpoints should be double.

Oh the included one is a double. We've then added several more doubles where we want them.

"My budget"? I can't afford to build a house!

But I'd want more than one power point in the kitchen!

At least 6 in various positions. And, power points are cheap in comparison to other kitchen items.

And do seriously consider putting heat pads (fog off) behind your bathroom mirrors. Inexpensive on build but a lifetime of luxury in the bathroom! GIYF.

Three double powerpoints is more than enough, no idea where the other three would go, nor what I'd be plugging in to them.....
Building a house is actually pretty cheap, especially compared with buying an established one.

Some extras that could prove handy.
Front and rear garden taps.
Heated towel rails in your bathroom.
Ceiling fan in your bedroom.
Wifi connection point extenders.
Charging points for laptops and IPads
Plumbed refrigerator point for ice water and ice.
Oven door that allows direct access to cooking so you don't hurt you back.
Power supply in the bathroom for hair dryer and electric tooth brushes.
A shower and a bath.
Mixer taps so it is easy to get hot water at desired temperature.
Storage area for gardening supplies, tools and bikes.
Charging point for electric cars and bikes.
Roof insulation
I hope that helps.

Taps are standard.
I don't really care for heated towel rails
We already have the fan ready to install in the bedroom.
Plenty of powerpoints (plus TV can add more anyway)
Our fridge doesnt need water.
Underbench commercial oven (freestanding)
Powerpoints are standard in the bathroom.
Shower and bath in second bathroom.
All taps are mixer as standard
We have a garage for storage
I dont have an electric car or bike.
Roof insulation is standard requirement.

 

[blackcat20]

All power points to a USB outlet in them.

We're going to swap over some of the powerpoints to include a USB.

 

[Denali]

My thoughts are changing powerpoint to ones with USB and replacing ceiling lights with ceiling fans are something that can be done after handover for far less than builder variation prices.

Get an electrician for an entire day to handle the "wants" and avoid the builders 100-300% mark up.

Yes, get data cables/plumbing done during the build but the cosmetic stuff can be done anytime after.

 

[blackcat20]

He'

My thoughts are changing powerpoint to ones with USB and replacing ceiling lights with ceiling fans are something that can be done after handover for far less than builder variation prices.

Get an electrician for an entire day to handle the "wants" and avoid the builders 100-300% mark up.

Yes, get data cables/plumbing done during the build but the cosmetic stuff can be done anytime after.

TV is an electrician
He'll be installing all of the light fittings etc after handover. Definitely a money saver and means we can install the lights as we find things we like.

 

[Pushka]

I'm trying to convince son and partner to buy land and build too. I know there are lots of hidden costs having built ourselves but the cost of established homes is eye watering. And then there's the pleasure of opening the door to your brand new home.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm trying to convince son and partner to buy land and build too. I know there are lots of hidden costs having built ourselves but the cost of established homes is eye watering. And then there's the pleasure of opening the door to your brand new home.

As our sales rep said "you get a toilet no one has ever used before" :mrgreen:

It's great being able to put things exactly how we want them, versus having to renovate an existing property. Sure the location isnt exactly where we wanted but the area is really good, as is our estate so we'll be very happy there.

 

[TomVexille]

All power points to a USB outlet in them.

$48 vs $8 each, and that's wholesale

 

[love_the_life]

As long as I can remember we've always had taps in the front and back yards. I thought every house did?

Friend's son bought an apartment located on the ground floor so it had a courtyard rather than a balcony. No tap. Not something you would probably think much about but presumably as there are no taps on the balconies, the builder did not bother to include one in the courtyard.

 

[love_the_life]

As our sales rep said "you get a toilet no one has ever used before" :mrgreen:

It's great being able to put things exactly how we want them, versus having to renovate an existing property. Sure the location isnt exactly where we wanted but the area is really good, as is our estate so we'll be very happy there.

You missed out the most important bit....we can follow along on AFF and share the excitement (and probably add lots of suggestions you don't want)
Just make sure there is good fencing for the four-legs members of the family.

 

[blackcat20]

Just make sure there is good fencing for the four-legs members of the family.

Definitely. We have a friend who does fencing so hopefully we can get him to do it. And I want a lockable gate so we dont have another occurance of someone letting the dogs out.

 

[JessicaTam]

Will you have access to the block to put in a couple of trees at the back? It will give them a head start before you move in. Assuming you are planning the garden already!

 

[RooFlyer]

An external powerpoint can be handy.

Indeed they are not; we've paid to add one out the front and one out the back.

15A? If contemplating workmen or something more than a leaf blower, then a higher current one might be useful.

(Gee its fun organising someone else to spend their money )

 

[Quickstatus]

We're going to swap over some of the powerpoints to include a USB.

1)Soft Close drawers and cupboards

2) If wiring up a house for Ethernet. I think these are neat:
https://inwall.ubnt.com/

 

[Flying mermaid]

As long as I can remember we've always had taps in the front and back yards. I thought every house did?

we have a tap front and back, but I really could have done with another one on the far side. When we weren't allowed to irrigate, but were allowed to hand water I couldn't get a hose round and ended up lugging buckets of water. Really worth looking at garden layout and seeing what you need - much easier to add an extra tap now.

 

[Flying mermaid]

All power points to a USB outlet in them.
Run data cables to every room back to a common point.
Duel hot water systems so you don't steal other people's hot water during busy shower times. And you don't run out of hot water due to a 19 year old be hung over and falling asleep on the shower floor

instant hot water systems -solves all the problems (and they seem to last a lot longer). Ours have been going for 16 years, whereas we seemed to need to replace the standard hot water systems every 8 to 10 years.