How to limit home building variations

The building of your dream home should be an exciting and enjoyable journey. After all, you have spent so much time thinking about what you want and how you want to live in your new home.

Believe it or not, all people involved want it to run as smoothly as possible with minimal surprises like extra costs or changes to the contract design. These changes or additions are called “variations” which in some cases have been known to cause real heartache.

So, what is the best possible way to limit variations? The simple answer is planning and preparation.

Some variations are impossible to foresee in advance e.g. hitting rock during excavation, sewer encasement. However, they can be kept to a minimum through a number of ways. At Grandeur Builders Sydney, we advise our clients to limit variations, PLAN and PREPARE before you begin construction.

How to limit home building variations

PLANNING PHASE

Prior to signing your building contract it is very important to ensure all documentation and drawings are detailed so that both parties know what is included and expected. This will help to give you an accurate price and timeframe for construction.

The two key factors are;

1. A detailed scope of works is essential, outlining all finishes both internally and externally, ranging from the brick selection, balustrades, bench top etc.

2. Selecting all prime cost items (PC’s), ranging from kitchen appliances, vanities, tap wear etc.

PREPARATION

Once you have your selections this gives everyone involved the tools to allow and prepare. Many of what may seem simple choices may actually require alternative considerations prior to construction.

All these decisions may be overwhelming; however, in the long run it will actually save time, unnecessary pressures and most importantly heartache during construction.

We have prepared a checklist which you can use as a guide to help you plan and prepare for your luxury home build.

FINISHES

Brick selection

Render location

Windows, Fly screens & Security doors

Roofing material

External Balustrade

Landscaping, Driveway & Fencing

Front entry door & internal doors

Internal Stairs/Balustrades

Architraves & Skirting

Suspended ceiling locations & heights

Cornice Selection

Paint – colour of walls, feature walls

Floor Covering – tiles, timber, carpet etc.

Kitchen Joinery – style, configuration, finish,

bench top, splash back

Wardrobes – style, configuration & finish

Electrical – power & lighting points

Alarm & Intercom Systems

Heating & Cooling

PRIME COST ITEMS

Cook top

Oven

Range hood

Dishwasher

Kitchen sink

Refrigerator/Freezer

Tap wear

Vanities

Toilets

Bath tub

Bathroom Accessories

Floor wastes

Shower screens

Mirrors

Door hardware

Hot water heater

Lighting