Start of the day
We woke up at 4am to catch the early flights. We arrived at 8.15am and I was feeling deflated after I found out Boutique Homes has change their pricing and their new base price (now listed on the website) is approx. +$10K less than our current one. That, and the fact that new customers get another $8,000 worth of bonus - either a luxury kitchen pack or higher ceiling (I WANTED THIS!).The colour appointment started with lengthy conversation on what have changed in the new plan, and why we are paying a LOT more when we signed up earlier. Some of the changes:
- 6 star energy rating - only for BEST orientation (old version include ALL orientation). This look like a small details if you have North facing block, but could be an unknown cost if you have the most inefficient house plan. Double glazing is expensive and from memory, they will add approx. $1200 provisions for this in the new plan.
- Bushfire provisions - this will increase by approx. $2000 (old plan at $5490) fly screen was no longer a standard inclusion.
- Fly screen - no longer standard. You will need to add this yourself - from what I read in forum, will cost about $1000 for standard nylon mesh
- Insulation - they downgrade the insulation quality (thought I didn't see the difference in writing). It will affect the 6 star rating assessment
- Dishwasher and Microwave no longer included - if I exclude these from the old plan, it's about $900 back. Or if downgrade to Westinghouse, approx. $600 back
- Glass splashback no longer standard inclusions, only tiles - if I exclude this from old plan, it's approx. $1000 back.
- Tiles are no longer included for main area - not a big issue for those who choose laminate options
- Standard laminate flooring - reduced to 3 options (was about 10 choices - the Rustic range and Nordic range)
- Standard carpet choices - reduced to about 5 (was about 9 choices)
- Standard cat 1 tiles are reduced - most tiles in cat 3 are now in cat 4, cat 4 in cat 5 etc
- Garage - The wood colour (Caoba and Cedar) are no longer standard
- Bathroom are now framed on pivot doors (they're ugly) - cost about $500 to make it frameless on pivot
- ILVE appliances - now the lowest of the ILVE range. It used to be the highest of the range. This is no big deal unless you're a big cook. you can also choose to downgrade to Westinghouse
- Internal door - reduced to 2040 (was 2340mm high) - again no big deal
We have decided to stay with our current PwC due to the unknown cost for 6 star energy rating. Still not sure if all of these worth +$10K but I reckon I can shave cost on selection if need be.
Colour Selection
Our current choices - not the best pics as I forgot my camera :-\Tapwares selection is covered in the previous post :)
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| The full selection |
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| Pompeii for coloured concrete driveway |
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| Hakea door handles - matt silver for internal, gloss for entrace |
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| Kitchen handles - the largest one (1534223) bathroom is the smaller one (1534217) |
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| External selection Roof - Gunmetal Gutter - Basal to match the roof Downpipe - Off white to hide it Front door - Off white Window frame - Silver Brick - Praline (Cat 3) Render - Flooded Gum Garage - Caoba Mediterranian Profile |
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| Laminate flooring - the lighter colour (Rustic Stone) - this is no longer Standard in the new pricing Can only find the UK website for listing of the Bolero laminates https://www.woodfloorsbrighton.co.uk/product/bolero-rustic-stone/ |
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| Kitchen selection Top cabinet - Grey sheen Bottom cabinet - Polar white sheen Benchtop - Alpine Mist |
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| Ensuite tiles - Category 2 Tiles - Full Tile option Wall tiles - Dolomite Sand 300x600 Floor tiles (this will go up to one wall) - Dolomite Ash 300x600 |
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| Bathroom tiles - Category 3 Tile - Full tile options Grey Matt Porcelain 300 x 600 It's category 4 on new pricing (but still category 3 for my option) |
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| Stylus Banksia Upgrade |
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| Cosmo 900mm double rail (600mm for bathroom as 900mm won't fit) |
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| My carpet selection is the very left one. The grey one on the right no longer standard in new pricing. |
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| Gunmetal roof (middle) |
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| Laminate Floor options - no longer standard in new pricing. |
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| Cat 2 tiles - Dolomite range |
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| Ensuite colour - the very bottom one |
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| Ensuite rail - Matt Silver (middle) |
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| Carrara Bianco for kitchen splashback - matching the marblish benchtop |
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| Ensuite and Bathroom vanity - Polytec Cherry Matt and Caesarstone Frosty Carrina |
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| Example of wood looking tiles - I didn't choose this because it will look weird next to the laminate flooring |
Electrical Appointment
The computer system were on maintenance, so we do this manually.- Oranges - light battens - there's probably about 38 of them
- Blue - power points - need to count this
- Orange TB - 2 Fluorescent lights for garage
- Four Flood lights
- Yellow - Enforced battens
- Opted for surge protector
- Two weatherproof power points
