Download PDF Brochure - G.J. Gardner Homes

GET THE
FACTS
UPFRONT
.COM
Building a
New Home?
This Guide will help you
avoid the traps and could potentially
save you thousands in building costs.

INTRODUCTION
This information has been
compiled to help you become
more informed about the
things to look for when
choosing your builder.
Having a home constructed to your requirements is a very
involved process and the time frame can span many months.
Every building site is unique and often requires the builder to
consider different construction methods in order to get the best
out of the homesite.
Building a home is an expensive project and not worth the risk
to leave it to just anyone. You can leave yourself wide open to
unforseen time and cost overruns if you aren’t fully informed.
At G.J. Gardner Homes, we are committed to changing the way
you purchase your new home for the better, either with us or
another builder.
Read on to find out why you need to…
‘Get The Facts Upfront’
The information contained in this booklet is of a general nature and is to be used as a guide only.
The potential cost savings referred to in this booklet are only indicative and could vary from case
to case, individual to individual and builder to builder.
Publication date of information booklet: 10/1/09
Copyright dated 1/1/2009 G.J. Gardner Homes.
To the extent permitted by law, the writers and G.J. Gardner Homes have taken all reasonable care
in producing this booklet and it accepts no responsibility for any loss, expense or liability which
may be incurred from relying on its contents.

Soil Test
& Site Grading
By far the
biggest unknown
in building a new
home are the site
conditions.
Consequently, this is often where the biggest cost
overruns come from.
How to minimize - possibly eliminate this risk?
HOT
Tip:
So how much could this
information potentially save me?
By getting a soil test and grading estimate
upfront you can get far more accurate quotes.
This could potentially save thousands of dollars
in increased site costs later in the process.
Once a soils test is done a foundation can be designed and
priced accurately. If your home site has fall across it, then having
levels established enables more accurate grading, retaining and
foundation costs to be provided.
Would you buy a $20,000 used car without an independent
check prior to purchase? Think about the cost
of your new home in comparison to this.
At some point this work has to be done, so why not get the
quote and test done at the start, as completely and accurately
as possible?
…Typically this is the largest cost overrun area, so avoid
unwelcome surprises in your building process.
…GET THE SOIL TEST AND Grading plan
before signing a contract. Your builder can
arrange these on your behalf.

Gimmicks
&Giveaways
D
o
We’ve all seen
marketing hype…
* 2 free rooms
* $40,000 in upgrades
* $30,000 worth of value for $3000
* No money down
This all sounds exciting and definitely tempting
to the new home buyer.
Now let’s think it through.
All businesses are entitled to make a profit and give a return on
investment. Often these offers would be considered a normal
profit. To give away such large value offers could mean;
1. The business is running with low or no profit which has
the potential to end in tears if the business fails before
completing your home.
Or (possibly)
2. They are recouping their profit somewhere else. If it’s not
in the initial price then it may be in commissions/royalties
from 3rd parties (e.g. finance), excessive fees or change
order fees and extras.
Remember there is no such thing as a free lunch!!!
* NOTE: These are generic examples only and are not related to any particular building company
or current offer in the market place.
$$$
$$
$
HOTTip:
$$$
$$
$
So how much could this
$$$
information potentially save me?
Gimmicks and giveaways are there to get
$$
$$
$$
you in the door and committed to a building
contract. If there is a giveaway or promotion
offered by a builder get a full quote with no
$
$
$
options for increased costs, then a comparative
quote or costing should be obtained to ensure
that the full benefit will be received.
#1
#2
$$$
$$$
Ask for a written fixed price contract
with no hidden extras. Lots of people
don’t find out the cost of extras until
they are months into building their
home. Make sure it’s not you..
If you’re required to use a particular
finance company with their offer,
check out interest rates, set up fees
and insurance costs in comparison
to market rates.
$$$
$$
$

Gimmicks
&Giveaways
You’re an
Individual
D
o
You may like the
bedroom in one
home, the bathroom
in another and
the kitchen in yet
another home.
Like most people after walking through model homes and
looking through lots of home plans, you will probably find
yourself liking features of one home and features of another.
You were probably frustrated in the end of what you
could and couldn’t have.
When choosing a plan from a standard range or designing a one
off custom home, make sure that it optimizes your selected home
site, and is not just the closest fit.
If, when taking into account the view, solar profile, proximity
to neighbors and site conditions, you’re compromising to use
a particular plan, ask the ‘HOT TIP’ questions of your builder…
HOTTip:
So how much could this
information potentially save me?
If the builder is going to allow the changes
get them fully priced up before committing to
them. Once you have signed a contract you
have very little control over what they will
charge. Getting the changes priced at the start
could potentially save you thousands.
#1
#2
#3
Ask if I want a custom design, can you
provide this service and at what cost?
Ask how long this will take. Then get the
design fully priced.
You may like to get your own designer or
architect to come up with a plan that suits
you and the home site. Will the builder
give you a complete fixed price on this
design? and how long will it take?
Ask the builder if you can modify one of
their plans and if so, can they give you
a fixed quote on how much this will be?
Get fixed prices before committing.
Ask how long it will take for a quote.
…If you want some personalization or customization, then
try to choose a builder that has similar margins on custom
homes, to their standard ones to ensure BEST value for money.
Ensure the cost for change orders is relevant to the work done
and not just an inflated lump sum.

Leading Edge
Award Winning Designs
Aside from the
physical demands the
site places on design,
you should also look
for a builder who
offers innovation and a
diverse range of plans
to choose from.
Using the latest materials and designs to give the look and
feel you desire and a home which will hold its value. If they
are using these products regularly they should be buying at
competitive prices which should be good for you. Companies
which have operations nationally and internationally are likely
to have fresher designs from other areas.
They should also build or have designs for the type of home
you are looking for, to ensure they are competent in that field.
HOTTip:
So how much could this
information potentially save me?
By choosing a company who has a large and
diverse range of plans you have a better chance
of finding a design that will suit your style
and budget, without changes. Moving away
from a builders limited standard designs could
potentially cost thousands of dollars.
Do they have homes in their collection
which have won awards? This could show
the builder takes extra pride in their work
and isn’t afraid to line up against others
and have their quality compared. It would
be good if they were building homes like
the one you want to ensure the builder is
proficient in this type of building.
At the end of the day it’s best to find a builder with a proven
track record for building the kind of home you want.

Flexibility in
Fixtures and Finishes
All builders have their
preferred suppliers
and products. Have
you checked if you
can choose different
appliances, fixtures,
exterior materials and
finishes?
What will it cost you to choose the fixtures and finishes
you want?
As soon as you start moving away from what they provide
as standard, not only are you now buying a product that
they may not buy at the best price, you have also opened
the door for possible change orders…
HOTTip:
So how much could this
information potentially save me?
Choosing a builder who traditionally doesn’t
supply the fixtures and finishes you want is
not likely to be the most cost effective choice.
It will require them to go outside their normal
suppliers and trades people which can lead to
increased costs. Stick with a builder who will
price up what you want at the start which could
potentially save thousands of dollars in the end.
If you think you want special choices make
sure you get the costs upfront before you
sign a contract. Do this while they are still
hungry for your business.
Most companies will accommodate change… the question is;
at what cost? …Find out before committing.

Ask the
builder
You’d
want
to meet
a contractor
before
they carry out any
work on your place,
wouldn’t you?
If you’ve ever hired a contractor to do some work around the
house for you, you’d know that it is a good idea to meet them first.
You are going to potentially spend hundreds of thousands of
dollars with your builder so meet him or her and have a chat
about your new project. Also meet the team in administration,
estimating and construction as these people will be
responsible for the day to day happenings while your home is
under construction.
HOTTip:
So how much could this
information potentially save me?
Knowing you can work any issues out directly
with the builder instead of a lengthy chain of
command can potentially save you money and
in particular time. Potential savings of thousands.
Ask to meet the licensed builder.
Will you be able to work any issues
out with this person?
How long have they been building and what
is their experience with a project like yours.
The licensed builder is ultimately responsible for your new
home. Make sure you meet this person and check out the
status of their license to make sure it is current and that the
builder has liability insurance.

Site Inspections
Seeing
your new
home come together
is exciting.
So how much could
this tip potentially save me?
Having structured site visits can keep you
involved and potentially save money by
addressing issues early.
Visiting your home during construction can be an enjoyable
and rewarding experience plus it can help to alleviate
sleepless nights.
Fears like, “I think maybe one of the bedrooms may be too
small” or “Perhaps the Island in the Kitchen is in the wrong
place” seem to creep in as time goes on.
Site visits can also be useful for picking omissions or ironing
out misunderstandings, early in the process, when it is easier
and possibly less costly to change.
What’s the builder’s policy on site visits?
Some builders will discourage clients visiting their new home.
Will you be invited to view your home and check on things as
it progresses?
HOTTip:
#1
There are Ask 5 major If I want stages a one off design, can you
of the building provide process; this service and at what cost?
a. Base Then get the design fully costed
b. Frame
You may like to get your own designer or
c. Exterior Enclosed
architect to come up with a plan that suits
d. Trim you and the site. Will they give you a fixed
e. Substantial price on Completion this design?
It’s great Ask to inspect the builder your if new you home can modify one of
at these times. their plans and if so, can they give you a
fixed quote on how much this will be
#2
#3
… It may be your home site but it could be “their building
site”. Make sure you know what access you will be allowed.

Living Green
D
o
In Today’s
Environmentally
and Resource
Conscious World...
saving our resources while reducing operating
and maintenance costs is the main objective.
There are a ton of new products claiming to save money and
the environment. Work with a builder that has time tested
experience in these technologies. Some features may be right
for you while others may not.
So how much could this
information potentially save me?
It’s hard to nail this down exactly because
we all live in and operate our homes slightly
different. Depending on the features
incorporated in to your new home you could
eliminate your homes carbon foot print and
reduce or eliminate your utility bill.
#1
#2
Your contractor should be able
to supply you with a list of green
features you may want to consider
incorporating in your design as well
as give you the cost and average
payback.
Ask your contractor if they are a
certified green professional and do
they adhere to the standards of
these organizations:
HOTTip:

If you want to
‘Get The Facts Upfront’
on your new home call
800 229 1561
or visit
www.gjgardnerhomes.com
The information contained in this booklet is of a general nature and is to be used as a guide only.
The potential cost savings referred to in this booklet are only indicative and could vary from case
to case, individual to individual and builder to builder.
To the extent permitted by law, the writers and G.J. Gardner Homes have taken all reasonable care
in producing this booklet and it accepts no responsibility for any loss, expense or liability which
may be incurred from relying on its contents.
Publication date of information booklet: 10/1/2009
Copyright dated 1/1/2009 G.J. Gardner Homes.