SITE COSTS:

Depending on the land you purchase and the design configuration you choose you may also encounter some or all of the following costs.

1. Potential Knockdown.
Depending on size and location allow $15,000 - $20,000

2. Excavation.
If your build site is relatively flat the fee will be minimal but if you’re building on a steep or uneven block excavation can become expensive. Retaining walls and drainage works may also need to be considered. (Strongbuild will provide you with a realistic estimate for Excavation work).

3. Driveways & Access Roads.
If you choose to build on an area not serviced by an existing road or driveway it will be necessary to create new services. The majority of driveway expenses are machine hire, road base material purchase and sealing of the driveway if required. The sub base for the driveway is usually placed before the building work starts on the house, if the driveway is to be sealed this is usually done at the end of the project except on very steep sites where it may be required for adequate access. (Strongbuild will provide you with a realistic estimate for Driveway work).

4. Power.
Not only should you check that power is available to the site but that the power available is sufficient for your needs. (It is a good idea to do this before you purchase the land)
The Electricity Supply available in rural area’s is usually limited. An assessment should be carried out by a Level 3 ASP www.powercountry.com.au prior to an 'Application for Connection of Load' being submitted to Integral Energy by the Electrical Contractor. Minimisation of major load items such as Air Conditioning and the use of Gas Stoves, Gas Ovens, Gas Heating and Gas Hot Water Systems will decrease the Electrical Maximum Demand significantly. This will in turn minimise the maximum load calculations that are required to be submitted with the 'Application for Connection of load'.
This minimisation to an advised load figure “may” allow connection to the existing Network without upgrades (potentially saving you a lot of money because upgrades to transformers and other infrastructure can be very expensive).

If a power upgrade is a possibility then you may have to pay for an “Electrical Supply Report” (Approximately $1500) and somewhere in the process you will probably have to complete an “Application for Connection of Load”. (Approximately $95)

5. Phone Internet.

Check if a phone line exists to the boundary. If so Telstra will provide the cabling into your build site and the first point free providing you have dug the trench. Normally the phone line is laid in the same trench as the power cables. Internet is available through the phone line but if high speed ADSL or cable connection is required it will be necessary to establish whether it is available through the local exchange.

6. Water.

If town water is unavailable on your block you'll need to be responsible for your own water supply. The most preferred option is the installation of water tanks, the cost of water tanks can vary greatly depending on the product, size and material chosen. For example a 140,000 litre in-ground concrete tank costs approximately $20,000 installed plus a good quality water pump for around $1200.

7. Dams.

You may wish to include a dam on your site for either aesthetic or practical purposes. To excavate an average usable sized dam will cost around $5000 to $8000. This figure is basically calculated on machine time.

PLANNING COSTS

1. Survey.
You will need a survey of your block of land, if you wish to see your house accurately sited on your block of land in 3D then this survey needs to be in digital form. (Strongbuild will require it in both PDF & DWG format)
(Approximate Cost $600-$1500)

2. Geotec.
A Geotechnical report is effectively a report on the soil make up of your block of land and is usually required for 2 reasons.
1. For structural engineering.
2. For effluent management (if the land is not serviced by council sewer)
(Approximate Cost $700-$2000)

3. Flood Study.
A flood study may be required by council if your block of land lies in a low lying area
(Approximate Cost this can be quite expensive)

4. Bushfire Protection Assessment.
Most councils have facilities on their websites to check if your block of land falls into a fire affected zone. If it does then you will need a “Bushfire Protection Assessment”. This report will be submitted with your D.A. and will recommend a ‘Fire Rating’, the higher the rating the more special requirements that will be placed on your building project, these will increase the cost of building your house.
(Approximate Cost $500)

5. BASIX Report.
A BASIX Report is a report that assesses both the energy and water consumption of your proposed building project. A minimum requirement must be achieved in both areas. Despite the fact that this may appear to introduce some restrictions on design and materials it is a direct reflection of your on going “running costs”. This report will be submitted with your D.A.
(Approximate Cost $500-$700)

6. Exterior Colour Board.
Some councils will require an exterior colour board showing your chosen colours. if you provide Strongbuild with three colour swatches for each colour we will compile this free of charge. If we have to pick up the samples we charge a fee of approximately $65.

7. Landscape Plan.
Some councils will require a landscape plan to be lodged with development application drawings, (Check the subdivision requirements in your land sale contract) or you may wish to have a landscape plan drawn for your planning purposes.
(Approximate Cost $300+)

8. Council D.A. Fees.
In N.S.W there are two processes through which a project passes before it is approved for building work to commence. The first of these is called a Development Application (D.A.) and is an approval process carried out by your local council. Fees vary from council to council and are related to project cost. (Sometimes if the project is a “complying development“ the D.A. process may be carried out by a private certifier)
(Approximate Cost $500-$3500). Note: D.A. fees run on a sliding scale that relates to the estimated project construction cost.

9. C.C Fees.
The second approval process is a Construction Certificate (C.C.) and may be carried out by council or an approved certifier.
(Approximate Cost $500-$2500)

10. Long Service levy.
The long service levy is a fee payable to the Building Services Corporation and is 0.35% of project value and must be paid before the C.C can be released.

11. Drawing & Professional Fees.
If you are building a 'Classic Design' the drawing and professional fees will vary depending on the method you have chosen to create your floor plan.
Strongbuild will provide you with a Drawing & Professional Fees proposal which will include any of the professional services listed above which you require Strongbuild to organise.

12. House Costs.
If you choose to build a “Classic Designs” house then you will know exactly how much your house will cost before you start. No matter how far you may choose to customize the system, once a plan is locked in we will provide you with a fixed price and build schedule.
(Please note that house prices quoted include on cost and GST but do not include site or planning costs)

Strongbuild is happy to organise and pay for any of these planning costs. The cost will be passed on as follows:
Raw cost (GST removed) + 15 % + GST

Example:
Survey Fee $1100 inc GST
Raw cost $1000
15% on cost $150
Gst $115
Total Survey Cost $1265

Most people ask Strongbuild to coordinate and pay for the fees and site costs shown below as we can “Talk Turkey” with the consultants or contractors. (Please note:- If you choose to engage and pay for the consultants or contractors and Strongbuild is involved in the process then Strongbuild reserves the right to charge an hourly consulting fee.)
The estimated costs shown below would be in most cases considered “Raw” except for Strongbuild's Drawing Fees which would already include on cost.