Masterton tender, more like overdone...

Masterton came back to us with their tender after about 10 days. Site cost estimates came to almost 50K! after reading about site costs being about 20-30K, this came as a bit of a shock.

Traffic control and double handling was estimated at just under 10K. Fair enough the block is on the main road where there is no stopping and it is right near traffic lights but still, it was a bit of a blow. They would have to deliver the material round the corner (which thankfully isn't too far as its a narrow block and then move them from there to our site). Alfresco area came back as about 8-10K which i guess isn't too bad as it includes concrete patio, piering and roofing but the costs are just adding up.

We will also need to submit landscape plans to council too so I better ring around for some quotes. Masterton have their landscaper at $490 or so with free amendments if council requires so I will try to beat this... at the rate the costs are adding up, i'm sure little savings here and there will also add up.



We're still waiting on the tender from Allcastle, I'm mainly interested in the site costs. Masterton's design (Fernleigh design btw) seems more modern with style and inclusions compared to Allcastle's Kensington but I"ll wait and see what Allcastle come up with.
Our main requirements are:

Room and shower at ground floor (for convenience for inlaws who have trouble with stairs in old age), 4 BR, lounge area on 1st floor (for when we want to get away from inlaws who are stuck at ground level!) and single garage. We would like double but due to council requirements, garage can't take up more than 50% of frontage so we had to change designs to 1 garage. This has reduced base price from Masterton by just under 3K.

Hubby is wanting a nice decked alfresco outside so we have also asked Allcastle for a quote. He may undertake the decking himself as he thinks of himself as a bit of a handyman. Well, he is... a a bit...

settlement on our land is due at end of July so we still have a few weeks to deliberate on plans and take the contract to a lawyer prior to signing.