Corner block duplex development

[max_power]

Hi all,

I'm doing my first duplex development on a corner block in the Bankstown area. I'm at the stage where I'm looking for a design to suit my block. I want to do an attatched duplex facing the two different street frontages.

There are limited designs for corner blocks with project home builders i.e. masterton. What are people's experience building duplexes with these style builders? If I choose to get a custom design how do I source an architect and builder, is there a big price difference between these two options? And what are the advantages/disadvantages of going down this road?

If anyone could recommend any architects or builders that specialise in this work that would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Rockstar]

What size is the block?

 

[mattnz]

You will normally get a discounted cost going with a project home builder, as they deliberately design them to be inexpensive to construct. They can become pricey if you want alot of upgrades and plan changes though as they tend to charge alot for variations.

There will be others that offer duplex options for corner blocks as project homes including Champion Homes http://www.championhomes.com.au/docs/brochures/aspirations_duplex_cove.pdf

 

[devank]

I'm doing my first duplex development on a corner block in the Bankstown area.

I looked at building a duplex but the numbers didn't seem worth it. Do you mind going through your numbers?

 

[Thunder]

Hi max_power

I'm a newbie looking at similar in Melbourne so prices might be different... I work full time so have priced my project on as little hands on as possible Rockstar has more talent that I to be hands on so no doubt I'm paying more...

A quality custom build is approx $11k to $13k per square which should cover construction, limited landscaping, driveways and demo. Add another $40k for an architect plus approx $20k if you want a project manager.

I also looked at Metricon and Carter Grange. While Metricon appear cheap at the start by the time you add site costs and all the other costs to make it a "home" not just a "house" e.g landscaping and driveways it still comes out marginally cheaper BUT, and a big BUT, I've built with Metricon before and the build time can blow out and they don't care coz they've already locked you into the price with minimal penalties under a standard HIA contract, so what you think is cheaper may not end up being so if you have time overruns. Plus you may end up with more variations that a custom build as their standard designs are pretty vanilla and may not fit your local council regs, by the time you move one window or change the design substantially to comply you get wacked, and by that stage you're somewhat commited.

Carter Grange is a smaller player (a spin off from Porter Davis) they're pitching duplex developments with greater ability to customise than Metricon. They're pretty upfront about their costs $730k for 2 x 31 squares plus $20 for landscaping and driveways. They will adjust the cost down for less sq but at a scaled rate.

Either way I wouldn't call it cheaper and you have more control by going with an architect/builder. I found some good architects by checking my local council website and trawling through the planning applications for folk who consistently pop up. I know they're good when the local developers are using them.

How many squares are you looking at and what costs have you come up with so far?

 

[max_power]

What size is the block?

Hey rockstar,
The block is 795sqm a 22m frontage by 36m

 

[Rockstar]

Hey rockstar,
The block is 795sqm a 22m frontage by 36m

You could go detached which would vastly increase your pool of project home designs to choose from. I used Coral Homes for my 1st detached duplex and it worked well. Corner blocks are great for providing the seperate street frontages for the 2 units.

Have a look at this one I did on a 940sqm block. The block was a bit tricky because of the wierd shape though we still managed two decent size homes on it.