5 Hidden Costs You Should Ask Your Home Builder About

Buying a new home is exciting. You have found a builder and picked out the perfect lot in a great neighbourhood. You know exactly what you want your home builder Adelaide to look like, from the colour of the walls to what kind of countertops will be installed in the kitchen. But there are some hidden costs that can come up during construction that might surprise you if you aren’t prepared for them.

Landscaping

Another cost you should consider is landscaping. Landscaping costs are often overlooked by home buyers and can be expensive, especially if you have a large yard. In many cases, the builder will include some kind of basic landscaping in your base price (if they don’t already have it on-site). 

This usually includes basic mowing and trimming of trees and shrubs. If you opt for additional landscaping services (e.g., irrigation systems), make sure that these are included in the final purchase price of your home or paid for by the builder at closing. Otherwise, you may end up paying thousands more than expected!

Structural Costs

The structural costs of building a home are often overlooked. These include the foundation, walls, ceilings, floors and windows and doors. There are many other hidden costs that can add up quickly on your new home construction project.

Homes are built to last, which means they need repair and maintenance. It’s a good idea to plan for these costs when estimating the total home ownership cost. You should also expect your utility bills to be higher than in your old home. Electricity, gas and water all cost more than ever before—particularly if you live in a state with harsh winters or hot summers.

Fences & Retaining Walls

There are a few things that you should know about fences and retaining walls. They can add up to a lot of money, so it’s good to check with your home builder to see if they offer any discounts. If they don’t, you can always pay for it yourself or search online for contractors who may be able to do the job at a lower price than what your local contractor is offering. 

Decking & Blinds

Decking & Blinds: Another hidden cost to consider is the cost of decking, which can be expensive and often overlooked. If your home plans include a deck, make sure that it is included in your budget. 

Similarly, many homeowners overlook the cost of window coverings, especially if they use blinds instead of drapes or shutters. 

While these costs might seem minor compared with other items on this list, they can add up quickly if you don’t take them into consideration when making decisions about how much money you have available for construction.

Site Costs

• Site costs are the expenses incurred when the builder purchases a piece of land and prepares it for construction. Site costs include:
• The cost of the land itself.
• The cost of preparing the land for building, including levelling and drainage systems.
• The cost of any retaining walls or foundations that may be required on your property if you’re building on sloped ground.
• Surveyor fees (if required by your municipality) or other professional services related to ensuring that all legal requirements have been met in order for you to obtain a building permit.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to know what you might be getting yourself into when buying your first home. But there are some hidden costs that every buyer should keep in mind as they go through the process of purchasing their new property.