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How to get the most value from your builder with Jess & Kriss The Home Chaperone
If you’re a first-time home buyer in Perth, looking to embark on the exciting journey of building your dream home, you’re in the right place!
I had the amazing opportunity to chat with Jess from The Home Chaperone. Jess and her husband Kriss bring a wealth of experience, with a combined 28 years in the building industry, having worked in various roles from construction coordination to site management. Their mission? To help clients maximise their building experience and ensure they get the most out of their builder.
Meet Jess and The Home Chaperone
Jess and her husband run The Home Chaperone, a business dedicated to empowering people through the home building process. Drawing on their extensive background, they offer tailored solutions to clients, helping them achieve homes that truly suit their lifestyle.
Avoiding Common Building Mistakes
One of the key insights Jess shared is the most common mistake people make when diving into the building process. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of choosing designs and finishes, but overlooking structural elements can be costly.
During the initial phases of exploring display homes and engaging with the exciting aspects of home design, many home buyers may rush into signing paperwork and making deposits without sufficient attention to critical structural details.
This oversight can become apparent later, especially with elements like window sizes. Before finalising decisions, it’s important to consider factors such as the placement of furniture around the window to ensure it fits well and meets your needs.
Why Does It Matter?
Making these changes down the line after this stage can lead to huge disruptions to your building process. They have to rewind to the beginning and start the process again, which costs both time and money. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for first-time builders.
Maximising Efficiency and Practicality on your Floor Plan
There are many smaller details that are easily overlooked, especially those that affect your day-to-day living. Jess highlighted a common oversight in home design, which is inadequate placement of power points. While this might not seem like a big deal at first, it can lead to significant costs when rectifying later on. It’s crucial to plan for sufficient electrical outlets, especially in high-use areas like kitchens and living rooms.
Another practical factor that gets overlooked includes your kitchen bin placement. Many builders won’t include built-in bins as a standard feature, so this detail tends to slip people’s minds until they find themselves resorting to a makeshift solution like placing a Kmart bin next to the fridge, which isn’t ideal in terms of aesthetics.
Doing Your Research vs Going In Blind
Next I asked Jess about the amount of prep a client should do, and how this can impact their build. In her answer Jess revealed that the clients who come in with Pinterest boards and who had done their homework and know what they want, turned out to be the best clients. They knew exactly what they wanted compared to those clients who preferred to “wing it” and ended up unsure about their decisions.
Being prepared and conducting thorough research before meetings with builders can save considerable time, money, and stress during the building process. Having a clear understanding of your requirements allows for efficient decision-making and smoother project progression.
Some Important Industry Secrets…
Jess shares some eye-opening industry secrets based on her firsthand experience working in the field. One of the most surprising revelations is the minimal qualifications required to sell homes for builders.
For truth bomb number two, Jess revealed the dynamics of being a sales consultant in the home building industry. Often sales consultants are faced with sales targets they are forced to meet, this means that when they fall short of these numbers, they risk losing their job.
This is vital to remember as a client, knowing that some sales consultants will say what they think you want to hear, just to get you to sign on that dotted line.
The third truth bomb Jess discussed was the push on cookie-cutter design houses. She pointed out that for sales consultants, time is money—the longer they spend on one home, the less time they have for the next deal. This underscores the importance of buyers advocating for their unique preferences and priorities during the decision-making process.
How Can You Get The Most Value From Your Builder?
When asked this, Jess summarised it perfectly, it all comes down to your buying power.
Project builders will harness their size to get the most value for you. They negotiate with suppliers by guaranteeing large volumes of work, like approaching a paving company with a promise of paving for 600 homes a year.
This strategy enables builders to negotiate discounted rates from suppliers, allowing them to pass on these savings to home buyers. Essentially, by leveraging bulk purchasing agreements, builders can maximise the standard specifications of a home to offer the best value to buyers.
How Can Clients Prepare for Pre-Start?
Jess’s biggest tip was before you go into your meeting, grab a strong coffee and a big breakfast! These meetings can go for hours, and it can be very easy to get decision fatigue. Be well rested and get in the right mindset to finalise your decisions.
Another tip is do your electrical plan beforehand, to avoid adding to this pre-start meeting. This will help reduce some of the decisions you need to make on the day. Break down some of these decisions prior to this meeting so you’re not doing it all in one day!
How Much Can DIY Really Save You?
Jess highlighted that DIY projects aren’t always worth the money saved. For instance, consider installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom yourself to save $20-30 compared to having the builder do it. However, this DIY approach can lead to unexpected challenges. You’d have to coordinate with tradespeople, cut a hole in the roof (which could risk water damage), and potentially face warranty issues if problems arise later on.
Jess recommends focusing on areas where DIY can offer significant savings without introducing undue risk or complexity. Window treatments, floor coverings, internal wall paint, air conditioning, and external concreting are examples she highlights. These tasks often have higher builder’s margins but can be relatively straightforward to coordinate independently after the build, especially with single-story homes where ducting for air conditioning is simpler to install in the roof space.
While DIY can save money, it’s crucial to weigh the potential drawbacks and choose projects that offer the most value and least risk in the long run.
Kitchen Design Tips
When it comes to kitchen design, Jess had a wealth of tips to share, especially on optimising space and functionality. Her favourite approach? Thinking about the kitchen in distinct zones based on how you’ll use it daily.
1. Cleanup Zone:
Jess recommended consolidating your cleanup essentials in one area for efficiency. By grouping your bin, dishwasher, and sink within arm’s reach, post-dinner cleanup becomes a breeze. Scraping plates, rinsing, and loading the dishwasher are seamlessly integrated steps.
2. Cooking Zone:
For a more efficient cooking experience, situate your spices, oils, and utensils near the cooking area. This setup minimises backtracking and keeps everything you need within reach while you’re at the stove.
3. Prep Zone:
Create a designated prep area where you’ll do most of your meal preparation. For Jess, it’s the island bench, perfect for multitasking while keeping an eye on her kids. Storing chopping boards vertically and placing knives nearby streamlines the process, allowing quick disposal of scraps into the nearby bin.
By structuring your kitchen into purposeful zones, you’ll transform your cooking space into a practical, efficient hub that enhances your daily routine.
Bathroom Design Hacks
Jess unveiled clever bathroom design tips to enhance comfort and address common issues in standard designs.
1. Opt for a Longer Bath:
Upgrade from the standard 1.5-metre bath to a more spacious 1.8-metre option for added comfort. This simple switch ensures a more relaxing bathing experience without feeling cramped.
2. Eliminate Dust-Catching Gaps:
One frustrating aspect of shower screens next to vanities is the tiny gap that collects dust and debris. Jess recommended installing a half-height wall between the shower and vanity. This solution not only eliminates the gap but also provides a convenient ledge for storing shower essentials. The shower screen rests on top of this wall, adding practical storage space while enhancing cleanliness.
Laundry Tips and Tricks
For the laundry, Jess talked about some key tips to make this chore less daunting and more efficient.
1. Broom Cupboard for Storage:
Include a dedicated broom cupboard in your laundry design to keep cleaning essentials like irons, vacuum cleaners, and mops neatly tucked away. This storage solution keeps clutter out of sight and maximises space.
2. Utilise Hanging Rails:
Install a rail underneath your overhead cupboards where you can hang wet clothes on hangers. This simple addition eliminates the need for bulky clothes horses and allows shirts and other garments to dry efficiently within the laundry space. It’s a cost-effective solution that enhances convenience. Incorporating a hanging rail is relatively affordable, with builders typically charging around $45 per lineal metre.
Key Advice for Building Your Dream Home
Building a home involves significant investment and decisions. Jess’s top tips for avoiding mistakes:
1. Break It Down into Stages:
Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, approach the building process in manageable stages. This allows you to focus on each area of the project and ensure that your decisions align with your needs and lifestyle.
2. Prioritise Practicality and Functionality:
Consider how you’ll use each space in your home. Prioritise practicality and functionality over grand visions. By focusing on individual elements, you can ensure that each aspect of your home serves a purpose and enhances daily living.
Renovating VS Building?
Deciding whether to renovate or build a new home can be a tough choice, and both can have key pros and cons. Jess shared her insight, having completed a recent renovation in her own home.
1. Compromise and Dealing with Mistakes:
Renovating often means dealing with existing design flaws and compromises due to previous owners’ choices. Jess highlighted the frustration of having to work around other people’s mistakes, which can lead to constant compromises on storage, layout, and functionality.
2. Time and Cost Considerations:
Renovations are not just about aesthetics; they involve significant time and money. Jess stressed the hidden costs of renovation, from unexpected repairs (like replacing water units or electrical rewiring) to the logistical challenges of removing and disposing of old materials.
3. Perfectionism and Satisfaction:
As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Jess shared her struggle with the renovation process, despite the beautiful outcome. She emphasises the importance of considering personal standards and expectations when deciding between renovating and building.
4. Ease of Building:
Building a new home can offer greater control over design and layout without the constraints of existing structures. Jess suggests that building is often more straightforward and less stressful than renovating.
5. Contingency Planning:
Both options require careful financial planning. Renovators should have a substantial contingency fund to cover unforeseen expenses, while builders benefit from a clearer budgeting process.
Where Do You Start?
Jess offered practical advice for anyone beginning the journey of building or renovating a home:
1. Prioritise Your Wishlist:
Start by creating a comprehensive wishlist of everything you desire in your home. Include features like outdoor entertaining areas, double showers, and more. Rank these items in order of importance to identify non-negotiables and areas where you’re willing to compromise.
2. Research Your Consultant:
Take time to research and select a consultant who will guide you through the entire process. Look for professionals with a strong reputation in the industry. Check their social media presence, such as Instagram, to see if they share helpful information and stay engaged with their clients throughout the journey.
3. Evaluate Client Relationships:
Review testimonials and client experiences to gauge how consultants interact with their clients. A consultant who demonstrates ongoing support and genuine care for clients, like staying in touch and providing guidance at every stage, can offer a smoother and more supportive building or renovation experience.
4. Engage in Meaningful Communication:
Choose a consultant who communicates openly and meaningfully. Look for signs of genuine care and commitment to helping clients achieve their dream home without disappearing after the initial contract signing.
What are Some Tips Around Solar Passive Design?
Jess stressed the significance of using your house’s orientation to optimise natural light and energy efficiency. Firstly, place windows to the north to capture plenty of sunlight, creating bright and welcoming spaces. This orientation maximises solar heat gain during colder months.
To minimise heat loss, reduce window size on the southern side of your home. Smaller windows on the south side help prevent excessive cooling during winter. Implementing solar passive design principles involves strategic placement of windows and doors to make the most of natural light and thermal benefits. By prioritising orientation and insulation, you can establish a more comfortable and energy-efficient living environment.
How Can You Save Money On Your Build?
Jess recommended saving money by undertaking certain tasks yourself later on, such as arranging aggregate concrete driveways directly with a separate trade to avoid high builder’s margins.
Hiring independent contractors for landscaping, fencing, and other exterior features can result in substantial cost savings. Managing tasks like internal wall painting, floor coverings, and air conditioning independently can also reduce expenses. By choosing materials strategically and negotiating directly with tradespeople, you can save money without sacrificing quality.
Avoiding Additional Pre-Start Costs
To make the most of standard builder items and avoid hefty additional costs at the pre-start stage, Jess emphasised strategic planning.
Many clients want to supply their own fixtures like baths or sinks, but they often underestimate the complexity involved. For instance, installing an island bench requires coordination among multiple trades: cabinet makers, stonemasons, plumbers, and electricians. Jess recommends leaving tasks with plumbing or electrical components to the builders, while simpler installations can be tackled post-construction.
For example, adding overhead cupboards after handover is straightforward. During construction, request a bulkhead above the desired area as a cost-effective provision. Then, when funds allow, hire a cabinet maker to complete the installation without the builder’s markup. Planning ahead with these provisions saves money and ensures a seamless finish, avoiding the look of an afterthought.
Take The First Step Today!
Thank you so much to Jess for sharing your insight! If you’d like to connect with Jess and learn more about her expertise and offerings, you can find her on Instagram at The Home Chaperone or visit her website at www.thehomechaperone.com.au.
Jess also provided a discount code to her course, if you use the code BOSSBUILDINGBONUS for $200 off.
To find out more about Boss Building Brokers, you can book a call with our team to go over your options. Remember, you’ve got this, and we’ve got your back. Stay informed, stay confident, and stay inspired. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Until next time!
