We had this quote from reputable custom builder, it doesn't sound right when they proposed to us. Can you direct me any reference about the French Roof? I know that should call Mansard Roof or Bell roof, but most of them only facade rather than the back. We don't want to take short cut to make it looking weird.

Thanks for your comments.

You are right, many just have the facade only. Which is crazy as its just a 'front', pun not indented......It all comes down to the costs involved.....$75k sounds a bit excessive to change the rest of the roof to match the front, considering the cheaper pitched rear roof area has costs involved which should be taken out from the quote......what was it including specifically?

Have a chat with the designer about roof. Was it your own designer used or the reputable custom builder's designer. Some home builders tend have the designs and associated construction details and engineering drawings already drawn up hence the cheaper initial costs but excessive if you're wishing to amend the plans such as a full mansard roof rather than just to the facade.

I'd shop around a bit more, not to get the whole house built cheaper but to get what you want to have, once completed. Good builders should be paid well but they shouldn't gouge the client.

I would ask the builder for a 3D cad drawing of what it is going to look like. $75K is alot of money to play with, but alot if it is a good savings! In my opinion you wouldnt notice it from the back, as "first impressions count". Just my 2 bobs worth! I would prefer $75K to spend on making the gardens a statement so my guests didnt have to look at the roofline!

I wrote this comment for the article about rules to break abot 10 minutes ago.

'There is one rule I have which should not be broken - make the back of the house match the front and make the interior fit the exterior.

I hate seeing a rendered facade and face brick around the sides, I don't like mixing period interiors with ultra-modern exteriors, or vica-versa. A display home I was judging for the HIA was a standard face brick non-entity and had an ultra- minimalist interior shoe-horned into it. It felt so wrong (didn't win)'

If you have the money spend the money, you will regret it otherwise.

All a matter of opinion obviously! :) I have seen many old Victorian homes decorated with modern furnishings - amazing results. https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/5-common-mistakes-made-when-combining-old-and-new-stsetivw-vs~33864612

Hi Gary,

As a designer for a custom home builder who builds this very same style of home I can certainly tell you we offer this same optional roof design to our clients for the very same reasons. The costs and additional labour involved in creating the mansard roof are extensive. There is a lower flat roof section concealed in behind the mansard with box gutters and concealed down pipes. It's all about making the home affordable for the client.

I love off hand quotes, $75,000. It may cost that but you are within your rights to ask for an itemised breakdown. Builders may not want to give it to you, but how do you know where the costs are if you don't get a breakdown?

If they say it's extra labour, more cutting, extra materials etc then ask them to show you where or how with a cost breakdown.

You'd be surprised at how much some things cost.

If you have a small yard, which alot of these large houses are doing these days, you won't see the roof much when you're sitting in the entertaining area. If you have a large yard you will see it.

Can i suggest considering how much single storey is at the rear of the property, as if the front has most of the pitched roofline, then just opt to do a bell pitched roof to the upper level only, and a flat roof behind a parapet with appropriate cap pings and external mouldings to ground floor instead.

Parapets will conceal all the roofline and help add dramatic effect around the perimeter and windows etc..

Eliminate lower pitched roofline all together!