Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 461Jul 11, 2010 11:06 pm Why can't Perth be just like Karratha/The Pilbara and not have any gutters at all! Save a lot of digging and hassles You won't find a single house here with gutters or downpipes unless they have a rainwater tank!! All the rain just runs straight off into garden beds or lawn etc Only because when or as the case might be if it ever rains again we get 200-300mm of rain at a time Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 462Jul 12, 2010 10:09 am Hi all We have three RWPs across the front of our house - none of which are actually working properly - the water is leaking into the eaves. We were supposed to have 4 RWPs, one going into the planter box. They decided not to put that one on (too hard basket) so we have one RWP to collect water off three large roof areas. There is just too much water for the one pipe so we have insisted that the put the fourth RWP in as per the plans - along with fixing the ones that haven't been installed properly, or are filled with cement to stop them working! They also decided not to put one on the side at the rear of the garage, so there is only one collecting rain from that side of the house... The building inspector as requested this one to be put in as well as one is just not sufficient. We were planning on just getting soakwells for the RWPs that run onto concrete, and leaving the others just to run freely into the garden/dirt - do you know if we actually have to get soakwells for all of them? We got a quote a while ago for all pipes for $2800 (a LOT less than what was quoted for DA to do them). Two months after submitting our building inspection report, we are finally meeting with the Site Manager, a Construction Manager and someone from Bristile on Wednesday to try and sort out the mess that is our roof. The more we look at it, the more we find wrong with it! Apart from the appearance and warped tiles/chips/cracks, the whole thing is crooked, both horizontally and vertically!! Wonder what Bristile will have to say about it... Until we get the roof sorted (and in this weather...) we have no idea when our house will be finished, and therefore have no idea when to put our old house on the market. We are also meeting the the bathroom tiler - so that bit is exciting. Spent the weekend putting on a fresh coat of paint in the old house to make it look all clean and fresh for sale - trying to be optimistic that we will be selling in the next couple of weeks! We want to have both houses for about a month so we can get most things done before we move in... Congrats on the siteworks Bagheera - I wish you a smooth, trouble free build!! Everyone else seems to be motoring along - hopefully we'll all be moved in before we know it Building in Cockburn, WA, with Dale Alcock https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29597 Siteworks 9 February 2010 Slab 15 February 2010 Bricks commenced 6 March 2010 Roof commenced 30 March 2010 BIR Submitted 14 May 2010 Lockup 27 May 2010 PCI 22 September 2010 Keys 8 October 2010 Roof finally finished 13 Oct Moved in 30 October 2010 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 463Jul 12, 2010 10:23 am yeap - I'm definitelly getting an independent inspector during the build - it seems that no matter who's the builder they all cut corners Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 464Jul 12, 2010 12:35 pm Us too. I've already notificed the CLO that we'll be taking one through PCI with us, after we found the window sill in bed2 ranging from 70mm - 85mm (which was caused by the window becoming 'unclipped' - whatever that means). koolsville, are you sure you want the downpipe to go into the planter box? I am visualising bucket loads of water coming down and making a complete mess of the soil and plants you'd have in it. We're going to go with Fu Manchu's idea of ag pipe. I'll post the link for the thread. We'll see how we go with that, and then add soakwells later down the track if we need to (although Fu is confident that the ag pipe is more efficient than soakwells!). That is a bummer about the roof. I hope that you get it sorted out soon. I'm guessing it will probably be the same Construction Manager that we met with. Just stand your ground and I'm sure it will be ok. He's very reasonable It's a real shame that there are some trades out there who don't seem to give a hoot about their workmanship. I can't get my head around that. Oceanic with Nautilus upgrades. Handover 8 September 2010 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 465Jul 12, 2010 12:38 pm Here's the soakwell/ag pipe thread: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=20108 Oceanic with Nautilus upgrades. Handover 8 September 2010 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 466Jul 12, 2010 12:54 pm Our Oceanic plan has 12 RWP rite now. Earlier we were quoted $5.5K for soakwells and we were thinking of getting someone else to do it. But 3 wks bk, Sales rep said it wud be $4.4K - 2 Big (1200 ones)soakwells, n there is new rule from council that Builder has to make sure that its done in a responsible way (or something). So she said its a real good deal. i think we go with them. Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 467Jul 12, 2010 1:13 pm duke Anyone after prestart got a separate sheet for the costs of the electrical options like having different light fittings to f ront elevations and cost to install heat lamp in wet area and cost of conduit and extra tv point etc.? Our PC said it is in the addenda and don't get to see it and what we choose is it? What if we what someone else to supply light fitting after handover? duke not sure I understand what you're after - did you have your pre-start yet? sorry I don't remember who had what anymore... old age If you want somebody else to do some of your electrical work after handover - e.g. downlights or lights for front elevation you can discuss these at pre-start. The builder can install junction boxes in the ceilings or just have a standard light fitting which you can replace after handover with what you want. Make sure you know what you want where - do you have a sketch or something? Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 468Jul 12, 2010 3:24 pm Hey, thanks Oceanus, that's a really good idea/alternative to soakwells. We could do that ourselves and save some $$$. I'll investigate next time we go to Bunnings. We are going to put somekind of a soakwell connection/pipe in the planterbox to remove the rainwater. I personally think a private building inspector is a must - they know what to look for - they don't just look for the cosmetic things... We will be getting ours back when we are ready for final inspection, just to make sure everything has been fixed to industry specifications. Building in Cockburn, WA, with Dale Alcock https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29597 Siteworks 9 February 2010 Slab 15 February 2010 Bricks commenced 6 March 2010 Roof commenced 30 March 2010 BIR Submitted 14 May 2010 Lockup 27 May 2010 PCI 22 September 2010 Keys 8 October 2010 Roof finally finished 13 Oct Moved in 30 October 2010 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 469Jul 12, 2010 4:17 pm Hi All, So I survived the cold yesterday, but now having trouble moving around (sore everything basically) after digging a huge hole in the backyard. Looking on the bright side I am sure there must be some fitness benefits to doing what I did! Oceanus - we only have two downpipes drawn, one each side of our rear sliding door, never had any drawn on the piers, but realistically I think two are needed there. You will be fine with having just the two but just need to ensure your soakwell or ag-pipe can clear all the water away quickly. I think there is something called a soak-test you can do to see how quickly your soil drains, ours wasn't quick enough with the single 600 x 900 soakwell per pipe. Progress Update: - Painter is on-site today sealing our walls and getting ready to apply colour, the whole job takes about 5-days apparently. Today is the easy part, next comes filling and prepping the walls - probably a full day as the plaster work wasn't brilliant (from what the painter said). - Pavers have been delivered to site (7.5 pallets of Stylestone), pavers should start work over the coming 48-hours. Block has been cleared (sorta) to the right levels. - Flyscreens are now on. - Door Handles are now on. - WIR fit-outs arrived today, but couldn't go in because the painter was in the way, probably pushed back a week or so. - Glass splashback is now on. - Kitchen bin installed Still waiting on a few fixes to kitchen bench powerpoints (flush, not on mounting block) and the correct downlights (Stainless steel, not white) - also noticed alot of water seeping into the garage walls so either some of the gutters are overflowing or there is something wrong with the way they have been installed. Anyway, hopefully nothing insurmountable - will update blog with pictures later this week. P1T Read about my building experience: http://secondhomebuild.blogspot.com Dale Alcock Homes - 'The Nautilus' in Bletchley Park, Southern River - WA Read about my Clipsal C-BUS Home Automation Project: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=20854 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 470Jul 12, 2010 4:22 pm koolsville We were planning on just getting soakwells for the RWPs that run onto concrete, and leaving the others just to run freely into the garden/dirt - do you know if we actually have to get soakwells for all of them? We got a quote a while ago for all pipes for $2800 (a LOT less than what was quoted for DA to do them). Hi Kools - IMO you should have soakwells (or at least grates connecting to something) for all downpipes. Water left to puddle near the foundations of your house will eventually cause big problems with rising damp, and may undermine the integrity of your walls - and ALOT of water comes out of those downpipes . You should be looking to get water 1-1.5m away from your house via solid 90mm piping, and then feeding into a soakwell, or a line of Ag-pipe (ask the experts about this methodology, I have no idea). I imagine that both Ag-pipe and soakwells would be about the same price, just the type of digging required (deep versus vast) would change. Hope your roof issues get fixed quickly - have you got any photos of the problem? P1T Read about my building experience: http://secondhomebuild.blogspot.com Dale Alcock Homes - 'The Nautilus' in Bletchley Park, Southern River - WA Read about my Clipsal C-BUS Home Automation Project: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=20854 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 471Jul 12, 2010 6:34 pm Bagheera duke Anyone after prestart got a separate sheet for the costs of the electrical options like having different light fittings to f ront elevations and cost to install heat lamp in wet area and cost of conduit and extra tv point etc.? Our PC said it is in the addenda and don't get to see it and what we choose is it? What if we what someone else to supply light fitting after handover? duke not sure I understand what you're after - did you have your pre-start yet? sorry I don't remember who had what anymore... old age If you want somebody else to do some of your electrical work after handover - e.g. downlights or lights for front elevation you can discuss these at pre-start. The builder can install junction boxes in the ceilings or just have a standard light fitting which you can replace after handover with what you want. Make sure you know what you want where - do you have a sketch or something? Already had prestart meeting but just got the costings on Friday but there's was no itemised costings for the electrical stuff like different light fitting on the front elevation to std Bayonet and what TV and conduit points costs and the 3in 1 combo heater exhaust in bath and ensuite. I emailed the PC again for itemised bill of electrical work. At least than I can have a choice to say yes or no to the light fittings etc. Not just one lump sum for electrical changes. Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 472Jul 12, 2010 7:12 pm I don't think they provide it as standard Duke, only if you ask for it. I think we had the option of looking at it on the day - I chose not to because I didn't want to be tempted to take anything out (that I would later regret!). I would recommend that you don't upgrade to any fancy fittings - just get standard light points everywhere as they are easy for an electrician to change after handover, and you can get some good deals on light fittings from Australian websites and smaller stores. Oh, and a tip, the conduits are quite small, so if you are planning on running any thick cables down there (power cables with plug-ends, or even larger HDMI cables) you may want to think again! Normal network cables and speaker cables will be fine. P1T Read about my building experience: http://secondhomebuild.blogspot.com Dale Alcock Homes - 'The Nautilus' in Bletchley Park, Southern River - WA Read about my Clipsal C-BUS Home Automation Project: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=20854 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 473Jul 12, 2010 7:26 pm Perth-1st Timer I don't think they provide it as standard Duke, only if you ask for it. I think we had the option of looking at it on the day - I chose not to because I didn't want to be tempted to take anything out (that I would later regret!). I would recommend that you don't upgrade to any fancy fittings - just get standard light points everywhere as they are easy for an electrician to change after handover, and you can get some good deals on light fittings from Australian websites and smaller stores. Oh, and a tip, the conduits are quite small, so if you are planning on running any thick cables down there (power cables with plug-ends, or even larger HDMI cables) you may want to think again! Normal network cables and speaker cables will be fine. I know. You never know sometimes some upgrades are quite cheap because of DAH buying power. Just like to know how much I'm getting ripped off than getting ripped off blind. Yeah the conduits are big enough for cable runs but not with cables with heads on. The solution I had is to install the points around 1000 or high so that it can be hidden under WALL TV or hidden by the TV on a TV stand so that it can be easily reached if I have to unplug or turn power off at the wall - no need to bend down and reach around the back. Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 474Jul 12, 2010 8:57 pm definitelly ask for a cost breakdown for your peace of mind... BTW - no movement at my station today... Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 475Jul 13, 2010 10:47 am Hey P1T Hmmmm, my husband didn't agree with just the AG pipes either... Looks like we are sticking with soakwells, but with grates, rather than straight connections to the RWPs. Here's some examples of our unfortunate roof (links to bigger photos): From the back Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ From the inspection report Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ From the front Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ From the sky! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I don't have a photo of the cracked capping... it now has a spare tile over the top of it so it doesn't leak. We ordered a new roof on a new house - this doesn't look like anew roof to me. Here's hoping we reach a solution tomorrow Building in Cockburn, WA, with Dale Alcock https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29597 Siteworks 9 February 2010 Slab 15 February 2010 Bricks commenced 6 March 2010 Roof commenced 30 March 2010 BIR Submitted 14 May 2010 Lockup 27 May 2010 PCI 22 September 2010 Keys 8 October 2010 Roof finally finished 13 Oct Moved in 30 October 2010 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 476Jul 13, 2010 11:51 am wow koolsville - that's bad workmanship - I can't believe that the roof guys did install those tiles knowing that they are so different... I do hope that they will do the right thing by you guys - good luck tomorrow. Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 477Jul 14, 2010 1:34 pm So far it seems a fairly quiet week for DAH'ers... - I’m in need of some excitement!!!.. Bagheera has nothing to report apart from the portable loo being plonked on the site yesterday.... no movement on those boulders though... maybe today!!!?? Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 478Jul 14, 2010 3:31 pm A portaloo is a big achievement... when you're sick of waiting We had our SS/tiling meeting this morning. Went through a few things with the SS that we've already told them about, and others that we hadn't. He assured us that it will ALL be fixed up. There are a few bricks on a couple of sills that have deep grooves in them, which he will have replaced. He said the mortar joints will be fixed up where need be. Went through the kitchen cupboard/drawer handle positions, which he said he is onto. He's also going to ask them to redo the kicker on the island bench as there is an obvious join with different 'grain' patterns.. it's very obvious and looks a bit pooish. I'll post a pic later. The laundry cabinet was put in slightly off measurement, so he's already arranged for the plumber to re-centre the taps to make them central to the sink. The garage floor was been done yesterday - I wish the concrete would stay the colour it is at the moment cos it's dark and I like it! But alas, he said it will lighten as it dries We'll be sealing it in the future anyway. I took a few pics of the bathroom cabinets that we couln't see without getting in, so will post them later as well. As usual, our meeting with him went really well, and he's either onto things already, or will be as soon as it can be done. PCI? Approx 5 weeks. Handover? approx 6-7 weeks I need to start packing! Oceanic with Nautilus upgrades. Handover 8 September 2010 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 479Jul 14, 2010 3:47 pm WOW Oceanus 2 - it must be so exciting for to see all the finishing touches being done and knowing that in a few weeks the house will be yours... - don't worry about packing - you'll be fine... Officially we are over the 7 1/2 months since signing our preliminary agreement and as you know we still don't have a slab... waiting is a PITA. We lost 6 weeks waiting for the demolishing company to move their B U M and missed all the good weather we had in June... now we are going to play the "how to get a slab down in between the thunderstorms" game then - " how to do bricking in between the winter rains" game then - "how roof a house in between the hail storms" ... hehehehe Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone building with Dale Alcock or recently built 480Jul 14, 2010 4:05 pm Bagheera, I reckon you won't have to worry much about the roof. Hopefully there will be enough fine days over the next few weeks for them to get the slab down and bricking started, and then it will probably be Spring before the roof starts. Our neighbours had their roof timber put up about 3 weeks ago I think it was, but they've had no apparent action on site since the rains came. I'll have my fingers firmly crossed for fine days (like today!) for you Oceanic with Nautilus upgrades. Handover 8 September 2010 https://form.jotform.com/240284569218058 Please spare a moment to fill out this survey form for a project. You stand a chance to win a digital gift voucher. Legitimate… 0 3397 I’m loving the potential versatility and practicality of a bench seat in a shower. Anyone had one of these done recently? Not sure if they are straight forward and easy… 0 1620 Hi All, we are starting to think of building with Masterpiece Builders in Victoria, has anyone had any feedback or experience with them 0 14751 |