Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13581Mar 23, 2017 9:17 am Home_n_all, we are in the same boat , we weren't at lockup when our 200 day contract was up. Once the roof is on and the bricks completed I can't see how they can claim anymore rain days. Unless they are claiming flood waters stopped the trucks getting in I can't see how they can justify it. Villina Lane 11/14 $3900 08/15 Contract 11/15 DA Approval 02/16 Demolition 03/16 Peg out 06/16 Slab 06/16 Ground floor frame 07/16 1st floor frame & windows 09-12/16 Bricks blog Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13582Mar 23, 2017 5:12 pm Oh Beeprelude that is so frustrating!!! I cannot get over just HOW MUCH RAIN there has been. Surely, there cannot be any wet weather left!!!! We've had a day of deliveries ... windows, bricks and concrete. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ KDR Masterton Harmony Elite + custom granny flat Aug 2015 - Deposit paid Dec 2015 - Contracts signed Feb 2016 - Colours appointments Mar 2016 - DA submitted Jun 2016 - DA approved Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13583Mar 24, 2017 8:55 am Rox82-- Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ First level bricks are almost complete and scaffolding has gone up. Our brickies are dedicated; they have been working Saturdays and in the rain. It will be a race to the finish. Questions: The floor boarding upstairs has been exposed to the elements for 3 months+ now and we still don't have a roof. It has started to bow at the joins and we are doing oak floors after handover and I'm worried about the floors being uneven... is there anything I can do? Are there scheduled inspections that our supervisor should be arranging with us? Australian building standards say: if the particle board subfloors have been under elements for more than 3 months, they have to call the manufacture on site to asses the conditions of the floorboards. Even under 3 months they need to take measures to remove ponded water ASAP by drilling drainage holes. They normally do none of these and just sand down the joins. However there is a limit on how much you can sand it down, so quite often the floorboards remain too uneven, so the owner (like in our case) will be up for a costly floor leveling, when they apply flexible cement to fill the dips in the floorboards, otherwise your floors will look like ocean waves. If I knew this beforehand, I would push for the replacement of the floorboards, which only costs couple of thousands, vs 7k+ for leveling. My suggestion: act now and if the floorboards are still uneven after sanding, get them replace them. Because apart from the uneven flooring you may also get subfloors which will not last long and will need replacement several years later, possibly shortly after the warranty expires. In my case the only way to recover the money is to take them to the tribunal, and the chances are far from certain. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13584Mar 24, 2017 9:11 am MGardz Great to see the progress guys! Loving seeing it come together. I like those pendants NJC For those that went fair trading was it a long process as I'm waiting on the last three pieces and until we left for our holiday I've heard nothing. If he hasn't tried to call me I'll be off to FT as it's ridiculous. Calls, SMS and emails and nothing https://mandgbuildatmulgoarise.wordpress.com/ MGardz, I went to OFT twice. Even had OFT inspector visit the site. From what I can tell, the OFT inspector was the builder's servant. They met like best friends, the inspector defended the builder at every opportunity and even told me that all the major defects I was complaining about were in his (inspector's) house! I was struggling not to ask if it was M who built his house. Our SS l1ed in front of the inspector about floorboards being under rain for just a little over 3 months. I told the inspector I have written prove it is not true, they've been under the rain for over 6 months, but the inspector said it was ok, he did not want this proof. I've complained about the conduct of that inspector and got a reply, that he did everything by the rules. Some things could have been done better, but the inspector "did not know" about the 3 months rain exposure standard. It was clearly not true, as during the inspection the SS was trying to lie about the exposure duration. Besides, even if you believe he did not know the standard, he could have looked it up, as I told him there is such a standard, but he preferred to look the other way. Inspector's management decided to cover the inspector's conduct. I think the whole system is corrupt and the level of corruption is second to the drug trade. However, on a positive note, OFT complaints do make the builder nervous and I found they began to move their feet quicker. Besides, if you later decide to go to the Tribunal, you MUST go to OFT first. So, I would definitely complaint to OFT even though they are best builder's friends. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13585Mar 24, 2017 9:16 am broken dreams Does anybody know which package includes mould? Given the way the build has gone, I'm disappointed to say the least about mould, but wouldn't be at all surprised to find myself charged for it if it isn't included in a package. Had the same issue. They need to treat the house for mould and give you a certificate it is mould free. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13586Mar 24, 2017 9:19 am kly525 Did anyone opt for solar panels over gas? How much did it end up costing you? I'm considering getting solar installed for hot water and cooking as gas is not as cheap as it once was We changed solar hot water to gas once we found that natural gas was going to be available on our part of the street. Solar HW is too expensive, IMHO. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13587Mar 24, 2017 9:23 am sandra 2016 Congrats NJC. Hope your move goes well. We only just got our interim oc this week. I have no words to describe masterton homes that are good. They cant get their **** together literally when you find out that your sewer is not even connected to one of your toilets. Come on morons does no one check things before you lay the bloody slab ffs what is a SS for. Seems they admitted the certificate you get to say it complys is cow manure too seems these people are to busy to come and check and someone is signing off on these without checking tradies work. I have a certificate that means jack, the work was not done. The plumber all of 22 screamed the f word loud enough on his 10minute convo to another college seems then we had 5 plumbers over my house knee deep in the blame game. Shower also overflows probs not connected either. They want to rip 2 meters of my new concrete up to try and sort it out. Water tank doesn't work at all. Tv aerial connections not working. No expansion joins on our living tiles. The list of incompetence goes on and on IF YOUR THINKING OF BUILDING WITH THESE CLOWNS DONT BOTHER Sandra, one of our bathrooms was also not connected to the sewer. So the waste was going into the ground. Fortunately the pipe was in place, they did not have to cut concrete, just connect it to the sewer, but these sort of mistakes are telling. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13588Mar 24, 2017 10:13 am We had a certifier coming to our place. Items to do by the builder: provide the termite sticker to the meter area. Items to do by the owner: Complete landscaping (even for interime certificate) Site cleaing (bits of scaffolding, bricks, lintels, etc) he for some reason believed were due to "owner works" Complete all steps to dwelling and ensure height complies with the BCA! I thought it was builder's item. Increase the height of the balistrade, which was reduced by us installing "thick" (bamboo) flooring! Fix fire alams not properly isntalled by the builder he for some reason believed was tumpered by us, even though I told him the builder took them off as some were making noise and disturbing the neighbours during the build. Complete steps to internal garage door, which were affected by the same "thick" flooring. And a whole lot more. BTW, the "thick" flooring was in our contract before the start of the build and we only removed it during the build as M came up with "unexpected" expenses. We did the same kind of floors ourselves, so they should have accounted for the floor thickness when doing construction plans. During the inspection, I mentioned to the certifier, that: 1. One of our DA conditions was that the brickwork starts from natural ground level. The builder did it above and pushed truck loads of dirt against the slab to cover it. 2. The termite protection chanel is around 10mm wide in some areas, which is well below the 25mm requried by the manufacturer 3. The particle board subfloors were under the rain for 6 months, well over the 3 months limit He was ok with all these! So just another builder's servant hired and paid by the builder. The whole system is so much in favor of the builder and so much against the owner! Just was wondering, can I fire the certifier at this late stage? I think he is working too much in favor of the builder and I will not get even the interim until I do pretty much everything, including the landscaping, which is not normally required for the interim. Obviously, if I knew this was going to happen, I would try to go with my own certifier if I could, but now may be too late. Any ideas? 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13589Mar 24, 2017 10:36 am Fisher75, the certifier is paid by M. If you want an independent report you need to get your own building inspector. Villina Lane 11/14 $3900 08/15 Contract 11/15 DA Approval 02/16 Demolition 03/16 Peg out 06/16 Slab 06/16 Ground floor frame 07/16 1st floor frame & windows 09-12/16 Bricks blog Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13590Mar 24, 2017 10:52 am Gibson Fisher75, the certifier is paid by M. If you want an independent report you need to get your own building inspector. Gibson, that is the main problem. I've already had my building inspector, but building inspector does not issue occupation certificates. I want to get rid of the M certifier, as he is working in favour of the builder and pushing builder's responsibilities on us. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13592Mar 24, 2017 3:22 pm Fisher75 We had a certifier coming to our place. Items to do by the builder: provide the termite sticker to the meter area. Items to do by the owner: Complete landscaping (even for interime certificate) Site cleaing (bits of scaffolding, bricks, lintels, etc) he for some reason believed were due to "owner works" Complete all steps to dwelling and ensure height complies with the BCA! I thought it was builder's item. Increase the height of the balistrade, which was reduced by us installing "thick" (bamboo) flooring! Fix fire alams not properly isntalled by the builder he for some reason believed was tumpered by us, even though I told him the builder took them off as some were making noise and disturbing the neighbours during the build. Complete steps to internal garage door, which were affected by the same "thick" flooring. And a whole lot more. BTW, the "thick" flooring was in our contract before the start of the build and we only removed it during the build as M came up with "unexpected" expenses. We did the same kind of floors ourselves, so they should have accounted for the floor thickness when doing construction plans. During the inspection, I mentioned to the certifier, that: 1. One of our DA conditions was that the brickwork starts from natural ground level. The builder did it above and pushed truck loads of dirt against the slab to cover it. 2. The termite protection chanel is around 10mm wide in some areas, which is well below the 25mm requried by the manufacturer 3. The particle board subfloors were under the rain for 6 months, well over the 3 months limit He was ok with all these! So just another builder's servant hired and paid by the builder. The whole system is so much in favor of the builder and so much against the owner! Just was wondering, can I fire the certifier at this late stage? I think he is working too much in favor of the builder and I will not get even the interim until I do pretty much everything, including the landscaping, which is not normally required for the interim. Obviously, if I knew this was going to happen, I would try to go with my own certifier if I could, but now may be too late. Any ideas? In my opinion I think Mastertons own Certifier has some questions to answer to. I did not have a final plumbing inspection done one was not booked in. YET the certifier issued an Interim OC. My place has been flagged at Fair Trading instead of an audit inspection which Fair Trade only rocks up to 20% of their inspections (passing ones they dont inspect also) I will be issued a Fair Trade Inspector to the Final Inspection when they actually get my toilet connected to the sewer and order the Final Inspection. Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13593Mar 24, 2017 4:44 pm Fisher75, if your having issues with your Certifier they are governed by the NSW Building Professionals Board. It is also illegal in NSW for a Certifier to be paid by a contractor. The mention of the BPB to the Certifier alone should be enough to scare them into line. The BPB issue warnings and fines to Certifiers all the time. Have a discussion with your Certifier in the first instance. Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13594Mar 24, 2017 5:12 pm Sevenths Fisher75, if your having issues with your Certifier they are governed by the NSW Building Professionals Board. It is also illegal in NSW for a Certifier to be paid by a contractor. The mention of the BPB to the Certifier alone should be enough to scare them into line. The BPB issue warnings and fines to Certifiers all the time. Have a discussion with your Certifier in the first instance. Sevenths, I think Masterton made me to sign a paper at the start as if I am appointing that certifier. But I never paid him, Masterton paid him out of the money they got from me. Do you have a link with exact wording, I just want to make sure it says pay or appoint. I assume Masterton covered their a4$$ by making me appoint that certifier. 2014 30/05 $3900 25/08 Contracts 02/10 DA submitted 2015 17/02 DA approved 02/04 Colors 10/04 Demo 09/07 Construction start 27/07 Fill 15/08 Slab 21/09 Frame 2016 08/01 Bricks Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13596Mar 25, 2017 11:45 am MGardz CathyP you're brave using M again! Martinsharmony congrats and look forward to seeing it come together I had only minor issues last time I built we had a good site supervisor. There were minor things that needed fixing and they did that. Will have to see what happens this time. Cathy Building Harmony Elite - Option B - Grande Resort Suite - Modified Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13597Mar 25, 2017 12:42 pm Hi fisher75, the wording from bpb.nsw.gov.au is appoint, not necessarily pay. I would still speak to your certifier about the issues and if your not happy call the Building professionals Board of NSW as this will either pull the certifier into line or they can investigate. Dept of Fair trading isn't the right agency if your having issues and can't prosecute or disqualify a certifier but the BPB can and does. You can also check the website if your certifier has had rulings against them for misconduct etc. Re: Masterton Homes - The next thread 4.0 13599Mar 26, 2017 6:00 pm Bags of cement have been delivered so it looks like they're getting ready to do our tiles! We went to Don's Tiles to buy some extras , found the shop is now open 'by appointment only'. We took a chance and buzzed and they let us in, but just be aware it may pay to call them before going to the shop. Villina Lane 11/14 $3900 08/15 Contract 11/15 DA Approval 02/16 Demolition 03/16 Peg out 06/16 Slab 06/16 Ground floor frame 07/16 1st floor frame & windows 09-12/16 Bricks blog 4 16727 i imagine you also have another contract with an architect? and yeah, whatever other's said about special conditions and appendices 16 16001 Hi all I am looking to run a water line under my concrete footpath which is directly next to my home, was seeing if this is possible without cutting the entire section… 0 20176 |