Ahh, stone benchtops. Such a relief! Just the tiling, plumbing, and a few touchups from the painters and the plasterers to go, and then we can do our final inspection!
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Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Boutique Homes 1762Feb 05, 2016 2:23 pm Looks good! BTW what are the length and width of your benchtop? we are still thinking what size to ask Re: Boutique Homes 1763Feb 05, 2016 2:35 pm We got 2100x1200 as our kitchen benchtop, and paid for the waterfall sides. With the sink there, it feels a little smaller than I'd expected, but I mean, I'm just being negative there, because the thing is actually huge. I also wish I'd paid to get it extended up to 1000mm height, rather than just standard 910mm, as I went to a friends house recently who had the higher bench, and it's a lot better for me and my back (I'm 6 ft 2 in). If there was an option for, say, 2500x1300 or so, that would be a perfect size, but I'm not sure you can get caesarstone that big without it having joins in it. We felt like 2100x1200 would be fine. Re: Boutique Homes 1764Feb 05, 2016 2:52 pm Thanks, from what I read - caesarstone slab is 56.5" X 120", which is 1.4m X 3m, just worried this would be too big for the kitchen, thinking to get 1.4 by 2.3, 2.4 so it is not taking space from the living area Re: Boutique Homes 1765Feb 05, 2016 8:43 pm Nice kitchen digitalnash ... few more and you are home free while some of us the build hasnt started yet. --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Re: Boutique Homes 1766Feb 06, 2016 8:47 am We had our site start on Wednesday - fence went up Tuesday, site cut on Wed and electrical box in on Thursday. Very exciting and happy it's all moving but I haven't heard from anyone at Boutique since the week our file was sent to construction (when my pre start called to tell me) I've emailed and called our client liaison and haven't heard back from her or heard from our site supervisor. Is this normal? I would've thought they would've called to at least introduce themselves Re: Boutique Homes 1767Feb 06, 2016 9:08 am Goodluck Baneshouse with the build...the rule is you annoy them with follow ups they wont be able to resist you forever. --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Boutique Homes 1769Feb 06, 2016 3:32 pm measure Another point to consider, especially for those who are in the process of signing their PWC or already have is if Boutique have lowered their base prices and raised the cost of upgrades and variations the client could potentially get charged twice. The client would pay for the original house base prices and then when selecting a flooring or other affected upgrade could pay the newer more expensive price. We are currently facing this problem and I for one will not move forward with my contract until I can see a detailed outline of what changes/pricing structures were changed. @measure I did my colour selection yesterday and after some length of conversation, we decided to keep our current PwC. The pricing should reflect your older inclusions. Apart from the changes listed in premium inclusions, the new pricing also reduce the category 1 inlcusions. From memory: 1. No more tiling included for main area (but non issue if you're not going to choose tiles for main) 2. Laminate selection for cat 1 reduced to just 3. The bolero plank is an upgrade in the new plan 3. The plushier carpet no longer a standard 4. Most categories move up one, I.e. Tiles that are category 3 at the moment become category 4 5. Ilve appliances included is becoming the lowest of the range (used to be the top of the range) 6. Bathroom glass become full frame bathroom and not semi frameless 7. Feature tiles no longer standard in new plan (not relevant if you are not getting one anyway) 8. Glass splash back not included but you can downgrade from current glass to tiles and get $1k back. I think you can downgrade other things as well if needed My main reason for staying is what changes on the base price - 6 star energy rating gives some unknown cost at later stage, and the BAL for new pricing will increase as well (currently $5400) They should not pay for the new "standards" as long as you are in Your current PwC Re: Boutique Homes 1770Feb 06, 2016 3:47 pm EN710 measure Another point to consider, especially for those who are in the process of signing their PWC or already have is if Boutique have lowered their base prices and raised the cost of upgrades and variations the client could potentially get charged twice. The client would pay for the original house base prices and then when selecting a flooring or other affected upgrade could pay the newer more expensive price. We are currently facing this problem and I for one will not move forward with my contract until I can see a detailed outline of what changes/pricing structures were changed. @measure I did my colour selection yesterday and after some length of conversation, we decided to keep our current PwC. The pricing should reflect your older inclusions. Apart from the changes listed in premium inclusions, the new pricing also reduce the category 1 inlcusions. From memory: 1. No more tiling included for main area (but non issue if you're not going to choose tiles for main) 2. Laminate selection for cat 1 reduced to just 3. The bolero plank is an upgrade in the new plan 3. The plushier carpet no longer a standard 4. Most categories move up one, I.e. Tiles that are category 3 at the moment become category 4 5. Ilve appliances included is becoming the lowest of the range (used to be the top of the range) 6. Bathroom glass become full frame bathroom and not semi frameless 7. Feature tiles no longer standard in new plan (not relevant if you are not getting one anyway) 8. Glass splash back not included but you can downgrade from current glass to tiles and get $1k back. I think you can downgrade other things as well if needed My main reason for staying is what changes on the base price - 6 star energy rating gives some unknown cost at later stage, and the BAL for new pricing will increase as well (currently $5400) They should not pay for the new "standards" as long as you are in Your current PwC Thanks EN710, We had a lengthy conversation with our pre-start consultant on Friday and we has said pretty much the same as you listed above. We were lucky that I had the consultants email a few quotes of pricing for various features and upgrades so when we go to our colour appointment in March we can compare to make sure we aren't getting something different. At this stage we look like staying with our current PWC as well. Re: Boutique Homes 1771Feb 06, 2016 4:50 pm Absolutely heartbroken right now We got our keys on Wednesday, started moving some stuff in and sometime (we think) on Thursday night, some arsehole(s) have broken in, ripped our oven out of the wall and dumped it on the dining room floor and made off with our microwave The house had been sitting like it was for nearly 3 weeks and this happens the very next day after we take ownership......devastated Hopefully there's been no damage to the oven and it can just go back in (after some repair work to the cabinetry). Re: Boutique Homes 1772Feb 06, 2016 6:13 pm Oh that's just awful JP79! I would be devastated too ... Heads up and don't let those mean selfish ppl win!!! Karma will come back and bite them in the bum! I just can't understand what people get out of taking other people's stuff!!! Stay positive https://letsbuildwithboutique.wordpress.com Re: Boutique Homes 1774Feb 06, 2016 9:38 pm Sorry to hear that jp79 ... we should all be vigilant when we move in I wont leave my place once I have the keys. Re: Boutique Homes 1775Feb 06, 2016 10:44 pm Oh no - JP79, that's horrible. I'm scared of that happening. We had a problem this week - the air conditioning wasn't connected properly (we think) so when they tested it it or someone turned it on it leaked. Or there is a giant hole in the roof? We don't actually know - but a chunk of our brand new carpet is wet, saturated actually. The walls in this spot have water marks and the paint has bubbled. Completely devo, as I'm sure it will delay us. We got so close to having a fuss free build. I just wanted to cry. A friend's sister who built with another volume builder had the same thing happen... But they had moved in. Their whole upstairs carpet had to be replaced as a different roll of carpet has a slightly different shade. So the positive is it happened before we moved in. I just hope it gets fixed correctly - I don't want mould growing. Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Re: Boutique Homes 1776Feb 07, 2016 3:39 am baneshouse We had our site start on Wednesday - fence went up Tuesday, site cut on Wed and electrical box in on Thursday. Very exciting and happy it's all moving but I haven't heard from anyone at Boutique since the week our file was sent to construction (when my pre start called to tell me) I've emailed and called our client liaison and haven't heard back from her or heard from our site supervisor. Is this normal? I would've thought they would've called to at least introduce themselves I had a smooth, stress-free transition from Pre-Start to Client Liaison. Both called about a day apart. I get weekly updates from my Client Liaison and all emails sent in are replied the next day. Re: Boutique Homes 1778Feb 07, 2016 3:08 pm May I ask opinion for external colour? Not quite sure about the render colour... Any suggestions/ feedback? Current choices: Brick - praline Render - flooded gum (not sure, opinion?) Roof - gunmetal Windows - aluminum colour Garage - Caoba Driveway - Pompeii The colour Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The facade is Modern Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Driveway Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ send from tapatalk Re: Boutique Homes 1779Feb 07, 2016 7:51 pm Once they hand me the keys, my priority will be fence, locksmith and CCTV camera. Security is an essential part of every home so I think I will spend in this area. --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Re: Boutique Homes 1780Feb 08, 2016 7:14 am JP79 Absolutely heartbroken right now We got our keys on Wednesday, started moving some stuff in and sometime (we think) on Thursday night, some arsehole(s) have broken in, ripped our oven out of the wall and dumped it on the dining room floor and made off with our microwave The house had been sitting like it was for nearly 3 weeks and this happens the very next day after we take ownership......devastated Hopefully there's been no damage to the oven and it can just go back in (after some repair work to the cabinetry). Oh geez - really sorry to hear about that JP79. That sounds like it was an inside job, if you know what I mean... =/ Seems particularly strange given that it was sitting like that for nearly 3 weeks, and yet the day after you get the keys... yeeaaah. I'm getting my NBN connection sorted out BEFORE I get my keys for this very reason, so that I can go and install a wireless security camera or two on the day we get our keys, as we know that we won't be moving in for a few days afterwards, and want to make sure there's no 'inside information' type stuff happening. At least, if someone does break in, we'll have all the security footage for the police to show. 10 15985 Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 77397 |