Browse Forums Building A New House Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 13May 24, 2021 2:48 pm kuc sid16 kuc Hi team, I have just decided to go with Omnia too, can you please share some feedback on what to expect, we have yet to do the colours selections. Are they having a lot of options like other builders? Are the usually on time with building Can you guys share some photos from your projects? Thanks Hi Kuc, They do have fairly decent upgrade options. It's not overly powering/confusing to choose from (having said this, we still took a long time to make up our mind on our selections). As far as I know, most of their suppliers/vendors are businesses that either manufacture stuff in Australia or have got a good support network here. This is very important for after sales services in my opinion. After we had our color appointment, it took a long time for us to receive the selection document. We kinda felt that the communication broke down there, somehow. When we applied for a building permit, the dimensions of the house had to be changed a bit to be complaint and to get a building permit. Overall there have been multiple delays until date, and we are way off than the 6-8 months timeline that was given to us verbally. We are just about to complete 7 months since the build started and we are currently in progress with the lockup stage. Achieving completion of this stage itself is at least a few weeks away, and from there all internal work - insulation, plaster, paint, tiles, carpet, stairs, electrical work, cabinetry and appliance installation, etc is still pending. Don't go by the build completion time frame you get by word, only trust the one you have mentioned in the contract. You'll get notified about a "practical completion date" when the site cut happens. Our practical completion date is around 9-10 weeks away. I hope all this work gets completed in the mentioned time-frame. If you choose to go with a private building inspector, be sure to get the slab-pour date from Omnia's office well in advance, and be in touch with them phone/email consistently, so that the inspector can carry out a pre-pour inspection and can also be present during the slab pour. I hope your build goes smoothly. Please do share the progress of your build and your experience too. Sometimes, I have observed that people ask questions here but do not share their experiences with their build. I hope this helps! Thank you so much for this update Its an exiting and scary at the same time We have just paid the initial deposit and we still have finalized the contracts and everything else that comes with it I'm hoping for a smooth and timely process. Our house plan is completely custom build as we needed to make sure it fits in to our block size and shape, so building permit might be delayed also. We are building a double story house in Fraser Rise and thankfully there is no Covid delays at the moment hoping for completion next year this time So far our experience has been good, they are very nice to deal with and hoping to stay this way Did you have a private inspector? We haven't thought about that yet? Thanks I hope your build goes smoothly. I totally agree, it is exciting yet a scary time. I have had some sleepless nights, not kidding. Our initial experience regarding selecting the floor-plan was great as well. Their building coordinator with whom you'll mostly be in touch with, after signing the contract and after the colors appointment is responsive as well, no complaints with her. We're are building a double storey home too, but in Truganina. As this is our first home, we have learnt a lot along the way. Yes, we do have a private building inspector, and I would highly recommend hiring one. Having a second pair of eyes on the construction progress is beneficial. The detailed report that the inspector would provide you, would not be given by the builder at then end of each stage. This report can serve of importance in identifying and rectifying defects, and would be an invaluable resource in future, if and when some problem with the build arises. Obviously, the things that the inspector can/will check are limited but still very useful. I'm enlisting a few of my learnings: Starting the build in winter is better (learnt after mine started in summer), as the concrete dries slowly and it cures well. There are three parties mainly involved in a build process - an engineering company that designs the slab/plumbing/framing, a surveyor who checks and signs off all major build completion stages, and the builder. Knowing that a surveyor is involved, it might give a sense of surety and that someone is keeping an oversight on building works, but you (as a home owner) will not receive any communication from them. That is, as before the build commences, you'll sign a document giving the builder "authority to act" on your behalf during the entire build time. Thus, the surveyor communicates with the builder only, and you as an owner do not receive any inspection reports from them. This might explain the importance of hiring a private building inspector for all building stages. Based on the site soil classification (for highly reactive soil), do ask the builder about site drainage and do ask your inspector to check that as well, after the slab gets poured. Always remember that it's your hard earned money that is going into this build. Never hesitate to ask questions to the builder. If you have doubts about some work that is carried out, ask your inspector to check if it is as per building code during various stages of build. Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 14May 25, 2021 7:25 am Thank you so much for this insight, i really appreciate it Considering Omnia is not a large builder, we were a bit concerned, but happy that e can get some information from you i will keep you updated on our progress. I know it will be a slow one but will get there eventually. Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 15May 25, 2021 9:29 am kuc Thank you so much for this insight, i really appreciate it Considering Omnia is not a large builder, we were a bit concerned, but happy that e can get some information from you i will keep you updated on our progress. I know it will be a slow one but will get there eventually. No problems, happy to help. Since they do not have a display home, you may ask for a few addresses of their current ongoing projects, and can drive past to have a look. Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 16May 25, 2021 9:50 am yes that's right, I was think about asking them for that. Would love to see some of their work Do you have any address that you can provide me with (not yours of course, if you do no not feel comfortable providing) , but some other ones in the area We can drive by on the weekend and have a look Thanks Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 17May 25, 2021 9:55 am kuc yes that's right, I was think about asking them for that. Would love to see some of their work Do you have any address that you can provide me with (not yours of course, if you do no not feel comfortable providing) , but some other ones in the area We can drive by on the weekend and have a look Thanks Unfortunately not, you'll have to ask them about current ongoing projects. Also, I believe me providing any addresses would be like stepping over the line. Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 18May 25, 2021 10:47 am Not a problem, totally agree I will ask them and hopefully they will help with that information I will also keep you updated on our progress and where we are Thank you so much for this update , i hope the end is near for you and you can finally move in and enjoy your new house Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 19May 25, 2021 11:55 am kuc Not a problem, totally agree I will ask them and hopefully they will help with that information I will also keep you updated on our progress and where we are Thank you so much for this update , i hope the end is near for you and you can finally move in and enjoy your new house Sounds great! Thank you, yep, we've been eagerly waiting for it to complete now. My journey of getting a block of land and then constructing on it has stretched far too long, longer than I would have liked. Initially the developer delayed title by 14 months, and then the build. Anyways, i'll stop my rant. I hope your build goes smoothly. Re: New Build with Omnia Homes 20May 27, 2021 5:18 pm I made a visit today to see the progress of the build. Portions of the frame wood have been exposed to rain/sun since mid of January this year. Even though the roof has been installed, rain water enters from the first floor frame as outer walls/cladding have not been installed yet and the house is not water tight. Thus, in the last 5 months, it has started developing surface mold at various places. Though this is surface mold, from the looks of it, but it still would need to be treated before the drywall are installed. It is therefore important to avoid any delays during the build, as delay adds to such problems. I have notified Omnia homes about it, did mention to the site supervisor as well when we met. Hopefully they will rectify this soon. Attaching pics. 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 ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 26677 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 19849 3 51854 |