Clarendon Parkhill 36 in Coomera Retreat. HAND OVER!!

Hi everyone,
We are building a Parkhill 36 by Clarendon Homes in Coomera Retreat on the Gold Coast.

Some of you may have read earlier that we placed a deposit with a different builder. Well after months of arguing with them over trivial details that they wanted to charge me a fortune for (they LOVE putting retaining walls on to blocks that are essentially FLAT!!), I have given up and gone with Clarendon.

We have selected the Parkhill 36 with a few modifications.
We chose this home for a number of reasons but the two major factors were.. It felt like "Home" when we walked through the display. Many other just didn't do that for us. And secondly, it was by far the easiest to modify and add the second master bedroom to and still have plenty of living area.

You might like to also check out our blog which has more detailed info Our Build Blog

Cheers
Paul

THE JOURNEY

FROM THE BEGINNING
03/01/2015 - Paid deposit and signed contract for block of land in Coomera Retreat.
09/01/2015 - Land given unconditional approval by bank. Looks like we own a patch of dirt haha!!
10/01/2015 - Paid deposit to "First Builder" and took pics of our land!! Click Here For Pictures
16/01/2015 - Joined Homeone Forum. A important milestone I think haha
18/01/2015 - Back to see sales rep and removed the Alfresco and converted back to internal living space.
09/02/2015 - First tender and plan presentation. WOW.. The $$$$ really start adding up. If you wish to sneeze in that corner.. that will cost you a extra $1500.00 lol
20/02/2015 - Second Tender and revised plans received after me complaining to customer liaison about time taken for simple amendments. (And yes.. I come from a building background so have some knowledge of time frames)
21/03/2015 - Paid deposit to Clarendon Homes. Bigger home, higher costs, but already much happier with results achieved in a quick 3 weeks of talking with them.
21/03/2015 - Posted image of floor plan and front elevation. Will post our modified version when we get it Click Here For Pictures
01/06/2015 - Unconditional Approval for finance from RAMS
12/06/2015 - Colour Selections at Clarendon Studio Click here for pictures
16/06/2015 - Settlement of land. We now own a block of dirt!!!
08/07/2015 - Received Building Works Approval from private certifier.
11/08/2015 - Received Authority to Commence Letter from Rams
11/09/2015 - Final Plans.. FINALLY!! Click Here For Pictures

CONSTRUCTION 2015
29/09/2015 - Site Scrape Click Here For Pictures
01/10/2015 - Gravel delivered for driveway and house pegged out. Click Here For Pictures
06/10/2015 - Garage Beam and Peering Click Here For Pictures
07/10/2015 - Trenching, Plumbing and Meterbox Click Here For Pictures
08/10/2015 - Mesh and Rio delivered to site. Click Here For Pictures
10/10/2015 - Slab boxed up, pods and mesh installed. Click Here For Pictures
12/10/2015 - SLAB POURED!!! Click Here For Pictures
13/10/2015 - Dirt from site scrape and trenches spread back around yard to slope away from slab.
14/10/2015 - Waterproofing fitted to outside edges of slab
15/10/2015 - Steel beams delivered to site
21/10/2015 - Lower floor framing erected. Click Here For Pictures
22/10/2015 - Temp Bracing, Bracing Ply, Floor Joists and Safety Rails installed.Click Here For Pictures
23/10/2015 - Second Floor going up. Click Here For Pictures
24/10/2015 - Upper floor frames completed, lower floor roof done and part of upper floor roof completed. Click Here For Pictures
30/10/2015 - Fascia and Gutter fitted to upper floor roof. Click Here For Pictures
02/11/2015 - Insulation for roof delivered.
03/11/2015 - Upper floor roof installed. Click Here For Pictures
06/11/2015 - Plumbing installed. Click Here For Pictures
14/11/2015 - Fascia & Gutter installed to lower roof sections. Safety rails fitted for roof plumbers. Click Here For Pictures
19/11/2015 - Lower Roof fitted Click Here For Pictures
21/11/2015 - Safety Rails installed over Garage Roof Click Here For Pictures
21/11/2015 - Electrical Rough In Done. Click Here For Pictures
24/11/2015 - Some of our windows have been delivered and more electrical work completed! Click Here For Pictures
26/11/2015 - Windows installed and some of the data cables ran. Click Here For Pictures
02/12/2015 - Bricks and Front Door delivered Click Here For Pictures
03/12/2015 - More bricks and brickies sand delivered... Click Here For Pictures
04/12/2015 - Front Door fitted, Brickies on site!!! Click Here For Pictures
08/12/2015 - More Brick Progress and some pics of the Amazing Cabling lol Click Here For Pictures
10/12/2015 - And More Bricks!!!! Click Here For Pictures
14/12/2015 - Scaffolding erected for brickies to continue Click Here For Pictures
14/12/2015 - Some rectifications completed... Click Here For Pictures
15/12/2015 - Insulation fitted Click Here For Pictures
18/12/2015 - Plasterboard Hung Click Here For Pictures
21/12/2015 - Brickwork Completed!! Click Here For Pictures

CONSTRUCTION 2016
04/01/2016 - Plasterers returned to do joints Click Here For Pictures
05/01/2016 - Front bricks rendered!! Click Here For Pictures
06/01/2016 - Front yard cleaned up Click Here For Pictures
08/01/2016 - Cornice Fitted Click Here For Pictures
12/01/2016 - Soffit and external cladding started Click Here For Pictures
12/01/2016 - Cladding Update Click Here For Pictures
13/01/2016 - Upper Floor Cladding Completed Click Here For Pictures
21/01/2016 - Soffits and Cladding are completed, Downpipes fitted to upper level and now painting to the upper floor has started. Click Here For Pictures
22/01/2016 - Bricks have been cleaned down. Click Here For Pictures
25/01/2016 - Stairs Fitted!! Click Here For Pictures
01/02/2016 - Wet Areas Waterproofed Click Here For Pictures
02/02/2016 - Fit Out started and Electrical Click Here For Pictures
10/02/2016 - Cabinets Going In Click Here For Pictures
15/02/2016 - Tiles Started Click Here For Pictures
21/02/2016 - Tiles Update Click Here For Pictures
23/02/2016 - More Tiles Updates and Benchtops Fitted Click Here For Pictures
28/02/2016 - Prep work started for painting Click Here For Pictures
02/03/2016 - Ceilings painted, Doors primed and first coat done on walls. We have a Garage Door!! Click Here For Pictures
19-03-2016 - Temp fencing removed, Shower screens going in, Electrical fit out started!!! Click Here For Pictures
31-03-2016 - Done walk through with supervisor and listed all defects that need to be repaired / replaced.
12-04-2016 - Hand Over!! Click Here For Pictures

My beautiful partner Lisa standing beside the SOLD sign.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/land_zpsmwdg0ky0.jpg

View from across the road straight at our block
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/nEfNkg_zpsukojqpms.jpg

Lisa standing somewhere?? on our block lol
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/9nUntF_zps7l92zckp.jpg

The Nature strip across the road from our block. Also serves as a screen from the main road and does a excellent job at adding costs to our build... fire rating haha
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/10917455_10204725510514330_4279960598605743989_n_zpsd0pfthl6.jpghttp://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/F3iLTG_zps7zbqtasd.jpg

View down at our block from the block behind and above.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/10917394_10204725512474379_4487915884527659606_n_zpsezdnaxqt.jpg

We should end up with some ok views from the top floor once the estate is completed.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/10888730_10204725512994392_2120694958438762379_n_zpsh5lk8bss.jpg

Panoramic view..
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/10887264_10204725511354351_2386472306107462310_o_zpsddruoqlg.jpg

Have updated the first post with timeline events.
Will try and keep this up to date with pics as we progress

Congrats on the start and good luck with the build.

Make the ceilings 2700. 2590 is a waste you won't even know the difference.

I was thinking that myself but am now considering going back to 2440 and using the funds elsewhere. I think the costs to go to 2740 is pretty high. Will find out more today as going over to have a quick chat with Sales rep.

The other thing is to consider making stacker doors higher. It looks better with taller ceilings

Following, looks like a great location. Congratz again! Yes as per crazyk, if u upgrade to higher ceilings dont forget ur door heights especially stacker. Will look much more coherent and bigger!

Went back to see Russell (Coomera Retreat Sales Rep) today and annoyed him some more.
I must say.. Russell has been bloody fantastic and very patient and helpful, even though we have proceeded to the next step and he doesnt really need to waste time, he still gave us 100% of his time while we were there.
That said...
Some changes and possible changes...
We are removing the Alfresco area completely and turning it back into internal living space. This will put my mind at rest totally about not having enough "social" space.
Cost increase of approx $3200.00
I will add my own alfresco to the back of the house, 3000 deep and running the full width of the house.
Upgrade wall heights to 2740 downstairs.
Cost increase of about $5000 (over the standard 2440 ceiling). Still toying with this but will probably do it for the space.

Hey Room, when I look back I wish I had converted my alfresco to living. I think it's easier to make an outdoor space like you say work for you better.

Yeah its a calculated risk.
House will look very "Boxy" with the Alfresco built in but the roof I will add should break it back up.
Just couldn't take the risk of ending up with a social hub too small to be social in.. especially seeing we are not going to have the Living.

I can't wait to follow your build.

How many squares is the house?

No idea at this stage as I keep changing it lol
Might have to rename it from Beckham to Beckham XL hahahaha

More Confusion!!!!
Just got back from a browse through Cosham Studios and am now even more unsure about flooring for main living areas.
We have had the timber look included in our quote but I am really wanting to go with a pure white porcelain tile.
Durability and the ability to use any colour in furniture / fixtures is a real attraction.

Meeting today with Plantation Homes for first look at plans and presentation.
All I can say is.. WOW!!!!
For anyone building for the first time... Be prepared to cop it sweet for what might appear to be the simplest and smallest of changes.
I am now having second thoughts about the whole she-bang.

Lol. Nothing is for free nor easy.

Best of luck!

Oh wow how much did ur changes totalled up to if u don't mind me asking?

Base price.. Not sure how they come up with this so called price lol.. $219 000.00
Price so far... $302 000.00
And they still have to adjust price for wall height increase downstairs (somehow this change didnt get included as discussed with estimator), larger front door (1020) and insulation blankets under metal roof sheeting.

Wasn't expecting anything for free, but wasn't expecting to pay for the next CEO's retirement plan on my house alone.
I got the impression that some builders assume that their clients know nothing and can get away with ridiculous "extra" charges.

Yeah was a figure of speech.
Volume builders work off volume and low margin on base inclusions.
Add upgrades and at a guess their margins would jump to 25% which is probably comparable with custom guys.

Went past the block on Saturday and noticed a new sign out front.
Time will tell if it stays or gets changed.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/roomeat/8VQmaC_zps7rhkcnid.jpg