Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Apr 06, 2010 8:21 pm Hi All, in 2004 I purchased an 'off the plan' complete street package in Lakeside in Pakenham from one of Victoria's (claimed) largest volume builders (no its no PD or H) We weren't allowed to inspect the house before settlement, (wasn't made known till after we had signed and all verbal) anyway, after 1 week in the property the nightmare commenced. Way too many things to list but for example; 1. No power to left side of the house 2. No heating downstair 3. Bulk head in the kitchen collapsed filled with water 4. Walls & doors not straight (plum) 5. More water leaks than the titanic 6. No flushing over windows so water comes inside 7. Rear sliding door "fell out" one day 8. No water proofing in wet areas 9. Floor tiles not glued down 10. Portico floods when it rains now rotten away Anyway, called the builder who simply said "put all of it on the maintenance sheet" which we did and it's now 5 years and they are still outstanding (17 major issues) Yes they came back when they realized that the gray water wasn't connected and was leaking in the wall and when they realized that the 'stink pipe' wasn't done so every-time it rained it just flooded the ceilings but they won't address the remaining issues - well they say they will but never turn up to fix things. But all this aside, now my house is sinking on the left hand side; 39mm at the rear and 16mm at the front. I called the volume builder who came out with their "structural engineer" who did the measurements and confirmed that 'YES, your house has dropped" Initially they claimed it was a result on the earthquake in Chile, then on the next visit they claimed it was because my fridge was a 'side by side' fridge and started to tell me how this can effect the slab and if so its not their fault They have sent me a copy of his (S/Engineer) report and claim that it is the neighbors tree, situated 2.5 m from the house that has caused the problem and is now the reason behind all the other issues with the house (tiles not clued, no venting to range-hood, leaking shower, etc etc) Now this is the interesting bit, the "Tree" is a 3 year old Mop Top and I have yet to get any tree professional or botanist to agree with their report - yes trees do drink from the soil (Duh) but the location and type of the tree would not be the main cause of the issue with my house (as claimed by the volume builder) It is within 1.5 m of the neighbors house but they have had NO damage at all Their "engineer" did not take any soil samples or samples of any kind, he did measure the drop in the floor with his reporting stating "main cause neighbors tree, remove tree and do no repairs for 12 mths", he did not mention the type of tree or its exact location in his report Once again I have sent countless faxes, letters and emails to the volume builder yet have heard nothing back from them except the call to tell me that the 'tree caused ALL the issues with my house" I am still searching for an independent structural engineer in Melb, but those whom I have called, claim to have done work for the volume builder and would not be seen as independent. Spoke with neighbor (who also had built house with volume builder) who stated "you know its not my tree and you will have to prove it's just not more poor building issues by them, before I will do anything"; which considering the workmanship (lack of) in all the houses in our street (they did the whole street) I don't blame him. SO where do I go from here? They won't return calls, claim that I have never written to or faxed them (letters were by reg post) claim I have only called 4-5 times (my phone records show 187 calls and counting) I have requested some pretty basic information about who worked on the house and SS so I can retrace who did what but they just ignore the request. Any suggestions, thinking about going to my local MP for assistance, I have patience but now it's finally getting to me & my wife. Can't sell the house and can't fix it. Thoughts please Cheers Poddy Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 2Apr 06, 2010 8:35 pm Quote: then on the next visit they claimed it was because my fridge was a 'side by side' fridge and started to tell me how this can effect the slab and if so its not their fault Are you serious?????? Lots of people, myself included, have side by side fridges and there houses dont sink Never heard anything so ridiculous Quote: claim that it is the neighbors tree, situated 2.5 m from the house that has caused the problem :no venting to range-hood, leaking shower, etc etc Well, unless its a tree in the neighbours yard causing the lack of rangehood venting Anyway, dont you have a govt regulating body in your state? Perhaps if you post which state you are in, someone can give you details on how to contact them? Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 3Apr 06, 2010 8:42 pm hi, sorry, I'm in Victoria and yes I have called both the builder warranty and Fair trading commission but as the builder hasn't said "no" just hasn't come back then there is nothing I can do via them. Now they just say " it's caused by a tree, not by their work" so I guess you can say "I'm rooted" And yes they did claim the "fridge" but only after they claimed the "earthquake" Cheers Poddy Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 4Apr 06, 2010 8:48 pm Have you contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria? Considered lodging a claim at VCAT (Domestic Building List)? If all legal options fail, contact the media - Today Tonight etc are always running these stories (the battler, such as us, against the mighty corporate giants) They'd run with it How awful for you. It's disgraceful and they shouldn't get away with it. Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 5Apr 06, 2010 9:15 pm Stop wasting your time and just get a solicitor. Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 8Apr 06, 2010 10:28 pm What about getting in touch with Archicentre. They do house inspections and give you a report. Can't hurt to at least call them. Your story is dreadful. I hope someone can sort this out for you as obviously the builder has no idea. Good luck. A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands. Melbourne West Our build viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34169 Landscaping viewtopic.php?f=19&t=51147 Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 9Apr 06, 2010 10:29 pm This is awful, I feel so sorry for you. I also think that some legal advice is a very good idea. Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 10Apr 06, 2010 10:38 pm do you mind if i ask who the builder is? only because my brother is building in pakenham and his builder is very ******* as well. would like to know if its the same builder because this guy should not be in business if this is the case!!!! if you dont want to put the name up on the site please email me in confidence and private at belindacincotta@hotmail.com Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 11Apr 06, 2010 10:50 pm hi All, have sort legal advice and as the builder is not saying "NO" I have no case (cost effective) now they have a signed structural Engineers report claiming a tree and I have sent them detailed questions based on the report and have to give them time to respond but they don't have too if they don't want to. This is a loop hole that they are exploiting - "Don't say No, just don't do anything" IF I can find an engineer who has not done work for them and can't disprove their report then I can take legal action. Also, any report must be done by a reg VCAT engineer or you cannot use it in VCAT (same with building reports) I have spent $1700 on house reports that can't be used as they were not reg with VCAT Cheers Poddy Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 12Apr 06, 2010 11:00 pm I assume you tried http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/. Could stand outside their display homes. Offer potential customers the opportunity to see the real quality of their work. That would get a response of some kind. Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 13Apr 07, 2010 12:47 pm Poddy, You mentioned that your entire street (or most of it) was built by the same builder that built your house. Why note initate a class action with the street. This assumes that others have as many problems a you. Cheers, Casa And yes, a side-by-side fridge will create peoblems with your slab, but only if preceeded by an earthquake in Chile. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 14Apr 07, 2010 6:24 pm What a nightmare. If legal avenues have got you nowhere, then I vote for the shame them into action method - as others have suggested, current affairs shows love these stories. It won't hurt to contact your MP though. Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 15Apr 07, 2010 6:31 pm Disgraceful, I am surprised you have waited 5 years though. Some builders will do anything to get out of fixing something, especially if they can hide mistakes inside walls, under tiles etc. If they get an inch, they take a mile. They seem to be taking advantage of your good nature. Tell them straight out, fix it or else, seel alternative opinions on legals, contact media. It sounds like they have built a lemon and are desperately trying to get out of it. Planned Landscape Constructions http://www.plannedlandscape.com.au Find us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 9907611509 Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 16Apr 07, 2010 7:49 pm (quote...We weren't allowed to inspect the house before settlement, unquote) This is where I would have not settled....you don't buy a car unseen and the same for a house.... You must have patience thats for sure I would have seen a solicitor long before now. Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 17Apr 07, 2010 8:05 pm If you're right...
2) Get a big For Sale sign for your home. List the builder and all the "attributes". Ask the local press for free advertising in exchange for the story, have an open house and invite the media. 3) Wear a sandwich board outside their office. 4) Write a letter to them cc their competitors. "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 18Apr 07, 2010 9:35 pm ed @ EcoClassic If you're right...
2) Get a big For Sale sign for your home. List the builder and all the "attributes". Ask the local press for free advertising in exchange for the story, have an open house and invite the media. 3) Wear a sandwich board outside their office. 4) Write a letter to them cc their competitors. AGREED Sleven Moved into our Atlantique MkII 36 by Carlisle Homes Re: 5 years of hell with builder - where to next 19Apr 09, 2010 8:23 am I would seek further legal advice, that is just not correct. Get your own building report detailing all damages, get an arborist report on the property and surrounding trees and find a decent solicitor. Collate all of your correspondence, write a timeline of your whole experience and pass it all on to the Solicitor. Not admitting guilt does not give the builder carte blanche on repair work. The advice you have been given is incorrect or at the very least incomplete. What an awful experience for you. Joe, it depends on your certifier but we are noticing the ones we deal with are really cracking down. So i would recommend you follow your approved landscaping plans to… 4 10979 i imagine you also have another contract with an architect? and yeah, whatever other's said about special conditions and appendices 16 16025 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 20188 |