Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Apr 03, 2012 7:46 pm I find it so frustrating that I keep getting told things will be at a certain stage by a certain day, to not have it done by then. Why don't they just give themselves a few extra days in their estimating as 'just in case'. I don't want my builder to hurry the job that's not what this is about, but why tell me that the frame would be almost completely done by today if that's not doable. I was surprised to be told this as I thought it would take longer, then of course got my hopes up. Now instead of feeling excited that 'x' amount got done today (not quite half if you are wondering) I instead feel disappointment that more wasn't done. They are spoiling my enjoyment!!! Is it just my builder or builders everywhere that do this? Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 3Apr 04, 2012 4:48 am Why do builders exaggerate all the time? Simply to get your signature on the bottom line, then you are at their mercy. Should you challenge them they have a huge book of excuses. Same with warranty issues where they almost make you walk on broken glass Builders aren't the only ones. Almost every place you trade with today is focused on getting you locked in with a deposit, for that they will promise the earth. Cynical? You betcha. Arfur Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 4Apr 04, 2012 9:04 am It's not just you. Hell, I'm not even at contract stage and they're already doing this to me. I've been told numerous times "you'll receive a call in the next 24 hours", and haven't, but the biggest was that the initial intro should happen within three weeks. I finally got that call yesterday, six weeks after initial signing. But what really takes the cake is the attitude of the guy and putting things off when they did call me - so much so that I'm considering throwing away the work and starting with another builder. See my most recent blog post (see sig) for how that played out! Building a Delta 21 at Craigieburn - http://homeofzero.blogspot.com.au/ Deposit: 26/02. Contract: 22/05. Settlement: 29/05. Site start: 18/10. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 5Apr 04, 2012 9:20 am Crikey Akashra, I so would be changing builders. Your experience is much worse than mine. When we had our house out to tender one of the main factors I took into consideration was communication. Our builders are great for this (actually just got off a call they made to me a few minutes ago). They always get back to me and clarify anything I have asked about. I had your same issue when we were getting figures back of some builders just not giving me answers to questions I was asking. The situation I was complaining about was the Site Supervisor and another of the carpenters on site. I guess I shouldn't have listened to them. I think I shouldn't have started this thread as my complaint is so petty compared to what others have experienced. Good luck with your build Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 7May 01, 2012 12:57 pm We are in the same boat, greenfish.. So annoying isn't it? Being told one thing then it won't get done until 2 weeks later.... Do we even have power to complaint to head office? Was this the SS fault (full of promises) or the head office fault (not organised) ? Which one do you think ? Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 8May 05, 2012 7:04 pm I'm trying to get a contract to lockup. They way is they are doing a good job, I'II keep on using them for other trades, if they aren't I can seek an alternative builder, or subbie out the trades, it will be more like a bad live-in lover then a bad marriage if things go wrong. A talking dog, don't worry what it's saying, it's amazing it can even speak. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 9May 06, 2012 1:05 pm willcres - in my case I think it's just wishful thinking, they aren't actually all that slow, it's just annoying that things don't get done when they say it. I think I would rather not be told to expect something, and just get a lovely surprise when it's done Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 10May 06, 2012 6:59 pm Unexpected delays can happen on site. Ask any builder, they will give you a list! Sometimes it's the lack of good organisation by the supervisor. We have had a brilliant super and a really bad one in the past- co-ordinating all the trades to be there at the right time is a skill and the better supers know their tradies well, everyone works at a different rate, even experienced tradies aren't always fast. And no, I am not a builder, I am just saying it as I see it. Our next build will be no. 4. I do agree that they need to be more "conservative" with their time frames, to avoid disappointing the client!! Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 11May 07, 2012 2:35 pm Wow people. please try to remember taht what we do is subject to weather and a myriad of external suppliers and authorities. Rememebr also that our labour is all subcontracted and therefore independant businesses. Do you ever duck off early from work before a long weekend, or look back on a day where you simply got nothing finished. Now everyone adopt the lotus position, deep breath in and slowly exhale.... @builderforlife Building inspector and passionate about construction When you need an expert to take a look. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 12May 07, 2012 3:47 pm The problem is a lot of builders proclaim to be the best of the best. We offer everything and will get your house built with the least hassles. You then sign up with them to find out they are no better than the next. They lose contact with you, dont return calls, give unobtainable completion dates etc etc I dont see that as an excuse builderforlife. If you know your already up against these issues dont offer a date and set the customer straight about this from day one. I am going to use yourself to point my examples at, but i obviously dont know you and am not building a home with you, its simply a hypathetical situation. You know what you are up against, so why give a date at all? I have never built a home before but given you have been employed to build a home we can only expect that your professional opinion would be correct. If its not correct then you cant really blame me for being upset at it not being done in time. I dont think its to much to ask do you? My builder normally wont give out dates. He has spoken to me about completion dates as he knows i understand how it all works and wont get upset if it doesnt happen. I am understanding that its only an indication and that suits me fine. At least i have some sort of an idea on when i can expect to move in and terminate my lease agreement I am a mechanic by trade and i use to get in crap all the time as i gave out realistic time frames. My boss wanted to talk unrealistic time frames to get the customer in the door, i use to tell them how it really is. Take the time given and multiply it by 3, take the budget and double it was my rule of thumb Building a home is a little different though as there is a contract in place to protect both parties Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 13May 07, 2012 5:28 pm greenfish I find it so frustrating that I keep getting told things will be at a certain stage by a certain day, to not have it done by then. Why don't they just give themselves a few extra days in their estimating as 'just in case'. lol... they already had. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 14May 07, 2012 6:22 pm It's all a sales process and formula in the end. Everything from not giving you prices at colour selection, then over promising delivery times to final hand over. We were told, knocking singles up in 4 to 5 months so a double shouldn't be more than 7 or 8 months. Turned out to be closer to 14 months. Then it is the merry go round system, office hasn't sent us the update....office, we only receive updates from the SS once a week and haven't received....then you start again. Keep all communications as you can then use to claim back money at the end. They take on as many jobs as they can and there's only so many tilers/brickies they use so if ones delayed it seems to snowball. If you have new display homes going up in your area they also take precedence. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 15May 07, 2012 7:57 pm [quote="notremaison"]It's all a sales process and formula in the end. Everything from not giving you prices at colour selection, then over promising delivery times to final hand over. ] I'm glad they don't give you prices at selection. Most selection meetings are 'cut lunch and water bag' anyway - even when you think you know what you want- becos there are other options and choices presented which haven't been factored in. If we had to wait to get it all costed at the one time we'd all be there until midnight!! Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 16May 07, 2012 8:16 pm I am glad i forced the previous builder to give us prices before colour selection as the bricks we wanted were an $18,000 upgrade. That's right, an $18,000 upgrade!!!!! I would have walked out had i heard that at colour selection lol Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 17May 09, 2012 12:46 am BradS I am glad i forced the previous builder to give us prices before colour selection as the bricks we wanted were an $18,000 upgrade. That's right, an $18,000 upgrade!!!!! I would have walked out had i heard that at colour selection lol PHewww.... and not even gold plated!! Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 18May 09, 2012 9:34 am I got my contract yesterday, with a total build time specified: 237 days! WTF, that's like 34 weeks. For a single storey home! That includes 25 days for inclement weather and 71 days for public holidays, weekends and RDOs. So much for gauranteed 22 week build. Building a Delta 21 at Craigieburn - http://homeofzero.blogspot.com.au/ Deposit: 26/02. Contract: 22/05. Settlement: 29/05. Site start: 18/10. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 19May 09, 2012 9:53 am if you look closely there should be another clause to un-expected weather condition, which doesn't count towards that 34 weeks. but builder is here to do business anyway so if they want money real quick they build real quick. Re: Why do builders exaggerate all the time? 20May 09, 2012 10:24 am You are grumbling about the weather clauses when even the meteorologists can get it wrong? And don't they deserve the public holidays and RDOs just like the rest of us? Before you bite my head off, we've been waiting two years to get our build off the ground and it's still not started. It will be 3 in November. Teaches me patience. The 22 week build is probably for perfect summer conditions! Anyways I wouldn't want tradies rushing my build if I were you. Then you can't always be sure of the same standard of workmanship throughout. That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 17857 Hi All, I just wanted to close this topic out with an update. So we ended up agreeing to a number with the insurance company, and after an extensive amount of hand… 8 23401 A Sabco spin mop, minimal moisture, not very regularly. 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