Porter Davis homes

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 1:02 pm

ya1980

Thanks Drew01. Will give it a try.

Has anyone built the Waldorf Grange? I'm worried about heating the living area with the void. I'm thinking of having hydronic underfloor heating for the downstairs.

We visited their display on it's opening day. The first (and only) question I had for the sales guy was "Can I fill it in?" He did not see any reason as to why not. Have you asked if you can? (If you want too that is)

Pungentia · Sep 10, 2015 1:48 pm

Quick post from me - PCI went well earlier in the week. Amazing effort from PD to tidy up and do the last little bits and pieces. No major issues from PCI and all the slightly bigger issues (powerpoint in the wrong spot, LPOD needing moving, dint to a window etc) should be resolved by tomorrow.

Hoping for handover tomorrow!

MichaelQ · Sep 10, 2015 3:07 pm

good news, well done!

Drew01 · Sep 10, 2015 3:08 pm

Looking good, Chris!

knyght · Sep 10, 2015 3:13 pm

ChrisHeli

The 100th day of the build. Along with almost 40 pictures!

http://itsallaboutthewaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/framing-day-100-uber-update.html

Did you upgrade your showers? Ours looks very different and are supposedly the semi frameless ones.

deefeez46waldorf · Sep 10, 2015 6:20 pm

Knight you would of got what we had which are framed and wrong type and we got them all changed to semi as per stegbar website

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 6:26 pm

That is precisely the argument I used!
Based upon the troubles you had.

knyght · Sep 10, 2015 7:02 pm

Raised with SS who is going to look into it.

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 8:25 pm

Looking at driveway options.

http://itsallaboutthewaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/looking-at-cobblestones-for-driveway.html

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 8:39 pm

Framing Day 104. One week ago!

http://itsallaboutthewaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/framing-day-104-internal-tidy-ups.html

ya1980 · Sep 10, 2015 8:46 pm

ChrisHeli

ya1980

Thanks Drew01. Will give it a try.

Has anyone built the Waldorf Grange? I'm worried about heating the living area with the void. I'm thinking of having hydronic underfloor heating for the downstairs.

We visited their display on it's opening day. The first (and only) question I had for the sales guy was "Can I fill it in?" He did not see any reason as to why not. Have you asked if you can? (If you want too that is)

We are building a grannny flat at the back so there will be little light if we did that (the back window will be a wall - same in theatre room but at least we can have a window on the side there). In fact that's one of the only reasons we chose this over the Waldorf 48.

We are thinking that hydronic underfloor heating will solve the heat problem. Cooling it won't be too tough I think. Anyone tried hydronic underfloor (not in slab) heating?

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 9:12 pm

Framing Day 105. More finalization. That's it! I'm now up to date. Well, someone said that the forum had been a little slow

So thanks for bearing with me!

http://itsallaboutthewaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/framing-day-105-more-finalization.html

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 9:50 pm

ya1980

We are thinking that hydronic underfloor heating will solve the heat problem. Cooling it won't be too tough I think. Anyone tried hydronic underfloor (not in slab) heating?

We have installed the SpeedHeat (electrical, resistance based heating) but only in the Master and Princess Suite ensuites.

Not to be used as heating, as the power bills would be horrible! But enough to keep your feet from freezing!

ChrisHeli · Sep 10, 2015 10:38 pm

I just realised that one of the most useful things that other people put up whilst we spent months planning were their electrical plans. I just realised that I'd not put ours up! So, to that end, and in the spirit of full disclosure, please find a backdated (to when we received it, Jan 26th) post detailing all.

http://itsallaboutthewaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/full-electrical-entertainment-sound.html

ChrisHeli · Sep 11, 2015 1:35 pm

Speaking of gas meters...

I looked at ours, and it looked a little small for my purposes. I need 470-500Mj and the meter that has been installed only goes to 380Mj. So, for the first time in months, I had reason to call me BC, and I've asked (via my SS) to take care of it.

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Drew01 · Sep 12, 2015 11:10 pm

Has anyone had PD agree to install a wool/foil ceiling blanket under colorbond roofing, and insulation bats in the exterior walls?

We want our build to be as thermally efficient as possible, and have been told that a roof blanket isn't necessary, and that PD can only install wrap and sisal in the walls...

A couple of my custom builder mates won't install a colorbond without without a blanket, and nearly always install bats to exterior walls..

Our sales consultant is being awesome trying to get a win for us, but ultimately, if we're prepared to pay for it, what's the issue?

This would make our build closer to 7 star than 6... Surely that's a win for PD too?

ChrisHeli · Sep 13, 2015 9:56 am

The (now that I've caught up!) weekly blog update.

The garage doors have been added, the hebel/render repairs have been effected. We have power to the house! Lights work!

http://itsallaboutthewaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/framing-day-110-lights-garage-doors.html

ChrisHeli · Sep 13, 2015 10:13 am

Drew01

Has anyone had PD agree to install a wool/foil ceiling blanket under colorbond roofing, and insulation bats in the exterior walls?

We want our build to be as thermally efficient as possible, and have been told that a roof blanket isn't necessary, and that PD can only install wrap and sisal in the walls...

There are sound proofing options for internal walls. And 13mm thick plaster we used for the ceiling of the theatre room.

Like you, we wanted a "minimal running costs" approach. Extra insulation is one way to achieve that.

We looked at it. I wanted exactly you've asked for, a ceiling blanket, but a different brand so what PD "are exclusively contractually locked into" (despite that being illegal). So, we looked at Sarking. But the cost upgrade was a way too much.

But dragging out the memory from over a year ago... The wool/foil - anti condensation mats - are normally needed in more humid climates, and were not a requirement (not even a manufacturers one) for Victoria.

So in the end we didn't. I gave up, and I had other issues to plan.

Drew01

A couple of my custom builder mates won't install a colorbond without without a blanket, and nearly always install bats to exterior walls..

Our sales consultant is being awesome trying to get a win for us, but ultimately, if we're prepared to pay for it, what's the issue?

This would make our build closer to 7 star than 6... Surely that's a win for PD too?

In terms of energy rating, so long as they meet their requirements, going over does not win anything for them.

Don't get stuck comparing your "custom builder mates" with a volume builder. I'm sure that there are large price point differences! And, smaller builders also need a point of differentiation. Perhaps things like internal insulation is a means of achieving that? Just a guess???

Contract lock ins aside, it's not just a matter of you being prepared to pay for something, there lots of other issues to consider, commercial agreements, arrangements etc to organise. So It's not as simple going down to bunnings to buy it.

Oh how I wish it was!!!

Even offered to supply it ourselves. Nope. Just like your own trades etc. Nope.

Sadly, it's one of the tradeoffs you have to make going with a volume builder. But there are other advantages.

So, it's something we all have to weigh up.

Hope this helps. And yes, it can be frustrating. We've all been through it!

joea · Sep 13, 2015 10:17 am

Drew01

Has anyone had PD agree to install a wool/foil ceiling blanket under colorbond roofing, and insulation bats in the exterior walls?

We want our build to be as thermally efficient as possible, and have been told that a roof blanket isn't necessary, and that PD can only install wrap and sisal in the walls...

A couple of my custom builder mates won't install a colorbond without without a blanket, and nearly always install bats to exterior walls..

Our sales consultant is being awesome trying to get a win for us, but ultimately, if we're prepared to pay for it, what's the issue?

This would make our build closer to 7 star than 6... Surely that's a win for PD too?

Sarking is an additional cost that PD does not include in the base price. We added it on no issue.

As for the insulation, wait for your energy rating application. Most likely they will ask for upgraded insulation and PD will upgrade those at no cost to you. Then you can choose wether to upgrade even further from what they will include as a minimum for 5 or 6 star rating.

Hope that helps.

Emmz70 · Sep 13, 2015 10:37 am

joea

Drew01

Has anyone had PD agree to install a wool/foil ceiling blanket under colorbond roofing, and insulation bats in the exterior walls?

We want our build to be as thermally efficient as possible, and have been told that a roof blanket isn't necessary, and that PD can only install wrap and sisal in the walls...

A couple of my custom builder mates won't install a colorbond without without a blanket, and nearly always install bats to exterior walls..

Our sales consultant is being awesome trying to get a win for us, but ultimately, if we're prepared to pay for it, what's the issue?

This would make our build closer to 7 star than 6... Surely that's a win for PD too?

Sarking is an additional cost that PD does not include in the base price. We added it on no issue.

As for the insulation, wait for your energy rating application. Most likely they will ask for upgraded insulation and PD will upgrade those at no cost to you. Then you can choose wether to upgrade even further from what they will include as a minimum for 5 or 6 star rating.

Hope that helps.

Hi Joea
How much do PD charge for sarking now?