Building at Golden Grove - The Settlement

builders dream · Mar 30, 2011 1:23 pm

Hi guys,
Im new to this forum (only joined today) but started up a new post and am hoping that some of you who have had experience building in the settlement can help me.

We currently have block 69 on Tuscan Road on hold (have the contracts ready to sign) but we were worried about a few issues. Has anyone built on this street and did they hit rock? We have a prelim soil report that looks as though there could be rock and also the block next door has two massive trees that we were told would blow our footings budget of $30k out of the water.

Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated

Captain Morgan · Mar 30, 2011 8:40 pm

what are LandSA charging for the block...if it is disproportionately cheaper than other blocks for the same size, then it tells me that they think there will be significant site / preparation costs.

Is your block wide enough to allow you to avoid these trees ? ie long thin house with wide gap between house and trees ?

chipndip · Mar 31, 2011 1:02 pm

Hi builders dream

We are building on Tuscan Rd (lot 128 - almost done - yay!!) and yes we did hit rock, bad.... Having said that it depends how deep they need to cut your block. The prelim soil report that we got told us it was "inpenetrable" at 2m, we didn't realise at the time how far down they would cut it so that might be something you should check. Then of course they need to drill it for the foundations. All up it cost us an extra $6K in drilling costs but that was for our retaining wall, the drilling costs for the foundations were minimal.

And note, neither of the houses next to us had this prob - so you just never know

philip01 · Apr 01, 2011 1:21 pm

We currently have block 69 on Tuscan Road on hold

is that on the right side as you go up the hill? i think it is and is quite high in the back left corner, ? i am pretty sure i scouted that block for a client,
its going to be a difficult site with a large amount of soil removal and a definite split design. so yes footings are going to be very high as a 1 metre split with split roof
is going to be a likely scenario- note i have not seen the contours myself but have access to them from naomi.

thing to remember in the settlement is the fact you cannot simply excavate the site level - your not allowed too, hence the need for a split design.

i just had a look at my info here aand yes its the block i thought, i would say be wary its a nice location but its not a first homebuyer type block with a tight budget.

as a previous post cheaper blocks that "hang " on the market usually have expensive site works - not ussually a rock situation but a design situtaion to
incorportate the design with the slope. which is ok as long as your not buying in cheap because the budget is cheap .

that block would have a 3 metres or so slope - guess?. also in in two directions.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=45742

builders dream · Apr 11, 2011 9:29 pm

Thanks for the help guys. We decided against it as it has too many issues - we now have 216 on hold and we are looking into that at the moment.

dreamcometrue · Apr 12, 2011 9:58 am

216 - is that around the corner and down the hill from the nursing home?

dreamcometrue · Apr 16, 2011 9:26 pm

I have added some pics of my block at Golden Grove to my thread if you'd like a look.

chipndip · Apr 18, 2011 2:36 pm

Hi All

We had our PCI today!! Handover as soon as the bank pays our last invoice

It went very well, just paint touch ups here and there and we have put a hold on appliance installation until we move in which won't be until after we get the concreting done (asap after handover). It has turned out so great and for all those mixed reports about building with Hickinbotham - we must be the anomaly because we haven't had a single problem with them. Being the first to use our frontage we are thrilled with the way the whole thing has turned out and can't wait to landscape to finish it off

By the way, air con fully installed and operational (even if it was last minute!)....

I hope our good luck fairy continues and that she spreads right through The Settlement for you guys that are just starting or still going

dreamcometrue · May 15, 2011 11:55 am

chipndip - how did the handover go?
builders dream - did you purchase 216?

How are the Golden Grover's going with their builds/new homes?

wildorchid · May 15, 2011 6:55 pm

does anyone know any updates on the shops yet?? i hope they start soon....the village is too far, lol!
im hoping its coles

chipndip · May 16, 2011 3:55 pm

Hi dreamcometrue.

Yes handover been and gone, we have had the keys for over a week now but not moving in until our concreting is done in a couple weeks. Saves getting mud everywhere

We had the usual minor hiccups. We were surprised how eager they were to go through handover, at the time they tried to make the appointment our final payment hadn't even been processed. So we pushed it back by two days (to a Friday). Husband went passed the house on the Friday morning and half of the PCI items hadn't been completed (no surprises there) so we decided not to accept it until they were. Their answer was to put it on the list for the 3 month inspection....um...noooo sorry. They were really minor things but it was the principle! We were lucky that we weren't in a rush to move so could say no. They weren't happy because it meant missing the end of month cut off, but ho hum! We finally handed over the following Wednesday, still not happy with a couple of things but they have been fixed now. Pergola is now up so we are waiting for the concreting to start. None of the appliances etc have been installed because no-one lives there so as soon as we know we are moving we will have them put in. Can't wait now!

All in all we are happy with the way it turned out, it went really quickly with no major dramas at all. We went with a frontage that Hickinbotham had never used on a Georgia Spa, and quite a modern interior so we love it. The colours all worked out well so can't wait to get it furnished so we can see the final product

The Settlement sure is coming ahead in leaps and bounds and like everyone else, we are keen to hear if they still plan to put the shops/tavern etc in...be nice and handy!!

dreamcometrue · May 17, 2011 4:25 pm

hi chipndip
great to hear all has gone well and you are happy with your new home

(don't forget the piccies :wink:

)
Every time I go to the block there is so much more happening, it's looking good. We drove to the bottom part of the Settlement on the week end and the reserves have been tidied up, trees planted and some nice retaining walls around the trees; it looks great but with all the ponds and water areas we had to keep dodging the ducks waddling across the roads!

I'm hoping the reserves at the end of Tuscan are going to be done in the same manner.

For those who are already in their homes at the Settlement - can we go with our own internet provider or only Telstra? What is available?

chipndip · May 17, 2011 4:53 pm

Yes will put pics up soon - yet to work out how but will get there

dreamcometrue - are you building on Tuscan Road? We are down at the Hallet Road end, number 28.

We have been looking into internet coverage, as well as Foxtel, and have been told that Telstra are about the only ones that you can get at The Settlement, but that is because we want to go wifi... And we have to have a satellite for Foxtel as there is no cable up there yet. We are on cable broadband where we live at the moment (Surrey Downs) which is a dream, looks like we are going to have to get used to it going a lot slower...grrrr.

chipndip · May 17, 2011 4:55 pm

Oh and something else for all of you Settlement builders to keep in mind - Australia Post aren't delivering to the estate as it's deemed an OHS risk for the posties, so we had to get a Post Office box....at our cost (subsidised but it was still $30 for a year..). So if you are changing your postal address, it won't go to your sparkly new house.......

dreamcometrue · May 17, 2011 9:36 pm

Going to the letterbox is one of my daily highlights! ::cry::

I'm at the other part of Tuscan right at the end (actually Quartz Court). I'm not interested in Foxtel but we need fast internet and lots of download for all the computer nerds in my household :-B

wildorchid · May 18, 2011 9:21 am

damn! we have a po box atm (no postie down dirt rd in the hills), but i miss my junk mail!!!!!

dreamcometrue · May 18, 2011 10:12 am

I didn't think of that :shock:

Will have to get mother to keep hers for me :wink:

jessie87 · May 18, 2011 11:47 pm

chipndip

Yes will put pics up soon - yet to work out how but will get there

dreamcometrue - are you building on Tuscan Road? We are down at the Hallet Road end, number 28.

We have been looking into internet coverage, as well as Foxtel, and have been told that Telstra are about the only ones that you can get at The Settlement, but that is because we want to go wifi... And we have to have a satellite for Foxtel as there is no cable up there yet. We are on cable broadband where we live at the moment (Surrey Downs) which is a dream, looks like we are going to have to get used to it going a lot slower...grrrr.

We went through Adam Internet and for $50 we get internet and $20 or $30 worth of calls

No issues so far!

dreamcometrue · May 19, 2011 2:56 pm

We are with Adam now and would be happy to stay with them so that's good if thay are available

jessie87 · May 22, 2011 12:18 pm

Yeh they are

Telstra charges an arm and a leg!!! I couldn't believe the cost.