Building @ Harcrest, Wantirna South

Gren · Jun 08, 2011 10:20 pm

Gren - are you saying that Mirvac is allowing the builder to leave out the rainwater tank and letting you install one after handover? PD has said that they're happy for that to happen but only if Mirvac would agree to it. If that's the case we're just going to get PD to 'pre-plumb' the tank and install a better tank after handover. I think I'll give mirvac a call tomorrow.

Twakky, yes that what I am saying, I called Mirvac today, and stated that I would like to leave the rain water tank out, and they were fine about this. As long as it gets completed within the 3 months after you move in and complies to there guidelines in terms of design, it should be ok. If it is not completed 3 months after you move in, then you would loose the $10K deposite which Mirvac already have.

Did you get a response from Mirvac when calling them?

Gren

twakky · Jun 10, 2011 9:41 am

Ah ok that's great! I called that day but L wasn't there to take my call and I didn't get a call back. So I emailed her that night to which I got an auto-reply saying she's on leave and will be back today. So, my fiance asked our salesguy y'day and he said he wasn't sure but he'll ask L about it. Anyways seems like it'll be ok to install the tank after handover but we're just gonna get it in writing - just to be safe!

John17 · Jun 10, 2011 4:48 pm

Anyone heard any updates from Mirvac on when settlement for Stage 2 will be?

Also for those in Stage 1, how long in advance did Mirvac notify the date of settlement? Are they flexible with the date, given that the buyer would need time for the bank's side of things?

Thanks

Gren · Jun 20, 2011 4:47 pm

Hi All,

have been contacted by Mirvac to go and see the land this week.

Anybody else heard? What are you suppose to do when you get there?

Gren

twakky · Jun 20, 2011 4:58 pm

Same, we're seeing our land on friday morning. It's going to be a tad muddy

I think it's nothing but to see the land, just part of the settlement process I suppose.

Apparently some building works have started already. I think they're display homes.

Excitement!

Tramsok · Jun 20, 2011 9:37 pm

Exciting, settlement on Monday I've been told by my solicitor! I drove past and looks like Mirvac display homes have started coming up, just the frame at this stage. Is there anyone else here who didn't fix their site costs? I presume you've all received the engineering report from Mirvac recommending either a H1 Class or M Class slab. Carlisle will hopefully do the soil tests next week, hopefully we're not in for any nasty surprises with the site costs!

Tramsok · Jun 23, 2011 12:19 pm

Hi everyone, inspected our land today. The estate is looking good! Very muddy, but it's a nice piece of flat land. Retaining walls on each of the blocks that require it are also up!

Gren · Jun 23, 2011 2:37 pm

Hi there all,

Also went to inspect our land this morning. Was quite muddy, or should I say clayey.

Land was marked out to lot requirements in terms of lenght and width with pegs. I took a measuring tape and measured the land just for clarification. Our lot had a slight slope which tapers down to the rear.

Apart from this, a couple of Mirvac and I believe PD houses are going up for the future display village.

Hopefully looking at start building soon.

Gren

Gren · Jun 27, 2011 7:20 pm

Hi,

Just wanted to ask about the 2000 litre water tank we have to install. I am looking at doing this after handover, inorder to save some money. As part of the build, I would require PD to connect all the WC's, ensure there is mains water supply backup and provide overflow to stormwater. For all of this, PD want just over $2K.

Just wanted advise on if I need all the above completed during the building phase.

Gren

Bruno · Jun 29, 2011 1:25 pm

Hi Gren

Mirvac agreed that we can have the rainwater tank installed after handover. However, the $10,000 bond amount will be released only after installation of the water tank, as per the estate covenants.

PD have quoted us $956 to provide infrastructure for a future 2000L slimline water tank - includes concrete pad for the water tank + plumbing. We will shop around for the water tank closer to handover.

Regds,
Bruno

twakky · Jun 30, 2011 10:45 am

Hi Bruno & Gren,

Does your contracts specify that the tank will be installed by youselves after handover? Or was it a variation? We specified for PD to include the rainwater tank at the contract signing because we haven't received confirmation from Mirvac re: installation after handover. And we were assured by PD they will make a variation to the contract at any time so long as it's b4 we build if Mirvac gives the ok. And then when I emailed PD a couple of weeks later they replied back after a week saying we were 'too late' because the 5 day cooling off period is over..!!!???.... In hindsight we should've had that arrangement in writing, but very very annoyed that they won't honour their word..... We just have to live with a very ugly rainwater tank for a while until we change it over. I was planning on getting a 1m high tank so I can clad around it and put herbs on it

Anyone encounter some problems with flooring with PD? We went to the contract signing with the mindset of doing our flooring after handover. And our CSR asked us why we don't have flooring, because it's a standard inclusion. She was shocked when we told her our salesperson told us flooring is extra. The manager was even shocked apparently. So we were told we could get cat 1 carpet and tiles at no extra charge and we could choose some after the contract signing and add it in. So we spent a day looking at flooring then informed our CSR what we wanted. And then we were told the flooring is actually extra the carpets will cost $4000...... what a big waste of time!!!

If only I had a scribe at our contract signing ::frown::

twakky · Jun 30, 2011 11:07 am

Have to add PD has been great up until that point and hopefully the build will be ok (fingers crossed). I think these problems came about within PD's internal communication or shall I say 'miscommunication'? HA! Hard lesson learnt: Have everything in writing even if it ends up being a thesis! lol

Gren · Jul 03, 2011 11:56 am

Hi Twakky,

The water tank was already specified in our contract when we signed it. It has also been in our variations document. We have yet to inform with PD what we would like to do with the water tank and have everything installed by them or just part of it, hence I was asking what other have been charged.

Bruno, what parts from the quote you received on your water tank are you having done? I would be interested to compare costs? I appreciate that you may be building a different house etc, but just wanted to ask.

When we went to choose our floor tiles at National Tiles, they did not inform us that we needed tiles on our balconcy. It was only when I looked at our drawings in detail did I notice this, hence had to go back and choose these tiles.

Gren

Bruno · Jul 05, 2011 11:10 am

Gren

Hi Twakky,

The water tank was already specified in our contract when we signed it. It has also been in our variations document. We have yet to inform with PD what we would like to do with the water tank and have everything installed by them or just part of it, hence I was asking what other have been charged.

Bruno, what parts from the quote you received on your water tank are you having done? I would be interested to compare costs? I appreciate that you may be building a different house etc, but just wanted to ask.

When we went to choose our floor tiles at National Tiles, they did not inform us that we needed tiles on our balconcy. It was only when I looked at our drawings in detail did I notice this, hence had to go back and choose these tiles.

Gren

Hi Gren,

Water tank was not part of our contract. PD learnt about this post-contract. As mentioned before, I got PD to include the plumbing and slab for the tank - details are "provide infrastructure for a future 2000L slimline water tank - includes concrete pad for the water tank + plumbing" We have four toilet/bathrooms and PD have quoted us $956 for this work. I have no clue of how much the water tank costs separately. Not sure if there is any government rebate that we can still claim....

Regds
Bruno.

twakky · Jul 06, 2011 3:51 pm

PD is charging us $3762 for all the plumbing involved (to 2 toilets) and poly 2100lt tank/pump along with a concrete pad. And an additional $432 to upgrade to a slimline tank. Looks like the tank is costing atleast $3000. A bit excessive I reckon... especially since I can get a colorbond slimline for around $2000 not those plastic ones which I know aren't as expensive as steel tanks!

Tramsok · Jul 07, 2011 12:27 pm

Sounds about right, Carlisle is also charging around $950 for pre-plumbing etc. But over $4,000 if you want the tank all installed. Not sure if you seen this link, but you can have custom colourbond tank built to size.

www.tankworks.com.au/Our-Products/Sliml ... tanks.aspx

BTW, does anyone know how much it roughly costs to get a drive way done?

Tramsokss

twakky · Jul 07, 2011 12:38 pm

Hi tramsok!

yeh I was actually planning on getting the tank from Tankworks with the submersible pump. I had big plans for my backyard

Driveway depending on what you want. Plain charcoal coloured concrete is about $80-90 per sqm. Same concrete with exposed aggregate 9which is what we're getting) is about $110 per sqm. I've worked out my driveway will be $3000 give or take.

Bruno · Jul 08, 2011 12:33 pm

twakky

Hi tramsok!

yeh I was actually planning on getting the tank from Tankworks with the submersible pump. I had big plans for my backyard

Driveway depending on what you want. Plain charcoal coloured concrete is about $80-90 per sqm. Same concrete with exposed aggregate 9which is what we're getting) is about $110 per sqm. I've worked out my driveway will be $3000 give or take.

Hi guys,

The Tankworks option sounds good. We too will have a look at this.

Hi Twakky, I need some help with the plan for the driveway. Shouldn't the driveway size be pretty much the same for everyone in the estate? So, would I be right to assume that if we go for concrete exposed aggregate, it would cost us around $3k (at $110 per sqm) ? Would appreciate your input.

Thanks,
Bruno

Tramsok · Jul 08, 2011 9:50 pm

Hi guys, Carlisle Homes just got back to us with our site costs. A whopping $29K, bloody almost fell out of my chair. I was budgeted for around $20K, but this is a lot more than I expected. We're on Honey avenue facing East, be interested to see if anyone else has got their site costs and whether it is as high as this. Definitely want to get a 2nd opinion, but no idea what would be the process. Do we approach another builder and ask them to quote on their site costs, knowing our intentions may not be to build with them?

We're on a slight slope (nothing excessive). Be interested to see if anyone is along that strip on Honey Avenue.

$ 8,098 to cut (800mm) and fill (400mm)
$ 8,729 for retaining walls on rear and side of property. Not sure why we need it on the rear when Mirvac has a retaining wall up on the rear of the property already
$ 3,600 for rock removal
$ 7,492 for bored concrete piers to the Waffle Slab
$ 462 Provide additional steel reinforcement to slab

Keep you guys posted!

Tramsok

twakky · Jul 09, 2011 12:04 pm

Bruno, yes I'm pretty sure everyone's driveways will be similar in size (except for the houses with single garages). So yep it'll be around $3k. Take a look at http://www.1300driveways.com.au/ or http://mentonepremix.com.au/ for some ideas, theres a lot of charcoal coloured mixes.

Tramsok, wow $29k! Ours is around the $24k mark but we're on Cerise st and it's quite flat there. It will be hard to get a second opinion if you're adamant about building with Carlisle. Even if you did get a quote from another builder and they have a lower site cost the only option is to change builders