Browse Forums Building A New House Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4401Jun 06, 2013 3:33 pm glad we got in early Nat! Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4402Jun 06, 2013 6:18 pm Nat84 Hi All, I noticed MJH have a new look website and it looks fantastic One thing I did notice was the measurements of the house we are building (Nova), the family / meals area and alfresco are smaller than what is in the original plan (i.e. the one we have signed up for). The family / meals section isn't too much smaller (only about 200mm shorter) but the alfresco is is about 700mm smaller I think (from memory) which I think is quite significant for a smaller house in their range. The overall measurements of the house appear the same (19.61 x 11.435) however it looks like they have cut off a bit on the "shorter" side of the house so it doesn't look like it affects the length of the house if that makes sense. Just wanted to give you all a heads up, I will definitely be making sure we are getting what we signed up for on the original plan, which I would like to think they will still honour. Cheers! I asked about this for alfresco in the bronte. The difference for me was due to the eave overhang. Building McDonald Jones Bronte Manor One Contracts Signed Dec 12 DA Lodged Jan 13 DA Consent w/BAL40 Apr 13. S96 Consent w/BAL19 May 13. Slab Complete Jun 13. Frame Brick & Roof Complete Aug 13. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4403Jun 07, 2013 5:18 pm Thanks Miss Windsor its been a long time coming. Congrats to you as well. More good news we have pegs! Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4404Jun 07, 2013 6:13 pm We just did our PCI. Our site supervisor was very nice throughout, even when I argued on points. Here's our list... Overall: - Tops of doors and architraves not painted correctly. - Could not test hot water or gas due to no connection. - All double hung windows are extremely tight, and almost immovable (were told this is by design, for safety). Outside: - Sharp edge on barge capping on roof near laundry. - Roof hip flashings slightly bowed. - Mortar has large chunks missing around garage and front entryway. - Fly screens and screen doors not installed yet. Garage: - Internal brickwork has paint or putty scraped onto it. - Could not test garage door - no remote. Front verandah: - Paint/putty on bricks - Front door rattles Hallway/Study nook: - Linen press doors don't close correctly. One door must be closed first. - Roof paint work has a large blemish. Middle Bedroom: - Wall has a large section which seems to be unpainted. - Windowsill painting is very blotchy and rough, with hair/bristles in the paint. Main Bathroom: - Door is dented and scuffed. - Silicon around shower is extremely lumpy, with a lot of excess. Laundry: - Laundry door rattles. - Wall on inside of laundry tub is partially unpainted. - Laundry tub is slightly dented (not too worried - minor issue). Kitchen: - Corners of benchtop are dirty and have join marks. - Corners of island bench are dirty and scuffed. Some of the paint is worn off at the corners. Walk in robes: - Cornice is cracked, wall corner has a crack down it. Alfresco area: - Missing filler panel (angle). - Plaster on bricks. - Very prominent join in the middle of one of the cornices. We argued with the builder about two of the items: We were told that the cornice join is normal, and is a special join for alfresco areas, containing some sort of rubberised putty to let the cornice expand and contract. I was very sceptical about this "special" cornice join. We were told the roof hips flashings are "good enough". The bowing is obvious, but it's worst around the back where nobody will notice, so I probably won't fight on that one. He also said that some of the issues were "normal", like the unpainted wall behind the laundry tub and the extremely tight double-hung windows. If that's the case, then I'm happy to leave them be. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4405Jun 07, 2013 6:46 pm We had some good news today from our SS, we have had a couple of little issues with the workshop attached to our garage and MJH are going to fix it all up for us as it was their mistake.. Yayyyyy for us and a big thank you to MJH for listening follow my Blog: http://monacoatbingaragorge.blogspot.com.au Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4406Jun 07, 2013 7:02 pm Hey aaronh So what happens now, will most of this be fixed before you pay the last progress payment is due? Hey Bec good news:) how's your bricks going ? We are ready for the bricks however the brickies are behind due to the weather... so our ss said about getting the roof next. http://entertainerexecutive1.blogspot.com.au/ Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4407Jun 07, 2013 7:25 pm Bri80 Hey aaronh So what happens now, will most of this be fixed before you pay the last progress payment is due? Hey Bec good news:) how's your bricks going ? We are ready for the bricks however the brickies are behind due to the weather... so our ss said about getting the roof next. http://entertainerexecutive1.blogspot.com.au/ Hi Bri80 Our bricks are half way and we are really happy with them. They did our roof first as well because of a delay. I updated my blog with a picture of the front with the bricks done. follow my Blog: http://monacoatbingaragorge.blogspot.com.au Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4409Jun 07, 2013 7:33 pm Bri80 Hey aaronh So what happens now, will most of this be fixed before you pay the last progress payment is due? Yes, it will all be fixed before we pay the final installment (except the minor issues that we're fine to leave as-is). We'll also get a private inspection too before the final cheque gets handed over. The site supervisor says he can have it all fixed by next Friday, but I can see us having an argument over the cornice in the alfresco area, which he says: "definitely won't be changed", despite being very obvious and eye-catching. I've spoken to a builder tonight, and he says he's never heard of a "cornice expansion joint" in the middle of the cornice. He says it is likely the join was just mis-sized and they tried to patch it up. We'll get our private inspector to check it all out on Thursday or Friday anyway, and our final payment won't be handed over until all the issues identified by myself and the inspector are sorted out. I'll email the Thrornton office about the cornice as well, to let them know the cheque won't be handed over until that is rectified. In the end, it's better for everyone if they just fix it while they're doing everything else. Here is the join in question. It's much more obvious in real life than in photos, and it's dead-centre in the alfresco wall. If it was in a corner, I'd have no dramas... but it's quite prominent where it is: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Plus, I'm not impressed by the story about it being a special "expansion joint". Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4410Jun 07, 2013 7:41 pm aaronh Bri80 Hey aaronh So what happens now, will most of this be fixed before you pay the last progress payment is due? Yes, it will all be fixed before we pay the final installment (except the minor issues that we're fine to leave as-is). We'll also get a private inspection too before the final cheque gets handed over. The site supervisor says he can have it all fixed by next Friday, but I can see us having an argument over the cornice in the alfresco area, which he says: "definitely won't be changed", despite being very obvious and eye-catching. I've spoken to a builder tonight, and he says he's never heard of a "cornice expansion joint" in the middle of the cornice. He says it is likely the join was just mis-sized and they tried to patch it up. We'll get our private inspector to check it all out on Thursday or Friday anyway, and our final payment won't be handed over until all the issues identified by myself and the inspector are sorted out. I'll email the Thrornton office about the cornice as well, to let them know the cheque won't be handed over until that is rectified. In the end, it's better for everyone if they just fix it while they're doing everything else. Here is the join in question. It's much more obvious in real life than in photos, and it's dead-centre in the alfresco wall. If it was in a corner, I'd have no dramas... but it's quite prominent where it is: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Plus, I'm not impressed by the story about it being a special "expansion joint". It doesn't look right, hope it all works out for you, good luck man. http://entertainerexecutive1.blogspot.com.au/ Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4411Jun 07, 2013 9:07 pm Aaronh - sorry to hear of your issues but getting an independent inspection is a great idea we are going to do the same Our painter has just finished the outside and has done an outstanding job, he has give us some good advice with colours and reputation amount builders. We can't wait to see the inside next week. Our door issue was fixed straight away and they have now been swapped so they open the way we wanted and they also look great Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Building monaco one Lakes estate Coffs harbour 26 August 12 just had colour selection appt Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4412Jun 07, 2013 9:16 pm The_griswalds Aaronh - sorry to hear of your issues but getting an independent inspection is a great idea we are going to do the same Honestly, the issues are pretty minor with the exception of the alfresco cornice. Just paint touch-ups, door alignments, and that sort of thing. We'll see if our private inspector picks up anything else, but I think I was very thorough today. I think they've done a really good job on the house overall. Just a few little fixes, and I'll be 100% happy. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4413Jun 07, 2013 9:23 pm The_griswalds Aaronh - sorry to hear of your issues but getting an independent inspection is a great idea we are going to do the same Our painter has just finished the outside and has done an outstanding job, he has give us some good advice with colours and reputation amount builders. We can't wait to see the inside next week. Our door issue was fixed straight away and they have now been swapped so they open the way we wanted and they also look great Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Wow Griswalds your house looks great. Your kitchen looks like the colours we choose, did you get the drop down ceiling? follow my Blog: http://monacoatbingaragorge.blogspot.com.au Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4414Jun 08, 2013 6:29 am griswalds the house is looking amazing love the colors Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4415Jun 08, 2013 2:00 pm Wow Griswalds your house looks great. Your kitchen looks like the colours we choose, did you get the drop down ceiling? follow my Blog: http://monacoatbingaragorge.blogspot.com.au[/quote] Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hi yes we did we love it Building monaco one Lakes estate Coffs harbour 26 August 12 just had colour selection appt Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4416Jun 08, 2013 10:39 pm Hi Griswalds, looks great! What colour are your fascias? And is your bag n paint colour coffee cake? Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4417Jun 09, 2013 9:42 am Nat84 Hi Griswalds, looks great! What colour are your fascias? And is your bag n paint colour coffee cake? Hi Nat Our bag and paint an facias are dune, the eaves are surf mist and the roof is monument Building monaco one Lakes estate Coffs harbour 26 August 12 just had colour selection appt Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4418Jun 09, 2013 3:06 pm The_griswalds Our bag and paint an facias are dune, the eaves are surf mist and the roof is monument Oh that gives me confidence! We've got partial render, in dune, with surfmist fascia, posts and garage door. No wood look for us, as we've got some brick exposed too we thought it would be too much but it's good to see the colours together like that! Looks great. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4419Jun 09, 2013 8:34 pm Your house looks fantastic Griswalds. You must be over the moon. Miss Windsor it sounds like out colours are very similar and I too was concerned about the Dune. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 4420Jun 09, 2013 10:49 pm Just wondering if anyone with the Lin1 doors has had any trouble with them sticking? We have been living here 4 weeks and they have been gradually getting worse. They were fine when we moved in no issues at all. Now on two of the double sets you practically need a barge bar to get the left side open. I'm wondering if they have fallen a bit or just the weather getting cooler has made a difference? Any tips or suggestions? I would call mjh but considering we are still waiting on for our deadlock to be installed for front door and privacy locks to he fixed on all bathrooms I thought I'd have more luck here Hi, Apologies - I know there is plenty out there on this but struggling to put together the puzzle. We're planning our garage/external laundry to master bedroom and… 0 20399 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! 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