Mimosa fixed site costs only if Level one compaction report

Annunox · Dec 15, 2020 2:25 pm

Hi There, I had a preliminary agreement with Mimosa homes and the sitecosts were fixed to 10K provided we get the level 1 compaction report from the Attwell Estate. However the Estate wouldnt have one as there isnt much fill. Has anyone had a similar situation and how were you able to resolve this.

worldofmud · Dec 15, 2020 6:12 pm

Hi,

How much fill is present and is it similar in thickness across your block? Do you know it is limited because it has recently been cut/filled or because some boreholes showed fill?

Annunox · Dec 19, 2020 8:49 am

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Thanks for the reply worldofmud. I do not have much knowledge on these things. While purchasing this block, I have checked with the sales consultant from Mimosa to help with deciding on the few block options I had and as per his advise, I went ahead with this as he said it has no fill. However, while the same sales consultant did my preliminary agreement assuring fixed site cost, it was not mentioned that the fixed site cost wouldn't apply for my block for the same reason of not having the fill and hence no level 1 compaction report.

StructuralBIMGuy · Dec 19, 2020 10:51 am

I suggest you get an Independent geotech compaction test done to determine depth, bearing capacity, borehole tests, etc.
The salesman's job is to get you to sign an agreement for the preparation of plans, by the time the surprises come.
You'll be told in the office. " The salesman's made a mistake ....what would he know he's not the engineer....?"
Unfortunately, then you maybe stuck with $50k piling?
Ot, for starters, It's always advisable to check with new home owners/ neighbours nearby.
If they suffered Siteworks $ticker $hock then they'll warn you.

worldofmud · Dec 23, 2020 12:34 pm

Hi,

Agree with all mentioned but in addition probably worth double-checking with Mimosa that the clause isn't just a standard condition and would be warranted. Maybe ask them to clarify what thickness of fill (if any) is permitted or qualify the clause. Sounds a bit like refusing an occupation certificate for a bungalow because no balcony certificate was obtained.

Curious why the sales rep was confident about no fill without any info so I had a quick look on Google Earth and attached a couple of images below (hopefully if I've done it right). I think that's whereabouts your plot is.

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Looks like there have been some earthworks going on and the second image from 2006 looks like maybe rock/boulders are present. Something is stopping the farmer from ploughing there and a few boulders seem to be around.

As above the first step is get a solid idea of the ground conditions. If the builder appoints one they will probably go for the cheapest option so you may pay $800 - $1000 for a soil test as per 'AS2870 Residential Slabs and Footings'. Problem is if that is rock or boulders are present (which appears probable) a drill rig will likely refuse at a shallow depth and the only thing learned might be that rocks don't swell and they are harder than soil...

Unfortunately, because a soil test report to AS2870 is not required to provide recommendations on rock strength or ease of excavation it may also allow the builder to claim for unforeseen hard rock excavation within a fixed price cost (which may already have been sidestepped anyway)

As StructuralBIMGuy mentions a robust Geotech report is the way to go to and the most effective investigation method is likely to be by digging a few holes with a backhoe /excavator. This will provide the excavation info and allow more accurate pricing. If required you may be able to get a form of fill validation done at the same by the geotech and manage that clause.

In an ideal world Mimosa would provide there own excavator from nearby for a few hours the geo comes out, gets the info and provides the report and everyone wins...

Apologies if I appear to be rambling on about bedrock excavation when your query related to fill but I don't think your question can be answered without the full picture.

Best of luck, drop me a line if you require clarification.

ck14 · Jan 30, 2022 9:04 pm

Annunox

Hi There, I had a preliminary agreement with Mimosa homes and the sitecosts were fixed to 10K provided we get the level 1 compaction report from the Attwell Estate. However the Estate wouldnt have one as there isnt much fill. Has anyone had a similar situation and how were you able to resolve this.

Hi Annunox,

Were you able to resolve this issue? I'm about to sign with Mimosa also having paid the refundable 2k deposit. Titling of the estate wont be until March 2023 so unfortunately I wont be able to ask any neighbours yet. Good thing is Mimosa has a promo of 10k off on site costs, but still with the subject to approval costs if we dont get the compaction report from the estate. I am thinking of contesting this clause to avoid surprise costs.

Annunox · Jan 30, 2022 9:35 pm

Hi, I did not go ahead with Mimosa although I was able to obtain a written email (after long struggle involving the state manager) confirming the 10K site costs with no conditions. However, my deposit was non refundable so had lost it. My start was not so good with Mimosa's customer service (unbelievably rude and no ethics) and then reading the reviews on google scared me so much of their structural issues. I had a promo of about 50 or 60K upgrades when I was signing up and I still let it pass. If you are an investor and planning to sell the house soon after building, I would probably then go ahead with Mimosa.

ck14 · Jan 30, 2022 10:02 pm

Thanks for your quick reply. So far my experience with the pre sales agent is good but I have yet to meet other folks from customer service (probably because I haven't signed the contract yet). I've read the bad reviews too though I've seen it's a hit and miss too for other builders. Will definitely get a private inspector later (not sure if Mimosa still charge per inspection). Yup planning to sell after 10 yes esp their structural guarantee is 7 yrs only.

Do you mind if I ask which builder you went with? I heard some builder can offset your non refundable deposit from previous builders. Thanks again.

Annunox · Feb 01, 2022 9:03 am

I went ahead with Dennis family which again isn't that great with the quality as they have replaced the whole frame with a cheaper quality timber without my knowledge and not following the engineering design.If I didnt have a private inspector, I would not have even known. I have paid about 20K extra to what I would have paid to Mimosa . Still not sure if I had made the right choice as the reason for not going ahead with Mimosa was mainly the structural issues. Will probably get to know in an years time as 2 of my neighbours built with Mimosa. Will check with them after some months as usually to see the structural issues, its takes 6 months or so. I strongly recommend a private inspector for all stages who ever you choose to build for that peace of mind.

ck14 · Feb 01, 2022 3:46 pm

Thanks, definitely agree with your suggestion to get a private inspector. So far our agent confirmed that they do not charge (and never did) for private inspection but I will still go through the contract to be sure. I checked our estate dimensions and our fall is below 1M so hopefully its a good sign to avoid suprise costs due to filling, slope issues, etc. All the best with your succeeding construction phases and handover. Its really an experience and one should actively and diligently monitor the construction to avoid surprises, regardless of who the builder is. cheers mate.

Noname · Feb 02, 2022 10:13 am

ck14

Good thing is Mimosa has a promo of 10k off on site costs

lol. This is not really a promo. There is literally no way to substantiate that you're getting 10k off the siteworks.

ck14 · Feb 02, 2022 11:51 am

Noname

ck14

Good thing is Mimosa has a promo of 10k off on site costs

lol. This is not really a promo. There is literally no way to substantiate that you're getting 10k off the siteworks.

Point taken. No need for a condescending tone though. Still better than paying additional 10k.

Noname · Feb 02, 2022 1:00 pm

ck14

Noname

ck14

Good thing is Mimosa has a promo of 10k off on site costs

lol. This is not really a promo. There is literally no way to substantiate that you're getting 10k off the siteworks.

Point taken. No need for a condescending tone though. Still better than paying additional 10k.

That wasn't condescending. I can do condescending if you like so you can spot the difference.

Any $ amount off an unfixed nebulous amount of money is the one of the oldest tricks in the book; the old "make them think they're getting something when they're not without it costing us anything" trick.