Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 01, 2022 2:15 pm Hi All, Has anyone had any experience with Virtue Homes in Victoria? We’re working with them at the moment in pre-tender, and have had largely positive experiences so far. We are starting to get some small flags that are making us less gung ho about moving forward with them. Like not itemising the quote (post-estimates) and less experience/expertise as I would like in sustainable building, passive solar and energy efficient building materials and techniques as I would like. There appears to be no mention of them on the forums. Thanks in advance Simon Re: Virtue Homes 2Jan 02, 2022 10:49 am simis2626 We are starting to get some small flags that are making us less gung ho about moving forward with them. First thing is to have all the correct drawings, engineering and data on your Build Builders are experts at seizing and exploiting variations and inconsistencies while blaming you and others for the drawing mistakes Secondly, Architectural Bim and associated sustainability is based generally on FAKE RENDERINGS they never interface directly with the data and engineering bim. hence their 3 step process. a. Fake renderings models all lit up b. Approx. all in price, so you have no idea of what and where items are included...LOL but they will encourage you to make changes after you have handed over a large deposit or signed a contract.. promising to be transparent c. After you pay then they'll start, changing your specification, materials, substituting , driving variations up, credits down d. By the time you get the contract you are paying more for less Thirdly, Put them to the test earlier on in the process, if you have the 1st stage quants and internet costings you can easily catch them out, before you hand over a deposit or sign a contract. Finally, be honest with them, you just want a fair deal and not be treated like a mushroom simis2626 Like not itemising the quote (post-estimates) and less experience/expertise as I would like in sustainable building, passive solar and energy efficient building materials and techniques as I would like. If they itemised things then it would be easier to scrutinise variation costs, charges and credits. They start playing silly buggers, eg, on material/energy upgrades then walk out the door immediately... it's their loss Unfortunately, Energy, engineering and compliance finalisation presents the salesman with the opportunity to come back and say "The builder had to change the costings as the final assessments have come in higher...?" There's no coming back when you're hit with that ... your pants are pulled down (Humour) My2c, When times get tough the last thing that motivate battlers and punters is marketing on websites... they generally see straight through the sales talk and standard pitches on Housie and Product View, lol your not buying a toaster nor tin of brand paint (humour) ..... put the builder to the test ... without paying a cent Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74216 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105127 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 23187 |