Wisdom Homes - Construction Delays is it worth the hassle?

MeMySelfNi · Aug 14, 2023 6:00 pm

Hi All,

I'm just a newbie in this forum and also my first time building my own home. I have been reading a lot of reviews regarding wisdom home etc.. I have noticed that their admin's timeline is horrible but did not expecting the building could dragging even longer.

I have my building contract signed on the 8th of October 2021 and construction started 27th October 2022. Now we are in August and my house is still in the stage of plastering. I have been informed by the SS that by October we will be in the tiling stage. I'm assuming I will not get my new home by the end of this year. My rent contract will end by October and to sign up for another lease period would be another 6 months.

I have contacted Wisdom Homes twice and expressed my concern but not thing has been improving except for the promise to their best.

At the moment I'm paying rent & high-interest rates. I don't know what to do or who to ask, now I'm so stressed and can't really explain it all.

If I have a second chance, I really don't want to go down this path.

Maybe my comment should help any new person who dreams of building their first home be prepared for this stressful journey.

Infinite-Justice · Aug 14, 2023 6:43 pm

Perhaps have a look at your contract first and see what the construction period and the liquidated damages for delay are, and take it from there.

Kippers01 · Aug 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Typically volume builders' liquidated damages are around $200 per week. With rents around $1,000 a week its worth factoring in at least an extra 6 months construction time and rental costs of $25,000 to the project. Just like you would allow for landscaping costs etc. I realise this wont help you but it will assist others here at earlier stages Any comments from Wisdom Homes representatives 'managing' social media?

MeMySelfNi · Aug 14, 2023 9:25 pm

Kippers01

Typically volume builders' liquidated damages are around $200 per week. With rents around $1,000 a week its worth factoring in at least an extra 6 months construction time and rental costs of $25,000 to the project. Just like you would allow for landscaping costs etc. I realise this wont help you but it will assist others here at earlier stages Any comments from Wisdom Homes representatives 'managing' social media?

Hi Skippers

You are spot on. after checking the contract it’s said liquid damages @ $40 per days, and building time is 44 weeks and i’m already at 40 weeks (10months) and still at plaster stage, that will take all throughout september to be finish.

Ashington Homes · Aug 15, 2023 8:34 am

MeMyselfNi

I know Wisdom read this forum, so it would be great to hear their side as to why your build is going slow.

We have a couple of builds that have been going slow due to specific site related issues ( everyone knows my steel framing struggles at Turramurra and I have a job that has been on hold at Lane Cove with a tree issue), but honestly all our other jobs are flying at the moment as there are an abundance of tradies with no work on.

Building hasn't been this easy in ages. We are finding that with our finishing trades, from joinery installation we are finishing our homes in 4 weeks, this includes flooring, plumbing & electrical fit off, painting, internal carpentry, driveway and landscaping.

And I am still getting multiple calls every week from new tradies looking for work.

Is there any obvious reason why your build has been delayed? For instance have you been paying your invoices on time?

Cheers

Simeon

MeMySelfNi · Aug 15, 2023 10:30 am

Ashington Homes

MeMyselfNi

I know Wisdom read this forum, so it would be great to hear their side as to why your build is going slow.

We have a couple of builds that have been going slow due to specific site related issues ( everyone knows my steel framing struggles at Turramurra and I have a job that has been on hold at Lane Cove with a tree issue), but honestly all our other jobs are flying at the moment as there are an abundance of tradies with no work on.

Building hasn't been this easy in ages. We are finding that with our finishing trades, from joinery installation we are finishing our homes in 4 weeks, this includes flooring, plumbing & electrical fit off, painting, internal carpentry, driveway and landscaping.

And I am still getting multiple calls every week from new tradies looking for work.

Is there any obvious reason why your build has been delayed? For instance have you been paying your invoices on time?

Cheers

Simeon

Hi Simeo

i have all my invoices up to date and i don’t see any obvious reason for this kind of delay. in fact i’m the most easy customer and never complain or call them unless there is an issues, with mall problems i tend to let it go.

From the start they took their times with every stage there is couples of days with no one on site even though the sun is shining. sometime weeks with no activity. i lucky that i’ve rent a place just within 1km from the site, this is why i drive pass every day. Now i’m just too stress and exhausted to complain as i don’t see any light here. just recently it’s been 1 weeks with no activity even today sun are shining but again no one. gyprock has been delivered but they will start next week which mean 2 weeks no activity.

I hope wisdom home could read this and get their act together, as i do respect the company, i don’t like to say bad comments about others just express my feelings and issues that i have.

Ashington Homes · Aug 15, 2023 10:43 am

MeMySelfNi

Ashington Homes

MeMyselfNi

I know Wisdom read this forum, so it would be great to hear their side as to why your build is going slow.

We have a couple of builds that have been going slow due to specific site related issues ( everyone knows my steel framing struggles at Turramurra and I have a job that has been on hold at Lane Cove with a tree issue), but honestly all our other jobs are flying at the moment as there are an abundance of tradies with no work on.

Building hasn't been this easy in ages. We are finding that with our finishing trades, from joinery installation we are finishing our homes in 4 weeks, this includes flooring, plumbing & electrical fit off, painting, internal carpentry, driveway and landscaping.

And I am still getting multiple calls every week from new tradies looking for work.

Is there any obvious reason why your build has been delayed? For instance have you been paying your invoices on time?

Cheers

Simeon

Hi Simeo

i have all my invoices up to date and i don’t see any obvious reason for this kind of delay. in fact i’m the most easy customer and never complain or call them unless there is an issues, with mall problems i tend to let it go.

From the start they took their times with every stage there is couples of days with no one on site even though the sun is shining. sometime weeks with no activity. i lucky that i’ve rent a place just within 1km from the site, this is why i drive pass every day. Now i’m just too stress and exhausted to complain as i don’t see any light here. just recently it’s been 1 weeks with no activity even today sun are shining but again no one. gyprock has been delivered but they will start next week which mean 2 weeks no activity.

I hope wisdom home could read this and get their act together, as i do respect the company, i don’t like to say bad comments about others just express my feelings and issues that i have.

Thanks for your quick and comprehensive response. I am going to PM you something that I hope helps

Kippers01 · Aug 15, 2023 2:27 pm

wisdomhomes how about a response from you here on this forum? to acknowledge and address MeMySelfNi 's concerns and reassure your prospective customers online here of Wisdom Homes capability, resources, and customer service ethos.

Kippers01 · Aug 15, 2023 2:41 pm

MeMySelfNi

Ashington Homes

MeMyselfNi

I know Wisdom read this forum, so it would be great to hear their side as to why your build is going slow.

We have a couple of builds that have been going slow due to specific site related issues ( everyone knows my steel framing struggles at Turramurra and I have a job that has been on hold at Lane Cove with a tree issue), but honestly all our other jobs are flying at the moment as there are an abundance of tradies with no work on.

Building hasn't been this easy in ages. We are finding that with our finishing trades, from joinery installation we are finishing our homes in 4 weeks, this includes flooring, plumbing & electrical fit off, painting, internal carpentry, driveway and landscaping.

And I am still getting multiple calls every week from new tradies looking for work.

Is there any obvious reason why your build has been delayed? For instance have you been paying your invoices on time?

Cheers

Simeon

Hi Simeo

i have all my invoices up to date and i don’t see any obvious reason for this kind of delay. in fact i’m the most easy customer and never complain or call them unless there is an issues, with mall problems i tend to let it go.

From the start they took their times with every stage there is couples of days with no one on site even though the sun is shining. sometime weeks with no activity. i lucky that i’ve rent a place just within 1km from the site, this is why i drive pass every day. Now i’m just too stress and exhausted to complain as i don’t see any light here. just recently it’s been 1 weeks with no activity even today sun are shining but again no one. gyprock has been delivered but they will start next week which mean 2 weeks no activity.

I hope wisdom home could read this and get their act together, as i do respect the company, i don’t like to say bad comments about others just express my feelings and issues that i have.

Use the time before the gyprock is fixed to thoroughly inspect everything that it will cover up.

MJ2137 · Aug 16, 2023 2:28 pm

Ashington Homes

MeMySelfNi

Ashington Homes

MeMyselfNi

I know Wisdom read this forum, so it would be great to hear their side as to why your build is going slow.

We have a couple of builds that have been going slow due to specific site related issues ( everyone knows my steel framing struggles at Turramurra and I have a job that has been on hold at Lane Cove with a tree issue), but honestly all our other jobs are flying at the moment as there are an abundance of tradies with no work on.

Building hasn't been this easy in ages. We are finding that with our finishing trades, from joinery installation we are finishing our homes in 4 weeks, this includes flooring, plumbing & electrical fit off, painting, internal carpentry, driveway and landscaping.

And I am still getting multiple calls every week from new tradies looking for work.

Is there any obvious reason why your build has been delayed? For instance have you been paying your invoices on time?

Cheers

Simeon

Hi Simeo

i have all my invoices up to date and i don’t see any obvious reason for this kind of delay. in fact i’m the most easy customer and never complain or call them unless there is an issues, with mall problems i tend to let it go.

From the start they took their times with every stage there is couples of days with no one on site even though the sun is shining. sometime weeks with no activity. i lucky that i’ve rent a place just within 1km from the site, this is why i drive pass every day. Now i’m just too stress and exhausted to complain as i don’t see any light here. just recently it’s been 1 weeks with no activity even today sun are shining but again no one. gyprock has been delivered but they will start next week which mean 2 weeks no activity.

I hope wisdom home could read this and get their act together, as i do respect the company, i don’t like to say bad comments about others just express my feelings and issues that i have.

Thanks for your quick and comprehensive response. I am going to PM you something that I hope helps

Hi Simeon
Can you share that with me too. Kind of same situation but with another builder. Slab poured last Nov and only had scaffolding erected last week
Thanks
MJ

Ashington Homes · Aug 16, 2023 4:27 pm

Kippers01

@wisdomhomes how about a response from you here on this forum? to acknowledge and address MeMySelfNi 's concerns and reassure your prospective customers online here of Wisdom Homes capability, resources, and customer service ethos.

I don't think we will hear from them.

Mark Scully who was the CEO and used to be very active in the forum left in May to go and run Wideline Windows and a couple of other businesses.

Finding that out prompted me to do a bit of digging to see which of my contacts are there now and it would seem they have had a number of key management changes in the last 12 months, with a number coming over from Elderton who went into liquidation.

Not saying that is related just that there has probably been a culture shift at the top, and from personal experience Elderton definitely built a different product than Wisdom.

MeMySelfNi · Aug 18, 2023 5:03 pm

Ashington Homes

MeMySelfNi

Ashington Homes

MeMyselfNi

I know Wisdom read this forum, so it would be great to hear their side as to why your build is going slow.

We have a couple of builds that have been going slow due to specific site related issues ( everyone knows my steel framing struggles at Turramurra and I have a job that has been on hold at Lane Cove with a tree issue), but honestly all our other jobs are flying at the moment as there are an abundance of tradies with no work on.

Building hasn't been this easy in ages. We are finding that with our finishing trades, from joinery installation we are finishing our homes in 4 weeks, this includes flooring, plumbing & electrical fit off, painting, internal carpentry, driveway and landscaping.

And I am still getting multiple calls every week from new tradies looking for work.

Is there any obvious reason why your build has been delayed? For instance have you been paying your invoices on time?

Cheers

Simeon

Hi Simeo

i have all my invoices up to date and i don’t see any obvious reason for this kind of delay. in fact i’m the most easy customer and never complain or call them unless there is an issues, with mall problems i tend to let it go.

From the start they took their times with every stage there is couples of days with no one on site even though the sun is shining. sometime weeks with no activity. i lucky that i’ve rent a place just within 1km from the site, this is why i drive pass every day. Now i’m just too stress and exhausted to complain as i don’t see any light here. just recently it’s been 1 weeks with no activity even today sun are shining but again no one. gyprock has been delivered but they will start next week which mean 2 weeks no activity.

I hope wisdom home could read this and get their act together, as i do respect the company, i don’t like to say bad comments about others just express my feelings and issues that i have.

Thanks for your quick and comprehensive response. I am going to PM you something that I hope helps

I have contact Mark and he has forwarded my message to wisdomhomes senior Manager. They had called me up and arranged to meet with me on-site to discuss the situation. i’ll keep you guys post with the outcome.

thank you for your active on this forums and helps.

Kippers01 · Aug 18, 2023 7:49 pm

When you meet them keep a detailed written record of what was discussed, agreed, promised. Email it to them and ask for acknowledgement of your email and if anything noted in it requires correction. 5 working days is a reasonable for this.

Ashington Homes · Aug 19, 2023 12:15 pm

MeMySelfNi

That is fantastic news that Mark was able to put you in touch with someone.

Good luck with your meeting, and as Kippers advised, keep notes and follow them up with an email on all agreed actions.

Let us know how you go

Cheers

Simeon

MeMySelfNi · Nov 24, 2023 4:22 pm

Ashington Homes

MeMySelfNi

That is fantastic news that Mark was able to put you in touch with someone.

Good luck with your meeting, and as Kippers advised, keep notes and follow them up with an email on all agreed actions.

Let us know how you go

Cheers

Simeon

Hi All,

After the meeting in August. Michael has assured me that the building progress was on track and will come to PCI in November. And also the building supervisor said he will try to meet pre-xmas PCI stage. But now November end and i just got an email inform me today that the PCI will not complete this year and will be complete it in January next year.

I've got not thing to say but re-phrase the topic "is it worth the hassle?", it will be over a year for the building time frame and over a year for admin work.

So if anyone who thinking of building with Wisdomhome please read this and you must bear this in mind that it will be total of 2 and half years before you could receive your new home with frustration and whatever it maybe.

I have regretted and should of buying a house then move in instead of knockdown rebuild and wait with frustration.

regards,

Kippers01 · Nov 24, 2023 5:16 pm

Did Wisdom Homes provide you with details / specific reasons for the additional 2 month delay for your PCI and their broken promise? What is your contract's liquidated damages amount claimable per week against Wisdom?

MeMySelfNi · Nov 27, 2023 1:00 pm

Kippers01

Did Wisdom Homes provide you with details / specific reasons for the additional 2 month delay for your PCI and their broken promise? What is your contract's liquidated damages amount claimable per week against Wisdom?

Hi Kippers01,

They stated that due to material and labour shortage. I have discussed this with them back in august and they promise that they will try to finish it before xmas.

Anyway the liquidated damges amount is $40 per day it's seem to be not fair at all but what can i do.

Just to let others that intend to build caution with this that's all i can do.

MeMySelfNi · Nov 27, 2023 2:42 pm

Hi All,

Also adding to all this. If anyone who searching this forum for Wisdomhomes Build reviews. Then you can make your judgement from this thread.

1. Wisdomhomes is not what they used to be (Old GM who actively on this forum has left the company)
2. Wisdomhomes will not read or participate this forum anymore (I have monitoring them and only see last thread was in March 2023.)
3. Wisdomhomes will just be like any project home builder you must look for how much is the liquid damage (the lower it is the less they will takecare of your build time frame. In my case $40 per days and this is what i feel like they don't care if my home was delay for 2 months. It could be 3 months i'm not sure at this stage)

I haven't inspect the house yet so i can not tell you the build quality is, but i will soon posting more when i'm in PCI stage.

NOTE: this is not to intend to damage reputation of the company or any kinds, but rather a discussion on customer level who intending to know and review the process of this company in my honest experience.

Kippers01 · Nov 27, 2023 6:01 pm

Yes, in the past Wisdom Homes took a very, very, proactive position on social media management. Just google Wisdom Homes and ACCC! In addition, positive (or minimising negatives) social media is critical for marketing and in any forum you can often find proxies and should consider their motives. Not all business social media management is overt, it seems.

Prospective customers should always consider the liquidated damages provisions in the contract when assessing project costs because a 6 month delay on a KDR can easily cost them an extra $40,000 or so. Or push them to make progress payments with significant defects outstanding. A $40 per working day liquidated damages provision is effectively only about $200 per week vs rent in parts of Sydney of around $1,500 per week. This provides minimal incentive for Wisdom Homes to complete a build on time and to reasonable quality.

Infinite-Justice · Nov 28, 2023 3:25 pm

Kippers01

Yes, in the past Wisdom Homes took a very, very, proactive position on social media management. Just google Wisdom Homes and ACCC! In addition, positive (or minimising negatives) social media is critical for marketing and in any forum you can often find proxies and should consider their motives. Not all business social media management is overt, it seems.

Prospective customers should always consider the liquidated damages provisions in the contract when assessing project costs because a 6 month delay on a KDR can easily cost them an extra $40,000 or so. Or push them to make progress payments with significant defects outstanding. A $40 per working day liquidated damages provision is effectively only about $200 per week vs rent in parts of Sydney of around $1,500 per week. This provides minimal incentive for Wisdom Homes to complete a build on time and to reasonable quality.

In fairness nobody gave a crap about the ACCC and the gag clauses continued in the pro forma templates of a few other builders after the ACCC took on Wisdom, and more recently, Fowler.

And it does not look like ACCC went after any of the builders with the same level of rigor as it did against many other industries. People often complain about $1/$40/50 per day liquidated damages being grossly insufficient, and yet ACCC apparently had no issue with that even though every consumer who had been delayed will disagree.

The industry is having a structural issue. The contracts are presented to the consumers way too late into the process, after the consumers are emotionally invested into the project having spent a lot of time and money and therefore are less likely to walk away, and will instead accept what is in the contract with a bit of sweet talk from the Sales.

Sad really, but the consumers are largely on their own and the government couldn't care less.