Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building in SA! 4021Feb 13, 2011 9:38 pm Hi Michael and Kylie, currently building with them and are using a building inspector. In honesty, we had the inspector come out for the first two stages and then again at pre-handover. We found it was costing $400 each time and then the builder didn't even bother fixing anything on report so we were wasting money. In the end, we had him for pre-handover and he checked everything out and we will be making sure everything on his final report is fixed this time. The inspectors don't seem to have good relationship with the builders. So up to you how you want to handle it but it will add a few extra weeks onto your completion date. Not sure why since in our experience they never looked anyway. But yeh, we had him back at the end to do a final inspection and we reckon that for us was best way to go. If u have any other questions about Fairmont just ask .. We about a week or so away from completion and we started September 2009!! Re: Building in SA! 4022Feb 14, 2011 9:11 am magikalcrab hi all, new here and just starting to investigate the building process. Having not yet read the 200+ pages, can anyone provide me with advice... I'm looking at the House & Land packages from World Concept or Hickenbotham. Anyone had any experiences, good or bad? Also, I see from the first few pages that I've read so far that the building seems to take a while... it's looking like average time from contract to keys is about 18-20 months - would that be right? Not sure I like the idea of waiting for so long (especially since it'll be this time next year when I'll be able to get mortgage pre-aprroval) Anyhow - any hints/tips/tricks that can be sent this would would be really appriciated! Hi. We built with Statesman (same parent company as Hickinbotham). Ours took 13 months from contract signing until keys. Our biggest delay was land settlement. We bought our land through Hickinbotham and were told it would settle in Feb 10. It didn't settle until Jul 10. Once they started building, it only took them 4.5 months from slab until keys. Good luck with whatever your decide contract signed: Nov 09 Released to Construction: 23 Jul 10 Slab poured: 9 Aug 10 Frame completed: 30 Aug 10 Windows & Gutters: 7 Sep 10 Bricks: 15 - 23 Sep 10 Roof: 24 Sep 10 Gyprock: 20 Oct 10 Lockup: 25 Oct 10 Kitchen: 27 Oct 10 Tiling: 6 - 9 Nov 10 Painting: 17 Nov 10 Carpet: 30 Nov 10 PCI: 15 Dec 10 Handover: 17 Dec 10 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=35943 Re: Building in SA! 4023Feb 14, 2011 12:25 pm keys this week all being well with the bank ----- fairmont are ready to go and just waiting for us to tell them the bank are ready with a cheque. I can not believe that it is NEARLY time for us to move into our place. We've had ups and downs, sideways, backwards and everything in between to get to this point. Next Week - paving/crossover/front security screen door Week After - tiling begins/carpeting Week After that ----- MOVING TIME????? Re: Building in SA! 4024Feb 14, 2011 3:01 pm Good luck with the bank this week TashMarch. I hope it all goes smoothly. I’m very excited for you. It's getting so close to completion And thanks for the advice regarding building inspectors. DH and I had been wondering how much it would cost and when we should get one. I think after what you’ve said, we might just wait until pre-handover before getting a building inspector in. magikalcrab hi all, new here and just starting to investigate the building process. Having not yet read the 200+ pages, can anyone provide me with advice... I'm looking at the House & Land packages from World Concept or Hickenbotham. Anyone had any experiences, good or bad? Also, I see from the first few pages that I've read so far that the building seems to take a while... it's looking like average time from contract to keys is about 18-20 months - would that be right? Not sure I like the idea of waiting for so long (especially since it'll be this time next year when I'll be able to get mortgage pre-aprroval) Anyhow - any hints/tips/tricks that can be sent this would would be really appriciated! Welcome magikalcrab.I haven’t had any experience with World Concept but we were very interested in Hickinbotham for a while. I liked that they had a selections book listing the price of upgrades. Made it easy to work out how much the build would actually cost after we made changes to the finish. I also liked their finish in the display homes. Their display homes seem to have nice big mirrors and large windows that go to the ceiling (when looking at them from the outside). I guess my advice to you would be to make sure you know what is included in the finish of your home. A lot of things in the display homes aren’t standard and you’ll have to pay extra to achieve the same look. Just make sure you ask lots of questions and don’t sign anything until you’re 100% comfortable that you have included everything you want in the contract. The builders will try to encourage you to sign up with special offers that are ending each month, but there’s always another special offer or they get extended so don’t let this pressure you into signing. 18-20 months for a build sounds a bit excessive if there are no problems encountered. I’d expect it to take around 12 months. Re: Building in SA! 4025Feb 14, 2011 3:10 pm Theresa, I'm not sure when you were looking at Hickinbotham, but they definitely didn't have prices in the colour selections book that we got. It definitely would have been handy if they had contract signed: Nov 09 Released to Construction: 23 Jul 10 Slab poured: 9 Aug 10 Frame completed: 30 Aug 10 Windows & Gutters: 7 Sep 10 Bricks: 15 - 23 Sep 10 Roof: 24 Sep 10 Gyprock: 20 Oct 10 Lockup: 25 Oct 10 Kitchen: 27 Oct 10 Tiling: 6 - 9 Nov 10 Painting: 17 Nov 10 Carpet: 30 Nov 10 PCI: 15 Dec 10 Handover: 17 Dec 10 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=35943 Re: Building in SA! 4026Feb 14, 2011 3:31 pm Been a while since i've read this thread.. but finally we have some progress on our place in Field River Estate Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ DSC_5118 by auvortex, on Flickr As you can see we also have a lot of dirt (100 tonne was an estimate by one of my workmates) to move - I have a few calls out at the moment with various earthmovers for quotes, but can anyone reccomend someone to take the dirt? Reasonably clean, a few rocks, mostly clay... Also if anyone is looking for dirt for backfilling, come and get it.. PM for the address.. Re: Building in SA! 4027Feb 14, 2011 4:16 pm Good to see it’s all happening for you now vortex carlswil Theresa, I'm not sure when you were looking at Hickinbotham, but they definitely didn't have prices in the colour selections book that we got. It definitely would have been handy if they had Now that you say that, I don’t know that they readily show everyone the selections book before signing. I think you have to ask about their selections. The book is their reference, it’s not one you can take home or anything. We told the salesperson that we wanted all of our selection costs to be included in our quote. We didn’t want to get to selections and find out the cost of items then. We asked the salesperson if there was any way to do this and that’s when he got his selections book out from behind the desk and gave it to us to flip through and choose the items we wanted. It was excellent. It had pictures of their different cornices, skirtings, appliances, etc. and the costs next to the pictures. Re: Building in SA! 4028Feb 14, 2011 5:54 pm Thanks guys for the replies. I'll definatley look at the threads that were recommended. I definatley like the idea of building vs. buying first home - pay about the same for each, except buying most established homes within my price range means living in the end of nowhere or having to spend $50k+ on renovations to get it to where I want it to be. Compiling who knows how much research now, but from what I can tell, most people are reasonably happy with Hickenbotham and I love the designs that Stateman seem to have - they've all got a major selling point for me (ensuite off master bedroom). Just another quick question - I know that builders will charge to any change to most layouts, but is there a particular amount? Some of the designs I'm looking at I just want to remove a full room to make the master bedroom larger - it's not a huge change as such, but still. Anyhow, I'd guess that's something to discuss with them when the time comes. Definatley an exciting prospect, even though I'm just in the most baby of planning stages! Re: Building in SA! 4029Feb 14, 2011 8:09 pm Our sales consultant was fantastic with giving us a thorough quote before we signed... we did have some structural changes to make because of the constraints of our block vs the design we fell in love with. Only problem was we weren't quite thorough enough and still are desperately waiting for colour selections to find out how much we are up for in further upgrades. Got our colour book, and it definitely doesn't have prices in it. Boo. But at least we can go check out the selection centre before our appointment and start the fun part of choosing! What area are you looking at in particular? Cassie 28/7/11 - Slabbed 15/8/11 - Framed 19/9/11 - LOCKED UP! 6/10/11 - Kitchen in! 11/11/11 - It's all OURS! Pg 12 Follow our build: The Noodle Family - Preston in the Hills Re: Building in SA! 4030Feb 15, 2011 8:10 am magikalcrab Thanks guys for the replies. I'll definatley look at the threads that were recommended. I definatley like the idea of building vs. buying first home - pay about the same for each, except buying most established homes within my price range means living in the end of nowhere or having to spend $50k+ on renovations to get it to where I want it to be. Compiling who knows how much research now, but from what I can tell, most people are reasonably happy with Hickenbotham and I love the designs that Stateman seem to have - they've all got a major selling point for me (ensuite off master bedroom). Just another quick question - I know that builders will charge to any change to most layouts, but is there a particular amount? Some of the designs I'm looking at I just want to remove a full room to make the master bedroom larger - it's not a huge change as such, but still. Anyhow, I'd guess that's something to discuss with them when the time comes. Definatley an exciting prospect, even though I'm just in the most baby of planning stages! We combined a study and bedroom at the back of the house, just knocked out a wall, and got rid of one door, and didn't get charged more for it. HillsCass Our sales consultant was fantastic with giving us a thorough quote before we signed... we did have some structural changes to make because of the constraints of our block vs the design we fell in love with. Only problem was we weren't quite thorough enough and still are desperately waiting for colour selections to find out how much we are up for in further upgrades. Got our colour book, and it definitely doesn't have prices in it. Boo. But at least we can go check out the selection centre before our appointment and start the fun part of choosing! What area are you looking at in particular? Good luck with your colour selections. When are you doing that? contract signed: Nov 09 Released to Construction: 23 Jul 10 Slab poured: 9 Aug 10 Frame completed: 30 Aug 10 Windows & Gutters: 7 Sep 10 Bricks: 15 - 23 Sep 10 Roof: 24 Sep 10 Gyprock: 20 Oct 10 Lockup: 25 Oct 10 Kitchen: 27 Oct 10 Tiling: 6 - 9 Nov 10 Painting: 17 Nov 10 Carpet: 30 Nov 10 PCI: 15 Dec 10 Handover: 17 Dec 10 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=35943 Re: Building in SA! 4031Feb 15, 2011 12:05 pm no handover this week .... more than likely be next week now ... just feel like the goal posts keep moving. I have the cheque from the bank but now the builder playing the "oh we need to look at your inspection report" etc etc ... Why can't things just ever be simple. Re: Building in SA! 4032Feb 15, 2011 12:17 pm Oh no, TashMarch!! I hope this doesn't mean that you have to rebook the tradies again. Re: Building in SA! 4033Feb 15, 2011 12:27 pm Hi our SS has said we can keep our paving guy booked in but we've had to cancel the person who was coming to do our front fly screen because the house may not be open for him to do it.... We are lucky they are letting us keep the paving contractors booked in......they didn't have to agree to let that happen .... It is just we get sooooooooooo close and then it is like it gets pulled out from under you. You get to the point where you are thinking that maybe this is the weekend we'll get our keys and get in but then **bam** another delay... Let's just hope that resolve it by end of next week as we have our tiling/carpeting contractors booked for the 28th.... so they have a week to pull it together. Man, this building thing is a real stresser!! Re: Building in SA! 4034Feb 15, 2011 12:40 pm That’s nice of them to let you keep the paving guy. Pain about the security door though. Will be nice when you can just move onto the next stage of just settling in and you can forget about all these stresses. Re: Building in SA! 4035Feb 15, 2011 9:43 pm Does anyone know what month that Rawsons Elite Appliances, Marion Rd branch, have it's once a year floor stock clearance, often advertised as a Miele clearance? I am wondering if I can hold out on a purchase as I heard about it. I then went to the Unley Rd clearance in Septemberr at which I picked up some great bargains. But I still need a rangehood (Qasair), sink (Franke), and high flow tap filter. All of which they had but I missed out on. I can't wait until September for the next Unley one so need to work out if I can wait until the Marion Rd one. (also Spartans do the same in October) Slab poured 21/04/2011 Frame finished 27/05/2011 Moved in 07/11/2011 Re: Building in SA! 4036Feb 16, 2011 2:59 pm 71monaro Does anyone know what month that Rawsons Elite Appliances, Marion Rd branch, have it's once a year floor stock clearance? Soon - April or March, by memory. We got some great bargains there last year. It would, of course, be nice if we had a house to put them in rather than having them sitting in boxes... Re: Building in SA! 4037Feb 17, 2011 7:50 pm Can anyone recommend a cabinet maker for a kitchen reno (good but reasonably priced)? Can anyone recommend a tiler for a bathroom reno (good but reasonably priced)? Can anyone explain why tradies will make a time to come and see me but usually don't turn up? Re: Building in SA! 4038Feb 17, 2011 8:06 pm Hi guys, I have searched the forum and found heaps of recommendations for Adelaide Designer Homes during the early stage but does anyone have any feedback for them once the keys were handed over? Pm if you want otherwise post it here for others to see. Thanks Re: Building in SA! 4039Feb 17, 2011 8:14 pm Lee75 Can anyone recommend a cabinet maker for a kitchen reno (good but reasonably priced)? Can anyone recommend a tiler for a bathroom reno (good but reasonably priced)? Can anyone explain why tradies will make a time to come and see me but usually don't turn up? For kitchens, try Davis & Park at Lonsdale. They did a great job on a reno in my house 9 years ago (the kitchen helped sell the place recently) Just finished a friends reno that we put onto them, and we are negotiating to use them on our current new build. Slab poured 21/04/2011 Frame finished 27/05/2011 Moved in 07/11/2011 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110564 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11035 |