Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 28, 2009 4:37 pm Hi All,
My last post was regarding some suggestion on soil testing on a block on land. Well, we have moved forward from there and decided on another block in Pakenham. Now, we are concentrating on the 2nd step of this long journey and looking to build Atlantique 36 Mk2 with Carlisle. Its good that this forum has members who already have experience with the builder and this specific house. Hopefully their experience will make our journey a bit easier. I had some questions and would highly appreciate responses from anyone. My apologies if they have already been asked and answered heaps of times previously on this forum. I have tried to read as many posts as I can but still have some doubts and hence decided to have a post of my own. - Electrical Fittings: We are keen to go for energy saver downlights and also some bigger lights in center of rooms. The common suggestion is to get builder to install battens instead of downlights and to get another contractor to install the actual downlights. Couple of other suggestions were * A friend who built with Carlisle earlier suggested to get Carlisle only to draw wires and use their contractor to install downlights. Thus saving on batten costs. Has anyone who recently built with Carlisle also been able to do this? * Another suggestion from an electrical retailer was to just get builder to install one light and the electrical contractor can install the rest ones later on. As this is a single storey house, he suggested that will be cheaper than getting builder to do any work. Can you suggest which option does look feasible and will be more economical? - Alarm System & Garage Remote: Should we get these installed by the builder or again is this something that can be achieved at much lower cost at a later stage? Alarm system will be approx $1.5K and Garage Remote approx $700. - Anyone building with Carlisle, are you using an external building inspector? Carlisle suggested that they already use external inspectors through out the construction stage, so should we still employ another inspector? Sorry for the huge list of questions as I thought it will be easier to put all of them into one and discuss the feedback. Thanks in advance for any guidance and suggestions. Sam Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 2Jan 28, 2009 10:12 pm shilpsam Hi All, My last post was regarding some suggestion on soil testing on a block on land. Well, we have moved forward from there and decided on another block in Pakenham. Now, we are concentrating on the 2nd step of this long journey and looking to build Atlantique 36 Mk2 with Carlisle. Its good that this forum has members who already have experience with the builder and this specific house. Hopefully their experience will make our journey a bit easier. I had some questions and would highly appreciate responses from anyone. My apologies if they have already been asked and answered heaps of times previously on this forum. I have tried to read as many posts as I can but still have some doubts and hence decided to have a post of my own. - Electrical Fittings: We are keen to go for energy saver downlights and also some bigger lights in center of rooms. The common suggestion is to get builder to install battens instead of downlights and to get another contractor to install the actual downlights. Couple of other suggestions were * A friend who built with Carlisle earlier suggested to get Carlisle only to draw wires and use their contractor to install downlights. Thus saving on batten costs. Has anyone who recently built with Carlisle also been able to do this? * Another suggestion from an electrical retailer was to just get builder to install one light and the electrical contractor can install the rest ones later on. As this is a single storey house, he suggested that will be cheaper than getting builder to do any work. Can you suggest which option does look feasible and will be more economical? - Alarm System & Garage Remote: Should we get these installed by the builder or again is this something that can be achieved at much lower cost at a later stage? Alarm system will be approx $1.5K and Garage Remote approx $700. - Anyone building with Carlisle, are you using an external building inspector? Carlisle suggested that they already use external inspectors through out the construction stage, so should we still employ another inspector? Sorry for the huge list of questions as I thought it will be easier to put all of them into one and discuss the feedback. Thanks in advance for any guidance and suggestions. Sam Hi Sam, We built the Bordeoux with Carlisle. Got the keys last December. Generally, I am very pleased with Carlisle.The office staffs are all accommodating and I'm happy to have a professional supervisor (David). Of course, there will be issues along the process, but nothing that's not addressed fair and square. I like the part that I am being updated and I can call my supervisor anytime and, he returns my call. With many horror stories in house building, I embraced myself for the worst Thank God all went well. We did our cabling/alarm with Argus Technologies. Luckily, they' re also the electricians of Carlisle. Thus, Carlisle allowed them entry.You'll save heaps too as we paid Argus instead of thru Carlisle. I still suggest you use an independent inspector. Carlisle has its own but you'll be surprised what else a good independent inspector can find. Carlisle rectified all issues,too. I got Kevin McDonald (found him thru this forum,thx) and I'm glad I did it... I'm not a fan of downlights so we ended up with batten lights. Now I'm scouting for good lightings. Enjoy your journey. I love the Atlantique. We just got a land with a double storey covenant in Berwick so we ended with the Bordeoux and I love it!!! cheers, Hannah Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 3Jan 29, 2009 8:56 am We too are building with Carlisle and are going to use the services of Kevin McDonald for 2 inspections - pre plaster and pre handover. I think the peace of mind is worth the fee.
Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 4Jan 29, 2009 12:34 pm Hi Hannah & Dale,
Thanks for the responses . Hannah, Did you use Argus Technologies for the Alarm system or also for home theatre cabling? Dale, seem like Big Kev is the way to go. May need to contact him sooner to ensure he does not get booked. Regards Sam Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 5Jan 29, 2009 2:20 pm Hey Sam...
My wife and i are also building the Atlantique but the 32sq.... With electrical they made up a nice little electrical plan for us, and then we just cut out the lights we didnt want and saved some good money (lights under kitchen cupboards certainly not needed !!!). And we also will be getting Kevin for the 2 inspections... as dale said "I think the peace of mind is worth the fee. " LDH Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 6Jan 29, 2009 10:46 pm shilpsam Hi Hannah & Dale, Thanks for the responses . Hannah, Did you use Argus Technologies for the Alarm system or also for home theatre cabling? Dale, seem like Big Kev is the way to go. May need to contact him sooner to ensure he does not get booked. Regards Sam Hi Sam, Yes, we got alarm and HT cabling with them. If you can pay them cash, they can offer 10% discount. Look for Karin as she's very accommodating. I was referred by Arnold M from Berwick too and so far, so good. cheers, Hannah Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 7Jan 30, 2009 8:46 am Thanks Hannah.
I have contacted Karin, via email, and will be sending her the rough electrical plan. Will have to organize a time for a visit as they are only open during weekdays. LDH, we have gone through the electrical plan with our sales consultant and added/removed light points according to the size of room and suitability of the light point. Still the basic electrical changes cost is approx $3.5K, including . When we add the downlights and bigger center lights and the cost to get these installed, the electrical component seems quite costly. So am looking for suggestion whether it is better to get the additional light points installed along with the fittings later on? Or is it possible to only get wires laid out and no batten fitting so that we can get some rebate on the batten costs? Thanks Samir Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 8Jan 30, 2009 11:32 am Hey sam...
i guess as your house is bigger lighting would be right up there... to my reckoning just getting the wiring done should save you $$$... have you asked the builder of this? LDH Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 9Feb 01, 2009 8:39 am Hi Sam,
my partner and i are currently up to slab stage. we are building the atlantique 32. it has been a wonderful experience so far. i called Kevin McDonald last week who is really helpful and worth his weight in gold. he has advised me that for a single story house a pre plaster and a pre hand over inspection is all that's needed. We the electrical side of things i cant help because my partner is a sparky and we have just gone with the free lighting options and fix them up once we move in. Craig and i are also sharing our story on this forum its "Splattys dream home (Atlantique 32 - Point Cook) i look forward to reading your progress. Carlisle Atlantique 32sq - Handover 13th Aug... MAYBE? (1 week) Re: Next step in journey - Carlisle Atlantique 36 MK2 10Feb 02, 2009 12:51 pm Hi Bec n Craig,
Thanks for the info. Its good that Craig is taking care of all electrical stuff at your place. Maybe he can give his opinion on the suggestion regarding only getting basic light points installed and then a sparky can add additional lights using the same wires/connections? Does this sound like a good idea? More importantly, will it result in any real savings? Thanks Sam Any advice on how to ensure the kit home granny flat that im thinking of buying will get council approval. The kit home companys wont release plans without a deposit and… 0 7213 the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11835 Do I need to concern about this pattern of crack? Is this crack showing some signs of bigger problems? Thanks for any suggestions! 1 1914 |