Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 02, 2009 2:44 pm We narrowed down our search 2 builders, made changes to the houses we wanted (there were quite a few), I drew these onto the plans, and emailed it to them as I'm in Newman doing FIFO so I can't easily pop in and go over it with them.
One builder, the one we're leaning towards, has been excellent, has made the changes and got pricing as need be, emails me about delays and so on, and are close to a house that we're happy with to go ahead. The other builder barely ever emailed (I refuse to send emails at the sales stage asking if they have done things, as if I have to do this at sales, then I'm guessing the other stages are going to be a nightmare). I hadn't heard from them for a while. I get an email back today with the drawings (well, I did yesterday but it wasn't in a format I could open) but no pricing. In the meantime, we have had 2 lots of pricings and drawings done by the other mob. This builder looks like more value for money (like the house is slightly bigger, although the layout isn't as good as the other mob, and we'll have high ceilings), but they are taking their sweet ar$e time! On top of that, when I'm on my R&R this weekend, he's now going away so I won't meet up with him to March (although he agreed last month to meet us then!!!!). By my March R&R, the other mob will most likely be at the stage for initial deposit.... So to get to this point, we'll have to get pricing and do all the changes via email before the end of February so that we can then decide who to go with and sign in March. And I want to sign in March - I don't want any more delays!!!! I need to reply to the builder's email after he has just sent me a drawing (with STILL no pricing!!!!) I want to say something along the lines of: "Can you please send me pricing so we know if this actually is in our budget? And can you hurry up in doing so? We have another builder who will also give us what we want and they'll be ready by early March to sign with us, and ideally I would like to go with the better value home but after March I'm going with who's ready first." (Although I want to say this nicer and more professional) I'm in 2 minds though - I don't like delays at this stage. I don't want this to carry into construction. I'm also tempted to pretend we're not looking anywhere else, and whoever is fastest (not this mob!!!) wins and we'll just say "Sorry, we have found a builder who's faster"......... Because I shouldn't have to ASK at this stage...... So.... What would you do?? Re: What would you do??? 4Feb 02, 2009 5:18 pm i would not based my decisions on the responsive of emails.
Once could construe that they are doing an excellent job and have lots of customers thus the email response is slow..whilst the other guys suck and have no business so plenty of time to respond to your email. I would sit down and develop a selection criteria and to make sure you are comparing apples with apples and don't let emotions get invovlved b/c u like the sales guy better than the other sales guy. At the end of the day the sales guy finish with you after you sign up. Things to check for are... - willingness to show u completed projects - Willingness to allow you to talked to customers that current building with them - what kind of contracts are used ie. HIA, MBA or custom - Do your builder employ their builders or are they all contractors (even if they are contractors, how long have they been contracted with the builder) - how flexible are they in letting you do your own thing BEFORE hand over (mine allows me to put insulation and speaker cables and lan cables etc etc) anyhow they are just a few things off the top of my head.... my point is not to based your BIG purchase on responsiveness of emails and prices b/c they will tell you what you want to hear and then charge u an arm and a leg for any minute changes... or variations. good luck smeags. ---->Some say that a recession is when your neighbour loses his/her job while a depression is when you lose yours!<----- Re: What would you do??? 5Feb 02, 2009 6:08 pm Emails is kind of important as I'm in Newman and they are in Perth, but it's more that I asked him to make changes, drew it all up for him, and he just had to get it done properly with the new price. I asked this one month ago, and in the same time period the other builder has done 2 lots of changes for us with pricing.
They have only just given me the drawing... I'm concerned because the process is slow... And my gut feeling is to go with the mob that actually reply to my emails, I feel confident. And they are busy too, but communicate really well to let me so. But I might email them and get them to give me prices. I just don't know how to word too that I want it done before March as we are signing with the other mob if they aren't done by then. Re: What would you do??? 6Feb 04, 2009 10:02 am how about this....
Dear sir/madam/, Thank you for the information provided so far. We are currently reviewing our options with respect to the right builder for us. Our selection criteria are based on the following: - insert whats important to you. - make sure one of them is competitivie pricing. We are very keen on going with your company X and it has been shortlisted, as we believe you have [insert good traits that you like about the company]. However, in order for us to make an informed decision we require your assistance with providing good estimates of your costs. We are hoping to make a decision early March and would appreciate your prompt response. Thanks in advance and I hope to hear from you soon. Mrs Smith. ---->Some say that a recession is when your neighbour loses his/her job while a depression is when you lose yours!<----- Re: What would you do??? 8Feb 04, 2009 12:08 pm Good letter!!
Mrs Smith, I too am in WA, and gave a miss to the builders (sales consultants) that didn't seem to bother about me. I thought that if this was the indication of their service when they were trying to get my business, how much worse could it get once I had signed on the dotted line!!!?? We chose in the end to go with C..ollier Homes, as the SC was brilliant. Drew up my plans and desires within two days, and met me at the show house on the Sunday to show me the differences. I went with the Driftwood which was a display home in Hammond Park, so was great to see the house actually built in stead of trying to visualise it. He showed me what came in my contract (I was going the cheaper version in Residential Abode, as opposed to the premium build). Re: What would you do??? 9Feb 04, 2009 9:05 pm IF I was going to spend the amount of money you are contemplating, I would get out of my (your) comfort zone and face these people and thrash out EVERY querie and alteration I had.
I realise your dilemma, but its hardly fair asking for advice, considering your builder(s) may be very busy, shelving your emails to deal with clients who are local, wanting quick turnover and with less fuss. Do you expect to build this whole home by emails? Surely now you cant be serious? Arfur Re: What would you do??? 10Feb 04, 2009 11:09 pm haha not to worri her partner (me) will be in perth to watch the building, and working in the construction industry i work with builders and supervisors on site all the time and know how to work them lol.
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