Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 17, 2007 12:10 am Thought I would write up my experience of house building here in Perth.
I will endeavour to tell the story of a first time couple building their house. Moderators if this isn’t the place please feel free to relocate or delete. Please be tolerant of the spelling and slang too. So hey guys this is the story of Tim & Chelsea building their dream home. Well as u may know or not the Perth property market is booming. My Fiancée and I decided that it was a good time to sell up our townhouse in Vic Park and move out to the burbs, build a dream house and start to have a family. As you do we looked at many many display homes, w'end after w'end... loved it. I think its something that I have always loved, I remember doing it with my parents too. We compiled a folder of design ideas, plans, builders details etc and after a while through revisiting different displays it became very obvious the house that we wanted. Problem was that it was an awesome floor plan but quite basic, lacking the features of the flasher Dale Allcock and Ross North homes next door. But the design was fundamentally what we wanted and suited our block to a tea. It was the Sanctuary http://www.contentliving.com.au/sanct.htm The thing with this design was the central kitchen and largish expanses of glass that would allow us to look out our back yard and into the natural bush that was just behind it. See pic, (Our block is between the 2 pillars) So we spoke to the salesman, Jeff, and added in all the extras that make the home a little classier. This process went extremely well with Jeff understanding our description of what we wanted and delivering exactly what we had asked for. Before we knew it we had the floorplan we wanted, with extras and it still was not costing us as much as the 2nd best floorplan that was smaller but was our backup. Its easy to see how Content build such large homes for a budget price, considering that you get boxed eaves, no shower door screens, acrylic basins, no rangehood, basic oven and hotplates, no doors to walk in robes etc etc. These items and then some where upspecced and we were on our way. I guess the key things we added on were 31course ceilings throughout, removed the boxed eaves, closed the WIR’s, added shower screen doors, added a 5m*10m alfresco across the back, made the garage wider, aquachecked alfresco and front entrance and Koffered ceilings to the home theatre. Jeff had the plans, costings and drawings whipped up in no time, he was great. We already had our land titles and everything was ready to go. We handed over $1500 as a deposit so that the plans could get properly drafted and we could get under way. It was April the 5th 2006. This is where we had our first problem… getting final engineered drawings completed. You see they needed the Geotech report on the soil. Well the Geotech work is contracted out to a mob that obviously I wont name but I will call TESTER 1 The short story of it all was that Tester 1 apparently couldn’t find our block. Their story was that the estate was not finished and that they could not get access to the land. Even tho the estate is finished, all roads and services are in, street lights, signs n all. (other houses were already being built around us) Pretty poor really, but what really pi$%ed me off was that they neglected to tell Content, and Content neglected to chase it up on our behalf. It wasn’t until I started poking and asking where are the engineering drawings, threatening to take my business somewhere else that the issue was chased up… after my job had gone to the bottom of the list I assume and the short story being that the tests were carried out 6 weeks late. Hadn’t turned a sod of soil and we were 6 weeks late already. What annoyed me the most was that the excuse was BS but no-one from content or Tester1 could be accountable for the issue… disappointing to say the least. Anyway so 6 weeks late, eventually the plans were drawn up (we had to add a gable and have 2 windows on front windows due to estate rules) and sent off to council. No issues here apart from taking so very long due to sheer number of new homes being built in the city. During this waiting period we would drive around on w’ends inspecting house being built to see whats an acceptable standard of workmanship of construction. Kinda so we could figure out a baseline, hell we had never built, and I didn’t want to get annoyed with the builder about quality issues if I didn’t know what I was talking about. We learnt so much during this time. Brickwork that had not mortar between it, roof timbers that had nails in it to nowhere. Things like this that if it were my house I would stress about, but its just the way they do it. (I later found out that internal walls aren’t fully rendered as the cement coat needs to grip and fill all the gaps nicely anyways) This process of looking at house at various stages of being built was very important to us, and I suggest if you are building for the first time, get out ther and have a look!!! So we waited patiently week after week waiting for something and then our prestart pack arrived. You little ripper we were over the moon. The pack was what I consider to be very thorough. It had tile places, paint colours, handles, taps, bricks etc. Was very well done and before we knew it we were chosing tiles, brick styles, splashback colours, doors etc. We visited the Hombase Wembley display place and that was great, we had ended up with a list of different style doors, handles etc lol.. oh well. Once the completed plans got back from council to Content we were booked in for our prestart. Wont bore u with to many details, but it went very very well, and all of the non standard items we wanted were priced up there and then with no delay and we got everything that we wanted, whether it was from their standard range or not. All through the design process Content were very accommodating of floorplan changes and non standard extras. I’m pretty sure some builders shy right away from this. The lady was very polite, very helpful, steered us in the right direction without being rude and made the 3hr experience no worries at all. The price had not gone up (infact it dropped slighlty) between us signing up and the prestart. I have heard of this happening too!! I added all my electrical bits n pieces, conduits, extra junction boxes for further lighting. (turns out I did miss one conduit tho.), render colours were chosen, splashback colours done, tiles sorted, laminex sorted different oven and hotplate, bulkhead ceilings. We got credit notes for all the paving, as we will be getting liquid limestone and decking instead. We left feeling very glad it was all over, although the wallet wasn’t!!! The job was done now we just waited for the slab to go down. We were told that it could be up to 11 weeks. Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 2Feb 17, 2007 1:23 am Weeks and weeks and weeks passed and it wasn’t until October that the action began… the water meter was installed… lol it’s the small things but we were on our way.
It wasn’t until mid November that the power box went in and the soil was turned. We were well n truly on our way…. So we thought! The slab went down in December and then things just ground to a halt. Christmas time had struck us. I looked at it positively that the slab had a nice Christmas and a chance to properly cure. Needless to say we had a small pad party, well we cracked open a bottle of wine and chatted to our new neighbours. The 3 phase main poweline was also run in after the slab was layed, the window frames turned up and we sent off our first payment. The bricks arrived staright into the new year. The externals were there including the front render bricks but there was not an internal wall brick in site. I heard a rumour that there was a bit of a shortage of internal bricks so once again we waited patiently. Im not sure when they turned up but before we knew it the brickies had started. I introduced myself to them and of course brought them the compulsory carton of booze. It was a team of 3 guys, very casual and approachable, yet excellent brickies. I was down there every second day having a look and discussing any issues that had popped up or any concerns that I had. 1 such issues were an area around a corner window that had not been completed. It turned out that the right angle lintel for above the window had been welded to 270degress rather than 90. The lintel would not turn up for another week, but it did not cause any delays. Before fix: After fix: Another issue we identified was that there was no frame for the front door. In the prestart stage we had chosen an aluminum front door rather than the standard wood one, and it looks like somehow the order has been delayed (maybe forgotten) As soon as I realized this I contacted Content and they advised the supervisor. (they don’t give out the supers number) and he was aware of the issue already and that once again it wasn’t going to hold us up. I was impressed that the super was on top of these issues. Its reassuring that he is doing his job properly and noticing any issues straight up. (yeah I know it his job but how many times do we read about crap supervisors and delays!) So now we are up to where we are now 15/2/07. The front door is due to site on the 27/2/07 but the roof chippies have been ordered, so its not causing us a delay. The brickies have done what I consider a great job and have left the site very clean. They have a couple of walls around where the oven and fridge go, the front portico and the front door to go. They will be back to finish once the roof is on. Almost finished brickwork pics Sunset from front yard: Contractor 2 houses down stealing my power. They said they had permission from site super, they didnt. Its probably not much cost but its the priciple. Ask em to unplug it and not use it again. So thats where we are up to. All in all it has taken a bloody long time but it has all gone relativley well. Content inform me that I'm 12 weeks into what could be a 45 week build time. Soooo it looks like sometime in september07 More posts and pictures to come.... if you guys want it... otherwise ill shutup. Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 3Feb 17, 2007 11:18 am Nice to see how other peoples houses are going up.
May I suggest a blog? [sneakersss] Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 4Feb 17, 2007 2:02 pm Wow fantastic rundown of how your building is going to date...
We have actually built with * twice and the house that we are currently in is very similar to the one you are building (its called the Ocean Vista but I think it is now called the Resort)...we really had an easy run building with Content...no major issues and all minor issues where dealt with quickly and professionally Like you said they do do a basic home but what I really like about them is that the cost of their upgrades is very very reasonable and I didn't feel that I was bring ripped off because we upgraded alot on this one and I was really worried it was going to be a budget blowout! Good luck with the rest and keep us informed of the progress. You will just love all those windows at the back...I can see where my terror 2 year old boy is in the backyard while in the kitchen... Nat Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 5Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm Great write-up!
Your doing well - our pad also went down in December, and we haven't even had the first row of bricks completed yet! Thankfully we arent in a hurry so not too concerned Can you please let me know what an 'aquachecked' alfresco is? Best of luck with the rest of the construction - please do keep us posted. Cheers P1T Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 6Feb 19, 2007 4:39 pm Aquachecked is the expression Content use for a proper ceiling rather than the plastic joining strips like under the eave and in the garage. Had it done to the front entry verandah too.
Proper ceiling looks a little nicer. The brickwork is all but finished now. They have done a very good job. Unfortunatley there has been a hold up with the front door frame. We ordered a non standard front door and one can only assume that it wasnt ordered or got forgotton or something. The supervisor has advised me that the frame will arrive on the 27th Feb. The brickwork around this frame will then be completed. The good news is that this isnt going to hold up the roofers, with the order being placed for materials to be delivered. Spent an hour or so collecting up used bricks that i may use for something else oneday... nearly 200 of them from the waste pile.Hopefully nobody steals em. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 7Mar 02, 2007 3:29 pm Well the front door has now gone in.. partially... it appears that they are a lintel short.
Still waiting for the front portico to go up too. All the roofing materials bar the tin has been delivered to site. And we also got a letter today stating a 10 day delay due to no roofing carpenters available. Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 8Mar 02, 2007 3:53 pm WOW! That is a hell of a lot of bricks!
It's so different seeing a house with all brick walls, although you must think that a house with a timber frame looks funny! Very interesting. Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Im building with *.. Care to join the journey 9Mar 02, 2007 4:06 pm First_Timer_Ray WOW! That is a hell of a lot of bricks! It's so different seeing a house with all brick walls, although you must think that a house with a timber frame looks funny! Very interesting. Ray. And here I was sitting all this time wondering why they don't have a roof yet! [sneakersss] 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 7222 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 110571 |