Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Artstitches new home - WooHoo Handover tomorrow (13/8) 141Aug 14, 2009 10:25 am I am sorry to hear about all your issues artstitches. It really seems as though the building of your house has been more of a hassle than a joy. I really hope to hear that you get some follow up and that everything finally gets completed to the standard expected. I really liked your pics too, what colour paint and carpet do you have? Sorry if youve mentioned it earlier, but its a lot of pages and cant remember lol . We are just at the start of our build and am really hoping we wont have issues like you have had. I can see how you would want something more done than a fine, as you really wouldnt want this to happen to anyone else. Well good luck with move and hope to hear more about everything . Contract signed 28/9 Site scraped 22/10 Slab poured 5/11 Frame complete 28/11 Locked up 20/1 Fixed Out 5/3 Painting completed 18/3 Tiling Completed 15/4 Carpeted & Plumbing 17/4 Completed 27/5 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21238&p=290800#p290800 Re: Artstitches new home - WooHoo Handover tomorrow (13/8) 142Aug 14, 2009 10:48 am bskilner I am sorry to hear about all your issues artstitches. It really seems as though the building of your house has been more of a hassle than a joy. I really hope to hear that you get some follow up and that everything finally gets completed to the standard expected. I really liked your pics too, what colour paint and carpet do you have? Sorry if youve mentioned it earlier, but its a lot of pages and cant remember lol . We are just at the start of our build and am really hoping we wont have issues like you have had. I can see how you would want something more done than a fine, as you really wouldnt want this to happen to anyone else. Well good luck with move and hope to hear more about everything . Thanks bskilner. I'm leaving it to OH to worry about, as it just upsets me so I just . I could probably live with most of what's left but as OH says, they agreed to fix this stuff at the PCI, and then again on Monday and again yesterday and so they should do it. So he's dealing with that stuff and I'm taking care of the other - insurances, booking trucks, - the fun moving stuff Good luck with your build - You should be fine as long as you don't have idiots like we did (and I'm referring to the SS, the CSO and the trades (some, not all)). I'd still recommend keeping good records and geiting things in writing as a back up though. The paint colour is Kid Skin (Taubmans) and the carpet is Cinnamon from Carpet Call's Alladin range (from memory - I can't find my sample with the details on it). OH now has action at the house. Painters, plasterers and caulkers are all being called to come back and "finish" or "fix". He couldn't tell me much more as the SS was still there but I'm sure he was full of excuses. The usual is "I told them to fix/do it" and "I can't be here all the time to watch them". My point, to which he doesn't have an answer is that his job is to CHECK that it's done which is where he fails. He even shook our hands yesterday and said absolultely without a doubt that it would be done - good thing we got it in writing!! My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches new home - WooHoo Handover tomorrow (13/8) 143Aug 15, 2009 9:42 am Lets hope the painters do their job properly this time so you can enjoy your new home Re: Artstitches new home - WooHoo Handover tomorrow (13/8) 144Aug 16, 2009 3:27 pm Hopefully by Monday afternoon the last of the 'fixes' will be done and we'll be able to start moving in. OH spent the whole day at the house on Friday waiting for various tradespeople to show up. Mostly they looked at what was needed and then told him when they'd be back to do the work so it was a wasted day for him. By 2.30 the best that could be offered was for the plasterer to come on Tuesday and the painters some time after that. I was not impressed with this, given how adamantly the SS "promised" that everything would be done by the end of Thursday that we decided a phone call to the area manager was necessary. He of course didn't take my call and so after having an argument with the CSO, leaving numerous messages and having the receptionist and another manager physically checking where the area manager was I contacted head office and asked to speak with someone. Of course being a Friday afternoon getting a hold of anyone proved extremely difficult and eventually the receptionist - who was extremely helpful and understanding (a rareity in this company) - asked me to leave it with her and she would see that somebody called me before the end of the day. Within 20 minutes the area manager did call me and in his 'nice-as-pie-butter-woudln't-melt-in-his-mouth-tyring-to-be-everso-helpful-to-the-customer' voice, asked "what the problem was". So I very calmly that explained that I had two issues - communication and follow-up and that these are the same issues that I'd raised with him approximately 3 months ago. I explained that whilst I understand that things don't always go according to plan, I didn't understand why we hadn't recuited a call on Thursday afternoon explaining the situation and that we still didn't get a call on Friday morning. I asked why it took us to call for any action to be taken. I explained that I felt like there had been no checks done by the SS on Thursday afternoon to check firstly that the required jobs had been done, and secondly that the quality is up to scratch. I also explained that it felt to me that if we hadn't called about these things that they'd have been left as they were. I told him that I didn't agree with the CSO's explanation that as a volume builder these situations are to be expected and that there were other worse off than us and that I didn't believe that this attitude was good enough and that with better though supervision of jobs (as the SS should do) and communication with us as the customer that these sitations could have been avoided. He didn't have any answers but he listened and did agree that this was managed poorly (probably just so that I would quit calling and abusing his staff) which is more than I can say for the CSO who tried to give excuses(all ******), and told me that as a volume builder issues such as this are be expected (the second time I've heard this excuse throughout our build) and that there were other people who were worse off than us and also hung up on me twice. He promised to make some calls and to call me back in a few minutes. Within a few minutes OH had a call from the SS to say that the plasterer would be in on Saturday and they were still trying to get in touch with painter. The area manager didn't call me back but asked the CSO to call on his behalf... So the plasterer came on Saturday and did his stuff. The caulking guy also came and did his bit (he did refuse to do the laundry tub which we are grateful for - the tub is ******* and won't click down into the cabinet as it should and so the SS wedged some plastic scraps under the tiles and expeced the caulking guy to caulk over it - so hopefully that secures our arguement that it's stuffed and needs to be fixed properly). The painter has called and will be in on Monday morning (and probably most of the day judging by the number of bit os blue taping marking the faults). The electrician also needs to come back but we don't have a time yet. It's not over yet, but we are making some progress. Once the painter has been we should be right to move our stuff in. When they (the builder) have done everything that they think is necessary, we will be contacting the building commission and asking for an inspector to come out and look at the things which we are concerned about. We will also be writing a detailed letter to the general manager, and CC'd to every person in the company that we have had any dealings with, telling of our appalling experience. We may not get anywhere but we feel that we can at least try to get it on record (both within the company and consumer affairs/building commission) about the discusting way that customers are treated and the pathetic standards that they have. My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 145Aug 27, 2009 7:59 pm It's been 2 weeks today since we picked up the keys... Our first week was a waste of time with one of us having to be at the house every day waiting on various tradesman to turn up and do their 'fix'. It started out with 'we'll have everything done by Monday' which then turned into Tuesday, and then Thursday and finally 'the tilers will be done Friday, you'll have to wait till monday for the caulkers..." So after a week from hell we moved in over the weekend and have had a difficult week moving the dregs from the other house, cleaning it and getting it ready to hand back the keys as well as trying to get our fence up. We have a dog and so we've been trying to get the fences organised as close as possible to the date we moved in. First we were waiting on the quotes to be redone, and then we were waiting on the neighbour to agree and pay the deposit. Finally we had a date set for Tuesday this week. That quickly got foiled due to Melbourne's horrific weather on both Monday and Tuesday. Finally the fencers arrived on Wednesday only to find that the neighbours block was being prepped for a slab and the concretors told them to leave it and come back Friday - which they accepted without even contacting us!! After making several calls to the fencing guys we managed to get them to come out today and make a start but not before our dog got out and ran through the neighbours slab mid pour... (wouldn't have happened if they hadn't delayed our fencing....) At last we have fence posts up and a promise (I'm still skeptical) that it will be finished by Saturday... We did manage to get 1 car into the garage on the second night but that's the "good" car that 'couldn't possibly stay out overnight' (OH's car - can you tell?..) and so what was organised chaos, quickly turned into complete chaos - 'organised' has left the building! Now I'd better get back to my unpacking.... My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 146Aug 27, 2009 8:04 pm OMG what an absolute nightmare for you. I can't believe what you have been through, and it is still continuing. I am glad you are in your house but it must put a bit of a sour taste in your mouth with how everything has turned out. Hope the fences are done by the weekend and most of all enjoy unpacking Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 147Aug 27, 2009 8:15 pm mundie mansion OMG what an absolute nightmare for you. I can't believe what you have been through, and it is still continuing. I am glad you are in your house but it must put a bit of a sour taste in your mouth with how everything has turned out. Hope the fences are done by the weekend and most of all enjoy unpacking Thanks MM - There's a lot of throwing out going on with my unpacking... there's a lot that I should have culled beforehand but with the last minute rush I ended up throwing everything into any available bag or box. Oh and with no TV yet (our decision - not a delay caused by anyone else) it's making it easier to get in and unpack - although the computer and internet is equally as distracting! My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 148Aug 28, 2009 6:18 pm glad to see you're finally in, hope you can start relaxing and enjoying it soon Caz & Co ALL MOVED IN!! Now comes all the hard work-decorating.... [b]Blog: http://cazoraz.blogspot.com/ Settling in Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=36993 Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 149Aug 28, 2009 8:03 pm Thanks Cazoraz! Our fencees are now almost complete... The guy is coming back tomorrow morning to finish the palings spanning about half of one side and to hang the gate. Then we'll need to get onto some 'landscaping' to create a run for the dog down the blind side of the fence, including measures to ensure that the she can't escape (ie something to prevent her digging under the fence) over the rest of the weekend. Looks like a trip to the local garden centre is on the cards for us My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 150Aug 29, 2009 6:42 pm Congratulations on your new home! I've been following your progress...what an ordeal! I'm planning on sewing roman blinds for some of our windows. How have yours turned out? Where did you get the pattern? I've been searching the internet but can't find anything I'm happy with. Your home looks fantasic...you've made great choices artstitches! Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 151Aug 29, 2009 7:43 pm Thanks Virginia. The Roman blinds have come to a bit of a stop since I've been occupied with packing and unpacking... I was hoping to hang some of them this weekend but when I went to spotlight to getbthe pull cords they told me that their supplier had stopped supplying so I'm hoping to get some somewhere else... I found a website - American - that had great info as well as video tutorials and so I made them using those instructions. Www.terrelldesigns.com (I have no affiliation at all) My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 152Aug 31, 2009 1:17 pm The fences are nearly done!!!! Our fencing guy worked most of Saturday on his own and got everything done except the capping to the right side and the gate. So he's coming back sometime today to finish it off. We spent most of Saturday and some of Sunday working on dog-proofing the fence with chicken wire... I should get the rest done tonight when I finish work. It' will be muddy out there again as it's starting to rain as I type - it doesn't take much.... a light sprinkle and the clay starts sticking to your shoes and suddenly you're 6 inches taller. I bought myself a pair of gumboots yesterday so that should make things easier - I was wearing my sneakers which are now caked with mud. In fact I then had to wear OHs shoes when I went out to the shops as I had nothing else but dress shoes or sandals... (his shoes are several sizes too big but are OK if you tie the laces tightly ) Oh and I managed to get the cord for the blinds at Spotlight in Geelong so after the dog-proofing is completed I'll be focussing on curtains - at least for the office and bedroom (I hate having sheets in the window ) My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 153Aug 31, 2009 1:35 pm Sounds like things are coming together for you now. I just went to spotlight myself to get some ties for our organza curtains (which I am in love with ) Not cheap but should look really nice. I know what you mean about only needing a light shower and the ground is terrible. It was a nightmare for us while we waited for the driveway Yes sheets on windows can look a bit sad but can also be unavoidable. We were so lucky our blinds went in the day we moved (had the sheets ready though) Re: Artstitches home - we have keys but still not finished 16/8 154Aug 31, 2009 2:01 pm mundie mansion Sounds like things are coming together for you now. I just went to spotlight myself to get some ties for our organza curtains (which I am in love with ) Not cheap but should look really nice. I know what you mean about only needing a light shower and the ground is terrible. It was a nightmare for us while we waited for the driveway Yes sheets on windows can look a bit sad but can also be unavoidable. We were so lucky our blinds went in the day we moved (had the sheets ready though) I'm soooo glad we had a driveway and path to the front door right from the start - it would have been a real nightmare otherwise!!! At least we have one place were we can take the dog in and out for the regular "wee-walks" without us all getting filthy We have a new routine - get to the door, dog sits, human goes in and takes shoes off, dog goes in and sits on it's bed or nearby towel (to clean feet) and then is allowed into house We are now wishing that we had put a tiled strip down the lounge in the part that is a hallway as we had originally planned (and removed to save $$)... As for the blinds... I was desperate NOT to have sheets and had the 2 blinds for the front rooms made before we moved in, but I didn't get to do the battens (wooden bits on the inside) or the mounting bits and so they're still sitting folded on the floor Hopefully I'll get those two done at least in the next couple of days. The other thing that I need to get sorted ASAP is our letter box... It's sitting on the entry floor waiting for a mount-post.... Our mail redirect starts this week so will need to make that a priority My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - Landscaping started... 155Sep 07, 2009 7:17 pm This weekend we mamaged to make a start on the landscaping! We've started with path that goes from the front door and around the narrow side of the house. We plan to use pavers, evenly spaced in a 'stepping stone' fashion to go from the front of the house around to the side and down the length of the narrow side to the hot water system (after that point there will be a concreted pad for the fold-down clothes line and the back will be turf). The pavers will be surrounded by small pebbles (we're thinking white pebbles with a grey-ish paver) which will also extend through the front area as a mulch. So over the weekend we have levelled off the area and spread and compacted about 1.5 cubic metres of crushed rock. We've also added concreted powder to help make it solid. It's now ready for the pavers when we can actually make a decision... We will leave the pebbles until after the conreting and front yard are done so that we can do it all at once. We also started moving the great pile of bricks that has been occupying our front yard. Not sure what we will use these for yet, but there's plenty there (almost a whole pallet!). And I finally managed to hang the roman blind in the office. It's still not quite finished and needs the battens (horizontal rods) and the cording, but I needed to see that it fit before doing those, and the best way to do that was to install the mounting board and hang it up. Thankfully it fits!!!!!!!! and so now I can take it down and finish if off. I was really surprised at how much light was kept out! I did use the full blockout lining Now to get the bedroom one done so that I can finally sleep past 6.15am (even with the bedroom on the Western side of the house, the white sheet hanging there is like a flouro light with even the slightest amount of light ) My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - Landscaping started... 156Sep 07, 2009 7:47 pm yay landscaping already! You've given me good tips for dealing with the dirty mess out the front when we do eventually build and move in - must rmember to have some heavy-duty doormats and towels for cleaning feet! btw, is your carpet from teh classic range or did you upgrade? Was there much choice? Caz & Co ALL MOVED IN!! Now comes all the hard work-decorating.... [b]Blog: http://cazoraz.blogspot.com/ Settling in Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=36993 Re: Artstitches home - Landscaping started... 157Sep 07, 2009 9:59 pm Sounds like you have got the landscaping bug too Isn't moving bricks so much fun Very clever of you to make the blinds, I wish I could have, would have saved a heap, but don't have the time Re: Artstitches home - Landscaping started... 158Sep 07, 2009 10:48 pm Haha your moving in story sounds alot like ours... a bloody nightmare Except we had the removalists from hell who damaged and broke a lot of our stuff We are also waiting on fencers who promised me on the phone today that they are coming tomorrow to do the posts and the bottom board. This is so that our driveway can be done as soon as possible. I hear you when you say how glad you are to have a driveway and path. I would never move into a house without these things again! Big lesson learnt Good to hear that things are settling down for you and that you can start on your yard. This weekend is meant to be low 20's and no rain so a great opportunity to get outside. I'm looking forward to seeing your blinds too Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Artstitches home - Landscaping started... 159Sep 15, 2009 12:17 pm I have finally finished and installed 1 of the roman blinds!!! (only 5 more to go ) This picture was taken last night so the lighting isn't very good but you get the idea. I also need to 'even it up a bit and the hem is sagging a bit so I might try to fix that sometime down the track (or not depends on how it looks when it settles in some more...) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And here are some more random pics of our house (none of the inside - it's waaaay too messy ) Temporary letter box - will have to come up with something more permanent soon... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The narrow side of the house - road base ready for pavers (pavers are in the garage ready to go!! ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The area behind the hot water system will be concreted and we will eventually install a clothesline against the wall there. another section ready for pavers (front yard outside main bedroom) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our fancy house number - again something more permanent is called for soon!! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our new fence... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: Artstitches home - new photos 15/9... 160Sep 15, 2009 6:10 pm I built myself this bookshelf last night Don't look too close as it's a bit rough but it will do the trick and once I stain and varnish it and fill it with books nobody will even notice the mistakes Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Landscape Design Parramatta We have been doing a large amount of landscape design work in Sydney… 0 3 Need advice on the backyard plan above. Should I excavate and cut all of the dirt to level with the house slab or semi-excavate as per photo above? Both left and right… 0 24877 Thanks very much! And would the landscaper/contractor generally involve the engineer or is that something the client would do? Thanks for your help 2 10037 |