Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 422Mar 23, 2011 7:25 pm SunshineT's Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34585 Designs start: 4/12/09 DA: 5/7/11 Demo: 22/12/11 Slab: 24/2/12 Keys: 31/8/12 Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 423Mar 23, 2011 7:35 pm SunshineT's Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34585 Designs start: 4/12/09 DA: 5/7/11 Demo: 22/12/11 Slab: 24/2/12 Keys: 31/8/12 Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 426Mar 28, 2011 8:05 pm SunshineT's Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34585 Designs start: 4/12/09 DA: 5/7/11 Demo: 22/12/11 Slab: 24/2/12 Keys: 31/8/12 Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 427Mar 28, 2011 8:39 pm SunshineT's Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34585 Designs start: 4/12/09 DA: 5/7/11 Demo: 22/12/11 Slab: 24/2/12 Keys: 31/8/12 Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 429Mar 28, 2011 8:56 pm SunshineT's Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34585 Designs start: 4/12/09 DA: 5/7/11 Demo: 22/12/11 Slab: 24/2/12 Keys: 31/8/12 Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 431Mar 29, 2011 7:29 pm SunshineT's Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34585 Designs start: 4/12/09 DA: 5/7/11 Demo: 22/12/11 Slab: 24/2/12 Keys: 31/8/12 Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 435May 12, 2011 4:11 pm For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 438May 18, 2011 5:53 pm Greetings all - yet another frustrated WMH customer joins the forum (should had done so ages ago) As my 1st this is a long post but I have a bit to say. QUICK HISTORY: Deposit Dec 09 / We moved out in Feb 10 and renting since / last minute council delays because WMH did not know that our council did not allow a charged drainage system meant our 36 Week Contract was not signed till March 10 / Commenced building 23 April 10 (36 weeks = completion by 9 Dec 10) but given weather delays and xmas shut they reinvent the new end date as 10 March 11. So as of tomorrow we are officially 10 weeks over contract albeit in reality it’s much longer. PROGRESS: Slab / Frame (exposed far too long and turned colour) / Bricks (with lots and lots of issues created by questionable brickies and inconstant coloured bricks (Hayman) - lots of empty beer bottles on site every day / Roof tiles but with still unresolved guttering and flashing issues so can't finish job / Plumbing and Electrical rough-ins / gyp-rock and cornice finished mid April 11... CURRENT SITUATION: No stairs, albeit they have been ready for months and will cost $2000 to supply and install but company won't do it on tick due to WMH poor credit rep in industry. Apparently a few WMH customers have opted to pay for this themselves and negotiate the price off final payment just to get things progressing - considered this for a bit (well it still on the table). Need the stairs so that the Glaziers can finish install of windows and glass doors. Then of course comes the rest (lock up, fittting out etc) if ever. So no even at lock up yet 13 months later. Have read the thread with interest and empathy and have myself just formally complained to DOFT and appears I am one of many. COMMENTS: 1. Both the Contraction Mgr and Project Mgr (have a new one now) have openly stated in regard to company's poor reputation and difficulty in getting contractors to commit to work on normal basis (do work pay later). This is a reason not an excuse and has nothing to do with he customers, but it is they who are suffering. In the interim it appears that WMH are still singing up new contracts and if anything like me, promising deadlines that the contract will legally allow them not to meet. 2. How do they get away with this - well in my contract the Clause relating to Delays and Extension of Time (Clause 9) states various legitimate reasons that might cause delays (in my case it was weather only). It also states that the builder "is to" give the owner written notice of an entitlement to an extension detailing the cause of the delay and the extension of time (time required to finish the job). It then states that this notice can be provided “WITH or BEFORE" the notice of practical completion.” The standard wording here is similar to - the notice to be provided within XX days of becoming aware of both the reason and time of delay. There is also another sub clause in the standard that is absent in mine, that explains that the builders failure to provide the letter does not provide the builder reasonable extension for the contract period. hmm....? seems this is what WMH are doing? The clause It also details the owner’s right to dispute the reason given for the delay - if you opt for this process there is a freeze on progress until the matter resolved. Now bare in mind that the notice of practical completion is given 5 days prior to practical completion. So WMH have the consented right (you signed the contract or at least I did) to delay the project indefinitely and only tell you why 5 days prior to completion. Now who in their right mind would dispute the reasons given (no matter what they are) and delay getting the keys within the week after waiting so long. This little loophole in the contract seems to suit the business practices as described by abhis previously. Regardless of my self criticism for not picking this up it I was told it was a standard contract at the time - appears not - was this deliberate? 3. I am in the throws of getting legal advice on getting out of the contract which in light of the above looks promisisng and although it will cost me more to finish than my last progress payment I'm will be saving when accounting the interest and rent being paid. So I am open to a class/group approach as suggested earlier. The one thing that should be explored is a collective approach to the media. I understand that some WMH clients have done so but numbers count. A company that trades like perhaps should be exposed/investigated. I am taking certain action in this regard. I strongly suspect the WMH management are revelling in the fact no media attention has befallen them as yet - they should be ashamed of themselves but my sympathies go out to the staff that have to face the brunt of our frustration. Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 439May 18, 2011 8:12 pm Hi Tokon, My husband and I are on verge of a divorce, I can't handle it anymore if you want to go to the media i will i have emails of information which westminster have advised of works that will happen from 2 months ago and still no progress, I am over it and yes i have spoken to my solicitor and DOFT and they have advised me to give them all documentation of interest paid to the bank and rent payable to the land lord and anything that i can find. I don't think that the Directors give a damn of what's going on, there probably driving around in their ferrai's Tokon shoot me a PM and we can do start some thing and also finish it Re: Westminster Homes - The official thread 440May 18, 2011 8:24 pm thanks for that tokon. I officially feel sick to my stomach!! Basically we're screwed! would love to hear more about how your formal complaint to the DOFT went.. (in pm we will also be taking that action very soon. Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74716 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105589 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 23502 |