Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 20, 2009 9:50 am Hello guys, I'm new to this forum. It's always exciting to build a new house for our own. We have bought a land in Alamanda, point cook, now we are considering building a double storey. Last weekend, we went through the display village and found that Simonds has a "Laguna" fusion that best suits our land. Any people here once had experience in building "Laguna" ? Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 2May 20, 2009 10:04 am Hey amyife, Welcome to the forum... We haven't built Laguna .... but I simply love the plan ... its a beautiful house. Land Settled 27/04/09. Site Started 30/4/09. Slab poured 21/5/09. Frame up 27/5/09. Building thread : viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15699 Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 4May 20, 2009 12:15 pm We have the unfortunate experience of building with Simonds Homes in Queensland and I recommend that you do not make the same mistake. It took over a year and about 10 different construction supervisors over that period. We have been in the house for 6 months now and Simonds have not attended to the list of defects and I am now in the process of lodging a formal complaint with the Building Services Authority. Would not consider building with them again Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 5May 20, 2009 12:19 pm Hiya Amyife, I'm building the Auburn 1600 with Simonds.. Still early days yet. The last real dealing with them was 2nd May to sign a quote and some plans. I suppose it's only been 2 1/2 weeks.. but I am impatient I was about to say that some people have had some bad experiences.. but looks like someone has just posted their anedote.. lets hope we have better luck. Sorry to hear of your horrible experience Simonds. Contracted completion date 24 July 2010. What's today's date????? Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 6May 20, 2009 12:26 pm We have had quite a few problems such as: Charging us for wrong slab Charging us for things that aren't required by council CSO never calls us and little things we wanted changed on the house weren't done when got our final contract. We are currently enquiring M to see if they can do a better job. Hopefully simonds may get there act together. If not we are going else where. The only thing that is really keeping us there is we like their plan of the Atherton 2050. Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 7May 20, 2009 12:39 pm Hey Focus, I received a call telling me who my CSO is.. but nothing else. I don't know why the CSO didn't call herself!! Not looking good Contracted completion date 24 July 2010. What's today's date????? Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 9May 20, 2009 3:54 pm I do hear lots of complaints about Simonds various problems so far, however, there're people still finding trouble with other builders. So, it's really a hard choice. Anyway, I just simply like the "laguna" fusion floorplan, I will go to their Melbourne color gallery tomorrow. hopefully, to get a rough idear and to further discuss with their sales consultants.. Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 11May 20, 2009 6:28 pm My experience with them has been quite smooth up until the very last - the handover. The handover stage did run into some issues and caused a bit of delay.. but overall, i am still fine with them.. at least i now have a house .. and I am building in Alamanda too.. good luck to yours... Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 12May 20, 2009 7:15 pm Hi, Someone I work with built with Simonds and is now taking legal action against them becasue of some defects that had to be fixed which forced them to move out of the house for an extended period of time. Not good! I am also in Alamanda ... Which stage are you in?? Hopefully there are no double stories building next to me.. I want sun!!! Building Monaco32 with Carlisle Homes in Alamanda Estate 20/08/2010 - HANDOVER 24/8!! Blog - http://ourmonaco32.blogspot.com/ Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=14415 Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 13May 21, 2009 7:47 pm claego My experience with them has been quite smooth up until the very last - the handover. The handover stage did run into some issues and caused a bit of delay.. but overall, i am still fine with them.. at least i now have a house .. and I am building in Alamanda too.. good luck to yours... congratulations to your new house ! which stage are you in ? Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 14May 21, 2009 7:49 pm sarahq Hi, Someone I work with built with Simonds and is now taking legal action against them becasue of some defects that had to be fixed which forced them to move out of the house for an extended period of time. Not good! I am also in Alamanda ... Which stage are you in?? Hopefully there are no double stories building next to me.. I want sun!!! Hey, I'm in stage 12. Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 15May 21, 2009 8:28 pm We're in stage 12 as well lot 1089 I think off the top of my head would have to check when I got home to be sure.
What lot did you get? Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 16May 21, 2009 8:35 pm amyife claego My experience with them has been quite smooth up until the very last - the handover. The handover stage did run into some issues and caused a bit of delay.. but overall, i am still fine with them.. at least i now have a house .. and I am building in Alamanda too.. good luck to yours... congratulations to your new house ! which stage are you in ? I am in stage 3. And my next door neighboure is also building with Simonds too... Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 17May 22, 2009 12:34 pm Yesterday, I have went through Simonds's color gallery, and talked with the sales consultant, just got a very rough idea. But it seems to me, firstly, I must upgrade many many stuff to cater for Alamanda taste I'm not sure about roof , eaves, facade,etc. have to double check the land guidelines, anyone get advice ? Secondly, the floor covering,which includes timber floor, tiles,and carpet throughout first floor,is really a huge amount of money,say $18,000 and just not included in the standard What I can do to reduce this part of cost ? Can I buy the timber&carpet and install by myself? Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 18May 22, 2009 2:30 pm amyife Secondly, the floor covering,which includes timber floor, tiles,and carpet throughout first floor,is really a huge amount of money,say $18,000 and just not included in the standard What I can do to reduce this part of cost ? Can I buy the timber&carpet and install by myself? Hey Amyife, you can certainly exclude timber floors and carpets from the contract. Take the house plan around and get some quotes. Should work out much cheaper. However, regarding tiles in wet areas... my understanding is that its included in the standard so may be double check that. Land Settled 27/04/09. Site Started 30/4/09. Slab poured 21/5/09. Frame up 27/5/09. Building thread : viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15699 Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 19May 22, 2009 3:15 pm amyife Yesterday, I have went through Simonds's color gallery, and talked with the sales consultant, just got a very rough idea. But it seems to me, firstly, I must upgrade many many stuff to cater for Alamanda taste I'm not sure about roof , eaves, facade,etc. have to double check the land guidelines, anyone get advice ? Secondly, the floor covering,which includes timber floor, tiles,and carpet throughout first floor,is really a huge amount of money,say $18,000 and just not included in the standard What I can do to reduce this part of cost ? Can I buy the timber&carpet and install by myself? What things are the saying you need? Go speak to Joel at the land sales office - the main thing that you need is 20% render to the front of the facade you really shouldn't need anything else. Re: build new home in Alamanda with Simonds 20May 22, 2009 3:59 pm ya, I thought too and Joel told me before that we just need 25% render...however, it indicates in the land guidelines that Alamanda requires Contemporary style, with colorbond driveway, still not sure about eaves width and roofing, will confirm soon Can anyone recommend a good/affordable retaining wall and fence builder that I can get a quote from located in Sydney? 8 45790 If you are in Victoria you have a statutory right to your own building inspector regardless of builder's consent. No negotiations are required. However the builder will… 1 2925 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17590 |