Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 06, 2009 5:22 pm We have bought our block of land (YAY!) and are considering a SImonds home to build on it (cos it fits the block and budget ) We are looking at the Hillcrest 2600 with a few changes to the kitchen, and taking full advantage of the $33k of upgrades they offer But after reading all the nightmare stories on here, i'm a tad concerned!! Does anyone have experience with altering floor plans with Simonds (in the early stages of course, I'm aware of the massive fees if you try to change things later). Are they reasonable? And if anyone was HAPPY with their Simonds experience, please feel free to share! 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: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 2Aug 06, 2009 6:40 pm As I mentioned in the other thread, changing the floorplan was very easy -- the salesperson did rough drawings for us and the draftspeople then created proper plans. We completely changed the master bedroom and ensuite, as well as extending the home theatre by 3m (to create a 4.5m X 6m room). All of that was done without any hassle at all during the contract stage. On to the happy stage: we were happy, but now not so much. Our build has dragged on and on, with almost nothing done for the past month. We got notified today that our current site supervisor is no longer with Simonds and we're getting a new one, which will be the fourth we've had. When they get things right, workmanship has been great. When they get things wrong, they do it in style too. Getting hold of anyone is also a challenge. Overall, we still love the house and we love the block and the area; we just wish the whole thing wasn't such a struggle. On the plus side, we're learning how to do it better next time. Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 3Aug 07, 2009 8:49 am ooh good to hear the plan changes weren't too hard - did they cost heaps though, that is the real question! 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: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 4Aug 07, 2009 9:34 am We built the Hillcrest 2600 but didn't make any changes to the floor plan aside from switching the sliding door from the living to the meals and adding a rear roller door to the garage. So I can't really help much with that question. We have had an "interesting" experience with S!monds... but I'm fairly certain that the experience depends on the staff that have been allocated to your job. I suggest that you keep a track of every conversation and that you get independant inspections done to ensure that your house is structurally sound. Having said that, our biggest issue with S!monds was that they were against us having it inspected and they put up as many "road-blocks" as possible to prevent it or make it difficult but I'm glad that we did. Visually our house looks good (at least it will when it's handed over next week), so I am pleased with it, but it's taken a few times to get things right and so you should be aware of that possibility. Our other issue with S!monds was their really poor communication with us. They'll send you a letter early on proudly telling you that the CSO will contact you fortnightly and the SS will contact you on the alternate fortnight, however this did not happen. But again that was the case with the staff on our job and may not happen with others. As long as you monitor your build and get it inspected (I can't recommend it highly enough) the end result will be good. Good luck and keep us posted. BTW we also went with S!monds because they had a plan that fit our block perfectly and the price was in our budget... I'm not sure that I'd go with them again however... My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 5Aug 07, 2009 9:38 am artstitches We built the Hillcrest 2600 but didn't make any changes to the floor plan aside from switching the sliding door from the living to the meals and adding a rear roller door to the garage. Ooh they are two changes I have onmy list also. Did they charge youanything to swap over the sliding door? How much did the roller door set you back? 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: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 6Aug 07, 2009 9:55 am The garage door cost $772 (this was Oct last year) and switching the sliding door/window was no charge. My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 7Aug 07, 2009 9:57 am BTW - what area are you building in?... My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 8Aug 07, 2009 10:11 am artstitches The garage door cost $772 (this was Oct last year) and switching the sliding door/window was no charge. awesome that there's no charge for the change! In the kitchen I want to change the pantry and the oven positions so the pantry is in the corner, wonder how much they'll sting me for that but it will be worth it for what I want. We're building in Langwarrin, near Frankston. Where are you? How exciting that your house is all done! When do you move in? btw, what facade did you go with? I"m off to check out your pics! 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: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 9Aug 07, 2009 11:45 am cazoraz artstitches The garage door cost $772 (this was Oct last year) and switching the sliding door/window was no charge. awesome that there's no charge for the change! In the kitchen I want to change the pantry and the oven positions so the pantry is in the corner, wonder how much they'll sting me for that but it will be worth it for what I want. We're building in Langwarrin, near Frankston. Where are you? How exciting that your house is all done! When do you move in? btw, what facade did you go with? I"m off to check out your pics! We've built in Truganina (near Hoppers Crossing) and should (fingers crossed) get our keys next Thursday. Our facade is the traditional. A couple of other things that, with the benefit of hindsight, that we might have considered changing were (there may be more when we actually move in)... - the cabinets in the bathroom and ensuite - they're tiny and nothing like what's in the display. - the kitchen some of the arrangements of the cupboards are a bit odd... ---> I don't like the corner cupboard (having the pantry in the corner will solve that) - there's no shelf under the sink but so there's only a half shelf in the corner section that I figure is near useless ---> The fridge space may not be wide enough for our fridge (we forgot to factor in the plaster on the measurements) ---> The cupboard between the oven and the pantry is tiny and so is the cupboard to the left of the drawers on the island bench ---> I would have extended the overheads across to the window wall - they wouldn't be easily accessible but the gap is useless too. ---> we might have also considered cupboards in the laundry rather than the plastic/mental tub/cupboard that's there - we're considering adding cupboards in at some point. Here's a couple of pics to help explain. Small cupboard to the left of the drawers... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Rediculous corner cupboard (sorry don't have a pic of the inside) - the shelf runs only parallel to the wall but there is no shelf under the sink... and the cupboard to the left of the stove is narrow (again not a great pic) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Tiny bathroom cabinets Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Also, the handle from the overhead cupboard on the left hits against the wall (this might not be a problem for you as you're moving the panty - but it migh happen at the other end). We have one more row of tiles than this pic shows and the handle bangs against the tiles - we're going to need to put a stopper of sorts up to stop damage to the tiles. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 10Aug 07, 2009 12:03 pm thanks so much for the pics and list of things - hindsight is awesome! you have listed most of the things that annoyed me about the kitchen (almost identical to my list!) so i'm glad its not just me having these thoughts. By moving the pantry to the corner it will eliminate that useless corner cupboard and hopefully mean the overhead cupboard doors dont band as they will be next to the fridge space (just swapping them over. The other thing that concerned me was having the oven and the dishwasher so close together in that little corner - i could just see the kids trying to get into the dishwasher as i'm trying to cook ARGH So again by moving the oven and pantry this should eliminate the problem. I am upgrading the laundry as much as possible with the longer bench and s/s sink, plus overhead cupboard the whole length too up to the dryer area. How do you find the size of the laundry? I guess you'll find out soon enough when you move in! We were debating between the Hillcrest and the Broadwater (MUCH bigger laundry, WIPantry) but found the kitchen/meals area too pokey and would be facing my fence so a bit dull too....plus the HIllcrest has the study also. I am happy with everything else, just need to change the damn kitchen! Did you get the upgrade package to add in extra cupboards etc? 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: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 11Aug 07, 2009 12:31 pm cazoraz thanks so much for the pics and list of things - hindsight is awesome! you have listed most of the things that annoyed me about the kitchen (almost identical to my list!) so i'm glad its not just me having these thoughts. By moving the pantry to the corner it will eliminate that useless corner cupboard and hopefully mean the overhead cupboard doors dont band as they will be next to the fridge space (just swapping them over. The other thing that concerned me was having the oven and the dishwasher so close together in that little corner - i could just see the kids trying to get into the dishwasher as i'm trying to cook ARGH So again by moving the oven and pantry this should eliminate the problem. I am upgrading the laundry as much as possible with the longer bench and s/s sink, plus overhead cupboard the whole length too up to the dryer area. How do you find the size of the laundry? I guess you'll find out soon enough when you move in! We were debating between the Hillcrest and the Broadwater (MUCH bigger laundry, WIPantry) but found the kitchen/meals area too pokey and would be facing my fence so a bit dull too....plus the HIllcrest has the study also. I am happy with everything else, just need to change the damn kitchen! Did you get the upgrade package to add in extra cupboards etc? Our package was a bit different - we got the remote panel lift garage door, driveway (and surprisingly the front path which we weren't expecting initiall), cornice upgrade, downlights and carpets to bedrooms and living and tiling to the kitchen (which isn't included usually). We then increased the tiled area to include all of the meals and living - couldn't imagine having carpet in there, and increased the ceiling height to 2600 - all else is standard. At our colour selection we were also pretty conservative and only upgraded a few minor things like adding a colour to the driveway, a bigger handle on the pantry door, obscure glass in the bathroooms and the Dura edge on the cabinet doors to prevent the laminate from chipping. The laundry is small-ish but not too small IMHO. I currently have a small laundry so that doesn't bother me too much. The linen just outside it is good. We particularly like the openess of the living area of the Hillcrest and am pleased with how light and bright the living areas are on our block (the verandah we intend to build onto the living area might change that a bit but not a lot hopefully). My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 12Aug 08, 2009 8:58 pm Yeah I think the living areas are nice and bright too, we are going to build our own pergola out there extending from the back of the garage to past the sliding door of the meals area, which will be nice and big (and also provide cover from the garage door to inside since there is no door leading directly into house.) On the kitchen again (yes I am slightly obsessed) - do you know the actual measurements from the window to the edge of the fridge recess? Its not included on the plans in the Simonds books or on their site for some strange reason... 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: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 13Aug 08, 2009 9:34 pm I will have a look at the measurements on our plans and let you know tomorrow. My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 14Aug 10, 2009 1:34 pm Hi Cazoraz - I'm not sure of the exact measurement from the window to the edge of the fridge recess but I can tell you that... a) the distance from window to the edge of pantry is 1840mm; and b) the pantry is 1100 wide (door is 720); The total is 2940 but you need to add the width of the walls of the pantry which is one measurement that I don't have (maybe 110mm?? ~ 90mm timber stud and 2x10mm plaster sheet) To help you with your kitchen obsession I've scanned the plans of our kitchen so that you can plan yours. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My blog: http://artstitcheshome.blogspot.com Re: changes to simonds floor plans-good stories welcome! 15Aug 12, 2009 10:37 am Thanks so much for the kitchen plans!! I am itching to get my hands on all this stuff when we have changed it, so its great to see the existing plan so I know what measurements I have to work with. Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have more questions for you once you've moved in 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 Tradie may sit at home but will need to get house plastered as well or will you sit it out? 6 9979 I engaged my builder in December last year and we’ve been working on preliminary drawings for last couple of months. I got a call from the salesperson this morning… 0 603 Thank you. Do I use timber floorboards for stairs or do people use timber treads? Or is both the same? 6 7310 |