Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 16, 2009 12:22 am hi people, that's right we have to build again, no other choice, we can't buy established, and well here goes,,,,, my 16 yo daughter was hit by a car on her way home from school, which has left her totally incapacitated. She is fed through a tube. She and we ,spent nearly 2 yrs in hospital, before we could take her home, which is the decision we made, after experiencing the type of care received in the hospital. She needs 24hr care as she breathes only through a tube in her neck, which must be kept clear. We struggled to make it work in our current house, but although it can be done, would be more effective, and easier, in a customised environment. So we are building again, and things have changed but not much. We are currently 20 days away from handover, which will definitely go over, and I doubt whether we will get the quality of finish which was expected. We have complained, that the brickwork was not performed to Australian standards ,and to date some very minor * repairs have been attempted. This will probably never be fixed, but we will continue the fight.The $6000 spa has not been installed to manufacturer specifications or as per plan. Workmen were standing in it doing other work and it had to be reseated, still not to plan, the kitchen cupboards are installed incorrectly and are damaged, the children's bath is mounted so high they need a step to get in, and so on. We don't have a, s.s. as he decided to get an inspection of the brickwork after we complained in writing and he now shuns us. We have further complained about his behaviour in writing, and have had no further contact from his superiors. We are being ignored at every level so far. We were looking forward to our lives getting a little easier, but not before life getting really difficult. I wanted to write this, as many people are being treated similarly, and to point out that there is no empathy or respect for anyone from our building company. Re: didn't want to, but building again 3Aug 16, 2009 5:38 pm edited by mod Zaphod, I really feel for you and your family. Everybody deserves to receive quality treatment and a quality build. The fact that you are striving to make your family life easier after having your life turned upside down is admirable. JL Re: didn't want to, but building again 4Aug 16, 2009 5:49 pm Zaphod, I'm so sorry that your lives are being made even more difficult by the building experience. You really deserve a break.... Have you investigated your rights via the building commission? I know that at this point you probably just want to be done with the whole thing, but you're entitled to get what you paid for and not have to settle for less than you expect. I hope that things improve for you and your family. I have three kids and can't begin to imagine how you've coped this far. Re: didn't want to, but building again 5Aug 16, 2009 6:13 pm I am very sorry for what you are going through. I feel the same about building. You pay a price for work that you expect to be within Australian Standards. It seems that the labourers dont care about the quality of work anymore. I have had similiar issues like you. I have found Consumer Affairs to be really helpful. I would try contacting them, the first thing they ask is to write to your builder with your complaint, what you want done, and a time frame for them to respond in writing. From what I have been told you are in the better legal position as the house dosnt comply within Australian Standards. The next step is a meeting with consumer affairs and the builder and if that dosnt resolve anything, you can file a claim in court. I got told the court costs are less than $100. I guess this takes time, so I would be moving in, as long as the builder has a written letter of your complaints and moving in is not seen as an acceptance of the total work. Hopefully it will all work out in the end, that is what I am hoping for my build. I have also been told that brickwork is not strutual and is there purely for looks, so I dont understand why they cant pull down the ******* brickwalls and rebuild. I dont understand how a builder can put there name to a non-complying house when it is there reputation that suffers not the bricklayer. These builders have also paid for Australian Standards why dont they feel as strongly as the buyer and not accept this bad work and get it rectified. Re: didn't want to, but building again 6Aug 16, 2009 7:12 pm edited by mod Zaphod, I work with kids with severe disabilities, including very medically fragile children and know how much their families struggle to cope in 'regular' houses. Finding a house to suit your needs is virtually impossible, especially when you need so much extra space for movement, let alone equipment (hospital bed, suctioning, oxygen, physio equipment etc.) and storage (medical supplies, pallets of milk (food) tins, nappies / pads, a whole extra pantry for medications etc). If you find a house with all these features, it's either way too expensive or it's too far away from the hospital for comfort. The only option is to build, and that's more stress than you really need when you have other, more important things to spend your time doing. I've spent enough time in the children's hospital sitting with students of mine (both in ICU on life support and in the general wards) to know that the nurses and other hospital staff care very much about the kids and do their best, but it's not a place for a child to be longterm. It's not a place where families can be families. Longterm stays in hospital suck the life right out of you, no matter how good the hospital is. A child's place is with their parent/s and brothers and sisters, in a home that suits their needs. Zaphod, try to stay positive. You have your beautiful family and soon you will have your beautiful house. Fight for the quality you believe you deserve, write letters to your builder and tell them what you deserve, and if you don't get it, try the building commission. Good luck! My tac-home-ter: Been in 8 months! Re: didn't want to, but building again 7Aug 16, 2009 7:30 pm edited by mod One should not say too much unless one has walked in the other man's shoes, so to speak. A disabled child or family member, changes the family unit in every, I mean every single way. I know, believe me. I hope that Zaphod can resolve the building troubles that have been encountered with the build, it is obvious that the less stress on the family at this time the better, this leaves more energy for the family. www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: didn't want to, but building again 8Aug 16, 2009 7:41 pm themax One should not say too much unless one has walked in the other man's shoes, so to speak. A disabled child or family member, changes the family unit in every, I mean every single way. I know, believe me. Very well said, Themax. Until some of these families allowed me into their lives I never knew how hard they had to work to be a 'normal' family. It takes incredibly hard work, determination and most importantly - positivity. My tac-home-ter: Been in 8 months! Re: didn't want to, but building again 9Aug 16, 2009 7:57 pm thanks to those who have commented positively, I expected some insensitive comments, as there are always a few ignorant and selfish people. The reason that I posted such a personal topic, was to inform people of the total absence of conscience, some builders and tradies display. Our builder knows of our reason for the build and the owner of the company even donated a lifting device without being asked. We do not have a problem with the owner, only the staff, who we expected would be fair, and professional. We have already written complaint letters and had no response, whatsoever. Tomorrow we will try to call and speak to the manager, to arrange a site meeting, as some works need not proceed without rectification. I doubt that we will be able to speak with anyone tomorrow, and works will continue. I also think consumer affairs will be called shortly, as there is no way they are going to rebrick the entire house, unless pressured. cheers for now Re: didn't want to, but building again 11Aug 16, 2009 8:01 pm Good luck tomorrow - please let us know how you go. JL Re: didn't want to, but building again 12Aug 16, 2009 8:03 pm edited by mod So sorry to hear of your troubles, Zaphod, especially in view of the reason why you are building again. I hope things look up for you soon and your life can take a smoother, more positive turn. Best wishes, MagicJ I finally have my own reno thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28335 The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue! Re: didn't want to, but building again 13Aug 16, 2009 8:06 pm Pics for those interested, here http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/zaphod373/ Re: didn't want to, but building again 15Aug 16, 2009 8:16 pm zaphod Our builder knows of our reason for the build and the owner of the company even donated a lifting device without being asked. What do you mean "lifting device"? As in, something for the build, or a hoist for your daughter? Because if they donated a hoist, then that's really wonderful of them (although any donation was wonderful of them). I'd be interested to know the modifications you've made to your plans. There are so many options, but never enough money It sounds like the owner of the building company needs to know how badly your staff have been treating you, and needs to do something about it rather quickly. My tac-home-ter: Been in 8 months! Re: didn't want to, but building again 16Aug 16, 2009 8:35 pm Yes your right annie.s, the owner is we think unaware of what is going on and if we don't start getting some attention he will be called. We have spoken to him in person , and have his personal assistants number. At the moment we use a portable bath on wheels, and a portable lifter. We spoke to the owner at one point, to see if two channels could be made under the spa, to accommodate the lifter wheels, and he just said that he would install a permanent lifter into the ceiling for us. He was very understanding and I think experienced in these matters. Re: didn't want to, but building again 17Aug 16, 2009 9:11 pm Oh fantastic Zaphod! We have an electronic ceiling tracking system at work that goes from the toilets / change rooms right into our hydrotherapy pool, and it's amazing. (takes the person out of their wheelchair, onto the change table, off the change table, into the next room and lowers them right into the pool or spa) I've only heard of one family that has it in their house (and they have the tracking system throughout the entire house!) All the rest have portable hoists like you, which are fine, as long as you don't have to get into anything like a spa! The portable ones are also not so good when you run your toes over with them! (Goodbye toenails!) A ceiling hoist will make all the difference. It's great that your builder suggested this and seems to know about them, which will hopefully mean it's installed correctly. My tac-home-ter: Been in 8 months! Re: didn't want to, but building again 19Aug 17, 2009 1:09 pm hi, we called the builder today and spoke to the acting construction manager which is the s.s's boss. We asked why he had not replied to our letter. He stated that he hadn't read it. It was sent july 17th. We were put on hold for some time, he then replied that this was being addressed. We asked by whom, he wouldn't say. Further discussions ensued and nothing was resolved with this man. We found him to be unhelpful and non committal. Shortly after, we were called by the owners, personal assistant ,who informed us that the owner was investigating our complaint. I guess we'll have to wait for the outcome, before taking the matter further, cheers Re: didn't want to, but building again 20Aug 17, 2009 9:06 pm Hey, the owners are on to it so that should be a good thing ....maybe?? I really hope so and judging by your previous experience with them you just might get somewhere. I just hope they don't mess around for too much longer. The waiting just isn't fair. Fingers crossed. JL You may still have a case, but your next step is to speak to a lawyer. 3 1624 I would be wary. Is you site demilished but nothing else done? Sounds like liquidity problems to me. Our builder did the same. Got hundreds of thousands of dollars of… 2 15393 Sounds like rubbish to me. Ask for the contamination report which I doubt they have. If it's part of a normal subdivision it would have had a contamination report done… 9 5645 |