Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 02, 2009 3:48 pm Hi Everyone, We almost finalised to build Atlantique 36 with Carlisle Homes but now like the Hamilton 34 with Porter Davis. It will be really nice if we can get some feedback on both builders, which one is better overall, including site costs etc. This will be our first home building experience so we are very nervous. Thanks, MDV, Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 2Sep 02, 2009 4:21 pm I think that in terms of quality, pricing, etc both companies are fairly similar. Possibly Carlisle has some more standard inclusions? But I am not too sure as I didn't go through the process with Porter Davis very much. Have a look at what you like about each floorplan. Make a list and see how that ends. I think I actually like the Hamilton floorplan a bit better! It would be a much better use of space for me, as there is the one less living area (Not sure I would need a Home Theatre, Rumpus Room and Lounge). I like the location of the Alfresco much more with the Hamilton too. Not a huge fan of the alfresco next to the kitchen like the Atlantique. However, the minor bedrooms in the Hamilton seem quite small. In saying all of this the Atlantique is a VERY popular house plan, so it is obvious that this style suits many people. 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: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 3Sep 02, 2009 4:37 pm Hi MDV, We're building the Queenstown 36, which is almost the same as the Hamilton. In fact, I thought the Hamilton had been phased out. Obviously not. We're first time builders too, so it's a huge learning curve for us. Our land is flat and the site costs were around $10,000. Depends on the soil in the area you are building in, too. We have a large family so wanted as many living areas as possible. The butler's pantry was a plus for me. We liked the Bridgeport/Sandhurst too, but the Q'town fitted better on the land. So far, so good with the builder. Feel free to PM me if you want any more details. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 4Sep 02, 2009 6:20 pm I think your better off going with Carlisle.. but Im biased because I havent built with PD but have built with Carlisle. In terms of promotions, both builders offer fantastic specials. In terms of size, space and pricing, with the Atlantique you are getting 2 extra squares of space for a similar price in comparison to Hamilton. I think the word is that PD's upgrades are slightly more expensive/ Site costs are really variable and fully depend on your block... every block of land is different. Because Carlisle are a smaller company and build less homes a year, youll most likely have better build quality and customer service. Its quite hard to compare the two builders.. both have awesome colour selection centres too. The Hamilton has been out for ages, so has Atlantique as there was an original version of it years ago. Which display centre are you seeing for the Hamilton and Atlantique? PM for more details, hope this helps. Built the Atlantique 37 Mk2 with Carlisle Homes - WE'RE IN!! Building thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=14413 ATLANTIQUE 37 MK2 PHOTOS THREAD - updated 22nd August '09 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22399 Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 5Sep 02, 2009 7:19 pm Been through the tendering process with both builders (3 builders all up... add big M). Basic rundown. Porter Davis The Good [list=] [*]Great Floor Plans [*]Display homes are nice [*]Promotions are good [*]The back office is very efficient - at least in the West [/list] The Not so good [list=] [*]Some upgrades are expensive [*]Limited Range of Tiles [/list] Carlisle The Good [list=] [*]Top of the range standard inclusions (You won't appreciate this until you visit another builders selection centre) [*]Upgrades are well priced [*]Modern Facades [*]HUGE tile range [/list] The Not So Good [list=] [*]Restrictive on changing the floor plans in certain areas now [/list] Overall both builders were great for us. We only pulled out of the PD contract due problems with bank valuation in the area and our new block of land in another area does not suit any of their houses (Wanted north facing living areas at the rear of the property), that said I am now very happy we are with Carlisle. However, there is a price difference between the two builders if I was comparing apples with apples I would say that PD would be slightly more expensive - but you have to choose the floorplan you love the most. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 6Sep 02, 2009 7:24 pm i would like carlisle though pitty that the house that i want was not fit properly in my land so i have to sit back with bloody PD. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 7Sep 02, 2009 7:48 pm I know plenty of people who have built with Carlisle and I wanted to be one of them but they don't build in my area. PD are expensive, the house 2 up from me built a similar house to mine but site costs were $13k more with PD than Henley who I am building with. The Hamiltons minor rooms are tiny and the Atlantique maybe would have better resale value too with the layout. I deal with builders with my work and Carlisle are very good and keep in touch far better than PD and M. Harribeka Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 8Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm Thanks everyone for your feedback / comments on both builders. It will really help us. We are in the process of finalising the land. Will let you know when we decide the builder. Thanks again, MDV, Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 10Oct 05, 2009 5:07 pm taniadeba I am confused where to go Carlisle, PD or Henley? Please help. Regards Tania Tania, see the General Carlisle Info thread for more details. I think they are all reputable builders. Henley if Im correct has been around the longest out of those three, followed by PD and Carlisle. Pretty sure Carlisle is only about 5 years old? Decide on a house plan that you really like. I can comment on Carlisle though... they are pretty good, in terms of admin and contruction work, although some of their maintenance and post handover work needs fixing.. Theyve got some good promos going on at the moment, and the prices are okay..fantastic inclusions. As said earlier in the thread.. PD's standard inclusions are lesser than Carlisles, unless you get the promotions that are currently available. With PD you will find that its extremely costly and hard to make your home close to the display home..they overcharge (in some cases) and some things like overhead cabinets are not included (unless its a promo). Not sure about Henley though.. ask aaron4erin or someone else about them! At the end of the day, choose the floorplan..dont just build with a specific builder just for the sake of their reputation or anything. Im biased, as I built with Carlisle, but I would recommend you build with Carlisle! What kind of house are you looking for? Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 12Oct 06, 2009 7:33 pm Just a point about site costs: It's difficult to compare site costs between builders... for one thing, the houses are never exactly the same size or shape, which has a bearing on cost. Different builders may use different types of slabs (which may be better or worse, depending on who you ask). And just because your neighbour paid more or less than you with another builder for a similar sized house doesn't mean that builder is generally more or less expensive. Two blocks right next door to each other can present different problems. There are easements/no easements, rock/no rock, variations in amount of fill, just for a start. Then you have to consider the size and shape of the blocks and the houses and whether the neighbouring houses have been built yet - restricted access can have an impact on cost too. Some builders will fix site costs - which is also a gamble, but at least you know upfront how much you'll be paying. Just a few things to consider. Get quotes from both, ask lots of questions and then decide. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 13Oct 08, 2009 11:40 am Hi There Could you please share you real life experience with Henley, i have researched on Henley Home ownwers feedback, productreview , now i m really confused, who is your sales person ? I am looking at Monterey 35 Q1 I have not signed up yet, but i need to know before i sign up. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. If you please give me you contact number i can give you a quick short call just to discuss, i m really confused, PLEASE help me. Regards Tania and Hasan Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 14Oct 08, 2009 12:04 pm Here's my 2 cents... It seems a LOT of newbies in this forum are asking the question of WHO they should build with. Of course everyone will tell you to build with THEIR builder. But really - you people need to use a little more initiative and chose the HOUSE you want. Chose the HOUSE that's right for you, in terms of size, style, floor plan etc etc etc. Most builders are flexible, so if there's a FLOOR plan that is ALMOST right, speak to them, I'm sure ALL BUILDERS are happy to try and accomodate changes. Everyone here is happy to help with queries/suggestions/advice AFTER you've made up your mind, but really, deciding WHO you build with should be YOUR decision... not the decision of fellow homeone members. Good luck with you choices! Looking forward to hearing what you all choose Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 17Oct 08, 2009 7:12 pm Very true indeed, Erin. Although choosing a builder and a house also depends on factors like customer service, overpricing, build/contract delays, colour range, inclusions and so on. Not just the house..as the display home will be much different if you dont put in the $$$. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 18Oct 08, 2009 7:20 pm Salt&PepperMkII Although choosing a builder and a house also depends on factors like customer service, overpricing, build/contract delays, colour range, inclusions and so on. Not just the house..as the display home will be much different if you dont put in the $$$. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 19Oct 08, 2009 7:32 pm I actually think quite the contrary to you there. Im quite positive people on here and Product Review have chosen for/against a builder due to customer service and delays. I for one, would certainly not build with a company if they didnt show good customer service from the start (ie sales). In some of the Carlisle threads, some people have asked if Carlisle are slow in their contract/building stages, and ultimately, this may be the difference between signing up with a builder, and no signing up. I understand each and every build, even through the same builder, is different. But surely each builder has a cliched and known reputation, that people will follow. As far as Im concerned, the standard inclusions are standard inclusions, and cannot be altered. Thats the way with Carlisle, anyway. Of course, you are building a house, so yes, a major factor is the floorplan, as this is the house you will live in. Besides that, people may choose to go with a builder for their colour selection ranges. For example, members might choose PD because of the vast range at Hopetoun, or M for StudioM, or Carlisle for Spectra. Everyone has different needs and requirements. I definitely would not be building with a builder if rumour had it that it had bad customer service. Re: Porter Davis or Carlisle Homes - Melbourne 20Oct 08, 2009 7:48 pm I think a lot of the time the customer service boils down to the actual CSC handling the customer's file. In my own particular experience, we had a fantastic CSC with PD and also with Choice homeloans. But I have read many threads on here where other member's experiences were not as favourable. This alone would not be my sole factor when deciding who to build with though. At the moment, I'm not sure if I would build with PD again because our house was very much unfinished at handover and we have a lousy paint job that I am going to have to fix myself over the coming years. BUT despite this we absolutely love our house, and love the design and all the standard and extra inclusions that we chose. So maybe we would put up with the not so good things again to get the end result that we want through PD. I'm not sure if building with Carlisle would have been any better or worse. It reminds me a bit of giving birth. Straight after the experience you say "never again!" but over time you forget the bad part and soon go down that road again Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12332 We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37136 Hi JeenB, Our experience has been really bad we are still waiting on them to complete the build. Our private inspector identified numerous issues at different stages,… 3 9360 |