Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 21Nov 12, 2009 6:26 pm Hi Michelle, Interestingly, we havent got our survey report yet, but our contracts administrator suggested that we go ahead with Prestart anyways and then update the site survey report with the Final plans. Our deadline for loan approval is 30/11 and we hope that would'nt have to be extended. Prestart was pretty ok..we've upgraded quite a few things and it came to about $4000. Some of our main upgrades were: - change most single GPO to double GPOs (pretty cheap) - include rangehood in kitchen - upgrade bathroom and ensuite showers to include pivot doors (this alone costed $1400) - include blokpave to porch and grano to alfresco - external lights Electrical upgrades are quite costly, so make sure you upgrade only if you cant do anything later... Your contract admin should cover all of the above and more, so not to worry. Hope all goes well. Regards, Jobin Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 22Nov 20, 2009 5:52 pm jobinjohn Hi Michelle, Interestingly, we havent got our survey report yet, but our contracts administrator suggested that we go ahead with Prestart anyways and then update the site survey report with the Final plans. Our deadline for loan approval is 30/11 and we hope that would'nt have to be extended. Prestart was pretty ok..we've upgraded quite a few things and it came to about $4000. Some of our main upgrades were: - change most single GPO to double GPOs (pretty cheap) - include rangehood in kitchen - upgrade bathroom and ensuite showers to include pivot doors (this alone costed $1400) - include blokpave to porch and grano to alfresco - external lights Electrical upgrades are quite costly, so make sure you upgrade only if you cant do anything later... Your contract admin should cover all of the above and more, so not to worry. Hope all goes well. Regards, Jobin Hi Jobin, Just to let you know I rang Homestart on Tuesday to see if the survey report has been completed and they told me that it had. They are now waiting for the final plans to be completed. Maybe you should give them a call to see if yours is done. How are you going with your finance approval? How did you handle the whole Telstra Velocity Smartwiring? Have you arranged for an installer to come in and wire it for you or is it in your building contract for it to be completed? Regards Michelle Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 23Nov 23, 2009 10:44 am Hi Michelle, Yes, we've had our site survey done too. We're hoping to get the final plans with all variations today or tomorrow. I'm gonna contact keystart and check on the loan application status. I quite sure we dont have the telstra smart wiring installation in our contract. I was of the impression we contact Telstra after the construction commenced?? Or was it something that I should have done during prestart? How was your prestart by the way! Hope you're happy with all your selections Cheers, Jobin Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 24Nov 23, 2009 12:08 pm jobinjohn Hi Michelle, Yes, we've had our site survey done too. We're hoping to get the final plans with all variations today or tomorrow. I'm gonna contact keystart and check on the loan application status. I quite sure we dont have the telstra smart wiring installation in our contract. I was of the impression we contact Telstra after the construction commenced?? Or was it something that I should have done during prestart? How was your prestart by the way! Hope you're happy with all your selections Cheers, Jobin Hi Jobin, If you go to the website below it gives you details of what you need to have ready before Telstra come in. www.beyondtheplan.com.au/.../Telstra%20 ... %20Doc.pdf I am just going with the basic package. Basically, I need to make sure that the required cables for the TV and Data Point are going to run back to the WIR as this is where Telstra will wire it to. There also needs to be a power point in the WIR, I already have a single one there for the alarm so I will upgrade it to a double. Telstra will then come and wire it when you call them for connection. If you are having more than the 2 TV points that is included in the package apparently they can use something called a splitter that will run 2 points into the 1. There are some installers that can do all of this for you if you didn't arrange it with Homestart, but they aren't that cheap. They are Home Cinema Systems and Intelligent Home (Preferred Telstra Installer). I have emails of their packages and prices if you want to send me your email via PM and I will forward them on. You may even be able to talk with the electrician when they are on site to see if they will help you out with it. I haven't been for my prestart as yet. I am waiting for the final plans to be completed which I should hopefully have sometime this week. Then maybe they will book me in for a few weeks time. Cheers, Michelle Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 25Nov 23, 2009 2:09 pm Thanks for that Michelle.. I had a look at the link you sent me and looks like its a good idea to tell Homestart now, if I want the 'velocity' wiring. But doesnt that mean you can stick only with Telstra when it comes to internet and homephone connections?? I know that telstra connections are normally higher than others like Optus or AAPT etc... This is why I would probably stick with the standard cabling option.. Correct me if I am wrong Regards, Jobin Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 26Nov 23, 2009 6:56 pm Hi Jobin, This is where they suck you in when you purchase the land, it is Telstra's way of ensuring that you go with them. In the covenants of the land you cannot have an antenna on the roof for your TV Aerial. From what I can work out there are 2 options, have an electrician install an antenna in the roof cavity (which only works if you have a tiled roof) or go with a package for the Telstra smartwiring, this also means that to get your TV you have to connect the house phone with Telstra as it is all done through the wiring (This is my understanding from what I have read about it). I don't want to go with Telstra either, but I figure that I am probably better off having the cabling done now, rather than have to pay someone to come in later on and do it. Regards Michelle Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 27Nov 25, 2009 1:30 pm Hi Michelle, I cross-checked with Homestart about the 'smartwiring' system and they made it clear that it was already condisidered at Pre-start. Basically, wherever we've opted for TV, phone and data points, we have conduits that run to these locations for the Telstra cable installation. From what I've understood Homestart willl make sure the electrical system suits the 'smartwiring' system. Im sure they'll make it clear at your prestart.. I think I can rest for now Cheers, Jobin Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 29Nov 26, 2009 11:54 am I havent got my site costs yet..its with Homestart, but they're waiting on the drafting dept. to hand over the final plans. What about you? I enquired about the loan status yesterday and they said they were sending the final costings to Keystart and that we should have our final approval in 2 weeks.. cant wait for the construction to commence...by the way, have to paid a visit to your land recently?\ Cheers, Jobin Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 30Nov 26, 2009 3:33 pm Hi Jobin, I haven't got mine either still waiting for the final plans. Hopefully you get your final approval soon, I know what Keystart are like, they are very slow (I work for a finance company). I had my finance approval on 28th September, but I'm going through Bankwest. I went to the block early last week. The roads were open and the land was nice and flat. What about you? I had my settlement today, so I officially have a mortgage and a bit of dirt . I think my first repayment is going to be on Christmas Day. (Nice present) Hey, do you happen to know how much extra it was for a rangehood? I want one, but I'm thinking of going out and buying it myself and getting them to install it if the cost is too much. Cheers Michelle Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 31Nov 26, 2009 3:44 pm Hi Michelle, Yes, keystart is really slow. Just hope we get the loan approval before christmas (so I'll have something to celebrate about ) You got your loan approved in Sept! ...thats great! I havent had a chance to go to my land, but Im hoping its nice and flat too. The last time I went there, it was not accesible by car.. The rangehood costed $630..its the same company as the oven and HP..looks nice, cos its got an umbrella shape glass top. If you want to buy it yourself and have Homestart install it, I dont think they'll let you do that. Best to wait till handover and then do it yourself and it may work out cheaper. Good luck and keep us posted.. Cheers, Jobin Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 32Dec 08, 2009 7:07 pm Hey fellow builders! Just wanted to give you all an update that Im still waiting on my final plans and loan to be approved. The wait is frustrating, but i hope its all worth it in the end Do let us all know what's happening on your end! In that way, I (or u) wont be the only person waiting the 'everalasting' wait By the way, I went to check-out my land the other day and they're all nice and flat! I'll start uploading pics soon once the final plans are in! Cheerios!! John Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 33Dec 18, 2009 6:31 pm Hi All, Just an update of what is happening with my build. My land Settled on 26th November. I am now the proud owner of a piece of dirt and a mortgage. I am now onto my 3rd Contract Administrator. My first one left the company, the second one was made an assistant (of which I probably helped this as I had to complain to management) and this one seems to be pretty helpful. I completed prestart on 10th December and am now waiting for the plans to come back from the drafting department after the new changes. My Site works came in at $8,550 which was under what was estimated. The alterations I made at prestart cost $7,475 including electrical, at least I don't have to pay for this until handover. Been told that my Building Licence was sent to council on 14th December and that they have everything that they need to issue it. Should expect to receive it mid January and then construction should commence by the end of January, fingers crossed. Bye for now!! Michelle Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 35Dec 22, 2009 5:15 pm On my side of things... I finally got my 'unconditional' loan approval and the final plans. Now that everything's in place, the settlement agent is proceeding with settlement, which should take place in early Jan. My CA hinted that the construction should start sometime late Jan or early Feb. I guess things are gonna be a bit slow now that everyone's (almost) in vacation mode! Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 36Jan 22, 2010 5:16 pm Hi Jobin, How is everything going on your side? Are you still on track for construction to commence early Feb? I have had my final plans sent out to me on Wednesday, which I have signed and returned. I rang the council today to see how the building licence was going and was told that it was in the final stages, but they couldn't tell me how long it would be before it was issued. I then got a phone call from the girl that I spoke to and she followed up my file for me and told me that it would be issued today, YAY!!!! Have you been told that once the file is handed to the construction department it will only take about 2 weeks before they start? Cheers Michelle Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 37Feb 17, 2010 10:49 am Hi Michelle... Sorry for not updating on what's happening here. To be honest, I just forgot about this forum I see that your last post was on 22nd Jan, so has your construction started?? On my side, we have a client liason officer and supervisor. I rang my CLO and she said siteworks should commence by next week or the week after Once that starts, slab should be down in a week I think. When was the last time you visited your place?I have the feeling they'll start our houses at the same time, cos that would work out well for them. I will wait for one more week and then pay a site visit. By the way, do you plan to have a third party inspector inspech the house at the end of each stage? I am thinking of it, but they can be be a bit expensive..If you know anyone who does it, can you please let me know? Cheers, looking forward to hear from you.. p.S: are we the only people building with Homestart in Harrisdale? or is everyone too lazy to give us an update Building with HOMESTART -- The St. Quentin-- in Heron Park, Harrisdale, WA Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 38Feb 17, 2010 11:25 am Hi, Thanks for the update. My slab still hasn't been poured as yet, I keep on getting advised different dates by different people. I have been given my CLO and supervisor. I spoke with my CLO and she originally told me it wouldn't be done for about 4 to 8 weeks, but I was quick to tell her that I have already been told that it will go down within the next two weeks and it has already been that, so she decided to go and get my file and told me that it is estimated it will be poured on Monday 22nd Feb, so fingers crossed. I went out to the block on Tuesday this week and my site has been scraped. I will go out there tomorrow and see if anything further has been completed. I will PM you my block details and who my CLO and supervisor is to see if they are the same. If you want to let me know where your block is I can also check for any progress on yours if you like as I can go during my lunch break, it's only about 10 minutes away. There are already some slabs laid in the same release so hopefully they will all be up and running around the same time. There is someone else building as well, stam1, not sure if they are in Harrisdale though, I sent them a message but I have had no reply. Re: Building with Homestart, Harrisdale WA 39Feb 17, 2010 8:53 pm Which blocks are you guys in? Im building in Heron Park also. Although it wont be starting for awhile yet!! Congrats on starting soon though My Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25563 Titles: October 2009 Pre-start: Febuary 2010 Building licence: March 2010 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110571 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11035 |