Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Metric0n Homes 21Oct 01, 2009 11:07 pm Sometimes people do just come on and do a big post about how good (or bad) a builder is, but don't worry, they will check the replies to their post - how could they not!!! I actually thought Porters was the biggest not Met. They'd be the biggest two tho I think. I find more complaints about Met than Porters, but don't quote me. Def good and bad about everyone, that's for sure. If you were going to go with Met, don't let this post put you off. BUT, if you learn one thing from this post, it will be to get EVERYTHING in writing - I can't say it enough - specially with a large volume builder like PD & Met, they don't know who you are when you ring, they are polite, but they can't remember everyone and everything, and I think you deal with different people throughout the experience too, so if you don't have things in writing, then it is going to be impossible to argue your point (whether an agreement to rectify an error; or to give you extra down lights in the living room - etc etc). Def get an independent inspector in for peace of mind if you feel inclined. They can help you argue on a point which needs rectification, and if the builder disagrees, and the inspector feels it is required under law, that inspector can represent you at VCAT - I know it's extreme, but at least you don't have to worry so much about a bad outcome like this guys post... Good luck guys with Met, I'm sure you will be fine because you are already reading this forum, and you haven't even started building yet!! excellent research, well done! A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Metric0n Homes 22Oct 01, 2009 11:10 pm Sorry to hear about the house.. Cant believe they kicked you out of your own house!!!!! Re: Metric0n Homes 23Oct 02, 2009 11:55 am mickeyb, our CSC is also very slow to respond by email. I send him an email every now and then to ask how things are going and that seems to help. If he is anywhere near as overworked as the studio M staff then I can understand how he might forget that he has an email from us requiring a response! My biggest advice for dealing with M by email would be "Ask for confirmation of receipt of each email that requires a response". We actually waited 2 weeks for a response to some questions only to find out he had not received them! And of course get everything in writing - I kept bugging him until he added a note to the contract stating that our kitchen bench will run behind the range into the window reveal. He said it's standard, but as Annietom said, he's not the one doing the building! I can just imagine getting told when the benchtop goes in (next year) that it was never standard, and no-one should have told me it was.. Metricon Riva 33 - http://herlihy-riva.blogspot.com Site start 15/03/2010 - Handover 23/12/2010 9 months and 8 days (284 calendar days) from site start to handover Re: Metric0n Homes 24Oct 02, 2009 3:33 pm Ok this will sound like an EXTREMELY stupid question so please forgive me for the cluelessness What does everyone mean when they say to "get it it writing", do I ask for it to be added to the building proposal? Do I just jot it down in a notebook? If I just jot down everything, how do I prove that what I noted is true? Someone please clarify this for me! Thankyou! Re: Metric0n Homes 25Oct 02, 2009 3:40 pm jessrose - it basically means that never settle for a verbal answer. What we have done - not with M but with a private builder - is to always email any queries - that way they normally respond via email as well. I have kept each and every email that I have sent and that I have reced. If for some reason they phone me with an answer I then send another email to "clarify" the phone message. DH also keeps a diary of each call he makes to our SS and notes what was discussed. It has come in good use - whenever something is not done to spec we can refer back to our notes / emails and quote time and date of when it was discussed. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Metric0n Homes 26Oct 02, 2009 3:49 pm thankyou VERY much for the answer kryton, I will be doing the whole emailing and note-jotting thing for sure to avoid any headaches (or to minimise....haha headaches seem too be inevitable in the world of building) Re: Metric0n Homes 27Oct 02, 2009 4:28 pm Well I went further and got a note added into the contract Just because I think that item is something they are likely to stuff up, so I don't want to have an disputes about it. Metricon Riva 33 - http://herlihy-riva.blogspot.com Site start 15/03/2010 - Handover 23/12/2010 9 months and 8 days (284 calendar days) from site start to handover Re: Metric0n Homes 28Oct 02, 2009 4:37 pm Anything I say in a phone call, I send an email saying as discussed today.......... Then it is always in an email and they usually respond saying yes that is correct etc Forum thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22300 Re: * Homes 29Dec 11, 2009 8:59 pm Hi to everyone, and sorry I have made no posts for a while. We have had a very stressful time, and yes, we did use lawyers, but simply ran out of money and had to cave in. We've had no internet for several weeks, but that's another story!
We have settled, and still have ongoing issues, including flooding, incomplete works, faulty appliances, damage not fixed, etc. Fortunately I am able to do most of the work myself, but it doesn't excuse a company such as Mcon not to meet their obligations. I'll post some photos of the most serious defects over the next couple of weeks. Thanks again for those of you who had some sympathy. It isn't all bad, we are in our new home, and eventually we will correct all the defects, and we'll eb happy. The motive for these postings is simply to try to save others from going through this hell. For those of you who have already signed up, there's not a lot you can do. Just check everything closely and keep on at Mcon to rectify any problems. For those of you who haven't signed up yet and are thinking of doing so, our advice is find another company to deal with. I'll make another posting soon with some more details. Cheers, Doug Re: * Homes 30Dec 11, 2009 9:18 pm We were building with Mcon in Mernda, Victoria. I don't understand why the word Mcon keeps disappearing, and the ***** appear. Doesn't help a review if the readers don't know who is beign reviewed!
Anyway, thanks again to all of you who posted replies to my posts. We have been tied up with lawyers and Mcon trying to settle. We finally settled months after our contract expired, and our extra expenses were massive. Mcon gave us the impression they were completly unconcerned - afterall they had received most of the money. Re: * Homes 31Jan 13, 2010 10:09 am Great thread. This is a great warning to those of you who are looking at building or who have already signed up with the MCon. It is interesting that people would rather learn by their own expensive mistakes rather than to learn from others. All this author is trying to do is to make people aware of his issues, in the hope that people will learn from these mistakes. I have recently built with a private builder - not all plain sailing but better than revilledc's experiences. With the threat of legal action from these massive companies it is very difficult to substantiate any claims. I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". You pay peanuts for a house, your house will likely be built by peanuts! I have heard first hand accounts of what Mcon are capable of - and based on that I would NEVER contemplate building with them and would advise anyone who cares to listen to do the same. So in summary, give this guy a spell, and take from it as you wish. Unless you have gone through this hell yourself, it is hard to criticize. Good luck with all who are building. And LUCK is the operative word - Luck with tradies, Supervisors etc. G Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74701 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105551 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 23482 |