The CARLISLE HOMES & SPECTRA General Information Thread

Jason-Vic · Oct 20, 2013 6:31 pm

Wirepower

I am getting preslab, frame, pre plaster and pre handover.
I thought if I'm gonna spend big dollars i May as well make sure my asset is done right and have someone else's opinion in this case NHI.
I to would of thought preslab would be common as it's the main base structure of the house. And if that fails it could lead to many problems with the home.

We are getting 3 of 4, skipping the preslab stage, by NHI.

Have NHI said what they pick up at pre-slab? (I'm guessing it would be the footings into the ground / correct placing of the Styrofoam?). Just curiosity as we didn't elect to have that stage checked interdependently. NHI also picks up some slab issues at the frame stage (commonly seems to be short edges for the brick laying/cavity)

We are of the same thought, piece of mind, looking after our investment and picking up things that can be rectified sooner and to building code.

Wirepower · Oct 20, 2013 8:02 pm

Well I thought preslab being the main foundation of the house and not something you want to get wrong would be the first priority over anything since once it's concreted you will never know if it was ever done properly, atleast frame etc problems can be fixed but slabs can't once concrete is poured and integrity of the slab is #1 since it's holding the weight of the whole structure

Jason-Vic · Oct 20, 2013 8:06 pm

Wirepower

Well I thought preslab being the main foundation of the house and not something you want to get wrong would be the first priority over anything since once it's concreted you will never know if it was ever done properly, atleast frame etc problems can be fixed but slabs can't once concrete is poured and integrity of the slab is #1 since it's holding the weight of the whole structure

Indeed that's true - I hope ours has gone ok without that stage inspected. Let us know how your inspection goes for that stage.

From above, I'm just not to sure what they check at that stage - as I had only inquired about the 3 stages of interest to us.

Carlisle overall has been great, so we hope that each stage is of their standard. Our inspection reports have only listed a few items and they have been minor.

zierra · Oct 21, 2013 5:34 pm

Jason-Vic

Wirepower

Well I thought preslab being the main foundation of the house and not something you want to get wrong would be the first priority over anything since once it's concreted you will never knows if it was ever done properly, atleast frame etc problems can be fixed but slabs can't once concrete is poured and integrity of the slab is #1 since it's holding the weight of the whole structure

Indeed that's true - I hope ours has gone ok without that stage inspected. Let us know how your inspection goes for that stage.

From above, I'm just not to sure what they check at that stage - as I had only inquired about the 3 stages of interest to us.

Carlisle overall has been great, so we hope that each stage is of their standard. Our inspection reports have only listed a few items and they have been minor.

Fingers crossed.

DecidedCarlisle · Oct 21, 2013 9:55 pm

Thanks for welcoming me everyone!!!

I'm going crazy. Got the welcoming letter in early October saying that a CLE will be appointed and we still haven't been contacted yet.

Excited but need to keep a handle on emotions, both good and bad.

I hate waiting!!!

Sojn · Oct 23, 2013 6:02 am

Hi everyone! Our house was significantly undervalued by the bank(30k) has anyone experienced this & if so could you pls advice. We are building in Cranbourne North.

Thank you

Vetra43 · Oct 23, 2013 6:18 am

Hi Sojn,

Sorry to hear about that! But I think it can be worked out. But before that did they give you any indication of reason?
Firstly I would try and collect sales histories around to back up my argument of why that's not correct , your mortgage broker should be able to help with that if you have one.

In parallel I would also consider shopping around and remember there is loan studio from CH, never under estimate them

have heard many good things about them so far.

And then comes seeing if there is a chance of really over capitalizing although it is not quite common , but still can happen. If so try to cut back. Not really sure how it it works but some people also suggest including driveway, fencing quotes also. Just my thoughts. Others may offer more help! But remember many people over come this and so can you , just a small speed bump to the excitement!!

zierra · Oct 23, 2013 7:35 am

Hi Sojn, sorry to hear that too!! Did the bank value your house OR both house and land? If both, it could be the land. Go back and ask your broker.

Hamilton23 · Oct 23, 2013 12:24 pm

Our land settled about 18months before we commenced building and luckily for us we did some asking around real estates before we commneced building as our land had de-valued. This meant we went into the build knowing this would be a factor in the banks valuation.

I would be checking on the land value if I was you. This may be where the descrepency is.

DecidedCarlisle · Oct 23, 2013 8:24 pm

For those that have installed or are building with an evaporative cooler for a double story, does CH install evaporative cooling points on the ground floor?

zierra · Oct 24, 2013 2:33 pm

DecidedCarlisle

For those that have installed or are building with an evaporative cooler for a double story, does CH install evaporative cooling points on the ground floor?

Hi DecidedCarlisle

Yes they do on the ground floor (2 points).

Bakso · Oct 24, 2013 5:08 pm

Sojn

Hi everyone! Our house was significantly undervalued by the bank(30k) has anyone experienced this & if so could you pls advice. We are building in Cranbourne North.

Thank you

Hi Sojn,

First thing first, you need to find out whether it is the construction or the land that was undervalued.

Our construction was undervalued by 12k we asked the bank why and here is what they come back with:

"The bank state that the construction is not completed e.g not including driveway, landscaping and fencing which is not provided by Carlisle. To offset this, the bank reduce the value of the construction to the forecasted cost of those 3 things."

But noted that his is not the big 4 banks, this is a credit union, so they may be more risk adverse in regards to valuation. My broker believe that if I go with the big 4 bank they will take the risk and give me the ok.

In the end, I still go with the credit union because of the interest rate and I have to borrow more and get a small amount of LMI (offset-ed straight away with saving in deposit) because the bank will only borrow up to 80% of the "valuation" amount.

If you are not in hurry to build, I suggest you try to contest the valuation either by getting your own valuer (ask if your bank accept this) or going for another bank. If you go directly trough your bank, try contacting a broker e.g loan studio that Carlisle have relationship with. They will be able to liaise with the bank more in regards to the value of the house and why the valuation should match the price of the contract.

Good Luck!

ontheridge · Oct 25, 2013 1:57 pm

Im having to relocate my mains power box due to corner treatment/guidlines and Carlisle suggest to put it in the porch area but i think this will look very ugly, OR the other option is inside the garage.. what would be the pros/cons of having a mains power box in the garage?

Vetra43 · Oct 25, 2013 2:38 pm

Not sure if this is common guys, but just thought I would alert ppl who don't know this could happen (just like me). - I just received my frame invoice just 4 days after slab invoice. We have frame inspection scheduled for next Tuesday and not sure what can I do if the inspector finds any issues. Can I ask them to correct them and then I will pay? Too rude to say that? Ppl , any thoughts?

DecidedCarlisle · Oct 25, 2013 6:19 pm

zierra

DecidedCarlisle

For those that have installed or are building with an evaporative cooler for a double story, does CH install evaporative cooling points on the ground floor?

Hi DecidedCarlisle

Yes they do on the ground floor (2 points).

Thanks Zierra.

Jason-Vic · Oct 27, 2013 7:31 pm

Vetra43

Not sure if this is common guys, but just thought I would alert ppl who don't know this could happen (just like me). - I just received my frame invoice just 4 days after slab invoice. We have frame inspection scheduled for next Tuesday and not sure what can I do if the inspector finds any issues. Can I ask them to correct them and then I will pay? Too rude to say that? Ppl , any thoughts?

We got base and frame at the same time invoice wise. (Lockup and fixing came at the same time as well for us)
Does the inspection fall well within the 14 days to allow transfer of money (from yourself or bank)?

Best option is to talk to your admin person at Carlisle and discuss it with them and explain things - i'm sure they can accommodate things or work something out. Has your SS been updating you on progress so you can book in an inspector as soon as possible?

With us, our SS, things go fixed up pre/post payment - so Carlisle fixes accepted defects/faults, even if you have paid the stage payment (it's not a definitive cutoff) the issues still get resolved post payment, but I understand in wanting things 100% before payment is made/peace of mind. As above, talk to the SS / Admin person and see what they say. You could also ask them for a heads up when the stage is expected to be completed, so you/inspector can check the site in a timely manner.

We haven't had any issues with things being fixed up and made the payments within the timeframe (some items fixed and some where still being followed up - SS has been great and anything legitimate item flagged was fixed). Best thing is to communicate as much as you need with them and ensure that you feel comfortable with how the project is going and we have found Carlisle to be great in communications and ensuring that we are satisfied with the project/product supplied.

Xjohnno · Oct 30, 2013 2:03 pm

Hi Jason,

Looks like you're house is coming along well! I've got one question did you get to choose where the Brivis Network Controller goes? I can't seem to find it on my electrical plans.

Thanks

Jason-Vic · Oct 30, 2013 2:34 pm

Xjohnno

Hi Jason,

Looks like you're house is coming along well! I've got one question did you get to choose where the Brivis Network Controller goes? I can't seem to find it on my electrical plans.

Thanks

Thanks

I assume you are referring to the central heating control? We didn't ask and I'm not sure if you can choose. It's located in the same spot as the display for us, above the intake duct for the heating.

In the electrical plans have 'R/A' in the spot, as to what it refers to I'm not to sure.

Alarm panel you get to choose where it goes for reference, but never asked about this one.

Your build is looking good too. Similar house design too. Will be following your blog as well

kkeeley · Oct 30, 2013 3:40 pm

Hi Xjohnno,

We have also signed up to build an Ascot MK2 29 in Officer, where abouts are you building? would be great to walk through a 29 to get a real feel for the layout and room sizes, where really concerned that the master bedroom will be to small for what we want.

Kenneth

Vetra43 · Oct 31, 2013 12:57 pm

Xjohnno

Hi Jason,

Looks like you're house is coming along well! I've got one question did you get to choose where the Brivis Network Controller goes? I can't seem to find it on my electrical plans.

Thanks

Hi Xjohnno,

Just had a quick look-through of your blog, and excited to see that you also choose truffle bricks as me. Ahh... Finally someone who used them on this forum and would love to know if yours is offwhite mortar, because in the pics it looks a bit creamy? How did you find the bricks in real life in general?