Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 03, 2009 10:37 am My house started 20th July. By rights, my builder can take until 18th February according to my contract, but for the past 2 months, my SS has been saying handover will be pre Christmas. My sales consultant also said they really take 20 weeks which is about now. As of today, my house only needs to have a little painting (just finish it off), driveway (stamped concrete) and the kitchen appliances before it will be deemed "Practical completion". I spoke to my SS today to check where it's all at. This week, it seems only a few minor jobs were done - letterbox, clothesline, flywire screens, doorknobs.... Asked him when the other jobs will be done. He said the painting is waiting for a plasterer to fix a few small things. He will be there Monday / Tuesday. Concreter will also be there Monday / Tuesday and then painters will be there later next week. When I asked him if that means it will be completed next week, he said yes but I am not convinced. He said he will be organising 2 inspections; 1 by his boss and the other by an independent QA. Then he will fix anything needed and walk me through. He said I shouldn't find anything by the time I walk through it. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is having these types of hold ups coming up to Christmas? I was always told that builders try everything possible to finish houses that are close to completion, before Christmas, but mine seems to have slowed down this week. Also, how many problems did you guys find in your PCI? Really hope I can't find anything so as not to have further delays, but obviously if I find something, I will tell them so they can fix it. I am starting to get really stressed about it cos I couldn't stand it if handover didn't occur before Christmas. Appreciate any thoughts and advice on this. Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 2Dec 03, 2009 10:42 am here are some photos of my house taken last weekend Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 3Dec 03, 2009 10:48 am why the rush to be in pre christmas? Hopefully you're not in the same boat as me and my wife. Our rental lease expires on the 23rd of december. we're homeless if our house isn't done in time... our progress has slowed the past 3 weeks as well. Only a few things left to do, but damn, it's taking forever. We're in the same boat as you - builder doesn't technically have to finish until March, but hey - he reckoned it was in HIS interest to finish before Christmas, otherwise it will keep dragging on. Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 4Dec 03, 2009 10:53 am interesting that you have the same issues! Wonder why they are slowing down!! I hope you get your house before you lease is up - or at least you can work out some sort of accommodation! You've put things into perspective for me!! There is no actual hurry for me I suppose (currently still living at home with my parents - this will be the first time I move out), but I would love to be able to utilize my Christmas holidays from work to be able to do things around the house. I would be so annoyed if I still didn't have handover and then they go on Christmas holidays. It is so close to being finished. Originally, was anticipating hanover to be in late November but there was a 4 week period October and early November where no work was really done which has now meant I am gonna be right on Christmas. Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 5Dec 03, 2009 10:54 am Most builders will want to get it done before the christma sbreak so they dont run the risk of theives breaking in and taking your appliances etc. The bottom line is I guess they can only do what they can do and the bad thing is you just have to sit and wait to find out if its going to be ready in time If its not ready in time, they might grant you access to start some of the things you w ould like to get done. Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 6Dec 03, 2009 10:58 am yeah, well actually they are allowing me to book in some of the tradespeople I am needing for various things - i.e. I have evap cooling booked in for 17th December. He told me late that week would be ok. So whether I have handover by then or not, seems he is allowing me to do some stuff which is great. Main thing is I wanted to be able to unpack everything and set everything up over the holidays. Even though this is my first home, I already bought EVERYTHING for the house - all my kitchen stuff, furniture, I even have my eletrical items on order waiting to be delivered. Most of my furniture is flat pack ikea stuff so there'll be some very fun work in putting all that together! lol Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 7Dec 03, 2009 11:15 am dont worry, I have more things left to be completed to my house and the SS is damn sure we will be in for christmas...looking at the items left at your place, you shouldnt have any problems at all!! Congrats on coming this far!! I love your colors and your kitchen !! Builder: celebration homes,WA Slab down:12-Aug-09 Plate High:21-Sep-09 roof complete : 22-Oct-09 lockup: 19-Nov-09 PCI : 16-Dec-09 Key handover : 22-Dec-09 Re: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 8Dec 03, 2009 11:46 am thanks tinfish! I really needed to hear that. Thanks for the compliment on the colours too. Building a house definitely has it's rewards (you pick everything etc etc) but it is one stressful time too. For me, I have actually found the whole process less stressful that I would have expected, but at times it has been hard as I am only 25 and doing this all on my own (no one else to share the burden of chasing everything, arguing things etc). Anyway, at the end of the day, it has to be completed at some point, and it will all have been worth it cos I will love it once I am in there. Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 9Dec 03, 2009 1:56 pm Coming from a builder's point of view, try not to stress too much. Obviously we'll do everything we can to get a person in their home before Christmas or at least handed over, but at the same time, if everyone is put under a lot of pressure people start making mistakes, trades cut corners and what seemed like such a big deal to get in the house doesn't have much of a pay off. Better off letting it run its course and receiving the keys to a home that has been completed properly. The finishing details are what make the home truly stand out and are the things you will notice the most. A lot of businesses wind down over the holidays anyway so if you get a home handed over, its not easy to get workmen in to do bits and pieces either. looking at the pics - your selections are really nice and timeless. should be a fantastic looking home once you move your furniture in! cheers Jay Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 10Dec 03, 2009 2:24 pm thanks Jay!! Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 11Dec 03, 2009 6:29 pm We are in the exact position as you also!. Dont leave everything to your builder however, there are some things you can do now to help the process along as banks will also need to complete inspections and produce a bank cheque for the final payment. I would expect this to take between 7 to 10 business days Talk to your bank/broker and find out what they need in order to do their inspection. Some require just the final invoice and some (like mine) also require the certificate of occupancy. I spoke to my builder and they have sent through the final invoice and are pushing along the process of getting the cert of occ as they now know I need it urgently to ensure the bank has enough time to inspect (they are faxing it the second they have it). Every day is precious as we really only have 11 business days (pushing it, 15) left! Also find out the details that need to go in the cover letter when you send your final invoice about handover dates, local branch to pick up cheques (if its appliable) and anything else. Draft the letter before you need it! Fingers crossed to everyone hoping for xmas 09 in their brand new houses! Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 12Dec 03, 2009 7:45 pm thanks Sierra. I checked with my bank and since I am handling the payment from my own money, I just need to organise a bank cheque myself, but the bank does want to do a valuation (ANZ) so they will do that for me, but I first need to give them a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy which the builder is gonna send me ASAP. Is it correct to say the Occupancy Certificate can't be given until kitchen appliances are in? I read that somewhere I think. Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 13Dec 04, 2009 12:39 am not sure, but it all looks great! congrats on doing it all on your own, i am the same - single, 22 (with a 2 year old ) and i have handover tommorrow - thats why i'm not in bed yet, so excited! love all your colours, do you have a plan? 2014 - Prepping to build the Soho 4 with Plantation homes, industrial style 2009 - Built the Brampton with Coral Homes viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15399&start=280 Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 14Dec 04, 2009 7:17 am Hey Jess - CONGRATS to you too! Handover! So exciting!! Here is the plan of my house - this is the generic plan...I added a door into the house from the garage and I changed the window off the meals area to be a sliding door. Or and the robes have the sliding mirror doors. Otherwise it's all the same. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: the pressure is on for pre Christmas handover... 15Dec 07, 2009 9:50 am It's an RDO today for Victoria! Damn! No one will be working on my house! Stressing again! lol Actually, Friday night, some cleaners were in there fixing it all up but there still is that bit of work to do. My list is now: Concreting for the driveway Painting (finishing off) Heating unit Hot water service (solar panel already in and pluming already done) Kitchen appliances I just spoke to the concreter that they use and he said by end of this week. Everything is meant to be finished this week so hopefully my PCI is early next week. Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: PCI early next week - possible handover same day! 16Dec 07, 2009 3:53 pm finally got some more info re my house... Practical completion this week. Friday the builder's inspection will be done (they already did a preliminary one last Monday and are fixing a couple of things with the plastering this week). PCI Monday 14th (most likely) and if no problems, can have handover that same day. If only issues are paint touch ups, can still have handover that day and they will just come back to fix it. I have been very actively checking everything from day one on this build and I am actually fairly confident I wont find anything. The couple of things I did find earlier on have already been fixed which is to my benefit. Feeling more confident now about pre-Christmas. Would have to find several things wrong to have any delays and I just don't think I'll find much at all. YAY! Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: PCI early next week - possible handover same day! 17Dec 07, 2009 10:47 pm woo hoo !! Hurray for you !! see no need to worry about pre-christmas handover Builder: celebration homes,WA Slab down:12-Aug-09 Plate High:21-Sep-09 roof complete : 22-Oct-09 lockup: 19-Nov-09 PCI : 16-Dec-09 Key handover : 22-Dec-09 Re: My house: PCI early next week - possible handover same day! 18Dec 08, 2009 7:31 am Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: I want my keys!! And I am over the rain! 19Dec 09, 2009 10:36 am UPDATE - Plasterer who was called back in to fix a couple of little things from their inspection last Monday has now been and gone which is great. Now it's ready for the painting to be completed. No one is there today though which is disappointing since we are getting closer and closer to Christmas. My house is meant to be practical completion on Friday with a QA sheduled for the same day, but they still have to finish the painting (only a little bit left) and do my driveway first (just need some decent weather - would usually be very happy with all this rain but not atm). Oh and the blinds which I know are being done tomorrow - seems odd to do this before painting has been completed but then again, they also laid the carpet nearly 2 weeks ago too. I think they are doing whatever is available on any given day to get it finished ASAP. Not sure when they will do the kitchen appliances and HWS. They haven't told me yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's day of handover. But since they are doing things a bit out of the normal order, I also wouldn't be surprised if they do it anytime now. Otherwise, it'll be finished. So close but it seems so far away at the same time!! Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Re: My house: A few new photos 20Dec 09, 2009 7:13 pm Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Current build Porter Davis Brookwater 49, Eucalypt Wollert Build: 24th Jul 2015 - Approx Mar 2016 Previous build DFH Columbia 21, Lyndarum Epping North Build:20th Jul 2009 - 18th Dec 2009 Joe, it depends on your certifier but we are noticing the ones we deal with are really cracking down. So i would recommend you follow your approved landscaping plans to… 4 10965 Hi Simeon, Thank you for laying it down for us. Makes sense. Appreciate it very much. Have a nice day. Cheers 2 9007 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 5806 |