Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 26, 2010 10:53 pm Lets face it building a house is an ordeal, more of an ordeal for some than others. I doubt anyone comes through it the same as when they started. Even taking the plunge to sign the contract has an effect on people. For example a co-worker of mine who is always joking around, almost to the point of getting beat up came in real quiet one day. Only took me two guesses to figure it out. I know that fear, I reckon everyone reading this knows it too. I thought it might help newbies and people struggling to know it's not just a house you end up with. I'll start. I've learnt to hold my tongue. After ******* off people who's help I needed it eventually sank in. And it's not just the complaints. I don't rush to praise before the job is done. To thank someone for good work then turn around and point out a fault makes you look fickle or two faced. How about you guys? Gravity. Its the law. At lock-up stage(lock-up stage) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25438 Re: How has building a home changed you? 2Jan 27, 2010 10:10 am I am certainly much more anxious... The highs and lows that come with building make me feel bipolar some days!! Watching your new home being put together is truly amazing - and we live very close so we get to go and see the progress each day. It's just awesome. The fights with the SS, being queried of my motives by the company, having my personality called into question because the SS was TRYING to be painful (and told me so outright - that he is making things difficult for me because I made things difficult for him when we made a complaint about something that potentially would have cost circa $85k to fix) is really quite depressing... I've lost my trust and faith in my builders, and I believe that I have lost my faith and trust in people in general to some extent. I think that is sad... It's hard being just another job to someone else when they represent a lifetime investment (not to mention hard work, savings, hopes, dreams, etc) Re: How has building a home changed you? 3Jan 27, 2010 10:33 am well i am not finished building yet, house has now been plastered awaiting fitout next week. Building has not changed me one bit, But it has made me decide that i will build again. My SS, i have talked to him twice sice starting the build, he is great and havnt had a problem what so ever. The tradies seam to come and do their jobs and leave. There is nothing that i have not been happy with. I go and check out the house everyday and everyday i go there i can see the work has been done. I guess it is about not annoying everyone - the builders/tradies/SS everyday. Give them a chance to fix things. I am not picky just as long as i get what i paid for and i am happy. my house is going up really quicky, site start date was november the 20th. Check out my blog below to see how fast my progress has been. Lw http://buildingfraser251withcoral.blogspot.com/ 20th May 09 Signed contracts for land 24th June 09 Land settled today "I own some dirt" 16th Aug 09 Signed Contract 20th Nov 09 Site Start 15th Jan 10 Bricks started Re: How has building a home changed you? 4Jan 27, 2010 10:54 am lwbjl I guess it is about not annoying everyone - the builders/tradies/SS everyday. Give them a chance to fix things. I don't agree... I think some builders are quite simply better than others... From what I have hear of Coral, they're one of the better ones. In our situation, we were faced with almost having to have the slab completely pulled up due to an error that was plainly the fault of the SS. One of the tradies broke our water meter, and so there was water bucketing onto our slab on teh day it was poured. Our slab was sitting in about 20cm of water by that evening. Water on top of the slab is good, not surrounding it. One simple phone call when alerted to the error would have had it fixed. He avoided that phone call for 5 days (yet told us that we couldn't make it), so we had to have the problem fixed ourselves AND pay for an engineer to come out and check for damage to our slab. He got cranky with me because we alerted head office that the slab payment would not be made until we had the all clear that the slab didn't need to be dug up and replaced. He's been an absolute PITA since. Turns out that the ONLY reason our slab WAS structurally intact was because of all the rain in the area in the two months preceeding pouring of our foundations. That much water put onto dry soil would have caused major shifting. It's pure luck that the base they laid on was already damp, otherwise his refusal to make that call would have cost months of litigation and stress to get a structurally sound foundation for our home. Oh - and he told his bosses that the water was due to rain, not the water meter... I had an abusive phone call from his manager having a go at me for being unreasonable, and they can't help the weather. Yes, but you CAN help the water meter pouring water on my land for 5 days, the complaints from the neighbours on both sides who now have flooded gardens, etc. After the five days I gave up and called the water company myself. It was fixed within an hour. So no, I don't think it's about not $%^&* people off... I think it's about who you are building with. If they're already useless, there's not much changing that - only damage minimisation. I've maintained for the past few months that IF our house turns out to be of good quality, it has nothing to do with our builder... It's ALL to do with the rapport that my husband and myself have been able to build with the tradies... We've gotten along great with them, and all seem to have a mutual hatred of the SS (some of the tradies call him the "Site Stupevisor") It REALLY takes a lot to get me riled up - I'm not an anxious person. I AM about this build. I do believe that I have been changed, and I hope that it isn't permanent. I feel like I have to be constantly on guard and I hate it. Re: How has building a home changed you? 5Jan 27, 2010 11:21 am Re: How has building a home changed you? 7Jan 27, 2010 12:44 pm I agree it can be stressful to build but I try to live my life as if each day could be my last, because we never know what's around the corner. At the end of the day, it's just a house. It's something that's materialistic and most issues can be fixed and sorted through. Something that feels like a big deal at the time can feel like something minor a week or so later. I have built 4 houses, none of them have been perfect and yes I would build again but not for a while as we are happy where we are now. Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: How has building a home changed you? 8Jan 27, 2010 2:19 pm There are no bad lessons, just lazy pupils. For me it all has been very positive: - I'm confident in myself more than ever. Another big personal project that proves to be successful. - I've excelled two managerial behaviours being coercive and authoritative styles. I'm now feel much easier to speak openly and honestly about what I like and what I don't and I'm able to eliminate any unnecessary softness thus becoming much less vulnerable to be exploited by whoever wants to try. - Proper timing when we purchased the land (August 2008, when the interest rates peaked and all looked quite grim) has proven my theories and calculations about the market and its direction. It is always nice to have a prof that you were right, nevertheless to say that I invested heavily in knowledge that allowed me to do such calculations (go AGSM, go!) - Building a house is an amazing topic for a small talk at almost every level Areas, requiring attention (possible source of negatives): - It takes time to manage and follow up - It is expensive and requires lots of discipline, patience and other virtues - There are plenty of parasites and lazy people who want to underdeliver and overcharge. Lots of small battles however, calm sea does not make a skilled sailor - every victory makes us stronger and more confident ... built a Promenade with Clarendon. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25104 20-10-09 - excavation and piering completed ... 12-04-10 - Basins fixed. Connecting to the electrical grid 23-04-10 - PCI 07-05-10 - HANDOVER! Re: How has building a home changed you? 10Jan 27, 2010 2:44 pm ebyelyakov There are no bad lessons, just lazy pupils. For me it all has been very positive: - I'm confident in myself more than ever. Another big personal project that proves to be successful. - I've excelled two managerial behaviours being coercive and authoritative styles. I'm now feel much easier to speak openly and honestly about what I like and what I don't and I'm able to eliminate any unnecessary softness thus becoming much less vulnerable to be exploited by whoever wants to try. - Proper timing when we purchased the land (August 2008, when the interest rates peaked and all looked quite grim) has proven my theories and calculations about the market and its direction. It is always nice to have a prof that you were right, nevertheless to say that I invested heavily in knowledge that allowed me to do such calculations (go AGSM, go!) - Building a house is an amazing topic for a small talk at almost every level Areas, requiring attention (possible source of negatives): - It takes time to manage and follow up - It is expensive and requires lots of discipline, patience and other virtues - There are plenty of parasites and lazy people who want to underdeliver and overcharge. Lots of small battles however, calm sea does not make a skilled sailor - every victory makes us stronger and more confident From my experience if there arent any bad lesssons you havent really learnt much. Up this this day i have been very happy with my build. I have ended up with a better product than what I was expecting from the start. In saying that there is a lot of stuff I learnt and would change if I did it a second time, I call it evolution. Re: How has building a home changed you? 11Jan 27, 2010 5:13 pm Well I have one week to go. I have learnt to be manipulative, cry on queue, demand the bleedin' obvious, trade errors for other things more important and expensive, get my self so confused I want to sell the damn house the minute we get it, accept what I cannot change, produce facts from reliable sources that cannot be disputed by anyone, ask for help and advice when I need it, allow myself to BLOW UP in frustration every now and then, accept less than what I had hoped for, choose my battles, go neutral colours even though it is against every inch of my actively creative brain, accept being broke, throw my hands up and say "I don't care, I just don't care if my kitchen cupboard handles are all on the wrong way" and look like I mean it, and yell at my husband frequently. There are others but I have also learnt to when necessary. Gotta love this building experience it's so enriching. edit - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: How has building a home changed you? 12Jan 27, 2010 5:41 pm TheMax and Fu, Thank you both for sharing two of the funniest posts I've seen in a long time!! As for me and how I've changed, I have more grey hair. I could bang on and on about all the crap, but what's the point? We all go through it to a greater or lesser degree. So far, our SS has been great...very helpful and always available. He can be quite 'assertive' about his point of view but I'm not a pushover either Pix Built a (highly) modified Allcastle Maxworth 38.7 in Sydney. Re: How has building a home changed you? 13Jan 27, 2010 5:45 pm Pixelated TheMax and Fu, So far, our SS has been great...very helpful and always available. He can be quite 'assertive' about his point of view but I'm not a pushover either Pix Pushover? mmmm.......Well it depends if someone is waving a Tim Tam in front of you I guess...?? Thanks. www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: How has building a home changed you? 14Jan 27, 2010 5:57 pm Oh well, I confess I havn't actually really learnt to , maybe sort of, some times if necessary, well, no not really... www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: How has building a home changed you? 15Jan 27, 2010 9:15 pm I have learnt to be more organised, and to have all information on hand for the build. Also learning to communicate more not only with the builder but with the other half we have found taking time at the end of the day to disscuss the build, go over budgets and plan what has to be done helps heaps as we are both on the same page when talk to tradies & the builder. And not to feel guilty about bringing up any issue with the builder as you are paying good money them to build your home and its there job to sort out and answer any issues you have. The best one is learning how to ask for discounts and better prices on purchases which I seem to do on everything I can even if it not to do with the build. Cash is better in my pocket instead of someone elses. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: How has building a home changed you? 16Jan 27, 2010 10:05 pm I know the fear too. About 4-6 months of it when we were working out the finance side of things... truly scary stuff. You could see the look in my face every day I came to work, my coworkers noticed for sure. Even my broker let out a sigh of relief when it was finally sorted. On the good side, I've learnt to save my money and be patient. Very very patient. Re: How has building a home changed you? 17Jan 27, 2010 10:21 pm themax Well I have one week to go. I have learnt to be manipulative, cry on queue, demand the bleedin' obvious, trade errors for other things more important and expensive, get my self so confused I want to sell the damn house the minute we get it, accept what I cannot change, produce facts from reliable sources that cannot be disputed by anyone, ask for help and advice when I need it, allow myself to BLOW UP in frustration every now and then, accept less than what I had hoped for, choose my battles, go neutral colours even though it is against every inch of my actively creative brain, accept being broke, throw my hands up and say "I don't care, I just don't care if my kitchen cupboard handles are all on the wrong way" and look like I mean it, and yell at my husband frequently. There are others but I have also learnt to when necessary. Gotta love this building experience it's so enriching. edit - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hahah, I like!! I have learnt to be more results rather than process focused....e.g remembering that errors can and will be fixed in the end and that I will eventually end up with the right product, even though it takes the tradies many attempts at it. Re: How has building a home changed you? 18Jan 27, 2010 11:08 pm Trust is a big issue, I got lead along the whole way. My titles and RE agent said oh it will happen in the next couple of months. 6 months later YAY titles and settlement on the block. House design, I asked for some structual wall changes, at the start with Sales, and then oh no thats not a Prestart issue, you need to speak with Sales. Final plans signed, well..... not exactly what I asked for, but hey its near enough and good enough. Do I still like the plan ohhh its fab. A few missing things at bricking stage but hey I can add a door or two later and knock down one internal wall, for extra space. I am sure that will be in the budget. Two price rises, 8k total and a 2k discount. 10k reduction and cost savings taking out some items. How about money for fencing, light fittings and painting. I could have asked the bank much earlier for some extra dosh, than now when I actually need it. The builders needed an extra 20k for site works above what they quoted me. I still need the roof built and will it be finished in the next 4 and half months. You bet ya. But don't hold your breath!!! Re: How has building a home changed you? 19Feb 17, 2010 6:16 pm (Rant coming - you've been warned...) I've learned to become a control freak. Mind you, that's been the fun part Even though the land hasn't settled yet, I wanted to have everything pretty much sorted prior to the build (before work gets crazy busy), coz I get the feeling when it happens, it's a runaway train, and I wanted to avoid having to make hasty decisions about making important choices - like lights, or what is going in front of the windows - and I guess we all share that... BUT... WHAT IS SO INTERESTING.. ...is when you go to the stores that supply them, they immediately ask you when you'll finish building - and once they get the whiff that you are not going to spend money there and then , they completely lose interest - you become this fly they just want to swat - either completely ignoring you from then on, or give you so much attitude you want to leave (shop names supplied upon request )... they forget about word-of-mouth, that you will in fact be back to purchase, that you will remember a helpful exchange, etc. Is this just my experience? It seems to happen everywhere I go... Building with the Big M, Sandarra Settlement July 16 Site Scrape Sep 22 Slab Oct 12 Framing commenced Oct 13 Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=39517 Hi All, we are starting to think of building with Masterpiece Builders in Victoria, has anyone had any feedback or experience with them 0 13603 I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15284 4 14311 |