Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 19, 2010 2:40 pm Builder: Boutique Homes Model: Boulevard + variations Commencement: Mid Feb 2010 Been a reader on this site for awhile now and we are starting to finally some progress worth reporting so its time for us to share your story - hope you enjoy it (not many Boutique Home blogs i've seen). To bring readers up to speed: * Deposit for land end 2008 in Melb West Side * Builder/Model selected Feb 2009 (turnover staff resulted in many delays getting to contract) * Land was settled June 11th 2009 (waiting... waiting... for builder) * Contracts Signed Nov 2009 (Least we got the FHOG increase - patience rewarded) During that time someone decided to pick a fight with our water tap: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And a builders nearby thought it would be nice to do some landscaping as well: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ After many disputes and delays we had to fix our water tap out our own pockets but manage to have the rocks removed....finally. I'll save everyone that drama. The pain has began. Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 2Feb 21, 2010 12:45 pm Looks like we've started (site cut, fill, pipes) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The fill material looks like crushed rocks? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pipes Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Piers (bit hard to see but they are there) as per engineer spec Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Trenching for the alfresco Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 4Feb 27, 2010 6:42 pm So we were in the neighbourhood and decided to pay a visit 1 week later - pleasantly shocked/suprised seeing a completed slab and framing delivered. This is much faster than expected, we were anticipating around few weeks at least. (Surprised as I have yet to see the bill, but im sure its on its way!) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 5Feb 27, 2010 6:50 pm Good to see things are moving along for you. Somewhat fortunate as well to get the increased grant - a bit of money for nothing for you guys considering you were all but practically signed up. Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 7Feb 27, 2010 8:11 pm It looks great!! What part of western melbourne are you building in? I'm going through the building pain in Tarneit When is your build contracted to finish? (contract days?) Heres hoping they continue to speed along Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 8Feb 28, 2010 6:26 pm Very fortunate that the FHOG had an increase (they gave us the contract 1 week before the cutoff and book us in for signing 2 days before the cutoff date). Lets hope we can continue the momentum throughout the build but I have low expectations after reading all the stories on this forum We're building in the Caroline Springs area. Contract days is 280 days due to our extensive modifications list Basically we started with the Boulevard which was base price of 192k when we signed and as you can see, its almost a promenade now Site cost is around 20k (H class, additional piering, rock allowance 6k). We spent around 40-50k in upgrades (mainly on things that would be too difficult to do post-handover). Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Yesterday we weren't expecting the slab We decided to go back today with some equipment since we will be getting a large bill soon. I now how everyone loves photos on this forums: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/slab2.jpg Corners are 90 deg & slab is level throughout (it seems like a fairly good job). http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/corners.jpg The damaged pipe found last week was rectified as the new pipe has different markings on them. This corner looks like it may crumble off: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/concrete-prob2.jpg Another flaw but this one prob won't cause any issues (i hope). http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/concrete-prob.jpg Block was very close to the dimensions specified on the floorplan, so someone is doing something right: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/slab-edge.jpg Trenching for the extended alfresco. http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/alfresco-trench.jpg hmmm...I always thought they do the gas pipes in the slab but I don't see any...strange. Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 9Feb 28, 2010 9:56 pm It's all looking wonderful. Your builders seem to be making quick progress! Let's hope they continue that way. Good luck with your build. Masterton Santorini Grande 23/01/09 First Tender 17/11/09 Contract signed 25/01/10 Slab 27/03/10 Frame 7/5/10 Bricks 1/07/10 Roof 9/7/10 Lock up 24/8/10 PCI 16/09/2010 KEYS! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16418 Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 10Feb 28, 2010 10:26 pm Oooooh nice slab ....Congratulations!!! We got ours on Thursday and the bill was emailed to us on Friday so no mucking around when it comes to that! Can't wait to see the frame up! Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 11Mar 06, 2010 5:00 pm Yes, invoices come very efficiently, had a discussion to scope out how Boutique does theirs: * Tuesday: Site supervisor visits building site * Wednesday: Site supervisor enters details onto the computer system, this includes forecast builds * Thursday: Billing/Invoices get generated and sent out. So basically they can/will "forecast" their builds so that invoices are sent even before actual stage completion...now if only their other paperwork/processes were as efficient. But with that in mind, one week later... http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/frame.jpg http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/front-door.jpg http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/inside.jpg Overall we are quite with the construction. We brought a 20M wide block so that we could enjoy our side entertaining area and hence the reason why we liked the Boulevard/promenade design as its very open to one side. This is the view from the driveway: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We are quite pleased...but no build is complete without its defects! Entertainers are sliding the wrong direction: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Least they are being proactive with the concrete: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/patch2.jpg And so it crumbles...not sure if this present much of a problem. They should really reinforce corners of slabs, im sure its a common problem. http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/crumbled.jpg Some quality controll on the wood is needed: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/bad-wood2.jpg Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Even though our alfresco post will be bricked in, that is too much angle different and doesn't look like its mounted securely. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 12Mar 08, 2010 9:45 pm Hey tuned, it's great to see a thread for a smaller builder. Boutique seem to have some slightly different designs ~ keeping things interesting! ~ I love that retreat you've got between bed 3 and bed 4. Will your fridge be behind a cabinet as per the display on the website? It's a nice idea. Looks to be a very classy house and moving along nicely, now anyway! Look forward to seeing more of your build as you go along. ~ cheers, J _______________________________________________________________ We're a knockdown | rebuild ~ Melb SE burbs Building modified version of the Fairhaven Glenaire Homeone thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28429 _______________________________________________________________ Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 13Mar 09, 2010 10:00 pm Thanks Vanilla, we are certainly excited to see the dream materialising. I do love the little details in their designs - strangely we initially weren't convinced of the floorplan but visited the display home since we were there (they didn't have a very good website at that time!). Once we walked it through in person, we knew this was the house. We don't have the laminate pantry/fridge cover as part of our house (but its on my long list of post-handover projects hehe). Hint: if anyone wants to see how flat your slab really is, wait until it rains and measure the puddles! Another interesting process is Boutique use various site supervisors throughout the build, our first one covers (slab-frame) and then handovers to another. Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 14Mar 27, 2010 9:08 am Been tided up but managed to swing by our build for 30mins. So its been close to 3 weeks since "frame" invoice was sent and paid (days are partly guessimates). * Gutter & Fasia cut & installed (2-3 days) * Roof tile/joists (Barrumandi traditional for $1300 upgrade) were installed and cemented down. (5-10days) * Insulation & foil installed (2-3 days) * frame straighting, planning and levelling (2-3 days), they finally fixed the rotation of the doors, yaaah! * Bathtub structure installed Excuse the lack of photos. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/rooftile.jpg http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/planed-and-levelled-studs.jpg Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 15Apr 02, 2010 8:33 pm 4 days later...we were hoping to see some brick walls, sadly we got a pile of sand and an open pallet: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Progress: *Water Supply Plumbing Ensuite, Bathroom, Toilet & Kitchens *Gas Supply Plumbing * Electrical/Telephone/TV Wiring Looks like Plastering soon Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Electrical Spaghetti Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Plumbing on the outside??? (I don't recall ever seeing it done like this) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Found a copy of this hanging on the stud frame - "Independant Inspectors"...barely readable copy though http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/home-inspections.jpg Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 16Apr 12, 2010 9:37 pm Hi tuned86 ~ your house is looking *real* with its roof on! Nice. tuned86 4 days later...we were hoping to see some brick walls, sadly we got a pile of sand and an open pallet: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/brickwork.jpg It looks like the colour is "all the way through the brick", rather than just coated on top... Keep us updated!! Great photos.. ~ cheers, J _______________________________________________________________ We're a knockdown | rebuild ~ Melb SE burbs Building modified version of the Fairhaven Glenaire Homeone thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28429 _______________________________________________________________ Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 17Apr 12, 2010 9:50 pm Sure starts to feel like a house when the roof is one and the walls blocking out the sun/wind/rain Bricks are Australia Newport with soon to be rolled offwhite motar...with the recent rains, unsure if they will do any brickwork They were nice enough to lay more pebbles and laid it around the house before deliverying the bricks. Really helps avoid the muddy soil and keeps working environment fairly clean. Will be making some updates this weekend, fingers crossed for some brick walls I can lean against. Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 18Apr 12, 2010 10:05 pm tuned86 Will be making some updates this weekend, fingers crossed for some brick walls I can lean against. I hear ya tuned86! We've had major problems with sourcing bricklayers so I totally understand your frustration. I hope you get your bricks up soon. Masterton Santorini Grande 23/01/09 First Tender 17/11/09 Contract signed 25/01/10 Slab 27/03/10 Frame 7/5/10 Bricks 1/07/10 Roof 9/7/10 Lock up 24/8/10 PCI 16/09/2010 KEYS! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16418 Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 19Apr 17, 2010 8:57 pm And let there be bricks (2 weeks later) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Nice big lintel for the garage: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Brickwork/mortar still need bit of cleaning but its pretty good. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/side-brick.jpg Extended Patio: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/extended-patio.jpg Mini-alfresco: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/mini-alfresco.jpg Front Door: Wood Veneer, unstained at the moment. Will stain post handover Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We haven't received the lockup invoice yet but I think due to the rains and brickwork delays but they've started on the "fitting" stage. Square set ceilings. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/kitchen-bench.jpg Closeup of the door handles: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/kitchen-handles.jpg Bathroom Cabinet (Refined Oak Formica) http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/bathroom-cabinets.jpg Ensuite Cabinet (Pesto Linea) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/kitchen.jpg Cornice done to the rooms: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/isle-cornice.jpg http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/cornice.jpg Bulk Head work: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/bulkheads.jpg Battened (metal strips) Ceiling: http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/bbq_chickenwing/Boulevard/batten-ceiling.jpg Re: thing we can call home: [the pain has began] 20Apr 21, 2010 8:56 pm For those building with boutique: * I was also allowed to have the skirting boards cut, painted & tacked through a PCV clause to avoid building warranty for that portion, after having said yes at the sales office and being told "NO" at the colour appointment. I also think there is no insulation inside the internal walls even though I had been told there was in by sales...hmm nothing in the contract there. 1 379 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 15276 Hi All, we are starting to think of building with Masterpiece Builders in Victoria, has anyone had any feedback or experience with them 0 13591 |