A new record for Carlisle Homes...

matt walker · Oct 02, 2007 5:27 pm

Less than 24 hours to p*ss me off again.

Carlisle Homes would be the most inflexible company I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.

Here's the scenario:

The rumpus room (home theatre room) is being painted in a different colour to the rest of the house. It is a dark brown colour.

The walls are a different colour to the architraves and skirting boards which are to be finished in the same gloss finish as the rest of the house. They are a lighter glossier finish. I would prefer to not have any variation in the wall to skirting colour for this room.

After speaking with the painters in regards to what was easier for them to do I grabbed for the phone to ask for the change to be made.

I phoned "D" and "R" to ask if the skirting could be painted in the same low sheen finish as the walls and "D" asked that I leave it with him and he would call me back. After the morning meeting I felt for sure that this would be OK.

I had not heard back from "D" today so when I arrived at the house just after 3 o'clock I was suprised to see that the window reveal and architraves had been painted in gloss.

After speaking with the painters they said that they had not had a call from "D" so they proceeded as originally planned.

3 phone calls to the Carlisle Homes office and "D's" mobile and I finally get a call back saying "Sorry cant help!"

The first time "sorry cant help" I was angry but OK. The second time I got "sorry can't help" was clearly a mistake but one which Carlisle Homes were not prepared to wear but this one is just plain "*** OFF".

It makes no difference to the company in either a monetory or physical way, it makes the painters job easier and it makes the client happy and still it can't be changed.

I have even offered to compensate the painters for any extra time/paint they incur if necessary.

What for? What could possibly be a good reason for this?

What happened to the customer in customer service? What happened to looking after your clients? I am parting with a little less than $350,000 and I don't expect "favours" but I do expect some consideration...

Recommend Carlisle Homes as a builder .... hmmm not me!

newhomebuilder · Oct 02, 2007 6:43 pm

I have being following the process of your new home, and so far from what you have said it seems to be going very well from my view.

You need to also look at it from the builders perspective. What is in the contract needs to be followed. If they were to allow one change, then it may set a precedent, not just for you but others building with Carlisle Homes that changes are midway thru construction is okay

It is only a very minor issue, which can be rectified when you move in.

May sound like im supporting the builder, but you need to look at it from both ways, and from previous postings a difficult customer!

matt walker · Oct 02, 2007 7:02 pm

NHB,

A fair call in normal circumstances but not here IMO.

This is a list of the issues with the building (note with the building) that currently exist.

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This list does not include any items from the Home inspection that was carried out (another 2 pages at least) and all the items that have been fixed or blown over (again at least another A4 page)

It may sound petty but this one consolation on their behalf (especially after jamming me with the windows) would have made all the bad feelings go away.

Matt

Cookiemonster · Oct 02, 2007 7:11 pm

I can't read any of that.. it's all blurry!! :wink:

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 7:23 pm

Hey Matt….how come your getting away with mentioning the builders name???

What list!

Hate to say it, but it sounds like a case of…..”Who cares?” From the builder!

Just need to point out here, that gloss is stronger than semi, as in wear and tear, but I’m sure you know that!

Are your skirting and arcks wide? Or are they standard width?

Rodda · Oct 02, 2007 7:47 pm

Hi NHB.

I have to ask a couple of things here:

Firstly, do you think it unreasonable to request any changes with a home you are having built once construction has begun (especially when giving a builder that kind of coin to do it) - that you simply cannot change your mind on something or if you do it's too bad, you'll just have to arrange to have whatever it is altered after you move in?

I myself dropped this kind of money on the place I had built 3 years ago and my builder was certainly more flexible than what the guy(s) in Matt's case are seeming to be.

Secondly, you suggest it can be rectified after moving in. By who?

newhomebuilder · Oct 02, 2007 9:15 pm

What ever is stipulated in the contract is what should be produced.

If your builder was to say okay we will change that for you, then that says to the customer that this builder is going to let me change anything I like along the way. Like for example I know of some clients who wanted to change the style of veranda posts and the builder agreed. Once they were up, the owners didn't like them, and the builder had to take them down and replace them with what was provided with in the contract.

I don't think its fair for builders when clients get angry when the builder is doing everything correctly in accordance with whats in the contract.

If you want to change something after you move in, call the appropriate trades. In this case call a handyman or a painter to make the change for you. Im not sure why your "** off" when they have built your home to what is in the contract, that you did sign.

Now I seem nasty! I dont intend to be

When building a home there are always bound to be issues. Win some and lose some.

matt walker · Oct 02, 2007 9:23 pm

NHB I agree with you win some, lose some...

I am just waiting for the win some bit!!

matt walker · Oct 02, 2007 9:36 pm

Michelle

Hate to say it, but it sounds like a case of…..”Who cares?” From the builder!

Just need to point out here, that gloss is stronger than semi, as in wear and tear, but I’m sure you know that!

Are your skirting and arcks wide? Or are they standard width?

Hey Michelle,

I think for a builder that is making somewhere between $60 and $90K from my particular project they would be prepared to compromise on a few smaller issues....

Not these guys.

I wanted the same finish so that the surface is non-reflective.

I have standard 67mm arcs and skirts.

newhomebuilder

If you want to change something after you move in, call the appropriate trades. In this case call a handyman or a painter to make the change for you.

I can but why when the change is so easy now and it doesn't affect anybody.

Why are the rules so set in concrete that there can't be some compromise. I am not asking for anything structural or electrical. simply to paint the same colour down an extra 67mm.

The fact that I have saved them thousands by not pursuing the windows the way they were supposed to be.

The fact that I saved them potentially thousands of dollars by having a building inspection that turned up some major faults early in the construction phase.

Perhaps I should list down all the little things as well.

The point I am making is that it is a 1 way street. If it was a little compromise here and there I would cop it but I am continually getting the raw deal.

Matt

Lyn · Oct 02, 2007 9:39 pm

At least they went by what was in the contract .... our contract specifically states that YELLOW sand would be used for the mortar ... still fuming about our builder's response to that one (yes, the sand really is red, no, they didn't warn us that it would be).

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 9:51 pm

I understand your need for the non reflective surface.

I have no issue with your complaint!!!! Vent all you need……it’s a case of too bad too late!!!

……that attitude…..Can’t say it …..it will get blanked out!!! :evil:

northlakes · Oct 02, 2007 10:08 pm

Matt,

Hang in there mate…….it’s not worth the brain aneurism!!!

Positive note: Rest assured though, should you ever choose to build again, your list of potential builders has just been shortened…..and quite possibly the lists of those people out there reading this forum who are just beginning this journey.

Negative note: NO!!!!!!!…go to happy place, go to happy place, go to happy place, go to happy place :evil:

Cheers,
Mark

http://boo-and-hermans-house.blogspot.com/

matt walker · Oct 02, 2007 10:14 pm

Mark!!

Legend...

I am in a happy place. 2 quick bourbons has made damn sure of that!

:wink:

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 10:16 pm

penjay · Oct 02, 2007 10:26 pm

Yes ... I discovered that alcohol was the best antidote to "building stress."

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 10:29 pm

Looks like everyone’s going to be alcoholics at the end of building!!! :shock:

What’s my excuse I build 20 years ago……careful everyone……not good!!! :lol:

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 10:57 pm

Matt….after a day with his builder!

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matt walker · Oct 02, 2007 11:14 pm

I thinks thats my site supervisor after a day with me!!!

:twisted:

Rodda · Oct 03, 2007 9:37 am

Hi again NHB.

I take it you've never heard of a 'variance' document?

I think you'd find it pretty hard to show me a builder that doesn't allow any variances in thier contracts.

Also, you said you might sound like you supported the builder. From what you've said so far you actually sound like a builder yourself (or at least were at some time)

.

ahuang · Oct 03, 2007 3:17 pm

Don't they know that happy customer will only talk about it to 50 friends, while unhappy ones will tell 5000 others!!

Matt, I think you should fight for it. How about stopping payment or something??

Our builder AllCastle seems to be a bit more flexible about this. So far we only asked for a few minor changes which doesn't have any impact to $, such as: raise a window higher, move shower taps to other side of the wall, ...etc. But to cover their back, they want us to put all these in writing, which is fair enough.