Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 09, 2009 7:35 pm hi all, new to this site Great site with a wealth of interesting topics,my son is building at Spring Farm Camden.He has just signed contract and is very excited, he already has the land and has already met a lot of his soon to be neighbours (all very nice and helpful).They are a young couple and first home buyers and would like some of there questions answered by the other people building with Eden Brae out at Spring Farm (if we could pick your brains). First they would like to find out if the builder can commence building before the date on the building contract / or can they start after all the requirement like council plans, bank loan approved ect,or does the builder have to wait till the date on contract comes around? They are finding it also hard to work out basic cost items while looking at brochures given to them (as I said first timers trying to stick to a budget)as there is no guide as to what are the basic items quoted in the tender and what is extra, as they have colour selection next week it is going to be very hard to stay under budget, how did you find this issue? Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 2Sep 09, 2009 7:41 pm Hi Starfish - I'm building with EB. Check out my build thread. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12911 To answer a couple of questions. Yep the builder will generally start at the site prior to the contract start date but not before the Building Cert has been issued. It's easy to go over budget in the selection proccess. There are others on here building with EB. Good luck. Rgds Leonard. Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 3Sep 10, 2009 4:51 pm Thanks so much for all your help, just have been reading a little of your information, and I will get my son to read it(I heard his fiancee mention the display glass doors in the kitchen) he'll have a cow when he sees how much extra they are. He is same as you , extra space in home ,though at the time he thought he had a choice of brick from boral as well as pgh but has been told all boral brick extra now(seems only three choices of exposure bricks from pgh in his standard choice now, as he deleted his render finish to front of the home due to another price increase(due to him not wanting to go through with tender at the time due to 'salinity',as there was an increase(he also paid for the upgrade to standard package).He originally signed in March, though when he was quoted extra in his tender for Salinity affected soil , and found this not to be so, went away upset only to return after the tender was fixed up ,and another hiccup as to a rebate , finally signed........thank you Every one out at Spring Farm seem to be so helpful and caring , this will be such a nice place to live Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 4Sep 10, 2009 5:50 pm Hi starfish, welcome! We've just finished building with EB. This is our thread : http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10142 We had a couple of issues with them but we did get through it. Your son is going to have quite a ride. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 5Sep 11, 2009 4:26 pm Hi Southies, I have read through your blog http://theradds.blogspot.com/ and they are very interesting and helpful. I am wondering if you have any good suggestion on how to deal with the construction process? How do they work, I note from your blog that they have someone called the "site supervisor" is there? Is that the person with whom we will be dealing with for all aspect of the build? Does that SS actually get involved at the building or does the SS is some kind of an administrator in head office? Many thanks!! Trekkie Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 6Sep 11, 2009 5:22 pm ncc1701d Hi Southies, I have read through your blog http://theradds.blogspot.com/ and they are very interesting and helpful. I am wondering if you have any good suggestion on how to deal with the construction process? Expect the worst to happen at every stage. Don't expect the process to move quickly. Don't expect perfect work from tradesmen - it won't happen because generally they don't give a stuff. Record, ABSOLUTLEY EVERYTHING even if you think it's trivial. Organise your paperwork into folders - you will need to put your hands on the info, often. Quote: How do they work, I note from your blog that they have someone called the "site supervisor" is there? Is that the person with whom we will be dealing with for all aspect of the build? Does that SS actually get involved at the building or does the SS is some kind of an administrator in head office? The SS is not an administrator. He is the 'face' of EB on your site. The SS will be co-ordinating all the different trades on your site. He will be the one making all the decisions. He will be the one who hopefully visits your site several times a week. He will be the one who makes this experience either painful or exciting so don't get on his wrong side. Most importantly - Pick your battles ! Good luck! Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 7Sep 11, 2009 7:17 pm Hi Southies, Thanks for the advice. I have read around the different blogs that many people have arranged to get an independent inspection done after the frames and brickwork and before the lining. I understand that Eden Brae already includes independent inspection as part of their standard inclusions. From your experience, are they really "independent" and are they any good? How many do they do? Do we get to have a copy of the report? How about their warranties, are they fixing defective stuff that you discovered after the handover? I take your point about don't get on the wrong side of the SS. But how is this done in practice? Does that mean we should only approach the SS with "very serious" problems and try to let minor things pass without bothering him? How do you strike a balance? Did you have any "surprise" new costs added by EB during the construction phrase? I think they have a fixed tender policy do they. Sorry for loads of questions, but there are just so much to learn. Thanks for any advice/information you can offer. Trekkie Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 8Sep 12, 2009 10:12 am ncc1701d Hi Southies, Thanks for the advice. I have read around the different blogs that many people have arranged to get an independent inspection done after the frames and brickwork and before the lining. If you know nothing about building get one at pre-plaster & pre-handover. Quote: I understand that Eden Brae already includes independent inspection as part of their standard inclusions. From your experience, are they really "independent" and are they any good? Initially, I was suspicious as they ( Tyrrell's) are paid by EB, but DH was impressed as they actually picked up a few things which our independent inspection didn't. Go figure Quote: How many do they do? They did a pre-plaster & 2 pre-handover inspections. Quote: Do we get to have a copy of the report? Yes, you do but I think you have to ask for it - not sure there. Quote: How about their warranties, are they fixing defective stuff that you discovered after the handover? We haven't hit the 3 month period yet, but yes it's supposed to be standard to fix things & believe me there are quite a few. Quote: I take your point about don't get on the wrong side of the SS. But how is this done in practice? Does that mean we should only approach the SS with "very serious" problems and try to let minor things pass without bothering him? How do you strike a balance? Well, always use diplomacy and alos understand that the SSs are often supervising 20 or more sites. So issues often take time to be resolved. So patience is called for. YOu have to decide what's a minor issue & what is major. Don't expect perfection. Some things you will need to let go. Others you will need to insist on. Quote: Did you have any "surprise" new costs added by EB during the construction phrase? I think they have a fixed tender policy do they. No surprises at all. Yes it's fixed price. Quote: Sorry for loads of questions, but there are just so much to learn. No probs - we learnt also by asking questions. This is the place to do that. By the time you finish your build, you'll be so knowledgable, you'll be ready to do it all again. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 9Sep 12, 2009 4:36 pm Hi Southies, Thanks very much. From EB's website I can see there will be a Tyrell independent quality inspection certificate issued to the owner at the very end. Does Tyrell check up on every defect that they have previously reported (in all previous inspections) and then confirm in this final certificate that they have all been rectified/fixed? On a separate question, did you have dropped edge beams done? If so, would you be able to let me know how much extra did EB charge for them? Many thanks again. Trekkie Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 10Sep 12, 2009 4:46 pm Thanks Southies That answered a lot of my questions as well. WE will be starting with the build any time next week. The first step is the Sllab anything special to look for their???? We already have concerns with our builder so we will make sure that we hire an independent inspector. Can you please mention the costs involved? Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 11Sep 12, 2009 4:52 pm ncc1701d Hi Southies, Thanks very much. From EB's website I can see there will be a Tyrell independent quality inspection certificate issued to the owner at the very end. Does Tyrell check up on every defect that they have previously reported (in all previous inspections) and then confirm in this final certificate that they have all been rectified/fixed? yes Quote: On a separate question, did you have dropped edge beams done? If so, would you be able to let me know how much extra did EB charge for them? yes, have PMd you. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 12Sep 12, 2009 8:19 pm pemulwuyhouse Thanks Southies That answered a lot of my questions as well. WE will be starting with the build any time next week. The first step is the Sllab anything special to look for their???? Major cracks, hairlines are OK - due to shrinkage when concrete is drying. There have been threads on this issue with pics. Sorry, too long ago to remember which ones. You should do a search or maybe one of the 'older' members might be able to point you in the right direction. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 13Sep 12, 2009 8:20 pm pemulwuyhouse We already have concerns with our builder so we will make sure that we hire an independent inspector. Can you please mention the costs involved? Have PMd you. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 14Mar 22, 2010 12:48 pm Southies pemulwuyhouse We already have concerns with our builder so we will make sure that we hire an independent inspector. Can you please mention the costs involved? Have PMd you. Independent Inspector that supervise SS on site? I'm interested to understand about this. Do you mind what's this II for and how much would they cost? Thanks Southies. Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 15Mar 22, 2010 1:32 pm tempura Independent Inspector that supervise SS on site? I'm interested to understand about this. Do you mind what's this II for and how much would they cost? Thanks Southies. tempura, the independent inspector does not supervise the SS on site - I wish The II comes in at your request, usually at the following stages : 1. slab stage 2.frame stage 3. pre-handover stage. For example, we had him come once only at frame stage. My DH was confident enough not to need the II at the other stages. We were charged about $500, I think. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 16Mar 22, 2010 2:32 pm Southies tempura Independent Inspector that supervise SS on site? I'm interested to understand about this. Do you mind what's this II for and how much would they cost? Thanks Southies. tempura, the independent inspector does not supervise the SS on site - I wish The II comes in at your request, usually at the following stages : 1. slab stage 2.frame stage 3. pre-handover stage. For example, we had him come once only at frame stage. My DH was confident enough not to need the II at the other stages. We were charged about $500, I think. Based on your experience, do you think that stage 2 (frame stage) is the most crucial part, where II is required? If i have money, i would be happy to invite II on every stage of the house hahahahaa I tend to see stage 3 (pre-handover stage) as being the more important ... but anyway who am I ... i'm just a newbie Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 17Mar 22, 2010 3:01 pm We felt that frame inspection was important because once plaster was up .......that's it! No more chances to know what's behind it If you know nothing about building, then in the scheme of things, $1500 for 3 inspections is a drop in the ocean. I would go with all 3. But htat's just my opinion. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Building with Eden Brae Spring Farm 18May 25, 2010 9:57 am Southies ncc1701d Hi Southies, Thanks very much. From EB's website I can see there will be a Tyrell independent quality inspection certificate issued to the owner at the very end. Does Tyrell check up on every defect that they have previously reported (in all previous inspections) and then confirm in this final certificate that they have all been rectified/fixed? yes Quote: On a separate question, did you have dropped edge beams done? If so, would you be able to let me know how much extra did EB charge for them? yes, have PMd you. Hi Southies, can you pm me the cost of DEB as well. I built with EB back on 2009. Check out this thread on this forum. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12911&p=154061#p154061 I can't speak for recent expericience however, we had no… 1 22139 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair We purchased a 1960s property that is on timber stumps mostly, and a newer section is on concrete stumps. We had a building inspection initially and they reported some… 0 12739 Thanks for your reply. I will just wait and see I guess. Trying to get some more information from our builder. 9 30233 |