McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread

bradk · Apr 30, 2016 12:15 pm

So, I have been complaining about the driveway being cracked for 22 months now. from the image below, I am sure you can see why it started cracking.

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And they wonder why it has cracked?

They let it erode during the build and never packed it correctly. This is an example of the quality of their work and maintenance of the building site.

So, after waiting for 22 months, after chasing them week after week for this and other issues, I have now lodged outstanding items with Fair Trading.

In my experience, once they have your money, you are no longer a 'valued' customer.

alycerpike · Apr 30, 2016 2:02 pm

Hi all

Does any anyone know much about fences and retaining walls?

All three sides of our block has a retaining wall.

The neighbours on one side has told us that they own about half of the retaining wall (this is fine)

The retaining wall on their side is up high. They want to put the fence on the retaining wall. Where we have been told that it needs to be on the highest side (so on their block of land)

I have attached a photo for reference.

Does anyone know what the rules are around this??

Many thanks

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sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 12:16 pm

Hi there. Have been checking out this forum for awhile and it's been really helpful.
We have recently paid our deposit to build a Bronte Executive Lodge on The Central Coast.
Just wondering if there's any changes to the plans that any Bronte builders have made apart from the obvious upgrades?
So far we have decided on a few things:
*extend the garage slightly both in length and width
*make the office wall solid rather than have the cut out
*sliding cavity door to ensuite
*sliding cavity door between kitchen and butlers pantry
*rectangle windows in bathroom and ensuite that are up high on the wall (we have just had to replace the windowsill in our current home because it got wet and rotted so not keen on having low windows again)
*change the recess in the wall between the great room/children's activity to be reversed-so the indent in the great room will be at the lounge end rather than the dining end. Saw this in the Hermitage and think it will work much better for us.
That's about it for the irregular changes. We are also planning on doing 2.7 ceilings, coffered in entry and great room, and thinking contemporary facade minus the brick stacks. Also tossing up over verandas and island bench in the kitchen-really love the kitchen of the Hermitage display!
So many decisions even at this early stage, but looking forward to the journey ahead!

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 1:09 pm

Grakat

Hi everybody.

Had a look at the Hermitage at Thornton yesterday. It is Bronte based but appears to make some improvements in a few areas. The kitchen and walk in Pantry area are amazing. It's a big coin toss to either build the Bronte or the Hermitage.

Decisions decisions......

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 1:23 pm

We were waiting for the Hermitage to open so we could make a decision between that and the Bronte, although only ever considering the executive versions of each. I have no imagination so it was great to see the Hermitage Display home in real life-much more grand than what I'd imagined from looking at the plan!
Ended up deciding on the Bronte and have just paid our deposit. It was only minor things that swayed us in the direction of the Bronte-I think the toilet is in a better position and like the master bedroom wardrobe layout of the Bronte Executive Lodge more than the Hermitage Executive. Would love the kitchen layout of the Hermitage in our Bronte, but it will come down to $-in the process now of enquiring about what sort of cost would be involved...

Grakat · May 01, 2016 4:16 pm

Hi there

I think you could get the kitchen layout of the Hermitage into the Bronte. The Bronte has the island benchtop option so go with it and move it into the great room by 0.5m. You can then have the bifold doors to the kitchen.

There is a new Bronte display home being built, have a look at when its done, it might give you more options.

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 6:34 pm

Grakat

Hi there

I think you could get the kitchen layout of the Hermitage into the Bronte. The Bronte has the island benchtop option so go with it and move it into the great room by 0.5m. You can then have the bifold doors to the kitchen.

There is a new Bronte display home being built, have a look at when its done, it might give you more options.

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 6:41 pm

Have decided to go with the island as a design variation and see what price comes back-definitely keen on the island being the same orientation as the Hermitage-would be happy to move it forward if that's what it takes. Thanks.
Didn't know there's a new Bronte display being built-whereabouts will it be?

Grakat · May 01, 2016 8:19 pm

I believe it is being built in Braeside, NSW. I don't 100% know where that is though. I have not found it on Google Maps.

I think it is a couple of grand to go to the island benchtop. If you have not finalised your contract then there shouldn't be any additional charges to make the change. I would be tempted in your position to say to MJH that you want the Hermitage kitchen layout in your Bronte and see what they say.

I would also go with the verandas. If it starts to rain and the bifolds are open it gives you some screening.

2jm14 · May 01, 2016 8:24 pm

Maybe Braemar, near Mittagong

Grakat · May 01, 2016 8:28 pm

2jm14

Maybe Braemar, near Mittagong

Hmmmm maybe. I saw some photos of a Bronte on the TV in the Hermitage. It looked completed but in a different colour scheme to Lochinvar.

We would put the Lochinvar colour scheme into the Hermitage. The kitchen doors and panels look great but would go lighter in the floor colour. We like the lighter side of the spectrum, however it's all personal choice.

Grakat · May 01, 2016 8:40 pm

Out of curiosity, has anybody considered putting a wood burner into a Bronte or a Hermitage. Where would you put it?

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 8:53 pm

Grakat

I believe it is being built in Braeside, NSW. I don't 100% know where that is though. I have not found it on Google Maps.

I think it is a couple of grand to go to the island benchtop. If you have not finalised your contract then there shouldn't be any additional charges to make the change. I would be tempted in your position to say to MJH that you want the Hermitage kitchen layout in your Bronte and see what they say.

I would also go with the verandas. If it starts to rain and the bifolds are open it gives you some screening.

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 9:00 pm

Funnily enough I sent off an email about 2hrs ago to confirm our design variations and put it in exactly those words to let them know I want the hermitage layout. We also ended up deciding to add the verandas

sunshine202 · May 01, 2016 11:53 pm

Grakat

2jm14

Maybe Braemar, near Mittagong

Hmmmm maybe. I saw some photos of a Bronte on the TV in the Hermitage. It looked completed but in a different colour scheme to Lochinvar.

We would put the Lochinvar colour scheme into the Hermitage. The kitchen doors and panels look great but would go lighter in the floor colour. We like the lighter side of the spectrum, however it's all personal choice.

sunshine202 · May 02, 2016 12:00 am

Was checking out the MJH Facebook page and looks like the Braemar Bronte is due to open in June so may end up being too late for my needs...I'm also a lighter colour fan.
PS If I was going to put a wood burner in I would choose the great room-it's central and where I imagine we'll spend the most time.

pshome · May 02, 2016 4:43 pm

Any recommendations on sales rep at Kellyville Ridge I can talk to?

Thanks.

Grakat · May 02, 2016 8:11 pm

sunshine202

Funnily enough I sent off an email about 2hrs ago to confirm our design variations and put it in exactly those words to let them know I want the hermitage layout. We also ended up deciding to add the verandas

I think you will be happy with the verandas. I will be interested to see what MJH come back to you with in regards to the kitchen. Since the Hermitage and the Bronte share the same basic design it should be possible. The question will be price.

We also were thinking great room, but where. One of the recesses would take our buffet, and the other would take a TV, which rules out those two locations, which would otherwise be perfect. Putting it outside the home theatre room blocks the straight through path from the front entry to the kids retreat. I would like to factor in a wood burner as we have access to an abundant supply of firewood.

papa-smurf01 · May 02, 2016 11:10 pm

pshome

Any recommendations on sales rep at Kellyville Ridge I can talk to?

Thanks.

Either of the ladies will be very helpful.

bigleftone · May 03, 2016 5:24 pm

Linda_K

bigleftone

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ kids getting there graffiti on before the old girl gets ripped down

We did that to, the kids had a ball! I think it's a great memory for them to have

Yeah they loved it lets just hope they don't think they can do it in the new house, the house is gone just waiting on mdj to come inspect here's hoping we're building very soon.