Browse Forums Building A New House Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 441Nov 09, 2010 10:11 am ___________________ Initial deposit - 31 Oct 11 Signed Contract - Apr 11 Released to Construction - 03 Jun 11 Site Start - 05 Jul 11 (Advised) Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 445Nov 10, 2010 6:34 am Hi b.lizzie, We upgraded our kitchen cupboards with McDonald Jones, which cost a lot more then we through it would. We installed a kitchen in our last home + we also received the current price list for Allworth homes from a friend who is building with Allworth homes, which has all the prices for every upgrade. Allworth homes give you a book that is about 1 inch thick with all the prices so you know how much you will pay upfront, however McDonald Jones don’t do this! You have to wait to you get to the Colour appointment! So let’s see PolyTech kitchen doors upgrade Allworth $2600 approx Not to bad but wait for it ….McDonald Jones PolyTech door upgrade ???? Over $4000 approx But there’s more timber door upgrade Allworth $3400 approx not Bad but wait for it……. McDonald Jones Timber door upgrade over $9000 approx To change kitchen doors to draws it is $300 a set, which is a little high but not bad so we went with this. Also you have to pay to put a capping on top of the over head cupboards, which this could be wrong so don’t quote me but it was like $50 approx a metre? You will have to check, hence be ready to pay for everything. Shower screen upgrade from white to silver $600 approx. when I put the shower screen in our last house it was $50 dearer for silver over white so I don’t know where this price comes from. They also say that you get $27 per m2 for tiles, hence we thought that you would go to a tile shop & choose your tiles like all the other builders!...... but wait for it….. You get there & you have to choose of their rack, which looks alright until they inform you that the different colour dots mean different prices, hence you choice goes down by 3/4 . So there weren’t many tiles in the $27 price range to choose from. Your day will be like above, however just go in with an open mind + watch your prices as it adds up fast + Do some homework first go get prices for things you can do after handover e.g. door handle upgrades, fly screens, timber & carpet flooring & so on. This will make it easier on the day to decide wether you would like them to do it or for you to undertake it after hand over. I hope the house that you are building comes in a little cheaper for upgrades as I understand that each house prices are different. I hope the information above will help you… It’s not all that bad I found the ladies know there stuff & offer good advise. They are just working with what they are given. Have fun Regards, Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 446Nov 10, 2010 1:57 pm b.lizzie We are however taking up the offer of a walk through so we get 1/2 an hour to know what to expect at colours - will let you know if it is worth it b.lizzie - when you go for your pre appointment that is the time to ask what all the extra costs are....take a notepad and write everything you want to know down so that you can go home and go over all the extras you want. We actually had 2 pre-appointments (although we are local to their selections centre so it was easy and quick to get to). We walked around with the manager and another couple and she explained what our choices were like and rattled off the costs for all of the extras (and that was almost everything)...don't hesitate to stop her and write things down, you are fully entitled to - you are spending a lot of money!!! I had about 4 pages of stuff that I jotted down and it helped me prepare and go away and compare! eg, we found that we could retrofit a remote opener to the garage door after handover and it ranged from about $100 - 150 cheaper!! Also, they will force you to sign for your selections at the appointment. Don't feel rushed to do this, take your time and check everything...if it is like us - we were the last appointment of a Friday afternoon and we were feeling like they wanted to get rid of us, I insisted on taking it home and bringing it back signed first thing on Monday. They don't like it, but once again...they can't force you to sign anything! I had a lot of problems with the selections process and the staff, but now that is finally all over, and touch wood - the building seems to be a lot more organised, and my site supervisor is a great person, genuine and honest! So stick with it, and take your time...don't let them rush you into anything! Building the Chesterfield Grande in East Maitland http://mandk-chesterfield.blogspot.com/ Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 447Nov 11, 2010 6:43 am RedTerror,vpeewee - thanks so much for your helpful insite in the selection process, we have now requested for a floor plan and will be researching prior to the appointment. We have also requested the 1/2 hour pre-appointment and will definately be taking pen and paper to it. b.lizzie - we are also driving around looking at brickwork as its so hard to decide on external colours ___________________ Initial deposit - 31 Oct 11 Signed Contract - Apr 11 Released to Construction - 03 Jun 11 Site Start - 05 Jul 11 (Advised) Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 448Nov 11, 2010 8:35 am Castlevania RedTerror,vpeewee - thanks so much for your helpful insite in the selection process, we have now requested for a floor plan and will be researching prior to the appointment. We have also requested the 1/2 hour pre-appointment and will definately be taking pen and paper to it. b.lizzie - we are also driving around looking at brickwork as its so hard to decide on external colours Be aware that bricks that only have the colour on the outside chip when laid, ours have. They are austral keswick. Woodduck Building The Chesterfield Grande with McDonald Jones https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=33587 Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 449Nov 11, 2010 11:24 am hi all, Just an update we have our bricks finished, and they look great, nice even and flat good job for bag and painting to go onto. Hope all is going smoothly for everyone.. keep smiling. Riccathome Building:Bronte Grand Manor Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 450Nov 11, 2010 1:20 pm Congrats! Our wet area tiling should have started today, painter arriving on monday, kitchen benchtops at the end of next week. Fingers crossed. Building with McDonald Jones - Bordeaux 14m @ the ponds in sydney's north-west Build Blog => http://damianandannasabode.blogspot.com/ Construction status - DONE. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 451Nov 12, 2010 8:22 am Hi all. Good to see everyone's build coming along nicely. The painting of our house is nearly finished, should be completed monday, then electrical finish on tuesday, air-con wednesday. So it is looking good for xmas. Where is everyone else up to??? Woodduck Building The Chesterfield Grande with McDonald Jones https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=33587 Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 453Nov 12, 2010 8:54 am vpeewee Hi woodduck, Did you get the derby or actron? Regards, We were given the Derby, however I didnt realize we could have upgraded to the Actron. Would have prefered the actron. Two other houses in our estate built by McJones have the Derby air-cons, will try and call in and ask about how they perform. What have you chosen?? woodduck Building The Chesterfield Grande with McDonald Jones https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=33587 Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 454Nov 12, 2010 9:34 am woodduck, We stuck with the Derby as Mcdonald Jones wanted $5000 for the upgrade, which was way more the the Actron realy cost. I have looked into the Derby + asked some air-con gents who informed me that the Derby wasn't to bad & + it comes with a 5yr warrenty so I will keep it for 5yrs then think of replacing it if it fails. Regards, Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 455Nov 12, 2010 2:59 pm Well we are still looking at bricks, and still so undecided. The brick which are coloured on the outside are called slurry bricks - not sure of the spelling. We are trying to avoid them but so far I like the colours in those ranges the most (I think they are Whitsunday, and 2 similar ranges). Wow Danana and woodduck what progress, you must be getting really excited... Woodduck I really like the keswick brick colour. i hope it hasn't chipped too badly. Castlevania, The pre- appointment is so worthwhile - but allow plenty of time, we were there for an hour and only left then as we had another appointment. Everything looks different in sample than on paper so it is great to see the actual range. We were told not to even look at paint colour that they would help us with that at the full appointment as only some colours cover in 2 coats. I wrote lots down - I had a list of things I wanted prices for and the consultant also wrote things down for us. Actually quite a nice morning and I am feeling excited rather than overwhelmed by our colour appointment - I just may be able to decide in the 3-4 hrs provided - if i can choose bricks that is! Lizzie Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 456Nov 12, 2010 4:09 pm We have been told by our bank that we cant get the extra money from them to do all the extras we want to do after handover. I guess we'll be getting the tiles and everything else through mcdonald jones as we'll only have enough money to do the driveway, fence etc. Did this happen to anyone else and was there a way around it? Bit frustrating really. Did anyone get shutters quoted through MJH? We might have to hang sheets up until we can save up for them Hi Lizzie, I liked a couple of the Whitsunday bricks too - we'll be up checking out the selection in a fortnight or so, hope there will be something I like there. ___________________ Initial deposit - 31 Oct 11 Signed Contract - Apr 11 Released to Construction - 03 Jun 11 Site Start - 05 Jul 11 (Advised) Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 457Nov 12, 2010 6:53 pm Hi all, I have been following this thread for some time and the whole site really to arm myself with some building knowledge. We have recently approched MDJ to get the pricing on Havana 1 Elite with grand alfresco, gave our land measurments (land not registered yet) and asked for some things and deleted some (mainly structural-windows/doors etc.). Got SMS today to say that costing was done and we will be contacted soon. We are going through sales rep at Oran Park display (anyone else?). I've been looking at bricks (was told Austral range) and it's fairly hard as don't have the colour folder yet. I suppose they only give this out once initial deposit has been paid. I'm very impatient like everyone else. We will probably go with timber frame and tiled roof as I dislike colorbond and don't like the sound of rain, also going with classic facade and face brick. I'm mostly worried about the site costs, land has front to back fall-unsure how much, maybe not much more then 1m, and most probably will have to have H class slab. If anyone knows which Austral bricks are in which category, please advise, and price difference. I have noticed Symmetry Asphalt is coloured through and am interested in this, would hate to have my heart set on something and it ends up being in the heighest category with price tag to match. Good luck to everyone with their building adventure... Cheers, taki Building Havana Elite with side HT with MJD 20/04/11 DA approved by council 06/06/11 cut/fill 08/06/11 piering 20/6/11 slab 11/8/11 frame complete 18/9/11 lock up 28/11/11 handover booked Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 458Nov 14, 2010 2:19 pm Hi All, Well McDonald Jones took the full 20 days to start, however the tractor has now levelled our block & the house is now in motion the piering this week then on to the slab. Hope the build starts to move now as first impressions were of a slow build hope it all speeds up now. Regards, Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 459Nov 14, 2010 6:41 pm taki Hi all, I have been following this thread for some time and the whole site really to arm myself with some building knowledge. We have recently approched MDJ to get the pricing on Havana 1 Elite with grand alfresco, gave our land measurments (land not registered yet) and asked for some things and deleted some (mainly structural-windows/doors etc.). Got SMS today to say that costing was done and we will be contacted soon. We are going through sales rep at Oran Park display (anyone else?). I've been looking at bricks (was told Austral range) and it's fairly hard as don't have the colour folder yet. I suppose they only give this out once initial deposit has been paid. I'm very impatient like everyone else. We will probably go with timber frame and tiled roof as I dislike colorbond and don't like the sound of rain, also going with classic facade and face brick. I'm mostly worried about the site costs, land has front to back fall-unsure how much, maybe not much more then 1m, and most probably will have to have H class slab. If anyone knows which Austral bricks are in which category, please advise, and price difference. I have noticed Symmetry Asphalt is coloured through and am interested in this, would hate to have my heart set on something and it ends up being in the heighest category with price tag to match. Good luck to everyone with their building adventure... Cheers, taki Hi Taki, Head to an Austral supplier and they will have a list there. I can't find my list however Symmetry doesn't ring a bell. Class H slab is about $3500 extra as the m class slab is included, can have quoted on H slab then delete this if it turns out to be m soil type. We were really happy with the price for the internal changes we made... Colour folder arrives by courier around 10 days after you pay your deposit - I was disappointed as I assumed they gave it on the day. Go for a walk through - it covers so much more than the folder. Lizzie Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 460Nov 14, 2010 6:47 pm Castlevania We have been told by our bank that we cant get the extra money from them to do all the extras we want to do after handover. I guess we'll be getting the tiles and everything else through mcdonald jones as we'll only have enough money to do the driveway, fence etc. Did this happen to anyone else and was there a way around it? Bit frustrating really. Did anyone get shutters quoted through MJH? We might have to hang sheets up until we can save up for them Hi Lizzie, I liked a couple of the Whitsunday bricks too - we'll be up checking out the selection in a fortnight or so, hope there will be something I like there. Hi Castlevania, You are ahead of us I think. We were told we can have an amount included in the tender as a "provisional allowance" ie for driveway etc and this doesn't need to be provided by MJH but costs it for the bank. Someone mentioned earlier on the forum about getting cash from the bank for some extras $70000 sounds familiar - maybe read back... Hope this helps Lizzie Hi AKG, We had a base tender of $592 for 31 squares from MC Donald Jones. It looks relatively cheaper than other builders. But I assume there are many hidden things that… 1 16841 Hi, Apologies - I know there is plenty out there on this but struggling to put together the puzzle. We're planning our garage/external laundry to master bedroom and… 0 11121 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 23502 |