Browse Forums Building A New House Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1349Dec 05, 2011 9:56 pm Built the Havana 3 by McDonald Jones Homes Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1351Dec 08, 2011 6:15 pm Hi Everyone, Just wanted to stop in and share a couple of major issues that we have had post hand over so that you may all look out for these problems before you get keys. We have been in our new home now for 6 weeks and have noticed a very bad smell pretty much the whole time we have lived here. At first we thought it may have been someone elses sewer pipe over flowing. It was so bad one night it actually woke me up at about 2:30am. Yesterday, my husband was in the second story roof cavity running electrical wires for our air con (he is a licensed electrician) when he found what we think is the cause of the smell. Our stink pipe does not go out through the roof but instead ends in the roof cavity. No cap, just an open pipe. Secondly, he discovered a rubbish pile eg, drink bottle and wrappers in the wall cavity of the ground floor. This had just been gyprocked around. I mean, how seriously lazy can you get?? We immediatley contacted the post construction manager, who asked that we send an email and that this problem would be fixed immediatley. Well, one day later and surprise surprise, no return phone call or email and we are still waiting here in our smelly house. I find this to be a very big worry that our SS never even picked this up on his final inspection of the house and it worries us now what else should we expect to find.. I shall keep you all updated on the outcome and just hope that it is rectified shortly because it is making our first few months in our beautiful new home extremley uncomfortable. Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1352Dec 08, 2011 6:49 pm budgnbear KTKTKT Thanks. I'll be in Pitt St on Wed so I'll go by and have a look. I assume there was no damage to the floors by the tradies working after they were laid. Who did you go with for the floors? KT We haven't started building yet ! The floors were from a family-owned company in Smithfield where friends had got theirs, really knowledgable older fellow who's been in business for a thousand years. Thanks for the info. I went yesterday to have a look. You're right, they don't have that really substantial feel of real wood but I think they will be right for us. I was glad to see, in such a high traffic area, they had worn really well. That was my main concern. The cost and the eco friendly factor have won us over. Kerry KDRB Carlingford, NSW Building Garden Retreat with MDJH Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1353Dec 09, 2011 11:59 am KTKTKT budgnbear KTKTKT Thanks. I'll be in Pitt St on Wed so I'll go by and have a look. I assume there was no damage to the floors by the tradies working after they were laid. Who did you go with for the floors? KT We haven't started building yet ! The floors were from a family-owned company in Smithfield where friends had got theirs, really knowledgable older fellow who's been in business for a thousand years. Thanks for the info. I went yesterday to have a look. You're right, they don't have that really substantial feel of real wood but I think they will be right for us. I was glad to see, in such a high traffic area, they had worn really well. That was my main concern. The cost and the eco friendly factor have won us over. Kerry Good to hear. I was really glad I went to the trouble of tracking it down, it's great to see the expanse of floor and as you say the wear & tear. Glad you've made a decision ! Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1354Dec 09, 2011 6:10 pm Quote: Hi Everyone, Just wanted to stop in and share a couple of major issues that we have had post hand over so that you may all look out for these problems before you get keys. We have been in our new home now for 6 weeks and have noticed a very bad smell pretty much the whole time we have lived here. At first we thought it may have been someone elses sewer pipe over flowing. It was so bad one night it actually woke me up at about 2:30am. Yesterday, my husband was in the second story roof cavity running electrical wires for our air con (he is a licensed electrician) when he found what we think is the cause of the smell. Our stink pipe does not go out through the roof but instead ends in the roof cavity. No cap, just an open pipe. Secondly, he discovered a rubbish pile eg, drink bottle and wrappers in the wall cavity of the ground floor. This had just been gyprocked around. I mean, how seriously lazy can you get?? We immediatley contacted the post construction manager, who asked that we send an email and that this problem would be fixed immediatley. Well, one day later and surprise surprise, no return phone call or email and we are still waiting here in our smelly house. I find this to be a very big worry that our SS never even picked this up on his final inspection of the house and it worries us now what else should we expect to find.. I shall keep you all updated on the outcome and just hope that it is rectified shortly because it is making our first few months in our beautiful new home extremley uncomfortable. So sorry to hear about this. I know that I would not be able to stand such a smell. I hope they resolve it quickly for you. We had a problem as well, but fortunately it was resolves the following they which I was very happy about. We had our driveway prepared and concretors were about to connect drain to the down pipe near the garage, which was meant to be standard, only to discover it's charged and there is no drainage downpipe going to the easement the the back corner of the block as per plans. All is good now. Still waiting on rangehood and sink fix. In other news, we are ready to move as blinds and wardrobe shelving are done, just need to pick a day when it's not raining as it is somewhat muddy without driveway and landscaping. 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 1355Dec 10, 2011 8:26 am i must say the only thing i am dissapointed with MJH is that they dont include driveways in their standard house prices, where as pretty much every other builder i have enquired to does. McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1356Dec 10, 2011 3:32 pm mandv i must say the only thing i am dissapointed with MJH is that they dont include driveways in their standard house prices, where as pretty much every other builder i have enquired to does. How did everyone else organize their driveway? As part of the mortgage or paid separately afterwards? Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1357Dec 10, 2011 4:20 pm I wasn't so worried about the driveway not being included. Ours was always going to be bigger than the the length allowed by other builders and would cost me extra anyway. I will organise it as part of the landscaping when the house is finished. I like the driveways at most of the MJ display homes and the ones they quote on at the colours appointment but I can't find any info about what it is or where you can buy it. Has anyone done this type of driveway after handover? KDRB Carlingford, NSW Building Garden Retreat with MDJH Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1358Dec 10, 2011 7:46 pm we are planning to do pay it ourselves after the handover... what we did was we included the few electrical items in the loan... so we just need to pay the driveway, landscape, fence and all other expenses after.. we will be having our electricals this monday... any tips or suggestion for the electricals? what we are planning is we will have a lot of power points, 2 junction box in the front of the house, and 2 at the rear. still thinking of prewiring downlights in the common area..., exchaust in the toilet, and fan heater light... also we are getting a 3rd zone for the AC... 3 way switch... we decided not to get the ducted vacuum since ours is just a single storey... Questions 1) Is it worth it to get the reinforced wall and bracket first??? and then we will just add a data point and pay tv point... can you install a tv bracket yourself even though the wall is not reinforced? 2) Is it worth it ducting the fan heater light / exhaust fan? 3) did you guys upgraded the smoke alarms? 4) how many junction boxes do you need for the outdoor lighting? thanks in advance Re: McDonald Jones Homes - The new thread 1360Dec 11, 2011 11:37 am i'm just reviewing the impression package again.. just doing my assignment for tomorrow's electrical. I noticed this as included in the package "Designer Glass Splashback to underside of overhead cupboards & rangehood" Does this mean the back of the rangehood? just wondering coz we paid extra for the glass splashback behind the rangehood.. 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 17251 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 11660 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 26231 |