You'll probably get the same feedback from most people building with PD, they never allow you to supply your own trades as a standard business practice. From what we can gather, this is done for several reasons:
- post- handover warranty. They can't guarantee your work, and conversely, if there is some other problem with the house, they would fairly and squarely be blaming your wiring. Imagine how much that would cost going through the courts?
- delays. It's frequently documented that you must not cause delay to construction works. Having your own trades in could result in that, again, a potentially expensive outcome.
- Health & Safety, certified trades, insurance, workmanship etc. How does your SIte Supervisor have control over a non-contracted trade?
At your own risk, and if you decide to proceed with PD (you will find pretty much all volume builders will not allow your own trades on site), you can see if your Site Supervisor will allow you to do some work. This has occurred before according to members of this forum, but generally for very minor things. In this case, I am referring to you maybe doing the c-bus wiring or home theatre cabling (not the standard electrical stuff). I honestly think your hard up against it on this one mate...
We had the same issue with flooring. We didn't want PD's stuff, so engaged a third party. Would have been great to get them to do it during the build, but we have to do it after. If they didn't allow flooring to be done by us towards the tail end of the build, I'm fairly certain they won't allow stuff to go in behind walls!!
If you feel really strongly about it, PD can sell you the floor plans and you can engage an draftsman / builder at probably a ridiculous fee, but you would get everything done EXACTLY on your terms.
...and don't forget - how else are PD going to make money
Good luck!
Thanks for your replies everyone. You all make some good points! I just wish the salesman didn't lead us on like that! If we do move forward with them I think it will be with a different salesperson.
Has anybody had them install additional battern holders (standard globe holders) with the plan to replace after handover i.e. four battern holders in one room? if so do you know how much it was?
Also has anybody had a house wired for future CBus?
Thanks again everybody. If I can be of any assistance just PM me!
You can get just a single batton installed and the sparky can wire the rest AFAIK. We were doing this, but then just changed over to halogens.
I have the full Argue pricelist.. they dont mention Cbus per see.
1 DATA NETWORK FOUR-PACK $512.16
Distribute data from one central location to 4 points, includes data points with sockets to 4 locations, patch leads and Cisco Linksys Router.
DATA NETWORK EIGHT-PACK $1,000.56
Distribute data from one central location to 8 points, includes data points with sockets to 8 locations, patch leads and Cisco Linksys Router.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
One additional Video Hub $396.00
One additional Lead-In Cable from Meter Box $88.44
One additional TV point $88.44
One additional Phone/Data point $88.44
One additional Pay TV point (Standard) $88.44
"One additional Pay TV point -
(Foxtel IQ2/HD - 2 x RG6 and 1 x Cat 6 cable)" $154.00
Cabling only for Future Camera to WSC or Study/Hub Location - (RG6 Coax & Fig 8 cable) $88.44
Cabling only for Future Camera to WSC or Study/Hub Location - (CAT 6 cable) $88.44
TV Digital Roof-Mounted Aerial $475.20
TV Aerial Booster (for over 4 TV points) $105.60
Quad modulator - distribute Cable TV and DVD signal from one location (position to be nominated) to all TV's in the home. $656.04
IR Target, including installation and tuning $198.00
DIGITAL CAMERA & VIDEO RECORDER PACK $3,139.80
Four colour dome cameras (location to be nominated) and a four-chanel digital video recorder with 15" screen. Includes power point and Data point for internet access, for remote viewing.