Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with First Homebuyers Direct? 4Apr 26, 2011 7:53 pm Jason Building a modified Platinum MKII with Blueprint Homes. House Plan Contracts Signed: 18/10/2010 Prestart 21/10/2010 Sandpad: 14/1/2011 Slabbed: 27/1/2011 Brickwork: 15/2/2011 Roof: 18/3/2011 Re: Building with First Homebuyers Direct? 13Oct 18, 2015 3:35 am Firsthouse1 I really feel I need to post a review here because the experience I have had building my home with FHBD has been appalling So many mistakes were made throughout pre-start, with items completely missed, the wrong information included or the Variations contract simply added up incorrectly on various occasions. Once built, the wrong hardware was installed and there were many items that were completely missed or done incorrectly. When I reached the PCI there were still so many unfinished items and when I reached the Handover stage, when all of these things were promised to be fixed/finished, the house was not even ready for someone to live. The shower heads were missing, the water disconnected, a door handle missing, cabinetry missing, painting unfinished and the list goes on (and on). No courtesy phone calls were made to let me know things wouldn't be done when promised, instead I showed up for inspections that couldn't really be completed. Structurally everything seems sound enough and I think eventually (if they ever finish) I will be relatively happy with the house. I paid for an independent inspector and it was found there were a few things not up to standard: seals, joins, painting etc but nothing too major and they've promised these things have been resolved, though I'm not confident I can take their word for it and may get them re-checked by the inspector. This whole process has been so stressful and so costly with me having to pay rent on top of my mortgage for about 6 more months than expected. When I signed up with FHBD there weren't any reviews but because they were a new company I thought they'd be trying to build a name for themselves in the market. I couldn't have been more wrong and now that I see all of the other negative reviews posted here I see that I am not alone in my experience. I know that people make mistakes, that's part of life, but it's how you go about resolving those mistakes that counts and no effort at all has been made in my situation and the number of mistakes made was so high. If there is one piece of advise I can offer to you, regardless of who you choose to build with it is that you be extra diligent in making sure every detail of everything you request is communicated in written form because if/when they get the information wrong you will need to be able to prove exactly what it was that you requested or it will be you footing the bill or living with the mistake. I would also recommend paying for your own inspector once you reach PCI. It can be expensive but it's worth it, for your own peace of mind. Good luck! Agree with you, basically what happened to us. Nowadays they have a ratings on the other website but if you give them a bad one, not long after that they would put a good one to keep their ratings on 4 stars. After their last big mistake, forgot to put smart wiring in the process of building. We had enough and downloaded a voice recorded on our phone, so it won't be just she said he said. Their site supervisor offered us $300 cash for what happened but the company tried to make it $150 voucher, but we got $300 because we had all of it recorded. Don't trust this whole sales thing unless it's recorded or written in contract. Hey guys, what’s everyone opinion on James Hardie linea direct fix to frame? Would this be the most common method and anybody ever had any problems down the track? 0 5142 Thanks Simon, I guess I'm no concerned with the volume of the noise rather that dead and hollow sound and feel that is associated with floating floors. But I'm not sure… 3 6128 I havent, and i havent looked to much into it, but on face value its not the saviour its trying to make out to be. Shared equity in your home is never a good idea. The… 1 3972 |