Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 21May 23, 2011 9:59 pm hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 22May 27, 2011 7:26 pm hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 23May 29, 2011 4:42 pm If it helps - we'd recommend having a look at home magazines and having some idea of what kind of colours you'd like! Nick & Sha Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 24May 29, 2011 10:37 pm Hi, Thanks for sharing ur experience. We have also engaged an independent building inspector. Our dealing with Simonds has not been smooth, I would Luke to be one step ahead of them. They have tried all sorts of tricks with us 1) we had asked for tender and they gave us the contract instead 2) In tender they didn't include site cost - asked them several times and told them we dont like surprises and when the contract came it had 25000$ as site cost, we refused to build with them and then they called us and resolved the site cost. 3) they wanted us to sign the caveat , which we refused. They think they could get away with anything, Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 25May 29, 2011 10:57 pm I know what you mean. When you signed the sales quote there was an option that you had to approve to go to tender, which is what we chose, we didn't want to go to contract straight away, and it was good that we didn't. In our tender they have stated the site costs as provisional, we are not at contract stage and the contract will be ready before our site is ready as we are demolishing and the contract will be ready the week before, I am contemplating in delaying the contract until they are able to re-survey the site to give a more accurate cost, plus we have a huge retaining wall as part of our site costs. But our site costs will be around $25k we actually budgeted $40k as we are on a 1.2m slope (which I thought was greater). It would be a delay of 2 weeks so not much in the scheme of things. Why do they want you to sign the caveat? I would be getting someone to help you with this like a solicitor or http://www.newhomeinspections.com.au/ or your independent inspector, isn't this normally related to finance. This might be a standard thing, but I would be getting professional advice. In my honest opinion I would be going to an independent professional as they help with the contract and can explain things. It is better going to a professional company that deals with building contracts as they can tell you for certain about the contract and how things work and they will give you sound advice. If you are not happy with your customer relations consultant speak to the regional sales manager and ask for a new crc. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 26May 29, 2011 11:08 pm Our build has started http://abrahams-leneva.blogspot.com/201 ... -home.html You ought to be careful with this builder, make sure you are one step ahead of them. They will definitely produce the caveat document at contract signing,make sure you don't sign it. The document mention the block belongs to Simonds until you pay the last invoice. We had our solicitor talk to CSO and flatly refused to go ahead if they wanted us to sign the caveat. We had a provisional sum of 5000$ towards site cost at tender and I specifically asked them 100 times how much extra would they charge me, they told me not to worry it won't be more than the provisional sum. When I saw the contract it had another $25000 towards retaining wall, we refused to sign the contract and told them we will get the retaining wall done thru someone else ( that was only $6000/- ). Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 27May 31, 2011 11:39 pm ON Sunday my husband went to Austral Brick to choose bricks that we like. I don't know how most people choose their bricks when they build with Simonds as no one from Simonds suggested to do this. But as we have family who works in Austral Brick they thought it was the way to go. So we chose our brick colour to be blackwood, (cat 1 brick) and the good people at Austral brick gave us samples and also 3 addresses of house that are currently being built with this colour brick. It was so helpful. They also explained to us about roof tiles and suggested good colours to go with the brick. I needed this as I am clueless in this area. We also drove to Simonds display homes in Keysborough in a new estate called Somerfield. Took a look at the kitchen and bathrooms and took lots of photos, hopefully this will help us this Friday at the Gallery. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 28Jun 05, 2011 7:32 pm Keeping the Bathrooms light. Feature Stones for the Shower Shelf Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Will be having a matt tile on the floor in the bathrooms with a glossy tile over the bath and shower recess. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen Bench top - Caesar Stone Ice Snow Splash Back tile - White tile with 5 rows of feature tiles (4 rows shown below) River Cherry will not be the colour of the cupboards in kitchen Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bathroom Cabinets Bench Top - Pearl Dust LS Cabinet - River Cherry Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Colourbond roof - Jasper Fascia and gutters - Jasper Cladding - Surfmist Brick - Chestnut Feature Brick - Cotton Garage Door - Classic Cedar Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 29Jun 05, 2011 7:35 pm Hi edsl, how is everything?, I love your colour selections!!!! , I especially love your feature stone for you bathroom!! Lovely!! Jovi. Building Thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=45132 Build started/Site Cut 5/4/11 Concrete Slab 3/5/11 Bricks Started 24/5/11 Final Stage 3/7/11 Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 30Jun 05, 2011 7:57 pm Quote: Hi edsl, how is everything?, I love your colour selections!!!! , I especially love your feature stone for you bathroom!! Lovely!! Jovi. good thanks Jovi, how are you? Your build seems to be going so smoothly. My husband chose the bathroom cabinets and the tiles seemed to just fell into place. My husband also suggested the stones in the shower shelves. I chose the boring white kitchen tiles and we asked the lovely Lara who was the tile consultant for a suggestion for a feature tiles and she suggested the little tile which we both liked it. We only spent 1 hour with her and it was the easiest thing we have done. For the laundry we chose a light beige splashback which I will have to take back with me to the Gallery to finish our colours, our drawings were not finished so we haven't properly chosen our laundry or kitchen. Except for the feature tiles all the tiles are standard, the feature tiles will cost less than $400. We are ok with that and I can't wait to see them in the house. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 31Jun 05, 2011 8:37 pm We went to the Gallery on Friday for our tile selection and our colour appointment. Just like everything else so far it didn't go to plan. The drawings have not been finished with the problems we had from the tender appointment. The consultants thought it was best (and we kind of agree) that we can't finish at the Gallery until the drawings are correct. However the consultants we had at the Gallery were lovely. We learned that the facade that we chose - Kyoto - had extra features in the facade that we were not aware of and we asked to have them removed. We said we like the Kyoto at Berwick and they were able to match it pretty well with the brick, roof, cladding, we have not chosen wooden window frames (I love wooden window frames they look gorgeous) to save us some money. But at least the rest will look like the Berwick Kyoto. But we have to return in July to finish the gallery. We have not finished the laundry, kitchen, stairs and balcony, or the interior paint. with our tile selection we had and I hope I can mention her name Lara, she was wonderful. We were in and out very quickly and very happy with our standard tile choices and we only spent less than $400 extra. I was watching the other customer choosing his tiles. Before he made a decision he called someone on the phone, took photos, called the person back and took a long time to choose anything. Glad that wasn't our case. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 32Jun 10, 2011 2:48 pm Found out today that it is our legal right to be able to take the contract away with us before we sign it. Simonds and any other builder encourages you to sign it there and then and have a 5 day cooling off period, but the fact is that they can not stop you taking the contract away. I am testing this information out now. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 33Jun 10, 2011 5:44 pm edscl Found out today that it is our legal right to be able to take the contract away with us before we sign it. Simonds and any other builder encourages you to sign it there and then and have a 5 day cooling off period, but the fact is that they can not stop you taking the contract away. I am testing this information out now. Hi, that seems right, I was told by someone on this forum that your not allowed. Simonds told me that they let you keep a copy of the contract if you ask, I did, and it worked. That's why I never had problems with signing the contract, because I knew what I was signing. Jovi. Building Thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=45132 Build started/Site Cut 5/4/11 Concrete Slab 3/5/11 Bricks Started 24/5/11 Final Stage 3/7/11 Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 34Jun 10, 2011 6:23 pm I was talking to New Home Inspections today and they said this is a tactic by the builders and not only Simonds does this, she also said Porter Davis is another one and there are others. She said that if they try and stop me remind them that it is my legal right, and if they still don't want the contract to leave then to stand up and go. But she said I shouldn't have any issues. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 35Jun 11, 2011 12:43 am As per previous post we are doing a knock down and rebuild. Slowly I have been accumulating the costs associated with this. Underground Power pit $2,500 Underground Power pit for my neighbours (if Simonds wont go over my nature strip, which they should be able to) $2,500 Removal of existing street tree on nature strip $800 Demolition of existing house $10,900 Abolishment of gas and electricity $380 fencing around exiting pool $200 Asset protection permit $160 I keep thinking I have forgotten something but both the demolisher and Simonds has assured me that I haven't. This all has to be arranged by me. I have completed heaps of forms, drawn diagrams and emailed and faxed back to relevant authorities, and I am a little over it. All this has to be paid and completed before I sign the contract with Simonds, so that Simonds can start within a month of the contract being signed. But if all goes well our build will start in August, just in time for September the wettest month of the year hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 36Jun 11, 2011 1:31 pm Hi Barrett, thanks for you comments. If you have a thread or blog I would love to check it out. I find them interesting. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 37Jun 11, 2011 4:10 pm Jovi0990 edscl Found out today that it is our legal right to be able to take the contract away with us before we sign it. Simonds and any other builder encourages you to sign it there and then and have a 5 day cooling off period, but the fact is that they can not stop you taking the contract away. I am testing this information out now. Hi, that seems right, I was told by someone on this forum that your not allowed. Simonds told me that they let you keep a copy of the contract if you ask, I did, and it worked. That's why I never had problems with signing the contract, because I knew what I was signing. Jovi. Hi, Long to lurker first time poster, I to am in the process of wanting to building with Simonds I have my land which has not been titled yet. I will be doing my gallery appointment within the next month, and Simonds have booked me in for a contract signing soon after that, I have requested a copy of the contract before signing which they will do but I did get the impression that they were not happy about it as they will need to make two appointments, one where i pick up the contract and the other where i sign the contract. The only weird thing about the whole process is that Simonds want me to give them the 5% deposit before I sign the contract (1st appointment), I don't feel comfortable with this as I will return the unsigned contract to them if i find anything that I am not happy. I have never dealt with a contract that required a deposit for an unsigned contract Did anyone else experience this? Kind Regards Stone Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 38Jun 11, 2011 5:23 pm Quote: Long to lurker first time poster, I to am in the process of wanting to building with Simonds I have my land which has not been titled yet. I will be doing my gallery appointment within the next month, and Simonds have booked me in for a contract signing soon after that, I have requested a copy of the contract before signing which they will do but I did get the impression that they were not happy about it as they will need to make two appointments, one where i pick up the contract and the other where i sign the contract. The only weird thing about the whole process is that Simonds want me to give them the 5% deposit before I sign the contract (1st appointment), I don't feel comfortable with this as I will return the unsigned contract to them if i find anything that I am not happy. I have never dealt with a contract that required a deposit for an unsigned contract Did anyone else experience this? I wouldn't be leaving a deposit if I haven't signed the contract, we were told that the deposit is due after the contract is signed, off the top of my head I think they said within 5 working days, but I need to check that to be sure. Will get back to you on this before the long weekend is through. What house do you want to build? hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 39Jun 11, 2011 6:19 pm have been looking at the sample contract, 9.0 says " The owner must pay the builder the deposit set out in Item 3 of the Schedule 1 at the later of -the signing of the contract or -the issues of an insurance policy pursuant to sub clause 8.0 8.0 says " Until an insurance policy under section 135 of the building act has issues in respect of the building works; -neither party is able to enforce and provision of the contract and -no money is payable under this contract" I am taking all of to mean that insurance must be taken out before you can sign the contract and that the deposit is due when the contract is signed. I am not sure if I am right, maybe someone will correct me. hubby, kids and me all waiting for the Amberlea Site Cut 27 September 2011 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46637 http://www.dscml.com/ Re: Building Simonds Amberlea 40Jun 11, 2011 6:58 pm edscl have been looking at the sample contract, 9.0 says " The owner must pay the builder the deposit set out in Item 3 of the Schedule 1 at the later of -the signing of the contract or -the issues of an insurance policy pursuant to sub clause 8.0 8.0 says " Until an insurance policy under section 135 of the building act has issues in respect of the building works; -neither party is able to enforce and provision of the contract and -no money is payable under this contract" I am taking all of to mean that insurance must be taken out before you can sign the contract and that the deposit is due when the contract is signed. I am not sure if I am right, maybe someone will correct me. Thanks edscl I am going to be building the Leon, so I have been following Jovi's thread with great interest, I will chase this up with my CSR. The only other thing I am worried about is site costs as my land has not be titled yet they tell me they can not do the soil tests so they will just put in an estimate cost for this I am not to sure if my bank will accept this as they have asked for a fixed price contract. But I guess this is why we have a subject to finance clause. Sorry to derail your thread edscl Regards Stone go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110592 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11039 |