Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Porter Davis homes 1621Apr 20, 2011 11:03 pm I dont think the PM are going through - Snoffie we are building in Bundoora Site cut: 2 June 2010 Slab Poured: 2 Oct 2010 Frame Stage: 12 Oct 2010 Lock up: Dec 2010 Fixing Stage: March 2011 http://karasdreamhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1623Apr 21, 2011 12:17 pm Chorlton fingers crossed we had our inspection today with new home inspections and the gentlemen who came out to see the house was fantastic, he picked up so much that we hadnt, so worth the money so worth it, now the ball is in pd's court, well we will have the report by the end of the week and will forward a copy onto them in person next week for PCI.... people word of advise please get inspections completed at each stage, we unfortunately only did it at pre hand over stage Hi Fingers Crossed, I agree 100% with your comments about NHI. I'm using Kevin to inspect my home and have been extremely impressed with some of the points picked up by him. Luckily for me, none of them were too serious, but they were issues which I would never have picked up on due to my lack of building knowledge in this country !!! IMO, anyone spending the kind of money necessary to build a house these days should definately consider including the cost of an independant inspection during the build. I would highly recommend NHI services to others.... Chorlton I agree with both of you, best $1,500 I spent (3 inspections). Even though generally the house was well built, it was really good to get opinion from the expert & to know that the house is built to the Australian Standard. I highly recommend everyone to get independent inspector, especially for the frame/pre plaster stage because once the plaster is up you can't see anything behind it. __________________________________________ Built Camberwell 29 with PD - Hand Over was on 22/12/10 http://ssazcamberwell29.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1624Apr 21, 2011 12:25 pm Had my 3 month maintenance done. It was pretty painless, the guy from PD came & we went through the house together. There were only few things to be fixed, the alfresco door, leak in the bathroom and a rough floor board in the living room. The door was fixed without much problem. The plumber came yesterday & couldn't find the source of the leak, I had to tell him that the silicon seal at the back of the basin wasn't done. Floor board hasn't been fixed, either PD didn't arrange for Trueloc to come or Truelock didn't come. Anyway, I'm following that up with PD. We also had a leak when it rained heavily last week, just a minor one. Called PD & they sent someone to come in the next day. He couldn't find anything & suspected it was something to do with the Antenna. I went up the ceiling/roof cavity when it rained last night & found the leak, took photos of it & is now waiting for PD to get back to me. It wasn't the antenna, there must have been a tiny gap in the roof tiles when it was done. So far, I'm happy with PD's response for the 3 month maintenance. Will even be happier if the floor board & the leakage are fixed __________________________________________ Built Camberwell 29 with PD - Hand Over was on 22/12/10 http://ssazcamberwell29.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1625Apr 22, 2011 5:58 pm SSAZ Had my 3 month maintenance done. It was pretty painless, the guy from PD came & we went through the house together. There were only few things to be fixed, the alfresco door, leak in the bathroom and a rough floor board in the living room. The door was fixed without much problem. The plumber came yesterday & couldn't find the source of the leak, I had to tell him that the silicon seal at the back of the basin wasn't done. Floor board hasn't been fixed, either PD didn't arrange for Trueloc to come or Truelock didn't come. Anyway, I'm following that up with PD. We also had a leak when it rained heavily last week, just a minor one. Called PD & they sent someone to come in the next day. He couldn't find anything & suspected it was something to do with the Antenna. I went up the ceiling/roof cavity when it rained last night & found the leak, took photos of it & is now waiting for PD to get back to me. It wasn't the antenna, there must have been a tiny gap in the roof tiles when it was done. So far, I'm happy with PD's response for the 3 month maintenance. Will even be happier if the floor board & the leakage are fixed Good to see that they have had a positive outcome at the 3 month maintenance... Site cut: 2 June 2010 Slab Poured: 2 Oct 2010 Frame Stage: 12 Oct 2010 Lock up: Dec 2010 Fixing Stage: March 2011 http://karasdreamhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1626Apr 23, 2011 2:02 am [quote="flagstaffIV"] No you don't get provided with a phone number at handover. Did you get PD to dig the phoneline trench for you? If you haven't then you'll need to contact Vision Stream to get the trench organised and contact Telstra to connect it up for you. Perhaps test the phone number of the land sales centre in your area... and checkout Whirlpool forums for the providers that supply your area.[/quote] hi flagstaffIV We are getting pd to dig the trench, at a cost of course So is it after handover that we contact telstra? We are in a 'smart fibre optic' estate...will pd leave trench open and telstra will fill it in? Or do we need to contact telstra before we do handover and try to coordinate something with the ss? That would probably be too difficult to do hey? Also, our trench isn't dug yet, will it be done at the very end, like after pci? Sorry, hopeless with these final details!! I hope you can help, I had a look at your thread, your house is fab! Pos Re: Porter Davis homes 1627Apr 23, 2011 8:03 am Pos We are getting pd to dig the trench, at a cost of course So is it after handover that we contact telstra? We are in a 'smart fibre optic' estate...will pd leave trench open and telstra will fill it in? Or do we need to contact telstra before we do handover and try to coordinate something with the ss? That would probably be too difficult to do hey? Also, our trench isn't dug yet, will it be done at the very end, like after pci? Sorry, hopeless with these final details!! I hope you can help, I had a look at your thread, your house is fab! Pos Dunno about fibre optic, but PD did the telstra trench & cabling for us even though I don't use telstra. Basically if we are to use telstra all we need is call telstra & they will simply connect it without doing anymore cabling etc. It is done right at the end, like a week before PCI. You might want to check with your SS/CSC so that either the can leave the trench open or instal the conduit only without the cabling. __________________________________________ Built Camberwell 29 with PD - Hand Over was on 22/12/10 http://ssazcamberwell29.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1628Apr 23, 2011 1:30 pm SSAZ Pos We are getting pd to dig the trench, at a cost of course So is it after handover that we contact telstra? We are in a 'smart fibre optic' estate...will pd leave trench open and telstra will fill it in? Or do we need to contact telstra before we do handover and try to coordinate something with the ss? That would probably be too difficult to do hey? Also, our trench isn't dug yet, will it be done at the very end, like after pci? Sorry, hopeless with these final details!! I hope you can help, I had a look at your thread, your house is fab! Pos Dunno about fibre optic, but PD did the telstra trench & cabling for us even though I don't use telstra. Basically if we are to use telstra all we need is call telstra & they will simply connect it without doing anymore cabling etc. It is done right at the end, like a week before PCI. You might want to check with your SS/CSC so that either the can leave the trench open or instal the conduit only without the cabling. we have the phone line all the way to the house - this had been discussed prior to the signing of the contract...not sure how it works now and we signed in April 2010. Site cut: 2 June 2010 Slab Poured: 2 Oct 2010 Frame Stage: 12 Oct 2010 Lock up: Dec 2010 Fixing Stage: March 2011 http://karasdreamhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1629Apr 23, 2011 1:46 pm fingers crossed SSAZ Pos We are getting pd to dig the trench, at a cost of course So is it after handover that we contact telstra? We are in a 'smart fibre optic' estate...will pd leave trench open and telstra will fill it in? Or do we need to contact telstra before we do handover and try to coordinate something with the ss? That would probably be too difficult to do hey? Also, our trench isn't dug yet, will it be done at the very end, like after pci? Sorry, hopeless with these final details!! I hope you can help, I had a look at your thread, your house is fab! Pos Dunno about fibre optic, but PD did the telstra trench & cabling for us even though I don't use telstra. Basically if we are to use telstra all we need is call telstra & they will simply connect it without doing anymore cabling etc. It is done right at the end, like a week before PCI. You might want to check with your SS/CSC so that either the can leave the trench open or instal the conduit only without the cabling. we have the phone line all the way to the house - this had been discussed prior to the signing of the contract...not sure how it works now and we signed in April 2010. We had the same deal. Not sure how it works though. SSAZ, how did you go about connecting through another provider (not Telstra)? Porter Davis homes 1630Apr 23, 2011 3:13 pm SSAZ Pos We are getting pd to dig the trench, at a cost of course So is it after handover that we contact telstra? We are in a 'smart fibre optic' estate...will pd leave trench open and telstra will fill it in? Or do we need to contact telstra before we do handover and try to coordinate something with the ss? That would probably be too difficult to do hey? Also, our trench isn't dug yet, will it be done at the very end, like after pci? Sorry, hopeless with these final details!! I hope you can help, I had a look at your thread, your house is fab! Pos Dunno about fibre optic, but PD did the telstra trench & cabling for us even though I don't use telstra. Basically if we are to use telstra all we need is call telstra & they will simply connect it without doing anymore cabling etc. It is done right at the end, like a week before PCI. You might want to check with your SS/CSC so that either the can leave the trench open or instal the conduit only without the cabling. From my understanding, if you live in an estate where there is fibre optic cabling to the house (FTTH), PD offer a 'smart wiring pack' through Argus Technologies which will get the fibre terminated to the side of the house during construction, and a cabinet fitted in the garage where the fibre connection gets brought in and then split off to various services (FTA and Pay TV, www, security and landline). The cabling in your house is drawn back to this cabinet and 'patched' in to the appropriate service. If you live in a Telstra Smart Community you can then get those services provisioned by Telstra only (eg. Saltwater Coast in Point Cook), but if you live in a fibre optic estate which is not facilitated by Telstra (eg. OptiComm at Alamanda in Point Cook), then you have a variety of service providers you can use. Re: Porter Davis homes 1631Apr 23, 2011 9:36 pm Hi, we are building with Porter Davis and close to completion. But the whole construction process has been a complete nightmare. I would never chose PD again. Their display homes look very nice and the sales guys are usually quite fit, but when it comes to construction the nightmares started. They don't provide updates about the progress, are usually very quick with the invoices in the beginning but slow down to almost complete still stand in the end, when over weeks nothing happens. But worst is really that there is absolute no communications, we tried to call the admin girl and the construction supervisor but. They mostly don't answer the phone and only on very special lucky days return calls. They said that the painter finished, but when we checked many doors were not painted and still marks throughout the house. Very poor, I would definately not go with PD again. But good luck! Re: Porter Davis homes 1632Apr 24, 2011 12:50 am Ok, so we are in a telstra estate, so we have to go with them unfortunately. Maybe after the 12mt contract expires we can change over to a better provider! Ha! It's probably 24 mths lol! Anyway... So we did the argus thing too, so they will lay the cable in the conduit about a wk before PCI up to the house? And all the house has already been wired up to the "Box" in the garage. So it'll be play and play: as in I'll call telstra when we move in and tell em we're good to go...hopefully? Porter Davis homes 1633Apr 24, 2011 11:41 am Pos Ok, so we are in a telstra estate, so we have to go with them unfortunately. Maybe after the 12mt contract expires we can change over to a better provider! Ha! It's probably 24 mths lol! Anyway... So we did the argus thing too, so they will lay the cable in the conduit about a wk before PCI up to the house? And all the house has already been wired up to the "Box" in the garage. So it'll be play and play: as in I'll call telstra when we move in and tell em we're good to go...hopefully? Hi Pos, At this stage, if you're in a Telstra estate, they own the infrastructure and won't open it to other service providers, however, this may change in time. Not sure when the fibre gets terminated to the side of your house. It may already be there as part of the civil services that go in when the developer completes the subdivision for titling, and Argus or Telstra just terminate it neatly on the side of your house. Fibre is one of those materials that requires a specialist to draw and terminate, not just a sparky. Best to check with PD on the finer details of the process. Correct on the plug n play - but you will need Telstra to 'activate' your Internet / landline / foxtel as you choose. FTA TV should just work. Re: Porter Davis homes 1634Apr 24, 2011 3:18 pm andiro Hi, we are building with Porter Davis and close to completion. But the whole construction process has been a complete nightmare. I would never chose PD again. Their display homes look very nice and the sales guys are usually quite fit, but when it comes to construction the nightmares started. They don't provide updates about the progress, are usually very quick with the invoices in the beginning but slow down to almost complete still stand in the end, when over weeks nothing happens. But worst is really that there is absolute no communications, we tried to call the admin girl and the construction supervisor but. They mostly don't answer the phone and only on very special lucky days return calls. They said that the painter finished, but when we checked many doors were not painted and still marks throughout the house. Very poor, I would definately not go with PD again. But good luck! Hi Andiro we al know what you are going through,we are so close to completion, yet so far!!! start asking for managers who are higher up and keep diaries of the conversations you are trying to have... yes the invoicing is a classic... invoicing prior to completion of works, when we were asked to pay the invoice we told them that we would only pay once the stage was completed and then we were threatened with management pulling tradies off the house... we told told them to pull them off if thats what "management" wanted... dont pay the finial invoice until you are secure and sound that all has been completed - this is the only stage that we are consumers seem to have the upper hand... Site cut: 2 June 2010 Slab Poured: 2 Oct 2010 Frame Stage: 12 Oct 2010 Lock up: Dec 2010 Fixing Stage: March 2011 http://karasdreamhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1635Apr 25, 2011 11:41 pm dear fingers crossed - interested in you experience i am at exactly the same stage (just paid fixing stage). PD very difficult to deal with and definately invoicing ahead of schedule. Communication is limited. Did someone mention here a contractor who accompanies you on the final inspection to pick up details? Can you please post details of how to contact them? andiro Hi, we are building with Porter Davis and close to completion. But the whole construction process has been a complete nightmare. I would never chose PD again. Their display homes look very nice and the sales guys are usually quite fit, but when it comes to construction the nightmares started. They don't provide updates about the progress, are usually very quick with the invoices in the beginning but slow down to almost complete still stand in the end, when over weeks nothing happens. But worst is really that there is absolute no communications, we tried to call the admin girl and the construction supervisor but. They mostly don't answer the phone and only on very special lucky days return calls. They said that the painter finished, but when we checked many doors were not painted and still marks throughout the house. Very poor, I would definately not go with PD again. But good luck! Re: Porter Davis homes 1636Apr 26, 2011 12:09 am Hi building now, I think you may mean the building inspectors that some people hire at some stages of their build. For example, we are choosing to hire a private building inspector ($500-60, but totally worth it, by all accounts) at just the handover stage: about a week before PCI our inspector will have a look. You need to talk to your ss first though. Our guy is very reasonable, wants to be present at the inspection so that any issues may be answered or justified at the time. I do know, from reading thru this great forum that others get inspectors at other stages, slab and pre-plaster come to mind I hope this helps. Pos Re: Porter Davis homes 1637Apr 26, 2011 12:19 am Pos Hi building now, I think you may mean the building inspectors that some people hire at some stages of their build. For example, we are choosing to hire a private building inspector ($500-60, but totally worth it, by all accounts) at just the handover stage: about a week before PCI our inspector will have a look. You need to talk to your ss first though. Our guy is very reasonable, wants to be present at the inspection so that any issues may be answered or justified at the time. I do know, from reading thru this great forum that others get inspectors at other stages, slab and pre-plaster come to mind I hope this helps. Pos My SS was the other way around, he didn't want the independent inspector to be there when we went for PCI, instead we had the independent inspection in the morning followed by PCI in the afternoon on the same day. I also had Frame & Pre Plaster inspections & they were worth it. __________________________________________ Built Camberwell 29 with PD - Hand Over was on 22/12/10 http://ssazcamberwell29.blogspot.com/ Re: Porter Davis homes 1638Apr 26, 2011 12:53 am Thanks SSAZ for the tip - I guess you think you know what you're looking at but the experts can pick up things you miss. Does anyone have a good inspector I can hire in the Outer East of Melbourne for final inspection? I heard a horror story from someone this week who is in legal dispute with builder over poor drainage and floor lifting, The sort of thing you dont find out until after a heavy rain. Do you have the right to withhold the final payment until everything is corrected to your satisfaction? I guess you can't get the keys until all issues are resolved. Completion is due mid June. SSAZ Pos Hi building now, I think you may mean the building inspectors that some people hire at some stages of their build. For example, we are choosing to hire a private building inspector ($500-60, but totally worth it, by all accounts) at just the handover stage: about a week before PCI our inspector will have a look. You need to talk to your ss first though. Our guy is very reasonable, wants to be present at the inspection so that any issues may be answered or justified at the time. I do know, from reading thru this great forum that others get inspectors at other stages, slab and pre-plaster come to mind I hope this helps. Pos My SS was the other way around, he didn't want the independent inspector to be there when we went for PCI, instead we had the independent inspection in the morning followed by PCI in the afternoon on the same day. I also had Frame & Pre Plaster inspections & they were worth it. Re: Porter Davis homes 1639Apr 26, 2011 2:33 am Do you have the right to withhold the final payment until everything is corrected to your satisfaction? I guess you can't get the keys until all issues are resolved. Yes you certainly can withhold last payment. That payment is on the form of a cheque, rather than the usual bank deposit. You submit your invoice as per usual, I think the bank then does a valuation on the property and the cheque is drawn ( I stand corrected if this is not accurate) It means you don't get they keys yet, but you will have the power to get everything fixed before you handover the cash I am going to go with Kevin from new home inspections, http://www.newhomeinspections.com.au they service all of Melbourne. Lots of folk on here have recommended him. (i googled new home inspectors for other inspectors too) Hope this helps Pos Re: Porter Davis homes 1640Apr 26, 2011 8:19 am buildingnow Thanks SSAZ for the tip - I guess you think you know what you're looking at but the experts can pick up things you miss. Does anyone have a good inspector I can hire in the Outer East of Melbourne for final inspection? I heard a horror story from someone this week who is in legal dispute with builder over poor drainage and floor lifting, The sort of thing you dont find out until after a heavy rain. Do you have the right to withhold the final payment until everything is corrected to your satisfaction? I guess you can't get the keys until all issues are resolved. Completion is due mid June. I used New Home Inspections, they were great. Picked up a lot of things I wouldn't. According to the HIA Building Contract, you have to pay them once the job/stage is "completed". So if they've completed everything according to the definition of "complete" in the contract then you cannot withhold any payment. However if they haven't completed the building work in accordance to the contract then you do not have the obligation to pay them. If you intend to do it, please communicate with your SS, CSC & Accounts Department, don't forget to quote the relevant clauses in the contract as well. __________________________________________ Built Camberwell 29 with PD - Hand Over was on 22/12/10 http://ssazcamberwell29.blogspot.com/ Wow that is terrible about the insurance! I guess ideally proof of insurance should be provided prior to first deposit but I'd imagine they would refuse to be out of… 17 14222 There isn't any need to. As I wrote previously, there isn't a set term, there is just commencement based on earlier of contract signing or building permit issue and… 24 13373 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 6487 |