Porter Davis homes

joea · Sep 29, 2014 4:52 pm

newhouse101

When we had our contract appointment we ran out of time. Too much to cover off as we finally got firm prices on certain upgrades, plus it was the first time that we were shown what the kitchen / laundry / bathrooms would be like. No matter how much we asked for drawings beforehand, we just couldn't get them. We were able to take home all the documents and drawings to read through and we scheduled a second contract appointment for the nearest available which was a few weeks. We emailed though most of drawings changes ahead of the second appointment so that they could get it all ready, and they called it a closed contract appointment, with any further changes to be done as a PCV.

We were lucky enough that our BC sent us all the drawings prior to our appointment. Made it so much easier!

tlblhayward · Sep 29, 2014 4:53 pm

joea

newhouse101

When we had our contract appointment we ran out of time. Too much to cover off as we finally got firm prices on certain upgrades, plus it was the first time that we were shown what the kitchen / laundry / bathrooms would be like. No matter how much we asked for drawings beforehand, we just couldn't get them. We were able to take home all the documents and drawings to read through and we scheduled a second contract appointment for the nearest available which was a few weeks. We emailed though most of drawings changes ahead of the second appointment so that they could get it all ready, and they called it a closed contract appointment, with any further changes to be done as a PCV.

We were lucky enough that our BC sent us all the drawings prior to our appointment. Made it so much easier!

So no hassles then!?

joea · Sep 29, 2014 4:54 pm

sliick

This is good advise. In hindsight, I should have just asked everything to be documented as a PCV or email the list of outstanding changes to be applied later and just sign the contract then and there. There are so many PCVs that come afterwards anyway (I've had 3 or 4 already) that, as long as it is documented, it doesn't really make much difference if it is on the official contract or the PCV.

Good luck joea! Hope it is all going well!

Thanks sliick. All went relatively well. I will post up an update on our blog tonight or tomorrow.

Cheers for all the advice guys.

joea · Sep 29, 2014 4:56 pm

tlblhayward

joea

newhouse101

When we had our contract appointment we ran out of time. Too much to cover off as we finally got firm prices on certain upgrades, plus it was the first time that we were shown what the kitchen / laundry / bathrooms would be like. No matter how much we asked for drawings beforehand, we just couldn't get them. We were able to take home all the documents and drawings to read through and we scheduled a second contract appointment for the nearest available which was a few weeks. We emailed though most of drawings changes ahead of the second appointment so that they could get it all ready, and they called it a closed contract appointment, with any further changes to be done as a PCV.

We were lucky enough that our BC sent us all the drawings prior to our appointment. Made it so much easier!

So no hassles then!?

Sorry just spotted your last post!

Nah, was pretty much all smooth. We went overtime till about 2pm but that's because I'm a nut case checker.

Found a couple of things that were updated there and then and then couldn't find an error for the life of me! Good news I guess, just hope I didn't miss anything. I will review it tonight again.

:z:

MummaDJ · Sep 29, 2014 5:14 pm

sliick

mushrae

thanks for all the reply.
but all my building coordinator say is : that is for the airflow of the roof and you don't have to have that.
but I feel like if every other houses has it, for mine they just forgot to install it...Any suggestion what I can do please?

thanks

You need to specify it at Tender otherwise they just vent to the roof.

Mushrae - I suggest contacting your Independent Inspectors (II) and asking their advice, am sure that they would help. Also put it on your list of things for the II to check at the next inspection.

tai27 · Sep 29, 2014 10:51 pm

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p575/tait27/IMG_2411_zps63176e7e.jpg

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p575/tait27/IMG_2410_zpse2a46a44.jpg

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p575/tait27/IMG_2409_zps962ab47d.jpg

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p575/tait27/IMG_2408_zps68dfc950.jpg

Mould of some sort inside silcone/caulking. Please don't tell me this is normal after a year of use? Starting to think our entire showers have not properly been sealed. This is what happened earlier this year and PD fixed as they believed it wasn't sealed properly either:

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p575/tait27/image_zpsff72c21c.jpeg

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p575/tait27/image2_zps097168d5.jpeg

tai27 · Sep 30, 2014 9:48 am

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. We've had excess leaking downpipes for over a year now and it's taken Porter Davis nearly a year for someone to come out. Now their solution is to silicone the downpipes, yes sure it's an easy fix for Porter Davis as it's less costly but this is just unacceptable for them installing it incorrectly in the first place. I don't bloody see any other new house, neighbours etc with silicone on their downpipes. Apparently we have to fork out OUR own money to get new downpipes done.

Where can I escalate this because from all the issues that I have overcome with Porter Davis so far is either being ignored or going no where.

FIX IT.

jlo · Sep 30, 2014 11:38 am

Anybody have a similar experience and can share their advice on the following?

We finally reached PCI and I was shocked by what an uncomfortable experience the inspection was for both my partner and I. We had hired a third party inspector to assist, as I got no idea on structural and building code items, and the first thing that happens is a huge argument ensues between the SS and the inspector.

After that the remainder of the inspection was awkward and now with all parties obviously upset, I am worried at how seriously these issues with the dwelling will be looked into and resolved.

For example our garage wall is zero boundary and my inspector advised earlier at frame stage that since this dwelling is lower it will need to have extra support inbuilt to hold up the earth on my neighbours side, which PD simply dismissed because they tell me that someone in the office tells them it didn’t need to be done. Now I am suspicious as to whether this seriously was a defect within the build which required to be fixed and that it was simply dismissed because they don’t like the inspector who found it.

joea · Sep 30, 2014 12:21 pm

jlo

Anybody have a similar experience and can share their advice on the following?

We finally reached PCI and I was shocked by what an uncomfortable experience the inspection was for both my partner and I. We had hired a third party inspector to assist, as I got no idea on structural and building code items, and the first thing that happens is a huge argument ensues between the SS and the inspector.

After that the remainder of the inspection was awkward and now with all parties obviously upset, I am worried at how seriously these issues with the dwelling will be looked into and resolved.

For example our garage wall is zero boundary and my inspector advised earlier at frame stage that since this dwelling is lower it will need to have extra support inbuilt to hold up the earth on my neighbours side, which PD simply dismissed because they tell me that someone in the office tells them it didn’t need to be done. Now I am suspicious as to whether this seriously was a defect within the build which required to be fixed and that it was simply dismissed because they don’t like the inspector who found it.

That sucks! Your inspector needs to ensure he remains calm to make sure all the issues are resolved.

I know we originally got given plans to build right on the boundary but I rejected because I was concerned about site drainage. Even though it's not much, we now are 200mm from the boundary which is the maximum allowable distance when your are building 'on the boundary' if that makes sense.

Which inspector did you use? If you can PM me that would be great as we are about to appoint one and it's good to get some feedback.

Cheers.

sliick · Sep 30, 2014 12:33 pm

joea

jlo

Anybody have a similar experience and can share their advice on the following?

We finally reached PCI and I was shocked by what an uncomfortable experience the inspection was for both my partner and I. We had hired a third party inspector to assist, as I got no idea on structural and building code items, and the first thing that happens is a huge argument ensues between the SS and the inspector.

After that the remainder of the inspection was awkward and now with all parties obviously upset, I am worried at how seriously these issues with the dwelling will be looked into and resolved.

For example our garage wall is zero boundary and my inspector advised earlier at frame stage that since this dwelling is lower it will need to have extra support inbuilt to hold up the earth on my neighbours side, which PD simply dismissed because they tell me that someone in the office tells them it didn’t need to be done. Now I am suspicious as to whether this seriously was a defect within the build which required to be fixed and that it was simply dismissed because they don’t like the inspector who found it.

That sucks! Your inspector needs to ensure he remains calm to make sure all the issues are resolved.

I know we originally got given plans to build right on the boundary but I rejected because I was concerned about site drainage. Even though it's not much, we now are 200mm from the boundary which is the maximum allowable distance when your are building 'on the boundary' if that makes sense.

Which inspector did you use? If you can PM me that would be great as we are about to appoint one and it's good to get some feedback.

Cheers.

ye. The inspector really needs to stay impartial and just do his job rather than put your relationship with the builder at risk.

Regarding the garage boundary, we're also on a slope and we've had a double brick retaining wall about knee high built for the garage.

jlo · Sep 30, 2014 1:11 pm

sliick

joea

jlo

Anybody have a similar experience and can share their advice on the following?

We finally reached PCI and I was shocked by what an uncomfortable experience the inspection was for both my partner and I. We had hired a third party inspector to assist, as I got no idea on structural and building code items, and the first thing that happens is a huge argument ensues between the SS and the inspector.

After that the remainder of the inspection was awkward and now with all parties obviously upset, I am worried at how seriously these issues with the dwelling will be looked into and resolved.

For example our garage wall is zero boundary and my inspector advised earlier at frame stage that since this dwelling is lower it will need to have extra support inbuilt to hold up the earth on my neighbours side, which PD simply dismissed because they tell me that someone in the office tells them it didn’t need to be done. Now I am suspicious as to whether this seriously was a defect within the build which required to be fixed and that it was simply dismissed because they don’t like the inspector who found it.

That sucks! Your inspector needs to ensure he remains calm to make sure all the issues are resolved.

I know we originally got given plans to build right on the boundary but I rejected because I was concerned about site drainage. Even though it's not much, we now are 200mm from the boundary which is the maximum allowable distance when your are building 'on the boundary' if that makes sense.

Which inspector did you use? If you can PM me that would be great as we are about to appoint one and it's good to get some feedback.

Cheers.

ye. The inspector really needs to stay impartial and just do his job rather than put your relationship with the builder at risk.

Regarding the garage boundary, we're also on a slope and we've had a double brick retaining wall about knee high built for the garage.

So the inspector was correct? That boundry wall should have had extra support added in to it? I was warned that it will slowly get water damage and weight stress damage and 10 years time it will crack and fall apart.

joea · Sep 30, 2014 1:23 pm

jlo

So the inspector was correct? That boundry wall should have had extra support added in to it? I was warned that it will slowly get water damage and weight stress damage and 10 years time it will crack and fall apart.

I'm not sure about 'extra support'. All I know is that the BCA states that a minimum of 1m slope away from the slab edge (dwelling?) and that drainage needs to be at that distance too.

If you have your slab right on the boundary you cannot control what your neighbor does on the other end. For all you know they could slope it away from their slab and onto yours so that the water just pools up on your end. Sorry I don't mean to scare you but that's a possibility.

Any chance of sharing who was the inspector?

jlo · Sep 30, 2014 1:29 pm

I sent a PM earlier but it clearly didn't work. I'll attempt to do it again now

joea · Sep 30, 2014 1:43 pm

jlo

I sent a PM earlier but it clearly didn't work. I'll attempt to do it again now

Thank you

sim_r32 · Sep 30, 2014 6:55 pm

Hey guys we're nearly at lock up with our home in Clyde. There's been a few hiccups along the way, but we're getting there slowly.
Over the weekend we went to have a look over the place and noticed the front upstairs window bricking seems to be a different colour.
They are using these lighter bricks on the part that's getting rendered but looks as though they're using them in other spots too!
The bottom of this window is hard to see from the road but now we know it's there is it unreasonable to want it fixed?!
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tlblhayward · Sep 30, 2014 7:01 pm

Get them replaced... they are not the bricks you chose.

joea · Sep 30, 2014 7:14 pm

tlblhayward

Get them replaced... they are not the bricks you chose.

Couldn't agree more.

joea · Sep 30, 2014 8:21 pm

Hi All,

We found out yesterday that our splash back cannot be one piece as it is over 3m long. We opted to have one 3m piece in the middle and the balance split up on either side. So total of two joins. Annoying really but seems like we have no other options and we didn't find a tile we liked.

Any advice from anyone that is/was in a similar situation? I know this has been covered before but couldn't find any other options given.

Cheers!

tlblhayward · Sep 30, 2014 8:22 pm

joea

Hi All,

We found out yesterday that our splash back cannot be one piece as it is over 3m long. We opted to have one 3m piece in the middle and the balance split up on either side. So total of two joins. Annoying really but seems like we have no other options and we didn't find a tile we liked.

Any advice from anyone that is/was in a similar situation? I know this has been covered before but couldn't find any other options given.

Cheers!

You've pretty much covered everything that I would have said.

joea · Sep 30, 2014 8:24 pm

tlblhayward

joea

Hi All,

We found out yesterday that our splash back cannot be one piece as it is over 3m long. We opted to have one 3m piece in the middle and the balance split up on either side. So total of two joins. Annoying really but seems like we have no other options and we didn't find a tile we liked.

Any advice from anyone that is/was in a similar situation? I know this has been covered before but couldn't find any other options given.

Cheers!

You've pretty much covered everything that I would have said.

Cool as long as there are no other options we have missed. Thanks.