Porter Davis homes

fingers crossed · Mar 04, 2011 1:24 pm

Team PD

fingers crossed

Just wondering - we are up to fit off stage - where Mirrors, shower screens, power points etc will start to go in and be fitted off. how long would this take -

Hi fingers crossed,

This is probably a question your CSA will be able to help you with. Just ask them for a rough estimate on your timeframe for fixing stage as the duration is unique to your particular build. Every house is different depending on size and variations. Also it's dependent on weather and availability of trades. Cheers, Jess.

Hi Jess
Thanks

karmaz · Mar 04, 2011 4:00 pm

Just to say we had our PCI today. Again lots of minor issues that should be attended to shortly. The big one is that our neighbours have cut under our garage and that is noted so our occupancy cert will not be issued until they and a certain builder "H" fix it. Needless to say I've been to BACV and on on "H"'s case and the guy there has been good. He got back to say they start the underpinning (fixing) work on Tuesday, hopefully. The big day is scheduled for some time next week.
I might do a blog post with the things I've learned about PCI's later tonight. For now, I might take a nana nap as its my day off.
Jess, thanks for getting the toilet issue sorted. Our SS advised that he will replace all our toilets. It is good to see that PD lives up to what one would expect of them.
Happy builds all!!

tstr1a · Mar 04, 2011 4:09 pm

karmaz

Just to say we had our PCI today. Again lots of minor issues that should be attended to shortly. The big one is that our neighbours have cut under our garage and that is noted so our occupancy cert will not be issued until they and a certain builder "H" fix it. Needless to say I've been to BACV and on on "H"'s case and the guy there has been good. He got back to say they start the underpinning (fixing) work on Tuesday, hopefully. The big day is scheduled for some time next week.
I might do a blog post with the things I've learned about PCI's later tonight. For now, I might take a nana nap as its my day off.
Jess, thanks for getting the toilet issue sorted. Our SS advised that he will replace all our toilets. It is good to see that PD lives up to what one would expect of them.
Happy builds all!!

Congrats on the new place. I glad its been a good experience with your build. I can’t believe that PD literally finished your place (from site start) ion 30 weeks. Is this earlier than expected?How would you rate the quality of your build?

Team PD · Mar 04, 2011 5:12 pm

cmac

Hi Jess,

Can you please check out the site for people building at Harcrest? There are some serious issues with the bricks offered by PD and Mirvac Design Guidelines. PD offers only 2 choices out of 6 from the Austral Bricks range and they are both upgrades.
Here is the link. Thank you.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43074&start=60

Hi cmac,

Thank you for bringing that thread to my attention. I have read through the comments regarding the Mirvac design guidelines in relation to Porter Davis Homes and will be passing on your feedback to the relevant staff at PD to review. If you haven't already addressed this to your CSA, then it would be a good idea to bring this to their attention, I also recommend submitting a detailed description of your thoughts in writing so that they have a clear understanding of the issue at hand. Keep me updated with how everything goes. Cheers, Jess.

Team PD · Mar 04, 2011 5:15 pm

46fan

Team PD

lastone

Hi again

Insulation: we're about to put down a depoist with PD and I've only just realised just now that it seems that PD do not insulate walls as standard ::surprise::

Is this right? And has anyone added insulation to the contract and roughly what did it cost?

Also, are you happy with the heating unit?

Hi lastone,

To help answer your question, walling insulation is not a standard inclusion. All Porter Davis homes come complete with R2.5 ceiling insulation batts as standard. If you want to further insulate, speak to your sales consultant about your insulation upgrade options, including walling insulation. You can find more info on insulation the Porter Davis Blog: http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/?s=insulate

Cheers, Jess.

Jess, are you sure its the R 2.5 ceiling insulation batts? coz we have been given loose Cellulose. I too was under this impression that we were to receive batts but wasn't the case.

Hi 46fan,

To confirm, we only recently began including the ceiling insulation batts as standard and it applies to all clients that signed up after this was introduced. For those clients receiving blow in as standard, be assured it does have the same R2.5 rating as the batts. Cheers, Jess.

fingers crossed · Mar 04, 2011 7:06 pm

Just measured the niches in the ensuites and surprise surprise they arent the measurements as per our contract!!! Seriously where are the quality controls with this builder!!!!!

Over it!!!!

fingers crossed · Mar 04, 2011 7:21 pm

MelNRob

Hi All,

Have been reading this thread over the last couple of days and found it very useful! My other half and i are building with PD (the Waldorf 44) on our own land. Knocking down the existing in February and looking at site start in April 2011. It's still early days yet with PD but i think after all the good and bad things i have read, will be well equipped on what to ask/look for when dealing with PD/SS etc over the coming months. Like in any business, you have the good and the bad, it's just how you deal with the situation that is important. Work on finding a solution is key, not dwell on the problems.

I haven't read of anyone building the Waldorf on here but if anyone has built the Marriott (Which is similar but we couldn't fit it on our block) would love to hear of any additions/options that you have done?

I'm also inspired to start up a blog as most have done...this is our forever home so would love to have the project documented.

Cheers,

Mel

Hi Mel
we are currentlly building the Marriott
Love the design
we added sliding doors to the rear of the house and made the sliding doors off the mater bedroom llarger

fingers crossed · Mar 04, 2011 7:23 pm

astro81

maryanne.kara

Hi
My family and I have just signed onto Porter Davis - we looked around and the floor plans were the one that suited us best - this is thefirst time we have eve built -we are building the Marriott 44 has any one got any advise for us as a heads up?
we are building at Uni Hill in Bundoora and were surprised to see that they had tried to double up in the cost that we had already included - took us a few days to get things right - but hopefully we are over the hard bits

Hi maryanne.kara, I'm also building at University Hill with Porter Davis, they started building about 3 weeks ago. It's my second time building but first time with a volume builder, the best advice that I can give you is not to take no for an answer. They tend to say no to everything to save themselves hassle but if you really want something and it's a reasonable request there's no reason they can't make a change here and there, just be prepared to fight for it.

Hi astro81
are you in yet???
cause we arent

vinedoc · Mar 04, 2011 7:29 pm

My friend's son works for Porter Davis and he is a gun! He is well respected by them and he does a fantastic job. However, Ithink that others employed by them do not measure up as well. I hope you get a house that is supervised by him! I know that a lot of supervisors quit very quickly.

Lunchtime · Mar 04, 2011 10:08 pm

fingers crossed

Just measured the niches in the ensuites and surprise surprise they arent the measurements as per our contract!!! Seriously where are the quality controls with this builder!!!!!

Over it!!!!

I think you will find that the niches are frame measurements and that there is a bit of a difference due to tiles, water proofing, gyprock (or whatever they use in bathrooms)

Its the same as the hights, our 2590 high ceilings are not 2590. In fact, I would be interested in hearing what actual hight people ended up with

excitednewhomeowner · Mar 04, 2011 10:27 pm

fingers crossed

Just measured the niches in the ensuites and surprise surprise they arent the measurements as per our contract!!! Seriously where are the quality controls with this builder!!!!!

Over it!!!!

How much are they out by?

fingers crossed · Mar 05, 2011 7:57 am

excitednewhomeowner

fingers crossed

Just measured the niches in the ensuites and surprise surprise they arent the measurements as per our contract!!! Seriously where are the quality controls with this builder!!!!!

Over it!!!!

How much are they out by?

reading it - it does say at timber dimensions - but i am surprised that 2 of the niches are quite different in measurements 425 x 425 is what they should be - one is 380 x less than 400... and i cant remeber the other one will go back and re measure

Miss Piggy · Mar 05, 2011 10:29 am

Lunchtime

Victoria_g06

Lunchtime

If anyone is building the Platinum promotion with PD, can you advise if the network controller is 2 units or 1

thanks

Network controller? Do you mean the heating and cooling?

Yes, thats right. It was part of the promotional upgrades and I was kind of expecting it would be one unit that does both but apparently this isnt correct so just wanted to check

Yes that is right one controller that controls the heating and cooling

lastone · Mar 05, 2011 10:39 pm

Vinedoc - just make sure your friend's son comes our way then. What does he do for them?
We've just put down our deposit this week - got in under the old promotion. I'm still a little hesitant, but I would be no matter what. I'm dreading the selections and all that. I have no idea what I'm after for decor and I don't trust myself to make a call on it. Our land doesn't title till Nov. It seems so far away. In the meantime we have to find somewhere to rent.
There's a lot we'd like to upgrade, insulation, heating and we will fiddle with doors and windows to suit the block better. We've selected the Hebel option, which I believe has since been removed. Has anyone here taken Hebel?

Victoria_g06 · Mar 06, 2011 8:57 am

Lunchtime

Victoria_g06

Lunchtime

If anyone is building the Platinum promotion with PD, can you advise if the network controller is 2 units or 1

thanks

Network controller? Do you mean the heating and cooling?

Yes, thats right. It was part of the promotional upgrades and I was kind of expecting it would be one unit that does both but apparently this isnt correct so just wanted to check

Sorry Lunchtime for getting back to you so late, I had a look a my house and I have two controllers. One for Cooling and one for heating.

Lunchtime · Mar 06, 2011 10:15 am

Sorry Lunchtime for getting back to you so late, I had a look a my house and I have two controllers. One for Cooling and one for heating.[/quote]

No problems, thanks for taking the time to respond.

Our handover (hopefully) is next tuesday, as of 12pm Saturday, the bifolds are still unpainted, paint still on bricks, beams in the alfresco area are still unpainted, lights in the kitchen have yet to be changed to match, the front door rattles. And this was picked up from a 2 minute walk around the outside. My SS knows how to make me nervous

Im pleased I have not given notice on my rental yet

Victoria_g06 · Mar 06, 2011 11:56 am

Lunchtime

Sorry Lunchtime for getting back to you so late, I had a look a my house and I have two controllers. One for Cooling and one for heating.

No problems, thanks for taking the time to respond.

Our handover (hopefully) is next tuesday, as of 12pm Saturday, the bifolds are still unpainted, paint still on bricks, beams in the alfresco area are still unpainted, lights in the kitchen have yet to be changed to match. And this was picked up from a 2 minute walk around the outside. My SS knows how to make me nervous

Im pleased I have not given notice on my rental yet[/quote]

Yeah, I know.. I wont be giving notice until I know everything is fixed and ready to go..

Team PD · Mar 07, 2011 11:26 am

luke11

From what I can gather the ‘Porter Davis Complete’ is the better deal compared with the new deal ‘Porter Davis Simplicity’.
In this new deal you may save 5-6k on the starting price but are missing a lot of extras included in the ‘Complete package’ which I estimate over 6k for example high ceilings and the option to have Evaporative Cooling or the floor covering (Kitchen deal is included in the Simplicity package) plus fly screen to all opening windows and $10,000 site cost included etc. The Simplicity plus deal has only $8,000 site cost included.

I paid my deposit last week and I am glad I did now to lock is the ‘Complete deal’

Hi Luke,

Glad to see you on the HomeOne forum. Congrats on paying your deposit and locking in the Porter Davis Complete promotion, which house did you end up settling on? I understand it was a toss up between the Livingstone 27 & the Lisbon 24. This forum is a great place to ask questions and get some good feedback. I look forward to hearing about your progress, keep us updated.

Goodluck with it all, Jess.

Team PD · Mar 07, 2011 11:51 am

lastone

Can anyone give me the details of the gas ducted heating unit that PD is installing in their Lifestyle homes? I've been told it's a Brivis but that's all I know. We're still debating whether we lock in with PD this week before the price rise so I'm trying to sort out some of my outstanding issues. Another one is whether to use Heble. Has anyone done this?

Hi lastone,

We have some info on Evap cooling on the PD blog, check it out here:
http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/index.ph ... -hot-then/

and a blog post on Hebel: http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/index.ph ... your-home/

Also, your sales consultant can provide you with further details, if you want to give them a call they'll be happy to help answer your questions. Cheers, Jess.

JPZ · Mar 07, 2011 12:53 pm

George's

Does anyone have an idea about how we can request a new CSA?
After 2 months re-writing PCV's for things that were raised at Tender and not recorded properly, we are now having issues on site with Materials being wrong, and this is delaying the trades. The SS blames the office and the CSA blames someone else

The worst part is being told little white ******, to justify PD's position on things that are wrong. I shouldn't need to ask for the correct plans to be placed onsite for the trades 5 times ::angry::

Haha. Sounds like we've got the same CSC. Great... Gives me less confidence about the build. I had similar troubles during the tender/contract stages with amendments given 2 weeks before contract not made till 2 months after contract. Then we finally get a start date a month after the guaranteed site start in Jan.

We're currently at slab stage. PD's fantastic land surveyor (who did the land survey a few months ago) picked up that the neighbour is encroaching on our land. This was not translated to the drafting team and issue was not addressed till the concreters went on site during the slab works. Building has been halted for a week and a half (despite the SS saying it will halt for 1 week to redraw the plans and get everything in order). My CSC just emailed me on Friday saying she's been away sick all week but have sent out the amended drawings on Friday. Wonderful...

I was actually feeling more positive about the build as we met the SS and he seems rather nice. Since the build started, I thought that will be the end of my contact with my CSC and all will go smoothly...

And the little white ******... I still don't know who was at fault with the survey results not showing on our plans. Its bad enough to lose 10sqm of land, worse still to not being given a satisfactory explanation (no explanation at all, not even an apology) and wasting who knows how many weeks of site delay.

I don't know whether to laugh or to cry...

George, pm Jess. She's lovely. I'll too by Wed if I still don't receive those amended drawings and a call to tell me what is happening...