Porter Davis homes

nikil · Feb 25, 2017 10:12 am

That's really annoying, Have you asked them how much it will cost to do it? The charge may not end up being to much? I might be worth it if its really going have a big impact on the look of the house.

Naama · Feb 25, 2017 10:23 am

nikil

That's really annoying, Have you asked them how much it will cost to do it? The charge may not end up being to much? I might be worth it if its really going have a big impact on the look of the house.

I'll ask only if they wont budge at all as a last resort and then make my decision.

nikil · Feb 25, 2017 2:54 pm

We have our contract appointment on Tuesday, 28th Feb. PD have not yet done the second soil test, which is what will determine the site costs. I'm assuming they won't have it completed and gotten the results by then? Will they cancel our contract appointment? Has anyone been in a situation like this?

Hurrow · Feb 25, 2017 3:37 pm

nikil

We have our contract appointment on Tuesday, 28th Feb. PD have not yet done the second soil test, which is what will determine the site costs. I'm assuming they won't have it completed and gotten the results by then? Will they cancel our contract appointment? Has anyone been in a situation like this?

I believe they do a contract variation after the actual contract for any changes to site costs. Which to me means that if the cost goes up they'll do a variation, but if it's cheaper than expected they have no incentive to reduce it for you. But maybe that's just me being a cynic.

nikil · Feb 25, 2017 3:48 pm

I'm inclined to be cynical with you on that. That's exactly what I'm worried about as the lady who did our tender appointment was pretty confident there would be a reduction in our site costs once we finished the demolition and removed all the trees and bushes from the block as there was a lot of them.

Hurrow · Feb 25, 2017 3:52 pm

nikil

I'm inclined to be cynical with you on that. That's exactly what I'm worried about as the lady who did our tender appointment was pretty confident there would be a reduction in our site costs once we finished the demolition and removed all the trees and bushes from the block as there was a lot of them.

What you could do is just put the site costs down in the contract as some sort of minimal amount so that they're going to have to increase it no matter what, but that way if there would have been a reduction vs whatever you have in your quote they have to pass it on? Does that make sense?

lizbf85 · Feb 25, 2017 4:41 pm

nikil

I'm inclined to be cynical with you on that. That's exactly what I'm worried about as the lady who did our tender appointment was pretty confident there would be a reduction in our site costs once we finished the demolition and removed all the trees and bushes from the block as there was a lot of them.

If i were u i wouldn't be going to contract or signing a thing until that was completed. If you do and its confirmed after you sign even if a variation is created you still dont have 100% facts on your site. Anything could happen and youd be locked into your contract. Tender presenters are full of it. They know nothing technical nor do they know what the outcomes are at contract as those costs are all confirmed by your bc. Id be cautious. As keen as you are to get things moving id be really considering discussing it with them to ensure its final at contract. Better to be safe than sorry!
I actually dont even know if they can do that as site costs are usally the decider for most.

Good luck

nikil · Feb 25, 2017 5:52 pm

I agree with you Liz, only problem is we need to contract to have the mortgage released which is also paying for the demolition.

The demolition that was supposed to be finished yesterday. We just drove past on the way home from work and found it's not finished!

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lizbf85 · Feb 25, 2017 7:49 pm

nikil

I agree with you Liz, only problem is we need to contract to have the mortgage released which is also paying for the demolition.

The demolition that was supposed to be finished yesterday. We just drove past on the way home from work and found it's not finished!

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Ah i see. Thats a shame! I guess then its one of those things that ull just have to hope like hell that second soil doesnt uncover anything too severe causing either further reinforcements to your slab or anything else for that matter. We too were told by tender lady that we shouldn't need screw piles but we did and only after contract did they bring up our lpod and the extra 11k costs. Its a joke! Uve just gotta be prepared to cut back on selections if budget is non negotiable. Have they advised your lpod is all good? It might be worth asking if not to avoid any issues with that post contact.

lizbf85 · Feb 25, 2017 8:24 pm

Unfortunately ive been too baffled to even think about what happened on thur at our pci let alone share but a few have pm me to ask..

We turned up just before our scheduled time and met with our private inspector. He started worked on the external which was quite clear he was unimpressed to say the least. We weren't surprised. 35 defects were picked up, some things that also werent a quick fix!! He advised us its not even close to complete. Houses our size have usually 25 max and he hadnt even got inside. ( get an inspectior they are ur best investment ever!!!!)

We also joked about which contractor wasnt paid due to the damage to our house. It was very clear a brick hammer was used to do it. Of course no proof and it is what it is... so there we were still waiting. Half an hour late our hopeless SS still a no show, we call the office and finally get hold of someone.

Wait for it.......
Oh hes left the company.. ah sorry what? Yes his last day was Wednesday!!!!!
In that split second it all finally made sense. anger, frustration and also a bit of relief hit us both. My husband finally got to speak to the manager that also aparently knew nothing of our issues so that confirms everything we were told for the last 3 months was all bs. EVERYTHING!

It seems we also werent the only couple standing at their house thur morning wiating for the same ss to arrive. Others were too..it seems like it was all a big set up. It was complete chaos! No mention or confirmation of his departure and understandably that's none of our business but it all seems coincidence that our property is also damaged two days prior. Our confident guess is that we've found the culprit. Management were very apologetic but at this rate its going to take more than an appology to come back from this.

Meeting monday with the head to discuss what happens from here. Disgusted is an understatement.

icat2000 · Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

I just signed up today. Have been reading and following the forum for a couple of months researching and trying to work through selecting land and a builder.

I'm really sorry to read lizbf85about the multiple issues you have suffered with Porter Davis. I haven't had great experience dealing with them doing the quote stage and the sales person hasn't even bothered to get back to me after a couple of weeks. And reading through this thread and other people dramas with this company I am about to strike a big fat line through them.

I would be furious, with them. The damage to your house, the ongoing issues. The failure of them to contact you and advise that the SS had left their employment. Just so unprofesional for a large volume builder. You have to wonder about their quality control.

I hope you have some resolution to this on Monday. All the best.

Sarah

Waldorf_Grange_Build · Feb 25, 2017 9:28 pm

Hurrow

nikil

We have our contract appointment on Tuesday, 28th Feb. PD have not yet done the second soil test, which is what will determine the site costs. I'm assuming they won't have it completed and gotten the results by then? Will they cancel our contract appointment? Has anyone been in a situation like this?

I believe they do a contract variation after the actual contract for any changes to site costs. Which to me means that if the cost goes up they'll do a variation, but if it's cheaper than expected they have no incentive to reduce it for you. But maybe that's just me being a cynic.

We signed our contract months ago but just got informed after a recent soil test our site costs were being reduced by over $6000. Our building coordinator sent through a building variation yesterday for us to sign.

F1natic · Feb 25, 2017 11:23 pm

nikil

We have our contract appointment on Tuesday, 28th Feb. PD have not yet done the second soil test, which is what will determine the site costs. I'm assuming they won't have it completed and gotten the results by then? Will they cancel our contract appointment? Has anyone been in a situation like this?

As we are doing a knock down rebuild we also had to sign the contract before the second soil test as it couldn't be done until the house was gone, you just have to hope the first gave them enough to do a decent estimate. Our site costs also came in $7000 less, it just goes through as a variation and the last payment is adjusted.

nikil · Feb 26, 2017 5:28 am

Thanks for the replies guys, that has really made me feel a lot better about signing, at the moment they have included a lot in our slab including screw piles and deepened edge beams and various other things so I think they have been very over cautious with it as we have been very clear with them from the start that we have a certain budget and we'd rather they over estimated to begin with.

Hurrow · Feb 26, 2017 6:11 am

lizbf85

Unfortunately ive been too baffled to even think about what happened on thur at our pci let alone share but a few have pm me to ask..

We turned up just before our scheduled time and met with our private inspector. He started worked on the external which was quite clear he was unimpressed to say the least. We weren't surprised. 35 defects were picked up, some things that also werent a quick fix!! He advised us its not even close to complete. Houses our size have usually 25 max and he hadnt even got inside. ( get an inspectior they are ur best investment ever!!!!)

We also joked about which contractor wasnt paid due to the damage to our house. It was very clear a brick hammer was used to do it. Of course no proof and it is what it is... so there we were still waiting. Half an hour late our hopeless SS still a no show, we call the office and finally get hold of someone.

Wait for it.......
Oh hes left the company.. ah sorry what? Yes his last day was Wednesday!!!!!
In that split second it all finally made sense. anger, frustration and also a bit of relief hit us both. My husband finally got to speak to the manager that also aparently knew nothing of our issues so that confirms everything we were told for the last 3 months was all bs. EVERYTHING!

It seems we also werent the only couple standing at their house thur morning wiating for the same ss to arrive. Others were too..it seems like it was all a big set up. It was complete chaos! No mention or confirmation of his departure and understandably that's none of our business but it all seems coincidence that our property is also damaged two days prior. Our confident guess is that we've found the culprit. Management were very apologetic but at this rate its going to take more than an appology to come back from this.

Meeting monday with the head to discuss what happens from here. Disgusted is an understatement.

Jeez what a palaver the whole process has been for you! Hopefully PD come to the party and get everything sorted out as quickly as possible for you.

What's the difference between a private inspector and the ones PD recommend for you? We got some paperwork a while back that had three different companies to choose from, is your private inspector on top of that? And who did you use for the inspections?

lizbf85 · Feb 26, 2017 7:33 am

Hurrow

lizbf85

Unfortunately ive been too baffled to even think about what happened on thur at our pci let alone share but a few have pm me to ask..

We turned up just before our scheduled time and met with our private inspector. He started worked on the external which was quite clear he was unimpressed to say the least. We weren't surprised. 35 defects were picked up, some things that also werent a quick fix!! He advised us its not even close to complete. Houses our size have usually 25 max and he hadnt even got inside. ( get an inspectior they are ur best investment ever!!!!)

We also joked about which contractor wasnt paid due to the damage to our house. It was very clear a brick hammer was used to do it. Of course no proof and it is what it is... so there we were still waiting. Half an hour late our hopeless SS still a no show, we call the office and finally get hold of someone.

Wait for it.......
Oh hes left the company.. ah sorry what? Yes his last day was Wednesday!!!!!
In that split second it all finally made sense. anger, frustration and also a bit of relief hit us both. My husband finally got to speak to the manager that also aparently knew nothing of our issues so that confirms everything we were told for the last 3 months was all bs. EVERYTHING!

It seems we also werent the only couple standing at their house thur morning wiating for the same ss to arrive. Others were too..it seems like it was all a big set up. It was complete chaos! No mention or confirmation of his departure and understandably that's none of our business but it all seems coincidence that our property is also damaged two days prior. Our confident guess is that we've found the culprit. Management were very apologetic but at this rate its going to take more than an appology to come back from this.

Meeting monday with the head to discuss what happens from here. Disgusted is an understatement.

Jeez what a palaver the whole process has been for you! Hopefully PD come to the party and get everything sorted out as quickly as possible for you.

What's the difference between a private inspector and the ones PD recommend for you? We got some paperwork a while back that had three different companies to choose from, is your private inspector on top of that? And who did you use for the inspections?

Yeah i guess we will see what happens on monday.
Well pd ones are external but paid by pd so really how reliable are they. You dont see a report and ull only get a peice of paper to say they have been out. None of the items picked up are addressed as nothing is disclosed. Your suppised to have one towards the end and by pci. Unsurehow it would have passed the test given so many issues outstanding.

Ur investment is thousands whats another 1k if that. We used new homes inspections they have been so reassuring and helpful.

Another person i speak to via instagram is also builing a vancouver. 52 defects!! And internal tiling has begun. They are also in a complete deliema. Where basically all the outside brick work is to knocked down and started again. Peirs redone stacker doors and windows redone. Ive seen photos of her brickwork its despicable.

I would highly recommend investing in one. Unless ur come from a building background and know what to look for. Another friend didnt use one and has spent over 8 months fixing huge issues they have with the home also built by pd.

lizbf85 · Feb 26, 2017 7:38 am

icat2000

I just signed up today. Have been reading and following the forum for a couple of months researching and trying to work through selecting land and a builder.

I'm really sorry to read lizbf85about the multiple issues you have suffered with Porter Davis. I haven't had great experience dealing with them doing the quote stage and the sales person hasn't even bothered to get back to me after a couple of weeks. And reading through this thread and other people dramas with this company I am about to strike a big fat line through them.

I would be furious, with them. The damage to your house, the ongoing issues. The failure of them to contact you and advise that the SS had left their employment. Just so unprofesional for a large volume builder. You have to wonder about their quality control.

I hope you have some resolution to this on Monday. All the best.

Sarah

I honestly wouldn't blame you. Some have great experiences but its usually most dont. Ive been watching for over a year and speaking to several who have completed build and in the process. Had i known then what i know now i wouldn't be in this forum today. Its a big decision and understandably its a chance with any builder.

Its going to be interesting to see just what will unfold from here and if itll b treated a little differently. My head says no.

Good luck with your decision!

lizbf85 · Feb 26, 2017 7:41 am

nikil

Thanks for the replies guys, that has really made me feel a lot better about signing, at the moment they have included a lot in our slab including screw piles and deepened edge beams and various other things so I think they have been very over cautious with it as we have been very clear with them from the start that we have a certain budget and we'd rather they over estimated to begin with.

Glad to hear some have been in same position and its been a positive experience. We too made all of our budget clear

for us it didnt make a difference in our case. I really hope its accurate and everything works out well for you

nikil · Feb 26, 2017 8:56 am

Thanks Liz so do I, We really don't want to give them any reason to delay the build start as I would really like for my family to be able to come visit at Christmas (they are in Ireland so it's a big trip) and I don't want to have to crap them into the crappy unit we will be renting during the build!!

I really hope they have a good resolution for you on Monday and I would be pushing for some sort of compensation for all the inconvenience and stress you have endured.

GemmaGregJack · Feb 26, 2017 9:06 am

We havnt signed up yet and after reading back through this forum. I'm starting to wonder.
We have a block of land on one of the new estates and are looking to build the Drysdale 30.
There is the option of fixed site costs around 13k or taking the risk and paying what they find. What would be your recommendations?
I've heard there is going to be a price hike in March so until I read everyone's experiences I was thinking of putting the initial deposit down this weekend.
It seems that getting an independent surveyor is very important so I will definitely be doing that.
From talking to others I've heard all builders have there good and bad stories. And I know a couple of people who are contractors for porter Davis and say that they are one of the better ones.
The base price of porter Davis houses is in some cases higher than say eight homes, and Beachwood. But less than Carlisle and Metricon. because I'm some a newbie I'm scared of being ripped off and just generally the whole process.
Does anyone have any tips for me.
Thanks in advance