Porter Davis homes

eli-kay123 · Dec 08, 2011 3:40 pm

Alpal

Wateman

Argh!
Our old BC is STILL haunting us!
Just had a phone call stating that we have received a $6000 discount twice. It was supposed to be off the land, which we were given by the land developer, but then our BC or whoever wrote our contract has put it in our building contract too. I did mention this to our old BC in an email where I asked for clarification on how they came to the base house price.
So now we have to have ANOTHER PCV adding on more money, that of course can't be added into the loan as we have already applied. This is on top of the PCV that added another $1000 or so to the smart wiring as they had that wrong originally too.
It's so frustrating!! We have the money for this, but were hoping to use this money to pay for driveway/fencing/furniture etc ARGH

Waterman,

If they have signed the contract with the 6K saving - they have to honour it. I would play hardball with them... This would be like saying the base price has changed since the contract was signed and you need to just live with it - not good enough.
If I was in your position I would not accept this and tell them that they need to honour the contract.

My 2 cents anyway

I agree with Alpal. We had a similar situation where we had upgraded our bricks and at Tender the price charged was around $2K less because of a typo on PD's part and we thought we had to pay up but the administrator said that as it was in the contract they have to honour it and we were only charged $200 for the brick upgrade. I'd be telling PD that you won't be paying because it's in the contract. It goes both ways. We aren't allow to change anything after signing so the same standard should apply to them.

Good luck and let us know how you go.

JPZ · Dec 08, 2011 3:51 pm

Hi,
I desperately need some advice from people who already had handover about the state the house is in at handover. I was told by my SS at PCI that PD does not steam clean carpets (even though my carpets were put in early and a lot of tradies has been in the house). They also don't clean the tiled floor thoroughly. Currently there is a film of white stuff and looks really dirty. SS said they only do a light mop and we will need to hire a carpet cleaning company to come and clean the tiles properly.
The gutters has building mortar, leaves and other build up in it. I was told that he will get a leaf blower to blow out the leaves for the ground level (he can't get up top without scaffolding) but PD do not clean the gutters.
They also refused to do some other works in my independent report, claiming it could be within tolerances and if I insist, it will hold up handover for a few more weeks. Is this the norm or am I being played?

serenitynow · Dec 08, 2011 4:36 pm

Zinner

Just updated my thread with Scaffold pics.

I Haven't been down to my site this week but judging by the excellent weather we have had I would think that they would just about be done with the bricks to the 1st floor now. :z:

Was there today, we had an inspection with SS. Your house is fully bricked. Looks fab and well worth the wait.

tstr1a · Dec 08, 2011 4:45 pm

I don’t remember seeing an errors and omissions clause in the contract (I could be wrong) so from a legal perspective I would argue the fact... my legal specialty isn’t contract law by the way, get advise an argue the point. $6k is worth the fight.

Zinner · Dec 08, 2011 5:02 pm

serenitynow

Zinner

Just updated my thread with Scaffold pics.

I Haven't been down to my site this week but judging by the excellent weather we have had I would think that they would just about be done with the bricks to the 1st floor now. :z:

Was there today, we had an inspection with SS. Your house is fully bricked. Looks fab and well worth the wait.

Sweet!!!

alls i gonna do is
:z:

How did your inspection go serenitynow? Looks like both you and ourplace will be in well before me.

Wateman · Dec 08, 2011 6:17 pm

There is a clause on the contract I notice saying " the builder is not entitled to claim for extra costs for errors in plans or specifications that the builder has prepared"

Do you think this gives me the grounds to fight this charge?

Rups · Dec 08, 2011 6:22 pm

serenitynow · Dec 08, 2011 6:31 pm

Zinner

serenitynow

Zinner

Just updated my thread with Scaffold pics.

I Haven't been down to my site this week but judging by the excellent weather we have had I would think that they would just about be done with the bricks to the 1st floor now. :z:

Was there today, we had an inspection with SS. Your house is fully bricked. Looks fab and well worth the wait.

Sweet!!!

alls i gonna do is
:z:

How did your inspection go serenitynow? Looks like both you and ourplace will be in well before me.

It's exciting when the bricks are done it starts to look like a house.
Went well, we paid fixing stage and onto the last stage. We have had a fantastic build so far

very happy.
I think our place will win out of us all

we will be in our home in Feb. Can't wait to be neighbours.

tstr1a · Dec 08, 2011 7:21 pm

Wateman

There is a clause on the contract I notice saying " the builder is not entitled to claim for extra costs for errors in plans or specifications that the builder has prepared"

Do you think this gives me the grounds to fight this charge?

That's correct

Sammyjane31 · Dec 08, 2011 7:37 pm

humble

Alpal

Wateman

Argh!
Our old BC is STILL haunting us!
Just had a phone call stating that we have received a $6000 discount twice. It was supposed to be off the land, which we were given by the land developer, but then our BC or whoever wrote our contract has put it in our building contract too. I did mention this to our old BC in an email where I asked for clarification on how they came to the base house price.
So now we have to have ANOTHER PCV adding on more money, that of course can't be added into the loan as we have already applied. This is on top of the PCV that added another $1000 or so to the smart wiring as they had that wrong originally too.
It's so frustrating!! We have the money for this, but were hoping to use this money to pay for driveway/fencing/furniture etc ARGH

Waterman,

If they have signed the contract with the 6K saving - they have to honour it. I would play hardball with them... This would be like saying the base price has changed since the contract was signed and you need to just live with it - not good enough.
If I was in your position I would not accept this and tell them that they need to honour the contract.

My 2 cents anyway

i would play the same card as well.. ::study::

We were offered a flooring special as they messed up selling us a house that didnt fit the lot we wanted. As we were finalising our floor plans and ready to settle that tried to say that wouldnt honour the special!! I then told them look you offered it because you messed up and said if you dont give it to us i will do our floors post handover- they spoke to the Regional Mgr and they honoured the special!!

Stick to your guns !!!

Mews · Dec 08, 2011 10:13 pm

Mews

About to start building after months of waiting, hoping the next part is cleaner.
Enjoying everyone's journey and the advice received thru the forum, in particular telstra.

Rob
http://waldorf48wonga.blogspot.com/2011 ... -date.html

After getting my hopes up PD has again dashed them, if you recall supposed to start building Sept/Oct 2011 including having had clear land title back in August, fast forward PD handed off to their PD construction section last few days of November so we could get a physical site start in December. All starting to look positive and a tap when in went in Tuesday of this week and yesterday got dates for Site cut (Monday 12/12) & slab pour (22/12). This update lasted less than 24 hours now looking at site cut (16/12) and slab pour (9/1).
No one seems to understand we do not want to rush the work but to get it started and going from when we were promised which was at the latest an October start.
Until I see some real action cannot do any planning for where our familiy is going to live as our rental is now being sold with our original lease expiring in Jan 2012.
Do we try and get an extension on our current lease of a couple of months at a time and hope the house does not sell or we just look for a new lease of 6 months in another property as the current landlord as they are trying to sell will not go for another 6 months lease.
If they had started when they promised I would be able to plan with certainity but all I have seen is continual delay (loss of trust) with indidvididuals working hard & helping but as an organisation no one at PD seems to understand.
I'm counting from December 1st as being day 1 now if someone tells it is when the site cut is done I will go into orbit.

PS : Happy but jealous of all the posters who have had real starts this month and ones about to get there keys.

tstr1a · Dec 08, 2011 11:40 pm

Mews

About to start building after months of waiting, hoping the next part is cleaner.
Enjoying everyone's journey and the advice received thru the forum, in particular telstra.

Rob
http://waldorf48wonga.blogspot.com/2011 ... -date.html

After getting my hopes up PD has again dashed them, if you recall supposed to start building Sept/Oct 2011 including having had clear land title back in August, fast forward PD handed off to their PD construction section last few days of November so we could get a physical site start in December. All starting to look positive and a tap when in went in Tuesday of this week and yesterday got dates for Site cut (Monday 12/12) & slab pour (22/12). This update lasted less than 24 hours now looking at site cut (16/12) and slab pour (9/1).
No one seems to understand we do not want to rush the work biut to get it started and going from when we were promised which was at the latest an October start.
Until I see some real action cannot do any planning for where our familiy is going to live as our rental is now being sold with our original lease expiring in Jan 2012.
Do we try and get an extension on our current lease of a couple of months at a time and hope the house does not sell or we just look for a new lease of 6 months in another property as the current landlord as they are trying to sell will not go for another 6 months lease.
If they had started when they promised I would be able to plan with certainity but all I have seen is continual delay (loss of trust) with indidvididuals working hard & helping but as an organisation no one at PD seems to understand.
I'm counting from December 1st as being day 1 now if someone tells it is when the site cut is done I will go into orbit.

PS : Happy but jealous of all the posters who have had real starts this month and ones about to get there keys.

Hang in there mate, ur build will fly once they start

Rups · Dec 09, 2011 6:24 am

Hi Mews,

Unfortunate about the site start dates. When you wait so long and get your hopes up, then have to re-adjust, it is very disappointing, especially with the additional delay created by the Christmas break. But as T said, hang in there!! We bought our block in Feb but didn't start on site till 3 weeks ago thanks to title delays, but it's powering along now!

Feel your pain about the rental too. With our delays, we need to stay in our rental for an additional 5 months beyond the lease, and now the landlord wants to sell.

My advice would be to request what you want / need, and discuss your situation with the agent. If a 6 month lease gives you stability, then go for it. Dont pre-empt the landlord's decision by assuming they won't do it... Much easier to have that discussion than move! And looking at the housing market, unless your rental is a ripper property, there's a fair chance they won't get the buyer interest they need to sell (unless they're desperate and will take any offer).

Best of luck!!

Team PD · Dec 09, 2011 9:43 am

Hi Building1,

I’m really pleased to hear you’re loving your build. If you wanted to you could call the NHC Team and get someone to have a look at the concrete in your garage. Your Christmas decorations are fabulous. Cheers, Ebony

Team PD · Dec 09, 2011 10:01 am

Mews

About to start building after months of waiting, hoping the next part is cleaner.
Enjoying everyone's journey and the advice received thru the forum, in particular telstra.

Rob
http://waldorf48wonga.blogspot.com/2011 ... -date.html

After getting my hopes up PD has again dashed them, if you recall supposed to start building Sept/Oct 2011 including having had clear land title back in August, fast forward PD handed off to their PD construction section last few days of November so we could get a physical site start in December. All starting to look positive and a tap when in went in Tuesday of this week and yesterday got dates for Site cut (Monday 12/12) & slab pour (22/12). This update lasted less than 24 hours now looking at site cut (16/12) and slab pour (9/1).
No one seems to understand we do not want to rush the work but to get it started and going from when we were promised which was at the latest an October start.
Until I see some real action cannot do any planning for where our familiy is going to live as our rental is now being sold with our original lease expiring in Jan 2012.
Do we try and get an extension on our current lease of a couple of months at a time and hope the house does not sell or we just look for a new lease of 6 months in another property as the current landlord as they are trying to sell will not go for another 6 months lease.
If they had started when they promised I would be able to plan with certainity but all I have seen is continual delay (loss of trust) with indidvididuals working hard & helping but as an organisation no one at PD seems to understand.
I'm counting from December 1st as being day 1 now if someone tells it is when the site cut is done I will go into orbit.

PS : Happy but jealous of all the posters who have had real starts this month and ones about to get there keys.

Hi Mews,

I’m really sorry to hear of the disappointment regarding the delays you’ve had on your slab and site cut. I understanding this is frustrating for you due to your landlord selling the rental you are in. I hope there are no more delays for you and we can get your build underway. Regards, Ebony

Wateman · Dec 09, 2011 1:18 pm

Just an update - I haven't heard back from PD regarding this, but I just spoke to consumer affairs, and they confirmed what most of you have said - it's a fixed price contract and it was the builders mistake, so we don't have to pay any extra, they need to wear it!

Sammyjane31 · Dec 09, 2011 2:12 pm

Wateman

Just an update - I haven't heard back from PD regarding this, but I just spoke to consumer affairs, and they confirmed what most of you have said - it's a fixed price contract and it was the builders mistake, so we don't have to pay any extra, they need to wear it!

That's great to hear -- good for you for investigating it.

Team PD · Dec 09, 2011 4:20 pm

JLD

Humble, when we did our colours they'd just started showing some of the prices at Hopetoun and basically on the printout of your selection document they show prices for your selections. It wasn't ready though for us and so it was only some.

Ebony, where people get frustrated is not knowing how much things are before colours so that they can go in with an idea and not blow budget. I get that doesn't help with the upselling or with the fact that some things are based on your specific floorplan and size etc. National Tiles do it well, they will give you a guide of how much it's going to cost so you can make an educated choice at selection time. Personally I think it's great that you've solved part of the puzzle but still a long way to go. It's like shopping at Myer and only finding out how much it's going to cost once you're at the til. Weird.

Hi JLD,

I understand what you are saying and know this can be frustrating. I appreciate your feedback and will pass this onto the PD office and let them know. Thanks, Ebony

Mews · Dec 09, 2011 9:22 pm

Team PD

Mews

About to start building after months of waiting, hoping the next part is cleaner.
Enjoying everyone's journey and the advice received thru the forum, in particular telstra.

Rob
http://waldorf48wonga.blogspot.com/2011 ... -date.html

After getting my hopes up PD has again dashed them, if you recall supposed to start building Sept/Oct 2011 including having had clear land title back in August, fast forward PD handed off to their PD construction section last few days of November so we could get a physical site start in December. All starting to look positive and a tap when in went in Tuesday of this week and yesterday got dates for Site cut (Monday 12/12) & slab pour (22/12). This update lasted less than 24 hours now looking at site cut (16/12) and slab pour (9/1).
No one seems to understand we do not want to rush the work but to get it started and going from when we were promised which was at the latest an October start.
Until I see some real action cannot do any planning for where our familiy is going to live as our rental is now being sold with our original lease expiring in Jan 2012.
Do we try and get an extension on our current lease of a couple of months at a time and hope the house does not sell or we just look for a new lease of 6 months in another property as the current landlord as they are trying to sell will not go for another 6 months lease.
If they had started when they promised I would be able to plan with certainity but all I have seen is continual delay (loss of trust) with indidvididuals working hard & helping but as an organisation no one at PD seems to understand.
I'm counting from December 1st as being day 1 now if someone tells it is when the site cut is done I will go into orbit.

PS : Happy but jealous of all the posters who have had real starts this month and ones about to get there keys.

Hi Mews,

I’m really sorry to hear of the disappointment regarding the delays you’ve had on your slab and site cut. I understanding this is frustrating for you due to your landlord selling the rental you are in. I hope there are no more delays for you and we can get your build underway. Regards, Ebony

Ebony,
Apreciate your reply but having our rental being sold is not the underlying issue, it is the continual delay from PD and therefore having no confidence in being able to plan when we may get in to our new house and therefore the strategy for the rental.
Each month it has been delayed so far is costing us $2500 a month extra in rent instead of paying off our mortgage and the reason we are building is having room for the kids. While renting we are in a smaller house than what we had with 3 teenagers and a diabetic dog, it has it s own strains again with no end in site as we have start in sight.
We have had to cancel an overseas holiday is another by product of the delay.
Until I can see PD physically starting onsite I have no starting point as months have already evaporated so far.

Mews

thebigbuild · Dec 10, 2011 12:26 pm

We have a slab! Pics on the blog.