Porter Davis homes

Hi Koukli

You seem to be going through exactly what we went through a couple of months ago (see my detailed previous posts). We gave PD every opportunity to reply to our queries, which we put in writing, and we never received a reply back - that was on May 1st. So I wouldn't count on receiving anything of any substance from PD - from out experience, they just don't deliver. But you have done the right thing in asking for information in writing - whilst they still may not be bound by what they have written, at least you will have an official document from them and it won't end up as a "he said/she said" type scenario.

We are looking at two options now - Boutique homes "Residence 36 & 46" (depending on cost) and our own design to be built by Hotondo Homes. Customer service from Boutique has been excellent and from Hotondo, simply outstanding. A lady in Hotondo's office can draw up a sketch, like the design plans you see on any of the volume builders websites, free-of-charge. Whilst we did love the Waldorf, we incorporated elements of around 6 houses into a design that we are completely 100% happy with.

This sort of service was lacking from PD at the enquiry stage, so we can only imagine it would continue throughout the build process.

My advice would be to continue asking questions until you receive some detailed information, then check that information through your own research.

We were initially put off by PD, but jumped right back on the horse - there are builders out there that are willing and able to help. Like I said in a previous post, you want to be able to build a house that is VALUE FOR MONEY. So, if you're not happy with the service and the information you are receiving to make that decision, then I believe you are making the right decision in looking elsewhere.

It will be interesting in 6 months time when the flow-on effects of the reduction in new home approvals hit the industry. We'll see then who really steps up to the plate. Just my 2c worth

true. always keep everything in writing, and triple check all the information. we were just looking around late last year and were planning to buy this year. the sales staff advised us that they can take 5k off for january site start, if we pay the reservation fee within the week. so late last year, we reserved a 'house and land' package from pd. after having the tender appointment, we were advised that they cannot grant the 5k discount because the land is not yet ready. we were really surprised thinking that it was a 'house and land' package that we got from them. the sales staff should have known the status of the land before she even offered the 5k off promo. At that point, we can no longer refund the reservation fee because apparently, we have already completed the tender stage. In the end it was never addressed by PD nor the land developer.

Hey koukli, just seeing your posts I know how you feel...FH and I pulled out of PD at the very very last minute...we were lured into the complete package promo back in 2010 which inc site costs...the sales rep had ALL engineering plans of our block paid the $1,000 deposit and on our way...had tender 16 or so weeks later to be told site costs would be around $15,000 which was questioned...then once out block settled in September and had tender 2 it came in at $35,000!!!!!!!!! If we wanted to change house because of budget we would have lost our initial deposits an would have to start again...we pulled out...had a sales rep call and try lure us back by saying we won't get as much of a resale then f we built with PD BLAH BLAH BOO HOO
Was shattered...I loved the Darnley and couldn't wait...but that put a massive damper and we changed...wished we had have gone with Carlisle
Do with what your gut tells you. It's a lot of money and a massive investment you might find a smaller builder will come up on top
Good luck!

L & O Technologies

Replacing dinted rangehood that was installed damaged
- attempt one, fail.

Rangehood now sparkes and blows light, switching off the television and microwave and throwing the safety switch
- attempt two, fail.

Now waiting for attempt three. I wonder if I electrocute myself, maybe that might get someone's attention

Hi Ebony I want to talk about PD as a bussiness not Persons.
I had 4 BC and my houses hasn't started building yet and everytime I feel for the staff member who steps in and know nothing about the job.
But what about me as a client.. Your internal handover has 0% accuracy it's like wipe their hands clean and say the next person will clean my mess!!!
The regional manager Julian I am dealing with is a fantastic guy and step in everytime I have stuff up but how many stuff up can I take.

My last issueI called today to confirm that I am starting construction on site tomorrow and the answer from BC was yes.
I called the SS and he didn't have my file and know nothing about my job.

You are supposed to be the best builder in Melbourne becuase you make the building experience easy but this is far away from easy.
I feel that I have to double check every step that you do and I havnt even started yet.

I have been defending PD all the way but at this stage i started to think are you really going down hill and is this a live nightmare.

This is not the last post you hear from me becuase I will be updating my construction progress step by step and hopefully it will be good from here onward.

Honestly Ebony, It goes on deaf ears.. Cant wait for 9am this morning.. going to be a interesting phone call.

Thanks nutta, milsey71, michaelrezk, sencillez, waterman, mark_, humble and Ebony for your replies.

Got a reply today regarding my queries and apparently 10k will come back from the developer but I will need to follow up with them as to how. PD will give me 10k back at settlement. I replied back to my BC and asked pretty much all the questions I asked the SC to confirm they were correct as I am now questioning all the answers I received from him. I forgot a couple so I'll ask them when I get my next reply. I mentioned the 5% thing but I don't see there being anyway around that one. I guess that's not too bad then all in all. Now I wonder how the developers deposit works so can't wait to hear the response to that. Seems like if you don't ask, they don't tell. Still not thrilled about this now but might let the valuation go through and see what happens and take it from there. I got a call from the display home site yesterday and was told our SC has left PD.. now I need to get on to them at 11am to get someone to contact the bank to get the valuation done :/ I guess there's brownie points for letting me know that he left without me having to find out.

I think I'm going to have to negotiate deposit/settlement on the land until after we have signed contracts. I don't want to get stuck with a block and no house because we don't end up agreeing with the contract. Wish me luck with that

We have our PCI today.

It was booked for last Friday but we had to cancel as our inspector needed more than 24hrs to write his report.

We got the report back on Saturday afternoon with a few surprises, that we're not sure how they will fix. Feeling very anxious but our SS has been great thus far, so we'll see what he has to say this afternoon.

Hi michaelrezk,

I really do appreciate you expressing your frustrations and it’s very important to share this with me so I can bring this to the attention of the main PD office. I’m truly disappointed to hear how frustrating the beginning of your journey has been and I too hope that it does become more of a positive experience from here onwards. I look forward to following your build and at any time please feel free to contact me and I’ll try and help where possible. Regards, Ebony