Porter Davis homes

A350XWB · Aug 07, 2012 9:00 pm

tstr1a

J & C

tstr1a

[quote="J & C"]Is it normal for bricks to develop cracks! we saw some of the bricks on the garage wall have been cracked (thin). Has anyone else encountered the same

can you post a pic. Sometimes bricks have hairline cracks and it's perfectly normal.

I've not see you on this site for a while, how is your new house and landscaping progressing.

Hi J&C,

landscaping is a huge undertaking but it's starting to take shape. I'm finishing a 7m x 6m Merbau deck which is looking fantastic. I now understand why companies charge so much to lay decks, its such a time consuming process..... My deck is spot on level and built better than a professional company would have built. I used 21 concrete stumps, F17 (hard) wood bearers and the rest. Cost around $4.5k.

This weekend I'm working on the alfresco extension and merbau box seats... which I can't wait.

How is your place coming along?[/quote]

Would love too see some pictures.

monkeypantz · Aug 07, 2012 10:08 pm

I've updated our blog with pictures and details from last week's visit

jnkbids · Aug 08, 2012 12:11 am

Can someone please help re: Electricals...

I want lights on my house facade, but not happy with what Porter davis gives. The electrical consultant merely says, put a Junction Box (Pillar) but no option to specify the height of the electrical outlet. Can someone please advise as to is that standard or did you all specify the height of the Junction box?

mimi23 · Aug 08, 2012 12:24 am

There is a standard height they put them at, but we specified the height we required at our electrical appointment. It wasn't a problem, but when they put them in they put them at standard height anyway! SS had them moved up for us and as the front was to be rendered the holed were filled.
I would speak to your SS about it.

Superdaddy · Aug 08, 2012 5:27 pm

ma2531

hi superdaddy how did the tender go for you today, are you exhausted!!! It is so draining, cant wait to hear how it all went and what did you think of the costs.......

ok keep us informed and if you need any clarification just ask......willng to help out where we can.

Hi ma2531... like all of you who have gone through tender time, it was really exhausting and so much information to absorb in a short time frame. I only reviewed the document in detail yesterday after having a clear mind. Our presenter was patient, guided us through the process and explaining where required. Obviously the shock to us was the increase to site costs as well as costs to convert the lounge into a guest room with ensuite and the terrace into an enclosed retreat. It is getting close to our budget with colours and electricals to come.

We found it disappointing that PD do not allow other brand of appliances to be used ilo Blanco. We are still unsure whether to select still use Blanco or have our preferred one installed after handover which will incur additional costs for installation.

With our promo package we were tossing with the idea of having the AC done after handover or receive the cash on hand, however after approaching some AC dealers, their price was more than what PD is offering in the package, so end up taking the AC. My advice to anyone is do your homework by researching elsewhere and compare pricing from PD.

By the way has anyone installed the refrigerated AC with PD? Can this unit be setup for multi-zones?

Cheers.

J & C · Aug 08, 2012 8:22 pm

can you post a pic. Sometimes bricks have hairline cracks and it's perfectly normal.[/quote]

I've not see you on this site for a while, how is your new house and landscaping progressing.[/quote]

Hi J&C,

landscaping is a huge undertaking but it's starting to take shape. I'm finishing a 7m x 6m Merbau deck which is looking fantastic. I now understand why companies charge so much to lay decks, its such a time consuming process..... My deck is spot on level and built better than a professional company would have built. I used 21 concrete stumps, F17 (hard) wood bearers and the rest. Cost around $4.5k.

This weekend I'm working on the alfresco extension and merbau box seats... which I can't wait.

How is your place coming along?[/quote]

I can't see the link to your house anymore...it was a terrific guide for me...our construction us crawling...there are a number of issues I have raised with our SS and he has promised us he'd be rectifying them prior to handing over the house to us...for example we have the front taps right in the middle of our driveway because the construction guys placed the bin / toilet where the taps were expected to be placed by the water company...the cost to move them is 2k...which I believe will be borne by PD.

J & C · Aug 08, 2012 8:28 pm

jnkbids

Can someone please help re: Electricals...

I want lights on my house facade, but not happy with what Porter davis gives. The electrical consultant merely says, put a Junction Box (Pillar) but no option to specify the height of the electrical outlet. Can someone please advise as to is that standard or did you all specify the height of the Junction box?

don't worry about the height, our electrician was had built quite a few home so was experienced, we let him decide the height of the junction box...leave it to them...alternatively catch-up with the electrician when he is doing the wiring.

jnkbids · Aug 08, 2012 10:40 pm

J & C

jnkbids

Can someone please help re: Electricals...

I want lights on my house facade, but not happy with what Porter davis gives. The electrical consultant merely says, put a Junction Box (Pillar) but no option to specify the height of the electrical outlet. Can someone please advise as to is that standard or did you all specify the height of the Junction box?

don't worry about the height, our electrician was had built quite a few home so was experienced, we let him decide the height of the junction box...leave it to them...alternatively catch-up with the electrician when he is doing the wiring.

Thanks J&C ... was quite nervous so it is reassuring to hear from you all that it should all be fine

jnkbids · Aug 08, 2012 10:46 pm

Superdaddy

ma2531

We found it disappointing that PD do not allow other brand of appliances to be used ilo Blanco. We are still unsure whether to select still use Blanco or have our preferred one installed after handover which will incur additional costs for installation.

By the way has anyone installed the refrigerated AC with PD? Can this unit be setup for multi-zones?

Cheers.

Superdaddy, PD will allow you to use Die Dietrich appliances cos I asked about that but ended up sticking with Blanco cos De Dietrich didn't have anything in the specifications I wanted.

I upgraded to refrigerated AC. Brivus Hx35i (got this model thanks to previous posts from tstr1a) and this model can come with multizone. From tstr1a's previous post, the Hx35i is multizone and more energy efficient than the Mx model of refrigerated AC.

Superdaddy · Aug 09, 2012 1:19 am

Thanks jnkbids, we were given the same model of Brivis which will do heating and cooling.

By the way do you recall how much extra was for multizone? We wanted multizone upstairs and have been told during tender that it will be around $1K for additional zones. I believe this price is excessive.

tstr1a · Aug 09, 2012 9:39 am

Superdaddy

Thanks jnkbids, we were given the same model of Brivis which will do heating and cooling.

By the way do you recall how much extra was for multizone? We wanted multizone upstairs and have been told during tender that it will be around $1K for additional zones. I believe this price is excessive.

I was charged $1029 but got 2 network contollers as well.

I also upgraded the heater to the HX35i (most efficent model) for an extra $800

tstr1a · Aug 09, 2012 11:34 am

J & C

can you post a pic. Sometimes bricks have hairline cracks and it's perfectly normal.

I've not see you on this site for a while, how is your new house and landscaping progressing.[/quote]

Hi J&C,

landscaping is a huge undertaking but it's starting to take shape. I'm finishing a 7m x 6m Merbau deck which is looking fantastic. I now understand why companies charge so much to lay decks, its such a time consuming process..... My deck is spot on level and built better than a professional company would have built. I used 21 concrete stumps, F17 (hard) wood bearers and the rest. Cost around $4.5k.

This weekend I'm working on the alfresco extension and merbau box seats... which I can't wait.

How is your place coming along?[/quote]

I can't see the link to your house anymore...it was a terrific guide for me...our construction us crawling...there are a number of issues I have raised with our SS and he has promised us he'd be rectifying them prior to handing over the house to us...for example we have the front taps right in the middle of our driveway because the construction guys placed the bin / toilet where the taps were expected to be placed by the water company...the cost to move them is 2k...which I believe will be borne by PD.[/quote]

taps in the middle of the driveway.. now that silly..

I made my blog private, time to start living a private life ::cool::

ma2531 · Aug 09, 2012 9:49 pm

hi all, as its getting closer now to the big move i have started to get quotes for fencing,driveway and as i have found out not alot show up to give quotes which is really disappionting.
But have found a site i googled service seeking.com its been fantastic as alot of tradesman have responded and its been great to get different prices and how they can vary.

so i just thought i would spread the word and help someone out............

Team PD · Aug 10, 2012 12:32 pm

Karma888

Hi Guys,

Our PCI inspection is this coming up on 13th of August

Cant believe is happening so fast. This is our first building experience, we are very excited and little nervous not knowing what to expect on the day of inspection.
We would appreciate any advise during the inspection day?? such as what should we be long out for?? any comment or suggest would be a great value

Thanks,
Karma888

Hi Karma888,

Good luck with your PCI on Monday, hope everything goes well and we look forward to your update. ::lol::

Thanks, Ebony

Superdaddy · Aug 10, 2012 1:47 pm

ma2531

hi all, as its getting closer now to the big move i have started to get quotes for fencing,driveway and as i have found out not alot show up to give quotes which is really disappionting.
But have found a site i googled service seeking.com its been fantastic as alot of tradesman have responded and its been great to get different prices and how they can vary.

so i just thought i would spread the word and help someone out............

Great one to share ma2531. Let us know which tradies you end up selecting and the costs. Cheers.

cattycatcat · Aug 10, 2012 4:10 pm

We had our 3 month inspection on Monday...

It wasn't much of an inspection.. The PD rep turned up. Asked me for a list of things I had noticed, wrote it down and left.

He didn't bother inspecting anything and was done in 5 minutes. I was kind of disappointed to be honest.

How has everyone else's 3 month inspection gone? Is this standard?

I expected them to at least want to walk through the house and outside to check for defects.

Sent from my iPhone so please excuse my spelling mist cakes

tstr1a · Aug 10, 2012 4:49 pm

Ours was a little better. I started by mentioning all the defects and then he had a quick wonder around the house to see if there were other problems.

I was happy with the service they provided.
Recommendation for everyone building… make sure that the house is perfect before handover otherwise you will be taking time off work waiting for tradies to come and fix stuff.

Listen to this problem I had with the Blanco freestanding oven… The oven which is only 6 months old needed the elements to be replaced. I took me 5 weeks from logging a support call, service centre to older the parts and repair agent coming to fix the oven………….. Bad service Blanco, you should be ashamed. PD stop using Blanco as a supplier please.

humble · Aug 10, 2012 5:36 pm

cattycatcat

We had our 3 month inspection on Monday...

It wasn't much of an inspection.. The PD rep turned up. Asked me for a list of things I had noticed, wrote it down and left.

He didn't bother inspecting anything and was done in 5 minutes. I was kind of disappointed to be honest.

How has everyone else's 3 month inspection gone? Is this standard?

I expected them to at least want to walk through the house and outside to check for defects.

Sent from my iPhone so please excuse my spelling mist cakes

My guy took 4hrs. We went through everything, and I mean everything, including a substantial debate about what he would fix versus what the SS said he would fix, and how now it was his job, which he refused, and then a call to HQ with him in the room, resolved it.

The guy who came to fix the problems needed a fullday.

J & C · Aug 10, 2012 11:00 pm

I've been informed that PD tilers do not seal the floor and wall tiles, does anyone know of any one / any company that does the sealing.

monkeypantz · Aug 11, 2012 7:09 am

We finally met our site supervisor yesterday, and we were very impressed. He was very friendly, knowledgable and helpful

Not much progress since last week, unfortunately. The architraves were finished and the skirting started before the carpenter got word hat they were using the wrong materials. The right architraves have been delivered and should be finished next week, along with the weatherboards on the facade. All the internal doors have been hung, and the shower bases are in. Oh, and our bifolds fiiiiiinally have glass in them

SS expects fixing stage will be completed next week, and says 'definitely October' for handover.