Porter Davis homes

We added extra power points, a power point to the island bench, two way switches here and there for the downlights which we also decided to put in the living areas only (and in the bathroom above the vanity's), additional exhaust fan in the laundry (for the dryer), external power points, external junction boxes for outdoor lights, we put in an alarm and a few other small bits and pieces such as fluro lights in the garage, data points, telephone points, tv points, just all the usual stuff!. The biggest cost for us was the downlights. We thought about getting these fitted afterwards but we don't have any electrician friends so we just decided to do it.

In terms of any outdoor lighting, to meet the 6 star rating any outdoor lights you have need to be on a sensor and they are EXPENSIVE ($200 odd I think). So we put in the junction boxes and we will get lighting at a later date and we can determine what is on a sensor and what isn't

We could see the costs adding up as we went along but the part I missed was that we get a total at the end but it isn't itemised and that we should "write any pricing down" as they don't give itemised pricing at the end. Having said that, I KNOW they can do it because the first copy of the quote we were given had the itemised pricing and it was quickly taken away and replaced with another copy

I had a bit of a headache on the day so I digress that I wasn't listening to everything at the beginning as I was scoffing nurofen, however, we are now in a position where we are over budget and I need to know pricing should we want to pull anything out of our electrical selections.

I know I am well within my rights to ask for and receive this, it should not be hidden or made unavailable and it is totally unacceptable that it is!

I had a doozy of a headache. I went home, took more pain killers and had a 2 hour sleep afterwards!!

Thanks, I think I remember seeing that list! I have also emailed my BC asking for an itemised copy. It really is unacceptable that we weren't given it!

ftd, on selection day, do you get an outline at the end of the appointment with all the selections? Or is it only a few days later or something? I'm going to take my most up to date wish list on the day and hope everything we select is close to this document!

Hi All

Those that have done colours - do they give you an indication of the cost? We have incorporated the essa stone in the tender (so we had an idea) but what about vinyl wrap v silk v crystal gloss finishes to the doors. Do they tell you roughly or exactly?

After reading my Hopetoun apt letter, I find it strange that they say "colours will need to be finalised" however, from my understanding, they don't give you prices until contract. What happens if you cant afford the options you have chosen? Same for electricals?

Headaches here too on the day - both Hubby and myself. It also didn't help that they had music playing in the electrical room so it made it really hard to concentrate with music, another appointment in the same room and headaches.

We were given an itemised list on the day, but there were not prices on it apart from the total.

Yikes to the cost of the gloss!!! I will have to look up profiles or maybe deselect the colour of the bench to a cat 1... Wow. I wonder if vinyl wrap is cheaper. I hope so!

Our colour apt is next week and I have already selected everything - so hopefully that will make it easier! (ie no headaches). Except for cost headaches that is! haha

Thanks for your cost help.

Is anyone doing a knock down rebuild? I think it adds a whole other level of stress to have to organise demolition as well

We had our colour and electrical today. Headaches all round awful music does not help!

Can I suggest to Anyone going to colours/electrically CONFIRM that hopetoun have the CORRECT plans BEFORE they go there.

We had tender two weeks ago and already put back our appointments so that we could make sure that they had our plans to work from. So we talk in today " sorry we don't have your plans but we can mock some up". Not good enough! We already had two separate tenders because of PD issues and left two week so the plans would be there. Not to mention i had to pay for someone else to cover me for the day. After a good 10 minutes on the phone during which time our BC could not be found then her supervisor could not be found, waiting some more, then told she was with a client but would pop out to speak to us, i was ready to just cut my losses. She promised to find out and get back to us.

A few minutes later the plans were available, it seems that the draftsman did not publish it(?). So then another 20 minutes while they did whatever they have to do to get the plans so they can be worked on.

Why this is important.
We moved walls and changed from a lounge to a guest suite, deleted a bedroom and changed the ensuite layout and added walls. As we deleted a bed room it is important they get the plans because it gives us a double PowerPoint, switch and battern that can be credited back or used somewhere else. The guest suite cost includes a power point, switch, battern. We added an enclosed WC to the ensuite, cost includes a light and switch. We may have ended up paying for them again as they were added to the mock up as they were not on the inclusions list on the standard plan.

Whilst I am told that they would compare what we chose with the plans, in our case a service duct had been moved to where we wanted powerpoints and cavity sliders meant we could not use a wall for switches, another duct meant we could not have the dustpan for the vac where we wanted it either. Given that you " cannot change anything" 48hours after signing I assume the electrical lady would have made these changes onto the plan wherever she felt best. When would we see these changes? When we would we be asked to sign off on this? Ummm no you have already signed for the electrical. You would have to take it up with your BC
Just be aware people

Sorry, end rant here

inglewood and ftd, ah ok thanks. That's good to know. Inglewood, our appointment is next week. We have been into Hopetoun numerous times already, and it was encouraging that the designers have validated my choices all together when I have showed them. (I have been quite proactive in that I have been looking at samples of wall colour, flooring, laminex etc etc for weeks and weeks now. We've even decided on skirting, splashback, front door etc.) When I explain the kind of furniture we have, and show them the samples we have chosen, they confirm I am on the right track, which is reassuring.

BackPocket, that is not good. Not off to a good start with the selection appointment then. I would have been having conniptions. I will learn from your misfortune and email Hopetoun to check next week.

Hi Back Pocket,
The situation you have described here has obviously been very frustrating and I am concerned about the service you have received. Could you please PM me with your contact and build details and I will have this followed up with the appropriate manager?
Regards, Helen