Porter Davis homes

Lurgen · Jun 02, 2013 8:08 pm

meihime

Hi there, has anyone heard any news on when the new 24x7 portal is likely to be made available?

Not me. Been asking for 24x7 web access since tender without success.

Mind you, right now I don't even have a BC... They're off on leave and I don't seem to have a replacement yet. Hopefully somebody behind the scenes is looking after my build and sorting out the outstanding issues that were open.

HD

mak_ · Jun 04, 2013 1:53 pm

hey everyone, I was just wondering if anyone knows what colour feature wall this is??

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it's the Bristol 41 British Empire at Taylors hill

Mumtomonkeys · Jun 04, 2013 2:06 pm

mak_

hey everyone, I was just wondering if anyone knows what colour feature wall this is??

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it's the Bristol 41 British Empire at Taylors hill

If you go on to the blog there is a Q&A section where you can ask for details in displays and they will answer

seashoremontague21 · Jun 04, 2013 2:12 pm

Try ring the sales consultants there or ask helen on here as im sure she looks after the blog/ q&a part of pd site aswell

mak_ · Jun 04, 2013 2:52 pm

thanks heaps for your help. I will as in the q&a first and then call them

Team PD · Jun 04, 2013 9:10 pm

mak_

thanks heaps for your help. I will as in the q&a first and then call them

Hi Mak,
You just need to tell me the name of the home and the particular display centre and I can find out for you.
Cheers,
Helen

seashoremontague21 · Jun 04, 2013 11:55 pm

meihime

seashoremontague21

Hey there I've updated the blog in case anyone's interested. For those who don't want to see pics, long story short, the floorboards have been installed, all painting done (as far as I can tell), tiles have started getting taken down and the bathroom/ensuite re-waterproofed, electrical work all done I think, and all of our fencing/portaloo/rubbish has been taken away. Meeting tiler and Construction Manager (SS's boss) on site later this week to talk about where to from here.

Thanks seashormontague21!

We also chose Spotted Gum for the flooring in our house, we're due to begin construction in the next couple of weeks. Since reading your colour selection post, I've been waiting for your blog to be updated with flooring pictures! Would love to see some more if you have any!

hi meihime

I have updated the pictures with some from being inside on saturday while tiler was working away and to make sure feature tiles and the lay where right this time. and for anyone else that might want to have a peep. We have also been sent the final invoice so finishing time is getting very near.

mak_ · Jun 05, 2013 11:32 am

Team PD

mak_

thanks heaps for your help. I will as in the q&a first and then call them

Hi Mak,
You just need to tell me the name of the home and the particular display centre and I can find out for you.
Cheers,
Helen

Hi Helen it's the Bristol 41 on display at taylors Hill

Team PD · Jun 05, 2013 9:22 pm

mak_

Team PD

mak_

thanks heaps for your help. I will as in the q&a first and then call them

Hi Mak,
You just need to tell me the name of the home and the particular display centre and I can find out for you.
Cheers,
Helen

Hi Helen it's the Bristol 41 on display at taylors Hill

Hi Mak,
Have asked the question, will get back to you soon.
Cheers. Helen

meihime · Jun 05, 2013 9:45 pm

seashoremontague21

meihime

seashoremontague21

Hey there I've updated the blog in case anyone's interested. For those who don't want to see pics, long story short, the floorboards have been installed, all painting done (as far as I can tell), tiles have started getting taken down and the bathroom/ensuite re-waterproofed, electrical work all done I think, and all of our fencing/portaloo/rubbish has been taken away. Meeting tiler and Construction Manager (SS's boss) on site later this week to talk about where to from here.

Thanks seashormontague21!

We also chose Spotted Gum for the flooring in our house, we're due to begin construction in the next couple of weeks. Since reading your colour selection post, I've been waiting for your blog to be updated with flooring pictures! Would love to see some more if you have any!

hi meihime

I have updated the pictures with some from being inside on saturday while tiler was working away and to make sure feature tiles and the lay where right this time. and for anyone else that might want to have a peep. We have also been sent the final invoice so finishing time is getting very near.

Thanks so much seashormontague21!

Loving the look of the spotted gum! Looks like we made the right decision, looks wonderful!

Thanks once again for the additional pictures!!

Corz11 · Jun 05, 2013 9:50 pm

Imlost

ftdt7882

I notice you removed the alifrost doors and got a credit. Did you remove the doors completely or just change the doors to laminex? I've been told I need to pay to switch from alifrost to laminex, even though I have paid for the upgrade to alifrost doors in a package! Confusing!

Hi ftdt7882, we have just recently had our contract appointment and have shifted from alifrost (included in a package) to silk laminex (which we paid for the upgrade cost from laminex) and did not have to pay extra. In saying this, we also did not get a credit for alifrost as we were told a credit cannot be given on something that is included within a package.

Hope this helps.

This is the problem I have raised with PD inconsistencies! We received a credit back for the alifrost doors included in the kitchen pack, either side of the rangehood. We upgraded to crystal gloss doors, pretty sure it was around $400 we got back.

mak_ · Jun 06, 2013 1:17 pm

thanks helen. Looking forward to hearing your response!

Team PD · Jun 07, 2013 8:59 am

mak_

thanks helen. Looking forward to hearing your response!

Hi Mak
The feature wall in the theatre of the Bristol 41 is 'Solver - Caribon'
Cheers, Helen

mak_ · Jun 07, 2013 12:08 pm

thanks a million helen!

Serenity_Now · Jun 07, 2013 12:38 pm

Serenity_Now

Just noticed that in my soil test report that the recommendation is for a M Class waffle raft slab but in my contract PD has accounted for a H1 class waffle foundation. Anyone have any insight as to whether this is meant to match?

So just to give an update, it has been over 3 weeks since I raised the above question to my BC and I have been told that I should have the answer today. It seems PD outsource their engineering and hence are not able to give an immediate answer as engineering is only engaged prior to construction and not earlier. So 3 weeks later I am still waiting......

Also, I was also only told yesterday that underpinning for an adjoining neighbour's building is now required and it is a shock given that we have already signed the contract (which made no mention of this), sent off documents for bank loan approvals and the plans have not changed that would have caused the need for underpinning.

There is a strong lack of transparency in the site process, costs seem to balloon out of the ether with no mention from the contract or soil test documentation. If the costs had been accounted for, it would be in the contract, it would have made it onto the bank valuation/loan request instead of now potentially meaning that we may need to find additional funds to cover an oversight that PD decided not to tell us about.

There are many processes that are frustrating with PD (but manageable), but in our case, the lack of transparency in this matter has certainly caused us to lose a lot of trust in PD.....

tstr1a · Jun 07, 2013 2:50 pm

Serenity_Now

Just noticed that in my soil test report that the recommendation is for a M Class waffle raft slab but in my contract PD has accounted for a H1 class waffle foundation. Anyone have any insight as to whether this is meant to match?

So just to give an update, it has been over 3 weeks since I raised the above question to my BC and I have been told that I should have the answer today. It seems PD outsource their engineering and hence are not able to give an immediate answer as engineering is only engaged prior to construction and not earlier. So 3 weeks later I am still waiting......

Also, I was also only told yesterday that underpinning for an adjoining neighbour's building is now required and it is a shock given that we have already signed the contract (which made no mention of this), sent off documents for bank loan approvals and the plans have not changed that would have caused the need for underpinning.

There is a strong lack of transparency in the site process, costs seem to balloon out of the ether with no mention from the contract or soil test documentation. If the costs had been accounted for, it would be in the contract, it would have made it onto the bank valuation/loan request instead of now potentially meaning that we may need to find additional funds to cover an oversight that PD decided not to tell us about.

There are many processes that are frustrating with PD (but manageable), but in our case, the lack of transparency in this matter has certainly caused us to lose a lot of trust in PD.....

s 12.1.1 of the HIA contract may apply? Every circumstance is different so seek advice.

Back Pocket · Jun 07, 2013 5:24 pm

Serenity_Now

Just noticed that in my soil test report that the recommendation is for a M Class waffle raft slab but in my contract PD has accounted for a H1 class waffle foundation. Anyone have any insight as to whether this is meant to match?

So just to give an update, it has been over 3 weeks since I raised the above question to my BC and I have been told that I should have the answer today. It seems PD outsource their engineering and hence are not able to give an immediate answer as engineering is only engaged prior to construction and not earlier. So 3 weeks later I am still waiting......

Also, I was also only told yesterday that underpinning for an adjoining neighbour's building is now required and it is a shock given that we have already signed the contract (which made no mention of this), sent off documents for bank loan approvals and the plans have not changed that would have caused the need for underpinning.

There is a strong lack of transparency in the site process, costs seem to balloon out of the ether with no mention from the contract or soil test documentation. If the costs had been accounted for, it would be in the contract, it would have made it onto the bank valuation/loan request instead of now potentially meaning that we may need to find additional funds to cover an oversight that PD decided not to tell us about.

There are many processes that are frustrating with PD (but manageable), but in our case, the lack of transparency in this matter has certainly caused us to lose a lot of trust in PD.....

I agree with the lack of transparency, as it is a fixed price contract PD would have had "someone" outsourced or not, who looked at and costed the slab to put a price in the contract. It does not make sense that you cannot get an answer to the slab rating.
Agree with the underpining, have PD given you any indication of the extra cost?

ajd78 · Jun 07, 2013 8:48 pm

I also agree with lack of transparency. It is even worse when doing a knockdown rebuild... They do a preliminary test and come up with a quote... I appreciate that they cant do exactly in the middle of where the slab will be poured but with ours they did it in the front yard! Somewhere near the slab would make sense?

Then they "assumed" that we would keep all the existing trees (altho telling us we need a clean site) and incorporating into the cost "restrictive access costs" because the trees are still there. When we asked how much they have incorporated into the cost - they were unable to tell us. Only after persistent hassling did we get $8k.

We are at the point of doing the knockdown. Lets make a bet the price doesn't come down $8k with the trees!!!

Definitely needs to be addressed cost transparency!

ajd78 · Jun 07, 2013 8:54 pm

Sorry, two other things just wanted to ask / share...

1. Anyone who has done a knockdown rebuild, did you get the sewerage capped? We are having heaps of trouble getting anyone to do this. All the plumbers think it is a waste of money to cap it as once the house is demolished, the first ppl on site is the plumber who is needed to put the pipes up thru the slab. If so, do you have someone who could do it? How much did it cost? We are building in Melb's south east?

2. Anyone who is doing the knockdown rebuild and looking for fence hire, I spoke with Porter Davis and asked if we could get their ppl to put it up early so we don't have to do and then PD does it. I rang ATF Fences and they will put it up for you - min 30 metres and it cost $250 for 6 months. This is by far the cheapest price I have found thus far and once PD starts building you just tell your BC who transfer to their name. Simple...

Thanks in advance.

Le Detail · Jun 11, 2013 10:31 pm

Hi all, been a bit of a lurker over the past few months, so here's the first post!

We're building with PD, a H&L smart living package (previously lifestyle) due to start next year, and have a general question to see if anyone else has come across this issue...

I'm basically wanting to extend the double garage (5.7x6m), effectively adding on a 'workshop' for storage which will be offset back 1m from the face of the garage at a size of 2.5x3.m. Our colour appointment is next week, contract signing mid July, site start around March next year.

PD has turned around and said no, can't be done for the following reasons:

- The H&L package has been 'pre-approved' by town planning so structural changes cannot be made
- Building co-ord has ordered plans already
- Energy rating has been done (Don't know how this can be done now when the electrical has not been selected which can greatly influence the rating!)

Has anyone had this happen to them, or am i out of my depth here? It's not like i want this extension for free. If it can't fit on the land fair enough (there is room, just not sure if it will make the house occupy too much of the land), but otherwise, i don't see the big deal, more money for you (or is it too hard, cbf'd attitude)?

I'm just hoping fibs aren't being told, otherwise cancellation alarm bells are starting to ring.