Porter Davis homes

excitednewhomeowner · Jan 09, 2011 9:08 pm

Hi All,

Got the contract appointment coming up next week and are looking for any hints or tips your able to give.

Thanks

ssci1 · Jan 10, 2011 10:24 am

Don't stress too much - You'll get to see all your drawings so just make sure that everything is included and drawn up correctly - and that the description in your contract is correct too.
Any changes are made on the day so its very easy - but if you can, have any queries answered before then - it will make things a lot easier for you.
Enjoy - it will be very exciting!!

foundation · Jan 10, 2011 10:42 am

Hi Everyone,

It has come to my attention, that my builder (PD) is allowing prospective buyers to inspect my house without my knowledge. My house is almost nearing PCI. Over the weekend when the house was closed, one of the sales rep was walking thru the house with a potential buyer who has been in the house before as well at different stages.

Can you guys advise if this is common practise. I thought the builder has its own display houses for these purpose.

Please advise what should I do??

Thanks

Team PD · Jan 10, 2011 12:36 pm

Miss Piggy

:z:

I would just like to Thanks Jess for your super quick help, i have just had a phone call
and organized what i needed. Thanks again, I look forward to doing more research
::cheerleader::

Hi Miss Piggy,

Glad I could help

let me know if you have any questions in the future and goodluck with the research

Cheers, Jess.

excitednewhomeowner · Jan 10, 2011 1:27 pm

ssci1

Don't stress too much - You'll get to see all your drawings so just make sure that everything is included and drawn up correctly - and that the description in your contract is correct too.
Any changes are made on the day so its very easy - but if you can, have any queries answered before then - it will make things a lot easier for you.
Enjoy - it will be very exciting!!

Thanks for the reply ssci1. We are also waiting on a 2nd soil test as our site costs are currently 10k plus the 10k for the PD promotion so 20k all up

Hopefully there is good news

Team PD · Jan 10, 2011 2:52 pm

Titch101

Jess,

Thanks for the reply. As Smart Wiring is not structural as such does it still fall into the same statutory requirement?? Is is possible to put a clause into the contract that states PD are not responsible for the Smart Wiring and associated components?? I'm sure i have read posts about PD clients getting their own contractors to install alarm systems etc during the build, this really isn't all that different in my opinion. If the options offered by Argus Tech were decent and priced reasonably I would have no hesitiation in using them.
Can you also clarify if, as per Lunchtimes post above, PD will not allow you to supply your own lighting/fans to be installed by PD contractors?? As long as the supplied items meet Australian Standards i can't see what the problem would be.

Cheers

Hi Titch101,

ssci1 has provided some great insights, and is quite right, we don't allow external contractors to fit the smart wiring as a measure to ensure your build meets a certain quality of work, and for liability reasons. This standard of quality assurance also extends to us not installing light fittings, or any materials & appliances in general, provided by clients or anyone other than our own suppliers, but as lunchtime states, if you are set on having your own supplies installed, this can always be done post handover. I hope that answers your questions. Cheers, Jess.

Team PD · Jan 10, 2011 3:17 pm

excitednewhomeowner

Hi All,

Got the contract appointment coming up next week and are looking for any hints or tips your able to give.

Thanks

Hi excitedhomeowner,

Congratulations on completing your colour and electrical appointments, I'm glad to hear that everything went well. ssci1 has offered some great advice -don't stress, you'll have a chance to review the drawings and make changes on the day of your contract appointment. If you have any questions, regarding the contract, I suggest talking to your sales person. They'll happily provide you with up to date answers and let you know what you need to prepare for. Keep us updated on how you go. Goodluck

Cheers, Jess.

building1 · Jan 10, 2011 3:19 pm

Team PD

ssci1 has provided some great insights, and is quite right, we don't allow external contractors to fit the smart wiring as a measure to ensure your build meets a certain quality of work, and for liability reasons. This standard of quality assurance also extends to us not installing light fittings, or any materials & appliances in general, provided by clients or anyone other than our own suppliers, but as lunchtime states, if you are set on having your own supplies installed, this can always be done post handover. I hope that answers your questions. Cheers, Jess.

Hi Jess, you may have seen my post earlier about light fittings being installed by builders (or not?).
We went out to the new Arndell displays yesterday and had a look for decorating ideas (great job on those displays) and saw light fittings that we have then seen at Beacon lighting, the exact same ones.
Would PD be able to install these as they are the exact same ones used in the displays? Just a thought....

George's · Jan 10, 2011 6:20 pm

building1

Team PD

ssci1 has provided some great insights, and is quite right, we don't allow external contractors to fit the smart wiring as a measure to ensure your build meets a certain quality of work, and for liability reasons. This standard of quality assurance also extends to us not installing light fittings, or any materials & appliances in general, provided by clients or anyone other than our own suppliers, but as lunchtime states, if you are set on having your own supplies installed, this can always be done post handover. I hope that answers your questions. Cheers, Jess.

Hi Jess, you may have seen my post earlier about light fittings being installed by builders (or not?).
We went out to the new Arndell displays yesterday and had a look for decorating ideas (great job on those displays) and saw light fittings that we have then seen at Beacon lighting, the exact same ones.
Would PD be able to install these as they are the exact same ones used in the displays? Just a thought....

Building1,
we saw lights installed at the Craigieburn display village, which when we had our electrical appointments, were not available, just as the paint colour was not available, or the carpet and the Full length mirrors. Try not to make plans based in what you see in the display village, as PD will often display things that they will , under no circumstances , actually install.

Always ask, but light fittings are a perfect example of something you will see, that they won't fit.

building1 · Jan 11, 2011 1:33 am

George's

Building1,
we saw lights installed at the Craigieburn display village, which when we had our electrical appointments, were not available, just as the paint colour was not available, or the carpet and the Full length mirrors. Try not to make plans based in what you see in the display village, as PD will often display things that they will , under no circumstances , actually install.

Always ask, but light fittings are a perfect example of something you will see, that they won't fit.

We know they're not part of the package, our contract is sealed as we start next week (YAY!) but these particular lights were in a display, which we later saw at Beacon (are they PD's supplier?)
We pay for the lights but see if PD can install, most likely not but doesn't hurt to ask...

mimi23 · Jan 11, 2011 7:03 am

George's

Building1,
we saw lights installed at the Craigieburn display village, which when we had our electrical appointments, were not available, just as the paint colour was not available, or the carpet and the Full length mirrors. Try not to make plans based in what you see in the display village, as PD will often display things that they will , under no circumstances , actually install.

Always ask, but light fittings are a perfect example of something you will see, that they won't fit.

Hi George's,
We are also building with PD and wrongly presumed that as PD have installed mirrored splash backs in the kitchens of many of their display homes, that it would actually be an available option.....wrong!!
I just fail to see the logic.

ssci1 · Jan 11, 2011 11:15 am

excitednewhomeowner

ssci1

Don't stress too much - You'll get to see all your drawings so just make sure that everything is included and drawn up correctly - and that the description in your contract is correct too.
Any changes are made on the day so its very easy - but if you can, have any queries answered before then - it will make things a lot easier for you.
Enjoy - it will be very exciting!!

Thanks for the reply ssci1. We are also waiting on a 2nd soil test as our site costs are currently 10k plus the 10k for the PD promotion so 20k all up

Hopefully there is good news

Hi excitednewhomeowner,
Where abouts are you building? I've got a couple of friends in places like Sunbury that have had 30,40K in site costs due to their slope and the amount of cut/fill that they needed to have.
I had heaps of rock (think I ended up with 17 metres of it pullled out - my builder was very lovely to mention that they would only stockpile it on site and would remove it for $1000 after it was all out!!!!! - luckily a close friend of mine has a bobcat & tipper and did it for free - but it was a suprise that I probably should of looked further into at contract)
Costs generally doesn't change too much from 1st - 2nd Soil and Survey so deep breaths, I'm sure it will be fine

mqtutor · Jan 12, 2011 11:17 am

Team PD

excitednewhomeowner

Hi All,

Got the contract appointment coming up next week and are looking for any hints or tips your able to give.

Thanks

Hi excitedhomeowner,

Congratulations on completing your colour and electrical appointments, I'm glad to hear that everything went well. ssci1 has offered some great advice -don't stress, you'll have a chance to review the drawings and make changes on the day of your contract appointment. If you have any questions, regarding the contract, I suggest talking to your sales person. They'll happily provide you with up to date answers and let you know what you need to prepare for. Keep us updated on how you go. Goodluck

Cheers, Jess.

I was told by my CSA that I'm not allowed to change the facade because the plan has been draw, I haven't signed anything, is it the case for everyone?

Also, after signing the contract, can I change the tiles? or is it better we go to the showroom again (on the weekend), and take note the model / material number before hand?

thanks all

flagstaffIV · Jan 12, 2011 12:08 pm

Hi MQ,

That is correct. Once the facade and floorplan have been chosen and you have paid your deposit then you can't change anything. You can still add doorways etc... Anything stuctural can't be changed.

ssci1 · Jan 12, 2011 2:23 pm

mqtutor

Team PD

excitednewhomeowner

Hi All,

Got the contract appointment coming up next week and are looking for any hints or tips your able to give.

Thanks

Hi excitedhomeowner,

Congratulations on completing your colour and electrical appointments, I'm glad to hear that everything went well. ssci1 has offered some great advice -don't stress, you'll have a chance to review the drawings and make changes on the day of your contract appointment. If you have any questions, regarding the contract, I suggest talking to your sales person. They'll happily provide you with up to date answers and let you know what you need to prepare for. Keep us updated on how you go. Goodluck

Cheers, Jess.

I was told by my CSA that I'm not allowed to change the facade because the plan has been draw, I haven't signed anything, is it the case for everyone?

Also, after signing the contract, can I change the tiles? or is it better we go to the showroom again (on the weekend), and take note the model / material number before hand?

thanks all

After contract, there are generally no variations permitted.
I'd change it prior and then get your CSA to request the amendment to be made so you get a new tile selection on the day of contract.

Team PD · Jan 12, 2011 5:24 pm

mqtutor

I was told by my CSA that I'm not allowed to change the facade because the plan has been draw, I haven't signed anything, is it the case for everyone?

Also, after signing the contract, can I change the tiles? or is it better we go to the showroom again (on the weekend), and take note the model / material number before hand?

thanks all

Hi mqtutor,

It's best to discuss this with your Customer Service Administrator, they will be able to tell you what is possible in regards to your build

If you have any problems getting in contact with them, just let me know. Cheers, Jess.

Team PD · Jan 12, 2011 5:31 pm

mimi23

Hi George's,
We are also building with PD and wrongly presumed that as PD have installed mirrored splash backs in the kitchens of many of their display homes, that it would actually be an available option.....wrong!!
I just fail to see the logic.

Hi Mimi23,

I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the unavailability of the mirrored splash backs as seen in the display home, I have looked into this for you to see what has happened. In 2008 we were advised on some ongoing issues with mirrored splashbacks, unfortunately, at the time there were already some displays with this product onsite and we were unable to change them over. These displays are due to be closing soon and mirrored splashbacks have not been part of the selection range for almost 3 years now. Again, I'm sorry for any disappointments this may have caused. Which splash back did you end up choosing instead? Cheers, Jess.

Team PD · Jan 12, 2011 5:47 pm

building1

Team PD

ssci1 has provided some great insights, and is quite right, we don't allow external contractors to fit the smart wiring as a measure to ensure your build meets a certain quality of work, and for liability reasons. This standard of quality assurance also extends to us not installing light fittings, or any materials & appliances in general, provided by clients or anyone other than our own suppliers, but as lunchtime states, if you are set on having your own supplies installed, this can always be done post handover. I hope that answers your questions. Cheers, Jess.

Hi Jess, you may have seen my post earlier about light fittings being installed by builders (or not?).
We went out to the new Arndell displays yesterday and had a look for decorating ideas (great job on those displays) and saw light fittings that we have then seen at Beacon lighting, the exact same ones.
Would PD be able to install these as they are the exact same ones used in the displays? Just a thought....

Hi Building1,

I apologise for the delay, I have looked into this for you to see what I information I could find to help answer your question. Basically, most light fittings are selected simply to compliment a theme and decorating style for that particular display home. The design team reference such a broad range of suppliers and have endless catalogues of product options. Whilst some fittings can be seen throughout numerous displays they are generally bought at full RRP and there is no particular supplier agreement in place at this stage. As light fittings are an optional extra we cannot anticipate how many clients would order any given feature light therefore we are unable to source a volume price point or guaranteed delivery timeframe to pass on to our clients.

Clients are welcome to select from the current lighting selection range supplied by Argus Technologies at their electrical appointment, alternatively they can arrange installation of their own product after handover.

Does that help answer your question. Cheers, Jess.

Team PD · Jan 12, 2011 5:54 pm

foundation

Hi Everyone,

It has come to my attention, that my builder (PD) is allowing prospective buyers to inspect my house without my knowledge. My house is almost nearing PCI. Over the weekend when the house was closed, one of the sales rep was walking thru the house with a potential buyer who has been in the house before as well at different stages.

Can you guys advise if this is common practise. I thought the builder has its own display houses for these purpose.

Please advise what should I do??

Thanks

Hi foundation,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I would like to assure you that at Porter Davis it is not common practice for sales reps to bring prospective buyers through a home. I appreciate your honesty on the matter, and if you could Private message me me your name, lot address and the name of the sales rep, I'll look into this further for you. Taking clients to a site is a possible OH&S concern, so your help on the matter would be much appreciated

I also recommend bringing this up with your Customer Service Administrator so that they are kept in the loop. Cheers, Jess.

mqtutor · Jan 12, 2011 6:45 pm

Team PD

mqtutor

I was told by my CSA that I'm not allowed to change the facade because the plan has been draw, I haven't signed anything, is it the case for everyone?

Also, after signing the contract, can I change the tiles? or is it better we go to the showroom again (on the weekend), and take note the model / material number before hand?

Hi mqtutor,

It's best to discuss this with your Customer Service Administrator, they will be able to tell you what is possible in regards to your build

If you have any problems getting in contact with them, just let me know. Cheers, Jess.

I did. She told me the facade canNot be changed because the drawing has been ordered. ::sad::

If we have variations (re. tiles) after signing the contract, do we need to come back to PD office again to sign the paper works?

Does anyone has the same experience?