Porter Davis homes

building1 · Jan 17, 2011 10:33 am

SSAZ

We had similar problem, but everything was fixed once PD spoke to my mortgage broker.

Same, the brokers know what they have to do ::lol::

ssci1 · Jan 17, 2011 12:42 pm

George's

Dilemma

Can anyone offer suggestions

PD will not proceed with our file to the building department (even though they advised this was done on the 23rd of December) until they receive a letter of finance approval.
I have provided a pre-approval letter that is subject to: Receipt of plans and permits from the builder.

PD have stated this is not adequate, so it's catch 22
I cannot get an approval letter until the plans are submitted to council, and they WILL NOT send the plans to building until i provide a letter.

I feel that they are being unreasonable, as I have paid so far, more than enough to cover the costs of sending the plans etc to the building department and then council.

Can any give me suggestions to move forward, because at the moment I can only see two options ::angry::

1. - Change Builder
2. - Change Banks

Thanks

Hi There,

As per the HIA Contract, you are legally obliged to give written and signed proof of finance - no builder has any obligation to start building until you have shown proof that you have obtained finance and can afford to fund construction - speak with your CSA - they should be able to at least talk directly with your finance so at least they can both get on the same page and work out a solution.
Most banks will issue a formal approval 2 weeks afer receiving contract docs. Approx 2 weeks later mortgage documents should be available. Council Approved Plans, Builders Insurance and Building Permit are given to the bank in order to release the first payment after slab pour and are generally sent by the builder (your CSA) when you transfer to construction.

Hope that makes some sense - good luck

Team PD · Jan 17, 2011 4:47 pm

George's

Dilemma

Can anyone offer suggestions

PD will not proceed with our file to the building department (even though they advised this was done on the 23rd of December) until they receive a letter of finance approval.
I have provided a pre-approval letter that is subject to: Receipt of plans and permits from the builder.

PD have stated this is not adequate, so it's catch 22
I cannot get an approval letter until the plans are submitted to council, and they WILL NOT send the plans to building until i provide a letter.

I feel that they are being unreasonable, as I have paid so far, more than enough to cover the costs of sending the plans etc to the building department and then council.

Can any give me suggestions to move forward, because at the moment I can only see two options ::angry::

1. - Change Builder
2. - Change Banks

Thanks

Hi George,

I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing these difficulties, I understand you're frustrated. It sounds like you're in a difficult bind here & I would like to look into this for you to see if I can help you out. Could you please send me a private message with your name, phone number, lot address & the PD office you've been dealing with so far (i.e. Lifestyle east, etc) and I'll look into this. Wizard has also offered some good advice, have you had a chance to talk to your financial institution yet? It might be worth giving it a try. I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Jess.

John17 · Jan 17, 2011 4:57 pm

Hi

I would like to ask people who have had their contract appointment already. Exactly which engineering drawings are we expected to receive. I know I am expecting a siting and floorplan drawings. But would I also receive footing plans, eletrical drawings or any other drawings.

Also whats the difference between working drawings and final drawings? Are final drawings used for construction and do we get to review it?

Thanks, Cheers

kitten · Jan 17, 2011 8:48 pm

Just a quick question, after handover, do we contact our CSA for any issues or is there someone else we should now be contacting?

ssci1 · Jan 18, 2011 10:50 am

Hi John17

At contract, you should be seeing a full set of drawings - such as floor plan/elevations/kitchen/bathroom/laundry details etc.
Your electrical plan will be as per your electrical selection - they'll go off that and generally won't need a separate drawing.
You'll also have engineering which will show things such as the slab, roof beam layout and brickwork joints..

Your final construction drawings shouldn't vary from contract drawings - unless there have been variations after contract (if your builder allows them!) and yes, they should send you out a copy of the final drawings to review.

Hey Kitten - give your CSA a buzz first - if not im sure they'll put you through to their maintenance division

Team PD · Jan 18, 2011 10:56 am

Hi Everyone,

We are very excited to announce the opening of our New Porter Davis Display Centre at Saltwater Coast! Check it out here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43087

Cheers, Jess.

J & C · Jan 18, 2011 11:12 am

Hi everyone,

We are planning on building our home with Porter Davis Homes (south-east suburbs)...after going through all the blogs on this website and speaking to people who have constructed their houses, we understand that a good site supervisor can make a huge difference...If you are really happy with your site supervisor, could you please send me the name of your supervisor through a private message.

Thanks in advace.

Cheers,

J & C

Team PD · Jan 18, 2011 11:42 am

kitten

Just a quick question, after handover, do we contact our CSA for any issues or is there someone else we should now be contacting?

Hi Kitten,

Post handover, you will be given a New Home Care Guide and a New Home Care Coordinator who will handle any questions you may have. If your issue is within the first three months after handover, your Site Supervisor is also available to respond to any concerns you may have. But for now, if you have not been allocated a NHCC, I would recommend referring all your queries to your CSA. I hope that helps answer your question. Cheers, Jess.

dreamer_kerry · Jan 18, 2011 1:21 pm

Hi Jess

I'm afraid I've also sent you a PM regarding an issue that I hope you can look into.
Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
Kerry

John17 · Jan 18, 2011 2:09 pm

Jess,

Do porter davis offer CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) downlights, as its a estate requirement for us to have internal lights to be either fluorescent or LED. If not, what solution can you suggest to have downlights that are CFL type installed? If you can please confirm with the people from Hopetoun, as I have difficulty getting them to pickup calls or respond to emails!

Thanks

SSAZ · Jan 18, 2011 2:14 pm

John17

Jess,

Do porter davis offer CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) downlights, as its a estate requirement for us to have internal lights to be either fluorescent or LED. If not, what solution can you suggest to have downlights that are CFL type installed? If you can please confirm with the people from Hopetoun, as I have difficulty getting them to pickup calls or respond to emails!

Thanks

Hi John17,

When I did my electrical appointment with them early last year, they didn't offer CFL. Not sure about LED downlight.

John17 · Jan 18, 2011 2:45 pm

SSAZ, read your blog, its very insightful.

I've noticed you plan to change to downlights later on. Did you have PD install only 1 light batten first and wire it yourself or a batten at each location the downlight would be hence saving you time to rewire it? Do you know if you can request PD to allow for space in the roof to avoid placing light battens under timber structural members.

Cheers

SSAZ · Jan 18, 2011 5:04 pm

Hi John17,

We had PD installed only 1 light batten first because I think it will be cheaper this way.

Not sure whether PD will allow space in the roof if you request them to, you might want to ask Jess from PD.

kitten · Jan 18, 2011 10:59 pm

Thanks Jess.

Team PD · Jan 19, 2011 12:22 pm

John17

Hi

I would like to ask people who have had their contract appointment already. Exactly which engineering drawings are we expected to receive. I know I am expecting a siting and floorplan drawings. But would I also receive footing plans, eletrical drawings or any other drawings.

Also whats the difference between working drawings and final drawings? Are final drawings used for construction and do we get to review it?

Thanks, Cheers

Hi John17,

I have looked into this for you to help answer your question. At your contract appointment you will receive a full set of drawings showing site plan, external and internal elevations as well as a full set of engineering plans reflecting the slab design, framing layout and any other specific details required. These will be presented by your Customer Service Administrator (CSA) at contract and are based on the specs signed in the fixed price tender, the soil and site survey reports. The plans you get presented at the contract appointment are the 'Contract Drawings'. If further changes are made to these plans by the client, they are reflected on final working drawings documented in either a Post Contract Variation or Building Variation. You will not have an appointment for these drawings, they will be mailed to you to review.

Does that help you out? Please let me know if anything is unclear. Also, 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

John17 · Jan 19, 2011 1:20 pm

Thank you Jess for explaining the details in regards to drawings.

Team PD · Jan 19, 2011 2:34 pm

dreamer_kerry

Hi Jess

I'm afraid I've also sent you a PM regarding an issue that I hope you can look into.
Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
Kerry

Hi Kerrylee,

Thank you for your PM.

I am looking into this for you and have organized someone from the PD office to contact you immediately to help you out. Let me know if you have any further questions. Cheers, Jess.

Team PD · Jan 19, 2011 3:00 pm

John17

Jess,

Do porter davis offer CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) downlights, as its a estate requirement for us to have internal lights to be either fluorescent or LED. If not, what solution can you suggest to have downlights that are CFL type installed? If you can please confirm with the people from Hopetoun, as I have difficulty getting them to pickup calls or respond to emails!

Thanks

Hi everyone,

John has asked an interesting question on the forum about installing CFL downlights. Unfortunately Porter Davis currently do not have CFL or LED down lights as part of our product offering, we are in the process of getting approval for LEDs, but they are still be trialled and may take another few months or so before we have them on range, we have not got an exact date just yet.

Currently we are only offering the option to pre-wire for future down lights of this kind, alternatively, clients can install fluorescent light fittings e.g. oysters, fluoro tubes, or we also have 120 mm recessed batten light fitting which takes a CFL globe. The standard batten light fitting comes with a compact fluorescent globe.

John, I have PM'd you an email contact for Hopetoun electrical incase you have any further questions. I hope that helps. Cheers, Jess.

dreamer_kerry · Jan 19, 2011 4:51 pm

Team PD

dreamer_kerry

Hi Jess

I'm afraid I've also sent you a PM regarding an issue that I hope you can look into.
Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
Kerry

Hi Kerrylee,

Thank you for your PM.

I am looking into this for you and have organized someone from the PD office to contact you immediately to help you out. Let me know if you have any further questions. Cheers, Jess.

Thanks so much for that Jess

I spoke to someone this afternoon and we're hoping to have it sorted in the next few days