Building a home remotely

kfc · Jan 24, 2008 10:55 pm

Hi All,

Has anyone here built a house whilst in another state or out of the country? I potentially have a 2 year posting over east and would like others experiences, we were looking at building webb brown neaves. We would love to come back home to a finished home but am I just living a dream?

thanks for any comments..

Hennig · Jan 24, 2008 11:10 pm

Do you have someone that you trust to keep an eye on the project?
You can always look at using independent inspector s to ensure quality is kept, but it would still pay to have a friend or someone you trust to keep you up to date.
Where are you off to?

kfc · Jan 25, 2008 12:13 am

Hennig

Do you have someone that you trust to keep an eye on the project?
You can always look at using independent inspector s to ensure quality is kept, but it would still pay to have a friend or someone you trust to keep you up to date.
Where are you off to?

Sydney, so I could come back for major inspections and periodic visits..

mek · Jan 25, 2008 8:10 am

We built on our own block (demolished old house) and moved literally four streets away whilst building. We did come and look at things nearly every weekend, but my point is, even if we didn't, it wouldn't have mattered - everything went really smoothly, up to handover.

peach · Jan 29, 2008 10:21 pm

I've just signed with WBN. They have been a breeze to work with so far - only took 2 weeks to make changes to a display, have it costed, and sign. I spent 2 months working with other builders' sales reps and getting no where so it was a welcome relief.

gpierce · Jan 30, 2008 12:20 pm

I sometimes "feel" like I'm building remotely since I am in the US almost once per month at the moment. In fact, I am there now and we have a meeting with the landscaper tomorrow at 3PM. My wife will be there and I will be with them on portable speakerphone.

We haven't actually started building yet, but I can't see my travel slowing down so I'll be in your position only further away:) At least I'll be back regularly.

Greg

kfc · Sep 16, 2009 10:53 am

Well its been 18 months since we left our home in the capable hands of Webb & Browne-Neaves in WA and left for Sydney, we chose a premium build to ensure that we not only had the quality but the project management and experience behind them to ensure a successful project.

Here is my story...

Just as we signed up to a build I was offered a 2 year project in Sydney which I took up.

-The house spent 3 months in council.
- Pad went down end of October 2008
- Progress payments came and we were sent photos to verify everything looked ok, sent in a family friend who confirmed everything was going to plan
- The downturn meant that everything started going very fast
- 9 months later (2 storey double brick home!) we were called for our final inspection, so we flew back for a month to make sure everything was in place.
- I also go an independent building assessor just for peace of mind to assist us though the inspection.
- We had next nothing wrong with the place, a few bits to clean and paint, a few doors that needed adjusting. The joinery was all good and everything was to plan.

The experience has left not only myself with a good taste but others who have built with other builders and gone though some pain have now said if they build again they will spend the extra and go with a premium builder. Not only was the workmanship top notch but the supervisors really knew their job and ensured that they checked and double checked off everything.

I would build again in an instant with WBN homes. I highly recommend them in WA, they have been fantastic.