Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Anyone building with Carter Grange in Melbourne 2Oct 14, 2011 1:56 pm Hi Nancy....I have just posted re our build with Cartger Grange - see - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=51829&p=792416&hilit=carter+grange#p792416 We are quite happy with hebel compared to brick. Would rather that than weatherboard. Others in the forum have previously discussed hebel vs brick...see viewtopic.php?t=11732 Re: Anyone building with Carter Grange in Melbourne 3Apr 24, 2012 7:05 pm Hey all We were about to build with Carter Grange paid the deposit but have since pulled out. We loved the inclusions and the Metropol 43 layout but due to a number of outstanding issues and some serious concerns we decided to look elsewhere. Advice: Check your specs document, Carter Grange include all the same lenient tolerances and minimum building practices as volume builders. Do yourself a favour and get a copy of a standard HIA contract and a copy of the Victorian Building Commission Guide to tolerances and standards 2007 and compare these documents to what it is you are signing... nuff said! There are many trickle down practises in this business and considering where they come from it is understandable. Remember that old adage - if it seems too good to be true... Disclaimer: Our situation is our situation and may not be indicative of this builder in general -but it is our experience - Ghunnar Re: Anyone building with Carter Grange in Melbourne 4Apr 28, 2012 10:29 am Hi Ghunnar, Can you please tell us more about your experience, what were your concerns and issues? Is there something in the contracts that couldn't be striked out or were they not willing to be flexible? I have got a copy of the Tolerences and standards and will compare but am no expert by any means! As CG are newer than a lot of the others it would be great to get some insight on some of the things to look out for before jumping right in with them. Could you let us know of some of the trickle down practises you experienced? Ex Porter Davis and Carlisle homes staff there would have to be some coming through... Sammy Re: Anyone building with Carter Grange in Melbourne 5May 01, 2012 1:05 am Very quickly, Carlisle specs docs have a STRONG resemblance to CG specs docs. These documents outline any building materials and tolerances that the builder requires the home owner to sign off on - other/different than those that the builder must comply with under BCA (building codes Australia) and AS (aust standards). A builder is required to comply with BCA and AS and this is stated in the HIA contract. This is a bare minimum and any component of the build that does not meet these standards is a defect - unless you signed off on it! If a builder asks a lay person to sign a document with specifications other than those included in the BCA or AS then you need to ask yourself why. also when these specs are less than the bare minimum you must also ask why. Some builders will tell you they comply with BCA and that these "specs" are grey areas. Frame overhangs on slab are not grey areas. Defect viewing distances are not grey areas. Defect periods are not grey areas. And so on etc...etc... In the BCA there are allowances for "design solutions" (grey areas) and these are for builds that are unusual and require an engineer to design something specifically to counter a specific problem with a unique site or build. An example might be for special footings for an extremely steep site with rock and problem soil where the BCA and AS may not be adequate or where the engineer can prove a another way to obtain the same result as the BCA AS stipulates. Also look at the procedure of purchase documentation and selections brochure. In general my advice is that builders are more alike than different. Attitudes towards the client is the same and business practices follow suit. If one builder claims something then scrutinize that claim especially when they are new. You need to be aware of your rights and what you are signing ... a house is a major investment so treat it with due care and diligence. Lastly I note that there are five 5 star reviews for CG on the product review website, I also note they are written by people who have written one review only and the reviewer never answers questions from forum members. CG has used those reviews as Testimonials on the CG website. CG has built 180 homes in the last year (I was told this fact by a director) yet CG testimonials are not written by "Jo and Bruce-North Clyde" they re by anonymous reviewers on a forum... We spent close to 2 years in a process with TA. It was horrible..... we got to tender, and the first cut was 50% over our budget which "they care such about meeting ". We… 18 27280 I haven’t. But have a Lowe Design home. Not only did I find Matt Lowe patronising and a bully, but the home is NOT TO CODE. I have water coming through the bricks… 1 14371 I do enjoy the drama:-D In his latest two videos he has started bringing security guards to site, I am waiting for the punch on to begin lol 6 45547 |