Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 27, 2012 9:53 am Hi All, I'm new to the whole land purchasing and building a house thing. But we seem to run into troubles at every turn 1st Block we looked at had an E 3 Soil rating, which after investigation, found this to be very bad soil to build on, and very expensive in the ball park of approx $40k. We opt'd out of that one and found this one here - 11 Cornelius Drive, Brentwood Rise Estate, Augustine Heights, 4300. We were quickly shown a soil report from a previous purchaser who's contract didnt go through due to finance, or so we were told. The soil report showed the soil to be an M class rating, and we were happy to know this was much better than the Original E3 test we got on the other block. We then signed a contract, and found a house to build and were getting very excited that everything seemed to be going to plan. At the last min, 4pm on the afternoon before we were due to sign the contact with Plantation Homes, they sent us an update quote on the block to include a min cost of $18,000 of site works costs due to rock. They said this cost can't be fixed, as they will not know until the work has been completed and they get the invoice. So it could be even more than the last min increase. We were preasured into signing a building contact right then and there, as the building boost runs out in the next couple of business days. We asked to take the contract home to think about it, they kept saying, "its not written in blood", you can change it and cancel it if you like (most likely at a cost). I guess most people would have just signed it, but I can't afford to take the risk if this project blows out in cost, like it already has. We were originally told by the sales guy, that the variation in contract cost was within 1 or 2 thousand dollars. Also we were told they didnt know this information, and thats why they hadn't previously quoted on it, this was a massive lie as they tried to produce the same copy of the soil report, but only dated a week prior. The left hand must not talk to the right hand, because they had already supplied us with a copy that was dated 5 months prior. Then the guy proceeded to tell me that as they were so busy, they hadn't looked at the report. Another lie I found out, as the quote they sent us the night before had a print date on it of a week ago. He said he wouldnt call us, as he didnt know the cost, and they don't have time to contact all their clients. I am very unhappy with both Investa and Plantation Homes. Even if you get a good soil rating, check for presents of rock, as you may be up for alot of money in rock excavation, and peirs. Both companies seemed to be in bed with one another, as they tried to withhold this soil report from us until after the soil clause in the land contract and also show us the extra cost at the 11th hour. If you really like the block and have deep pockets, as the money you put into the ground, won't give any extra value to your property. Re: Soil Test - Lot 413 Brentwood Rise Estate, Augustine Hei 2Jan 27, 2015 9:11 pm This worries me as we've bought a block with investa. They want approved finance by March 12 even though it may not be registered until July. No mention of WHEN we can soil test though?? Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 Re: Soil Test - Lot 413 Brentwood Rise Estate, Augustine Hei 4Jan 27, 2015 9:17 pm Are we meant to settle prior to soil testing? Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 Re: Soil Test - Lot 413 Brentwood Rise Estate, Augustine Hei 5Jan 27, 2015 9:26 pm I'm not sure how the contract looks but subject to soil test means you don't sign until you have seen the soil test doesn't it ,I would imagine a bit like subject to finance.It might be different to that but even so you can get your own done in the mean time. Re: Soil Test - Lot 413 Brentwood Rise Estate, Augustine Hei 6Jan 29, 2015 6:37 am We're buying off the plan so it's still a mountain but they keep pushing to have our finance for settlement and finance keep saying there's no point as the pre approval will expire by settlement Building a modified Simonds Palisade in Brentwood Forest. View my build thread here: viewtopic.php?t=76776 We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37150 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12345 Hi Building Expert, Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated, there is also a code of conduct for building surveyors which they need to follow as well. I am looking… 4 3678 |