Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building a Simonds Express home 3Aug 29, 2014 2:24 pm Hi jaclegg88, We signed our contracts the other day. The express advertises 14 week build for standard home and because ours is over christmas we're been given a 16 week completion time. It seems way to quick to me. I'm just concerned that the work might be really crappy if theyre putting them up so quick! Re: Building a Simonds Express home 4Aug 29, 2014 3:07 pm They must just co ordinate the trades better so it all runs smoothly, does it cost extra to do the express? If your unsure about the quality, I would recommend hiring an independant building inspector at various stages of the build, we are getting one to inspect after frame, lock up and handover. I think the usual price is about $400 per inspection but I think in the long run it's a really good investment to ensure all is according to plan! What house are you building and where abouts? We have found Simonds so far to be great, our land settled today actually and hope to have building permits approved next week so they can start the site scrape the following week. Slab 19/9 Framed 22/9 Locked up 20/10 Simonds Lenox!! Re: Building a Simonds Express home 5Aug 29, 2014 3:25 pm Building an express home is a little different. Usuallly you can choose your floor plan, facade and the colours throughout the house. But with the express range it is as is. We cant change the floor plan and only have a couple of facades and two colour schemes so it doesnt cost extra its just a standard price. But i suppose thats why their so quickly put up as well because they order everything in bulk. Thanks for the tip about the independent building inspector. We plan to be up there every week checking it anyway but we wouldnt really know what we're looking at and as you said its a small amount of money to pay for that peace of mind. We're building the Express Nicholson in Greenvale Orchards in VIC. What house are you building and where abouts? Thats great news about your title! Would you be able to keep me updated in how long it takes before you start your build? Re: Building a Simonds Express home 6Aug 29, 2014 4:22 pm Hi Emidow, I am currently building an express house and I have seen a few express houses in my area as well. I am building in the Craigieburn area. I have had an inspector look at the build and he did pick up a few issues, but they were easy to rectify. Like the other guy said its just better coordination of the works and "reverse" building (they can start on another stage before they wait for some previous stage to finish, so you'll have multiple things happening all at once) Re: Building a Simonds Express home 7Aug 29, 2014 5:08 pm I am not building an express Simonds home, just a standard build... We're looking at about 18 weeks at this point. I can agree with everyone else, it's better trades coordination. We have something happen everyday, where as other builds in our neighbourhood can go days or wweeks without anyone on site doing any work. Their quicker build times come down to having trades bookEd well (and paid properly)as opposed to a lot of others who struggle to get people to work for them due to the low pay rates on offer. Our tradies are very happy to talk and tell us why they love working for Simonds! Haha We've had a building inspector through at each stage, theonly stuff that hhas appeared has been minor and mainly cosmetic stuff, nothing serious or that could undermine the structural integrity of the house. But I'd still fully back someone getting one in, if only for your own peace of mind. Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66299 Slab: 16/6/14 Frame: 4/7/14 Roof: 22/7/14 Lock Up: 20/8/14 Fixing: 26/8/14 PCI: 9/10/14 Handover: 20/10/14 Re: Building a Simonds Express home 8Aug 29, 2014 5:59 pm Philo Hi Emidow, I am currently building an express house and I have seen a few express houses in my area as well. I am building in the Craigieburn area. I have had an inspector look at the build and he did pick up a few issues, but they were easy to rectify. Like the other guy said its just better coordination of the works and "reverse" building (they can start on another stage before they wait for some previous stage to finish, so you'll have multiple things happening all at once) Hi Philo, Did you have to wait for the land to title before you started building? And did you get an independent inspector? What sort of issues we're they? How has everyone found the customer service with Simonds? We chose the cream colour scheme with the Simonds express and when they showed us the brick that is ment to be cream is looked a lot more redish. I got in touch with our CRC and they said a couple of people have questioned the colour so they're getting in contact with Austral Bricks to confirm. Re: Building a Simonds Express home 9Aug 29, 2014 6:59 pm This is my second build, and I have had a great time this time. I will tell anyone who will listen how much I love the Simonds team in SA! We had a few little things happen on site, very minor, but the way they handled it was brilliant. Nothing was ever too much trouble, Our CRC returns phone calls, updates are regular and Our SS has great attention to detail and is a very approachable and all round nice guy. We might have got lucky, but everyone we've come in to contact with from there has been fabulous. This is in Adelaide though, but for me it reflects well on the whole organisation. Feel free to rend my thread (it's a bit long) but has a lot ofSimonds related info Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66299 Slab: 16/6/14 Frame: 4/7/14 Roof: 22/7/14 Lock Up: 20/8/14 Fixing: 26/8/14 PCI: 9/10/14 Handover: 20/10/14 Re: Building a Simonds Express home 10Aug 31, 2014 4:56 pm Yes, the land has to settle first before they can start building as they need proof the land is yours. I did get an inspector and he picked up that there were electrical meter box didn't have proper noggings, an issue with the vapour barriers, an issue where the trusses met the studs, a hole for the bathroom pipe not properly supported in the top plate. All the things I couldn't pick up on my own without studying the Australian Building standards. The brick colours always look different from the brochure, you can ask for houses that are being built with that brick and do a drive by and see how they look. Re: Building a Simonds Express home 12Aug 31, 2014 7:02 pm Just a word of warning,had someone who works nearby who built with this program,inexperienced and no independent balls and all inspector,results a flooded kitchen, a flooded ensuite,cracks all over house,probably from slab heave,which can destroy plumbing,now she will get years of problems and heartache,get a inspector like building expert or your playing Russian roulette with your life and money.read all forums and open your eyes to what your getting structurally,quality wise. Re: Building a Simonds Express home 13Aug 31, 2014 7:09 pm Philo Hi Deluxes Glad to hear about your positive experience. The people I have dealt with have been lovely and helpful as well. Have you had handover yet? We are about 6 weeks from handover... Very happy so far. Our building inspector has been impressed so far, just minor little things - but all in all its come up very well. We just have 2 more inspections to go. Fixing stage inspection this week and then the final Practical Completion one before keys. Fingers crossed it stays the same quality! We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16286 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110574 |