Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 25, 2012 7:58 am With the encouragment of a few of the lovely ladies on here, I thought seeing I have too much to say, and probably too much time on my hands to post, I thought I would start my own thread. A bit of background. We live in Port Stephens NSW, moved up from Sydney nearly 4 years ago. We have always wanted to build our own house, but have always bought houses that were built as going back to renting, or moving back in with parents always seemed to much hard work. When we moved up from Sydney we bought a Mac Jones house that was only 6 months old. It was on 1/2 acre with no grass, no floor coverings etc. We spent 3 years finishing it and then we sold it - to finally build our own house. We bought a one acre block that had a building envelope already assigned. I was told by the Council that they did not know why it was there, so should be easily changed and we needed to buy the block before we could get any more answers. We bought the block and put down our deposit with Mac Jones to build the Bronte Grande. It would not fit in the building envelope, but with the councils and the surveyor we hired encouragement, we submitted all the forms necessary to change the envelope dimensions and bring it forward. We got the verbal yes that it was all good and just to wait for the formal approval to come through. The only thing that came through after 5 weeks of waiting was a big fat NO. They said that by moving the building envelope two more trees would have to be cut down - well actually less trees would be removed, but they wouldnt listen. They advised it was a koala habitat (where we had been told that it wasn't after a council wildlife persons visit to check if it was) There were two options, fight it and it could be lengthy and expensive or change the house that we wanted to build. We decided to visit the show homes again and look at two storey houses. I wanted a 5 bedroom with two study house and room for a pool table (DH's request) our building envelope was 20m wide, by 28m long, so we could fit in a single storey in those dimensions, but really did not want to go down the route of a custom designed home (despite working for a builder myself) We came across Rawson Homes. Although the display homes that we saw at Waterford County were too small for what we wanted, their sales were brilliant (thanks Paul for all your help) and their homes were lovely. Another thing that I like with Rawson they have a turn key price - no base price with all the site costs on top. From day dot we knew how much we were going to spend - despite us keeping on adding things in. We decided on the Fernside 38. Original floor plan. For me, it was a little small at the back. With the current promotion, the alfresco option was included. So we ended up having this turned into part of the house and then adding the alfresco again onto the back of the house, making the house just under 43 sq and making it 27m long Accepted the tender middle of June, with a promise of a 120 day pre-build process. We bought our block April 11, so we needed a slab as part of the free stamp duty by 11th October, which would have just been under the 120 days (by 4 days). Rawson can be a bit slow with their admin times, so I have made sure that we keep the process moving so that we could make that deadline Block with house sitting - block length is 116m. Front and side elevation Back and other side elevation Ground Floor First Floor We have missed our 11th October deadline, and missed our 120 day pre-build process (currently up to 131 days) but our CC was issued 3rd October 2012, so we have until 31st October to have a start. So not that far away. Here are some pictures of the block Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Now that the excavator has come in and removed the trees and has completed a rough cut and fill to the site. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Contract is 40 weeks for the build. Generally Rawson are a lot faster than that, so with Christmas taken into account I am hoping that we are moving in April/May time. My blog in case you want to follow along http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com.au I have to warn before i start this thread - I am completely honest. I am a date orientated person, so if you give me a date when you are going to do something, if you dont make that date, I will whinge. If you say you are going to do something and you dont, I will whinge. If you do what you are going to say you are going to do and keep me informed, then I will love you forever. If you build me a great house then I will sing your praises from the rooftop. You are going to get the good, the bad and the ugly. When I was looking around for builders and going through the pre-build process, the more information and the more photos that I could find the better. Any little bit of information that I could get I thrived on. I have been totally honest on my blog (and in other threads on H1) on pricing and processes that we have gone through with Rawson. Any question just ask - I am happy to answer. Oh and another beware - I love to take photos, so you will be overloaded. I will be back to post more information on colour selections and electrical selections (which we only completed on Tuesday - ouch that one hurt) and lots more photos!!! Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 2Oct 25, 2012 8:18 am Jens has her own thread....... So glad you have started your own thread, really looking forward to following your build..... Love your story, love your house..... can't wait to see it all come together..... Need lots of posts and lots & lots of photo's... Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Lower Frames 3Oct 25, 2012 8:42 am Thanks Carak!!! I debated whether to start my own thread, but as I tend to talk a lot in real life and on Home One, I might as well. At least if no one follows along I can talk to myself Here are some more pics from the block clearing Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 4Oct 25, 2012 9:01 am I don't think you should be worried about talking to yourself, people LOVE to watch and to learn from people who are building their dream. Your block of land is absolutely beautiful.... I am sure there would be lots of people on H1 who would love the size of the land that you have but probably most important the peace & quite Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 5Oct 25, 2012 9:08 am Size of the land is good - would have loved to go bigger, but with the cost of the house, there was no way we could afford over this size. It is also a benefit of moving out of Sydney - a bigger block. When we re-turfed when we were in Galston, we got Sir Walter and to re-turf our backyard we needed 94m2 to do everything. We thought that was a lot. With our last house it was about 1800m2 of turf we used. This time, we dont have much turf left, and what is there is pretty crappy and will need to be removed - so we are talking nearly 4000m2 of turf - I don't even want to add up the cost of that one. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 6Oct 25, 2012 9:18 am Perhaps some dirt and a few packets of grass seeds might be cheaper..... Not instant but cheaper!!!! Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 7Oct 25, 2012 3:32 pm Quote: Perhaps some dirt and a few packets of grass seeds might be cheaper..... Not instant but cheaper!!!! I have suggested this to DH. First thing we need to do is get water and then I think a packet of seeds might be in order. Now I said I am not a patient person and if you give me a date I will hold onto it. Rawson CSO told me that my file would go to the SS on Tuesday in his weekly meeting at head office. Sent email yesterday, to be told that he didnt come down, but it would be couriered to him. Asked when that will happen. No reply. Sent another email today, to be told that it is still with the estimating department and it will go to him soon. My CC was issued 3rd October and as per the contract site works to commence within 20 working days from when this is issued. 20 working days is up next Wednesday. Whether it is a portaloo or a fence, I expect action on my block. I have asked for a true indication of when we will start. Hopefully they are honest and don't give me some spin to make me happier in the short term Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 8Oct 25, 2012 3:45 pm Wow, your block looks beautiful! What a lovely setting for your new home. Your house plans look great, the additional room at the back will give you so much room. Look forward to following your build We built the Wisdom Majestic 40 - moved in! Our blog - http://ourwisdommajestic40.blogspot.com.au/ Our H1 thread - viewtopic.php?t=54156 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 9Oct 25, 2012 8:06 pm Thanks Onewheel. We are looking forward to living in the new house, it will be an extra treat after living in our shoe box rental. No reply from Rawson this afternoon on an actual start date. Will chase again tomorrow. Received electrical plans in the post to sign off. That is the last thing that needed to be signed. I'm glad that that part of the build is over. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 10Oct 25, 2012 8:38 pm Hi Jen, I'm sure you don't mind if I follow along. Getting that paperwork all done and finally signed off on is a great feeling, it really is the worst part of building. Hope they start soon for you. Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 12Oct 27, 2012 2:19 pm Quote: I'm sure you don't mind if I follow along Hi Tash, love for you to follow along, just as long as you don't judge for the luxury inclusions Maybe I wont be flamed as I don't have 3m ceilings Quote: Love your plans, love your land, and can't wait to follow your progress Thanks Gogo - hopefully it will be as entertaining as your build. Well Rawson has really annoyed me. One thing that has annoyed me in the pre-build process is the lack of communication. I had no reply to my question of 'give me a true indication of a start date'. I chased again yesterday to be told that the file is 'likely' to go to the SS next Wednesday. As we have owned the block since April. We were supposed to have our slab mid October. Rawson wrote a letter to OSR to explain that a slab would be down 2 weeks after site works commenced on 23/10/12. As the 23rd has been and gone and nothing has happened, my CSO said that she would amend the letter if that would help - no it doesn't help, a slab would help, keeping to time frames would help. Anyway something totally off track. We got chickens for my DD for Christmas last year and one of our chickens has been clucky and we were told to get day old chicks to snap her out of it. She would raise them and it would be all good. We got two day old chicks last night and she happily slept with them all night under her wing, but this morning when they came out of under her wing and she started attacking them. So she has been put back in her pen and now we are going to have to raise them until they are old enough to go out with the other chickens. They are too sweet. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 13Oct 27, 2012 7:43 pm Oh no, how frustrating! I hope Rawson get it together and get the slab organised for you soon! I found the admin side if things the most frustrating. Once it starts it will feel like things are moving along a bit quicker. The chicks are very cute!! We built the Wisdom Majestic 40 - moved in! Our blog - http://ourwisdommajestic40.blogspot.com.au/ Our H1 thread - viewtopic.php?t=54156 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 14Oct 27, 2012 8:00 pm Jen1977 Quote: I'm sure you don't mind if I follow along Hi Tash, love for you to follow along, just as long as you don't judge for the luxury inclusions Maybe I wont be flamed as I don't have 3m ceilings Quote: Love your plans, love your land, and can't wait to follow your progress Thanks Gogo - hopefully it will be as entertaining as your build. Well Rawson has really annoyed me. One thing that has annoyed me in the pre-build process is the lack of communication. I had no reply to my question of 'give me a true indication of a start date'. I chased again yesterday to be told that the file is 'likely' to go to the SS next Wednesday. As we have owned the block since April. We were supposed to have our slab mid October. Rawson wrote a letter to OSR to explain that a slab would be down 2 weeks after site works commenced on 23/10/12. As the 23rd has been and gone and nothing has happened, my CSO said that she would amend the letter if that would help - no it doesn't help, a slab would help, keeping to time frames would help. Anyway something totally off track. We got chickens for my DD for Christmas last year and one of our chickens has been clucky and we were told to get day old chicks to snap her out of it. She would raise them and it would be all good. We got two day old chicks last night and she happily slept with them all night under her wing, but this morning when they came out of under her wing and she started attacking them. So she has been put back in her pen and now we are going to have to raise them until they are old enough to go out with the other chickens. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ They are too sweet. Our 3 yr old was touching a little chick, a rabbit and a sheep today at Kalina, an estate in the Ponds where they are selling houses. they even had free popcorn and a jumping castle. We checked out our land and the progress of the neighbours house and the other 2 that are going up near our street. This waiting waiting waiting frustrates the crap out of me. You're way ahead of us Jen, hope they get it together for you soon. Building The Benham 29 in The Ponds With Rawson Homes http://buildingwithrawson.blogspot.com.au/ Site Start 13/2/13 Handover 7/8/13 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 15Oct 29, 2012 2:43 pm Quote: I hope Rawson get it together and get the slab organised for you soon! I found the admin side if things the most frustrating. Once it starts it will feel like things are moving along a bit quicker I have found the admin stage very frustrating. I was warned by our lovely sales person that the admin part would be the worst. I actually thought my frustrations would be over a couple of weeks ago once our CC was issued. I know once we get some action I will start feeling a lot better Quote: You're way ahead of us Jen, hope they get it together for you soon. Thanks Duesseldorf. I am sure they will pull their finger out soon. I have sent an email today asking for another update, wonder what the reply will be. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 16Oct 29, 2012 7:09 pm Fingers crossed there is a loo or something soon!!! Built the Seaview 36 with Rawson Homes - Read about it on my blog http://lamaisondemorgan.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 17Oct 29, 2012 7:24 pm A loo would make me happier - at least I would know something was happening No reply as usual regarding when file is going to SS. Will chase again tomorrow Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start soo 18Oct 30, 2012 1:09 pm Chased again this morning to be told that it can't go to the SS until I reply to them about the changes to the 5th bedroom ensuite vanity - which i replied to on Friday. I advised that it had already been replied to if emails were checked and please advise there were not any more hold ups. No reply to that email. Emailed again asking for a reply and no reply to that email. Grrr - Rawson really need to fix their admin processes. So I am in no better position. I have sent a third email asking for a timeline of when site works will commence and when I will have a slab. For anyone that bought a block in NSW with free stamp duty providing that you built within 6 months - has anyone not met the 6 months and what happened????? Rawson has written me a letter, but that means nothing as they are not going to meet the dates they stated. Should i call OSR and explain or should i leave it and hope that Rawson get a move on and get a slab down soon. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start tmw 19Oct 30, 2012 2:05 pm I finally have a reply My file will be passed over to the SS tomorrow. I will have a slab down by Wednesday 14th November. Hopefully it is a bit sooner than that, but at least it gives me a bit more time before I have to start paying mortgage payments. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Mat and Jens Port Stephens Rawson Build - Site start tmw 20Oct 30, 2012 2:15 pm Yipeee!! Hope everything is smooth sailing now! Invoice days are Thursdays so you know and don forget to check your trash in your email! Mine went straight there oops! Built the Seaview 36 with Rawson Homes - Read about it on my blog http://lamaisondemorgan.blogspot.com.au/ Thanks for much mate. I see that you do cabinets before flooring. For timber flooring, for most parts it's fine because it's got base plates, and for door jabs you can… 7 11558 Well these guys are not looking good... I sent them a written enquiry last week and they have not yet replied. If they cannot respond to a simple… 4 10627 I looked into it a few years ago and my conclusion was to just build a carport that will support panels and get a system installed separately. The company I looked at had… 1 6481 |