Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Boutique Homes 1681Jan 27, 2016 1:42 pm Well we are only at the roof stage, but experience so far (since) construction started, haven't been that great. -in our estate, I am tracking the builds that have started 1 week prior to ours and 3 weeks after our has started. We are way behind. Our neighbour started 1 week prior and his brick work are finished and roof is up, now working on the insulations. Roof work should be starting this week. -Our fence around the plot are not always locked. they have left our windows laying in the garden, wind blew down the fences and dented couple of the window frames. Messaged SS, no reply, contacted liaison, who will contact SS to contact me. Heard nothing. That was early december. Fences are still down. Thats a joke. -We have noticed part of the frame was wrong. Left it for 2 weeks to see if they will notice and rectified it!?! Well they didn't. I send SS photos and called for explanation. Just palmed me off, saying they know what they are doing and he have been using them for a long time. Later that night sorted...lol. -We check the build everyday as we only live few mins from the plot. Out of 5 days, 3 days will have someone there. if we lucky. I know its not really all boutique's fault. Now the frame has finished, we are happy. Lets hope it will get better from here. Rant over. Re: Boutique Homes 1682Jan 27, 2016 2:44 pm Donaldouk Well we are only at the roof stage, but experience so far (since) construction started, haven't been that great. -in our estate, I am tracking the builds that have started 1 week prior to ours and 3 weeks after our has started. We are way behind. Our neighbour started 1 week prior and his brick work are finished and roof is up, now working on the insulations. Roof work should be starting this week. -Our fence around the plot are not always locked. they have left our windows laying in the garden, wind blew down the fences and dented couple of the window frames. Messaged SS, no reply, contacted liaison, who will contact SS to contact me. Heard nothing. That was early december. Fences are still down. Thats a joke. -We have noticed part of the frame was wrong. Left it for 2 weeks to see if they will notice and rectified it!?! Well they didn't. I send SS photos and called for explanation. Just palmed me off, saying they know what they are doing and he have been using them for a long time. Later that night sorted...lol. -We check the build everyday as we only live few mins from the plot. Out of 5 days, 3 days will have someone there. if we lucky. I know its not really all boutique's fault. Now the frame has finished, we are happy. Lets hope it will get better from here. Rant over. thanks Donaldouk for the shared experience. Hopefully once you do your inspection let us know also the quality of work they did to your house. --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Re: Boutique Homes 1683Jan 27, 2016 10:03 pm Our SS has been fantastic - and build excellent so far. Our paperwork side was very ordinary (sales consultant was great, but had a handful of pre-start consultants. Our colour chick was horrible) We had issues with council which didn't help. I'm so thankful our build is going well. Not sure I would have coped with the stress. We are almost done (I think) - this last part is really dragging, building over Christmas is annoying as it came to a complete stop. Things are getting done, just slowly now. Well it feels slow. Our timber floors went in yesterday (Australia Day public holiday) They were due for last Thursday/Friday. Unfortunately they ran out - just a small part not done. They look fantastic - I'm thrilled. (Spotted Gum - Matt finish) The neighbours will be happy as the obscure film is on the Windows, the glass wardrobe sliding doors are on. The obvious things for me left are; the carpet, the mirrors, the splash back, missing stone bench, the alarm, intercom, hot water, rain garden connection, painting (parts. Eg. Front door, Annie's room - pink, stairs and general touch up) and the small part of timber flooring. Most likely more but they are the main things to my untrained eye. We are doing the driveway ourselves - it is cheaper to do it after handover, but it would certainly be easier to move in with it done. Especially after rain today it's a mud pit. As for the blog (and here for that matter) - I don't use names. Just refer to our Site Supervisor as SS for example. Oh and don't worry if homes around you are going up quicker, quicker isn't always good. Just look at the finished product. Well that's my opinion anyway. Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Re: Boutique Homes 1684Jan 28, 2016 8:47 am donovansdaily Our timber floors went in yesterday (Australia Day public holiday) They were due for last Thursday/Friday. Unfortunately they ran out - just a small part not done. They look fantastic - I'm thrilled. (Spotted Gum - Matt finish) Blog: http://www.dapplegrey.com.au Great to hear your updates.. Exciting times!! Could you please share the flooring pics? Re: Boutique Homes 1685Jan 28, 2016 3:40 pm Checking back in here a few months after some of the dramas we had with the Steel support beam. Things have gone fairly smoothly since. We're probably a couple of weeks away from our final inspection and new home presentation. Just waiting on Stone Benchtops to go on, and then they can finish off things like basins and feature tiling, after which we're pretty much there. House looks amazing. Gotta say, the best piece of advice we got, was to use a private inspection company. We've used New Home Inspections. The amount of small things they've picked up has been unreal. The first couple of inspections had some serious glaring issues with the slab and frame stage, and I think it's made our SS a lot more observant when checking the tradies' work. The last couple of reports have had issues, but they've been a lot less significant than the first couple. It's not been cheap - 7 inspections that cost us $500 each, but geez, some of the issues, we could have been up for many many thousands of dollars in fixes later. Very happy we did that. It's been a loooong 18 or 19 months since we first signed the contract for the land, and I am just itching to move in. I'll try and upload some photos when I get a chance to transfer them from my phone. Re: Boutique Homes 1686Jan 28, 2016 10:03 pm donovansdaily Oh and don't worry if homes around you are going up quicker, quicker isn't always good. Just look at the finished product. Well that's my opinion anyway. Blog: http://www.dapplegrey.com.au Agree with this, have you ever made changes after you made your PWC? I was planning to add the cooling system after. they said I couldn't do it. Still waiting for my estate to be finished, 3 more months before the title. The waiting game. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Re: Boutique Homes 1687Jan 28, 2016 10:07 pm 7th_Cavalry donovansdaily Oh and don't worry if homes around you are going up quicker, quicker isn't always good. Just look at the finished product. Well that's my opinion anyway. Blog: http://www.dapplegrey.com.au Agree with this, have you ever made changes after you made your PWC? I was planning to add the cooling system after. they said I couldn't do it. Still waiting for my estate to be finished, 3 more months before the title. The waiting game. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I wonder if cooling system is structural in regards of piping etc? ? Mine suppose to be in 3 months but land agent said looking at the progress it'll be pushed back Re: Boutique Homes 1688Jan 28, 2016 10:11 pm Did you at least get an allowance for cooling? Maybe ask them to allow that provision cost around $405. https://letsbuildwithboutique.wordpress.com Re: Boutique Homes 1689Jan 28, 2016 10:18 pm johanna.ram Did you at least get an allowance for cooling? Maybe ask them to allow that provision cost around $405. https://letsbuildwithboutique.wordpress.com Hi, Joanna - the cooling system is the airconditioned system (Bravis - ICE 15KW centralised cooling), unfortunately no provision for that on the contract. I told them I was willing to pay the amendment fee but they haven't responded positively yet. I don't think this will include the piping Enz710 they just need to install the condenser outside + the cooling unit in the heating vent system to allow the cool air to pass thru the vents. --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Re: Boutique Homes 1690Jan 28, 2016 10:21 pm We didn't make any changes after PWC so I can't help. The timber between the two floors had a cut out for the heating/cooling so maybe that's why it is structural? But I actually don't know. I'll pop up some floor pics - just gotta grab them off hubby's phone. And photo tip - download app Tapatalk - you can then load photos and comment straight from your phone - so easy!!! Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Re: Boutique Homes 1691Jan 28, 2016 10:24 pm Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Spotted Gum flooring - Matt finish 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 ⋅ Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Re: Boutique Homes 1692Jan 29, 2016 8:27 am I need some help please!!! Does anyone have the Marseille 26 or 28 Floor plan with all the dimensions? Major problem with our build at the moment, we are meant to be building the Marseille 33 and they finally put our slab down. Slab looked smaller than the display so I checked our plans and guess what? To our surprise every single plan they provided had different dimensions in 80% of the rooms on all 3 plans. So when we signed up we signed and initialled a plan but added extra garage with 480mm extension to the 3rd garage, once they added the 3rd garage and we selected all our colours again different plans which we didn't pick up on as we were too excited about the whole build...then final plans again different measurements. I have raised the issue and am waiting for a response as they have shrunk our house by a fair bit so my conclusion is they must be building the 26 or the 28 rather than the 33. Thanks in advance Re: Boutique Homes 1693Jan 29, 2016 9:04 am Alright. My copy of contract and spec have just sent in PDF files and I'm a bit freaking out with all the details. Do you have your contract checked by solicitor/ building inspector? We won't be signing the contract during our colour appointment and I'm wondering how the appointment change the total in the contract? Do you pay your 5% balance when you have your contract appointment? Our build won't happen for at least another 6 months and I wonder if I can delay this. Re: Boutique Homes 1694Jan 29, 2016 9:12 am EN710 Alright. My copy of contract and spec have just sent in PDF files and I'm a bit freaking out with all the details. Do you have your contract checked by solicitor/ building inspector? We won't be signing the contract during our colour appointment and I'm wondering how the appointment change the total in the contract? Do you pay your 5% balance when you have your contract appointment? Our build won't happen for at least another 6 months and I wonder if I can delay this. Most of the contract are standard you can ask to have it checked by a lawyer but I guess it is a bit waste of money just look for key important things like cooling off period and subject for finance clause...yes you can delay it the only thing they will say is they wont guarantee the agreed price. But you can stretch it before you sign the PWC. yes 5% is mandatory downpayment. Make sure all the main stuff you already thought about like structure of the house etc as this will be a final signoff. The other minor things like color, flooring etc you have 48 hours after your color appointment to change. Otherwise will charge you for contract variation. If you an an architect or engineer friend will help u look at the plans. Re: Boutique Homes 1695Jan 29, 2016 10:46 am donovansdaily Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Spotted Gum flooring - Matt finish Blog: http://www.dapplegrey.com.au Nice flooring and sink, ooks like almost done for you Donovansdaily...happy for you just keep us updated as well of other tradies and home improvements you have even after the build. --------------------------------------------- Building a St. Tropez 25 - Boutique Homes Aurora Estate Wollert - Victoria Re: Boutique Homes 1696Jan 29, 2016 10:49 am I will 7th_cavalry. This page has been wonderful. Carpet going in today ??? Hopefully it doesn't get covered in mud - such a mud pit after a couple of days rain I'm so excited. Think I might give my SS a call today I'm busting to know when it might finish. Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Re: Boutique Homes 1697Jan 29, 2016 10:54 am Ozfen86 - that sounds stressful. I'm guessing they are building whatever the final plan you signed off is. Hopefully you can sort it out. Serves as a reminder to everyone in planning stage to re-check everything. It's so easy to miss things when you are excited though. For newbies, maybe writing a list of thing to check might help. Hope you sort it out Ozden86 and get the house you want. Hard to believe how the change happened to begin with. Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Re: Boutique Homes 1698Jan 29, 2016 1:20 pm donovansdaily Ozfen86 - that sounds stressful. I'm guessing they are building whatever the final plan you signed off is. Hopefully you can sort it out. Serves as a reminder to everyone in planning stage to re-check everything. It's so easy to miss things when you are excited though. For newbies, maybe writing a list of thing to check might help. Hope you sort it out Ozden86 and get the house you want. Hard to believe how the change happened to begin with. Blog: http://www.dapplegrey.com.au Donovansdaily I think fuming is more like it considering when we signed up with our sales consultant everything was right, only the 3rd garage and an extra 480mm space in garage was meant to be added. We went to sign the contracts and had the plans with the 3rd garage and additional 480mm space on plans but never realised they changed the dimensions. Then the final plans I told our consultant there was a discrepancy and she advised it was a typo so ok to sign when in fact it was a mistake. So I just cannot understand how the 3 person checking system completely stuffed the plans up from sales till the end product. And what is even more devastating is we sold our 24sq home to build a bigger house and now have a slab with only an extra 4sq's which is costing us an extra large amount. They still cannot provide us with an answer Re: Boutique Homes 1699Jan 29, 2016 1:32 pm Ozden86 donovansdaily Ozfen86 - that sounds stressful. I'm guessing they are building whatever the final plan you signed off is. Hopefully you can sort it out. Serves as a reminder to everyone in planning stage to re-check everything. It's so easy to miss things when you are excited though. For newbies, maybe writing a list of thing to check might help. Hope you sort it out Ozden86 and get the house you want. Hard to believe how the change happened to begin with. Blog: http://www.dapplegrey.com.au Donovansdaily I think fuming is more like it considering when we signed up with our sales consultant everything was right, only the 3rd garage and an extra 480mm space in garage was meant to be added. We went to sign the contracts and had the plans with the 3rd garage and additional 480mm space on plans but never realised they changed the dimensions. Then the final plans I told our consultant there was a discrepancy and she advised it was a typo so ok to sign when in fact it was a mistake. So I just cannot understand how the 3 person checking system completely stuffed the plans up from sales till the end product. And what is even more devastating is we sold our 24sq home to build a bigger house and now have a slab with only an extra 4sq's which is costing us an extra large amount. They still cannot provide us with an answer Can you get someone to measure this and confirm? How the can shrink up to 7sq is beyond me Re: Boutique Homes 1700Jan 29, 2016 1:40 pm Somebody has clearly made a very large error - gosh I hope they sort it quickly. So glad you realised now and not further down the track. Keep us all up to date with the response. Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au Blog: www.dapplegrey.com.au 10 15877 Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 76580 |