Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 14, 2013 10:11 am Hey All,
Been reading here for quite a while and my wife and I (married in December) have decided to make the move and build our first home. We've found a 1100sqm block in Warragul in Gippsland literally around the corner from where we currently live and after looking at an enormous amount of homes have selected the Whistler from Fairhaven Homes. Really happy with both the layout and finish as compared to a lot of other displays we viewed. I know this cant always been taken as the definitely sign of a good builder but when a builder cant get the display finished well like some we looked at you have to really question how they are going to be finishing a non display. We have so far paid the $500 deposit to lock in our bonus' from late last year, and received an addition bonus of a free ducted cooling kit which we were pretty pleased about. This was on top of our benchtops, upgraded tiling and other items that were included in last years bonus. So far they have been very helpful in providing advice and support. We have our colour appointment on Wednesday and are very exciting. Spent all weekend going through all of their display homes in South East Melbourne to look at our options so we are ready for the meeting we hope. How does the process proceed after our colour meeting, as I said as first time builder and we're ready to get underway asap so hopefully we can be building sooner rather than later! Happy to hear from anyone who has already built this house. I did do a search but not much popped up specifically regarding fairhaven builds and photos so happy to be pointed in the right direction! Home can be found here; http://www.fairhavenhomes.com.au/our-ho ... stler-324/ Cheers, Met. SELECTIONS PAGE 5 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=80 SLAB DATE PAGE 7 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=120 FOOTINGS AND TRENCHING PAGE 8 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=140 SLAB PAGE 9 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=160 FRAMING PAGE 9/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=180 ROOF COMPLETE PAGE 11 / GARAGE BRICKED viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=200 HEATING/COOLING & SPARKY PAGE 11/12 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=220 PLASTER PAGE 12 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=220 KITCHEN CABINETS PAGE 12 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=240 OUTDOOR AREA PAGE 14 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=260 BENCHTOPS PAGE 16 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=300 FACADE PAGE 17 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=320 TILING, BATHS ETC PAGE 18 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=340 ROLLER DOORS PAGE 19 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=360 PAINT, CARPET & BLINDS PAGE 20 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62261&start=380 Re: Whistler - Fairhaven Homes Warragul 2Jan 16, 2013 7:53 pm So today we have had our colour consultants meeting which went really really well. Their consultant was really friendly and helpful and though we had picked most of the items and colours in advance (same as display home) she fixed up some issues that may have arisen later. During the meeting she also contacted the tender representative as we had yet to hear anything. I'm a bit confused having spoken to him so I'm after some advice from people. Basically we are doing the site cut and fill ourselves. My wife works for a civil construction company and as our wedding present they offered to do the work. When I was speaking to the tenderer he said the reason we arent booked in for a meeting to go through a tender is because we need to have the block cut first. I didnt really ask as at the time it didnt cross my mind but I dont have any form of site plan, layout, heights etc. Surely normally the builder would prepare a site assessment, provide plans to council or at least a site layout to be approved and then we would be asked to cut it to their specifications? If we do cut it ourselves wont I have to seek some sort of building approval from shire, paying fees that I was told are covered under our building contract? Any help or advice here would be great. I've left a message with Baw Baw Shire and wont follow up with the tender guy until I know more or what I need to say. Other than that we are really really happy so far! Cheers, Met. Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul (Colour Done) 3Jan 16, 2013 8:17 pm Hi Met. I've had a look at the website, the whistler is a nice floor plan. Congrats on building your first home For the site cut they will need engineer drawings. We have those for our land and it was organised by our builder and architect during the planning stage. We may also be getting our site cut done direct through the company instead of via the builder and they advised us they need the engineer drawings. Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul (Colour Done) 4Jan 17, 2013 8:17 pm So essentially; Sign contracts Builder apples for permit showing setbacks and elevations Approved and builder gives elevations and cut requirements to my civil construction company who cut it Builder builds I am getting the feeling they want us to cut it before we sign off on the build which means I'd have to get my own permit for cut and walls which just doesn't make sense. Hoping their new consultant gets on to me this week to discuss! Turns out our original contact/sales consultant who we were given at their head office left in Dec last year as we signed up so we havent been given proper contact since then. The new sales reps started Monday so I'm assured they will be back to me asap to get things happening which is much more pleasing to hear. Other than that really happy! Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul (Colour Done) 5Jan 17, 2013 8:34 pm We didn't do it in quite that order. We did the following: 1. Paid initial amount to builder for floor plans to be drafted 2. Builder performed site survey and soil testing 3. Once floor plan finalised the engineer drawings and working drawings were done (these show where the site cut is to be done) 4. Contracts to be signed Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul (Colour Done) 6Jan 17, 2013 9:04 pm thanks for the reply HomeAngle.
So what concerns me is they are asking we get a permit and cut the block before contracts. Is that normal? I haven't been told we would have a final price by any means before we cut the block. Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul (Colour Done) 7Jan 21, 2013 9:41 pm Will be watching your progress very closely we too are looking at building the Whistler with Fairhaven.. Good luck with it all!! Building the Whistler, by Fairhaven. In Tesoro Estate, Koo Wee Rup Land deposit - 30/08/13 Land settlement 22/11/13 Build deposit 23/02/14 Colour Selection 23/07/14 Tender appointment 13/08/14 Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul (Colour Done) 8Jan 22, 2013 7:21 am Thanks SutbaJay. We had a reply yesterday to our email seeking clarification about the process, they say they'll be back to us asap... hopefully that is the case! Where are you looking at building? I am really happy with 99% of the process so far. We are looking at the home costing about $253k (plus slab price), that includes everything from the display home that we love however we will be laying our own flooring (exactly the same product as the display and colour) which will set us back approximately another 7500$. Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul Tender Booked! 9Jan 23, 2013 2:04 pm So today we have had our tender meeting booked in, 18 Feb so that will be a good step forward I hope! I'm still confused about where we stand with regard to cutting our block. I assumed we would just sign regular tender and contract documents, Fairhaven would apply for building and site works permit through Shire and then when it came time to be cut our contractor would be called. Apparently not the case we have to seek our own permit to undertake works before Fairhaven then apply for a construction permit through the Shire following the cut we do, slowing the whole process. A bit disappointing but I guess if thats what has to be done then thats it. They've said they would discuss it at the tender meeting so just have to wait and see I guess Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 10Jan 25, 2013 10:01 am We are building in Koo Wee Rup. They tell me we won't have a surcharge for travel, but I'll be interested to see what our site costs will be.. Hopefully you getting the site works done yourself wont turn into too much of a headache!! Building the Whistler, by Fairhaven. In Tesoro Estate, Koo Wee Rup Land deposit - 30/08/13 Land settlement 22/11/13 Build deposit 23/02/14 Colour Selection 23/07/14 Tender appointment 13/08/14 Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 11Jan 25, 2013 10:20 am Yeah we're subject to the 5000$ levy or surcharge I am told, which I find interesting considering they now have displays in Waterford Rise Warragul. I'd also be interested to know what your costs come in at for the works to be done. What stage are you at just browsing still or further along? Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 12Jan 25, 2013 12:01 pm We are still browsing at this stage but 99% sure we'll be building g the Whistler so I'll keep you up dated Building the Whistler, by Fairhaven. In Tesoro Estate, Koo Wee Rup Land deposit - 30/08/13 Land settlement 22/11/13 Build deposit 23/02/14 Colour Selection 23/07/14 Tender appointment 13/08/14 Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 13Jan 29, 2013 8:30 am Thats great Stuba. Let me know if you have any questions. I have quite a few details regarding the display (for example full cost break down per room of the display which shows what each additional item is worth) so let me know if you need anything. Really just waiting now for the tender appointment on 18 Feb! Keen to get underway feels like its taking forever. Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 14Jan 29, 2013 11:05 am Will definitely let you know It's all very exciting and I bet it feels like 18 Feb is ages away, but by the time it gets to the day I bet it will feel like it's taken no time at all! Can't wait to hear all about it, I'll just live through you until we are ready to start our build haha Building the Whistler, by Fairhaven. In Tesoro Estate, Koo Wee Rup Land deposit - 30/08/13 Land settlement 22/11/13 Build deposit 23/02/14 Colour Selection 23/07/14 Tender appointment 13/08/14 Re: Advice Needed! - Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 15Feb 06, 2013 10:11 am Starting to see some movement we've been told we SHOULD have final plans before the Tender meeting so we can get moving on having the block cut ourselves. Local shire have advised me that I wont need a permit IF the cut is under a certain height at its deepest point. Needless to say I think thats BS and will be applying for a permit regardless with the Shire. HOPEFULLY see some plans this week! Re: Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 16Feb 11, 2013 5:26 pm Hey all,
How do you guys deal with communicating with builder? Email (so its in writing no mistakes) or calls? Appreciate any advice. Re: Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 17Feb 11, 2013 7:00 pm We are mostly dealing in writing (email) if its something we think we will need in writing. If its just to enquire on the progress of something (not that we have had to do that a lot as we haven't started building yet) then we call them. I hope they respond soon so you know what to do next. Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 18Feb 11, 2013 8:35 pm Hmm having the same lack of response here too it's been 3 weeks now since we visited the display to get our initial quote done.. The display consultant said we'd have the quote within the next few day, if not that week... Still haven't heard a word... Very disappointing, you'd think at this stage they'd be very prompt in trying to get our business, doesn't seem like they are very intereted.. I'll be calling the office tomorrow to speak with someone else I think... Building the Whistler, by Fairhaven. In Tesoro Estate, Koo Wee Rup Land deposit - 30/08/13 Land settlement 22/11/13 Build deposit 23/02/14 Colour Selection 23/07/14 Tender appointment 13/08/14 Re: Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 19Feb 12, 2013 7:48 am I'm aware their reps were changed in Dec/Jan so hopefully their communication / speed to build picks up from here!
Re: Fairhaven Homes Warragul TENDER BOOKED! 20Feb 12, 2013 1:31 pm Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it doesn't get any better... We want to build the Whistler in Drouin and had our Tender before Christmas at which time they informed us that the engineering for our foundations would add another 10k to the build as the site was classed as a P(?) site. After lots of back and fro's I had my own soil test done and it came back as a clear M class, I have had no communication at all since I send them the soil test report..... Still no contract (signed the tender at the start of December).... Brace yourself, you may be in for a looooong ride We are looking to do a KDR with fairhaven homes, Have seen plenty of good reviews about them pre construction and plenty of negative reviews about them during contruction… 0 18039 Surrey Hills, Vic 3127 Garage is being built with metal, 3m distance away from my cover deck. It is parallel to my cover deck, living room, family room and kitchen,… 0 9617 I've just built 3 stairs off a landing out the back and been told by the private certifier I need hand rails sorry tried to attach a pic but couldn't mine don't have sides… 5 5709 |