Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 12, 2012 7:02 pm Hi All, New to the building process, and currently building with Elderton Homes. As this is our first (and probably last!) home build, I am unsure how long is too long between signing up with a builder, and starting... We signed up back in February, handing over our initial deposit to kick off the tender process, and agreed on the final tender four weeks later. Drawings were signed off mid April (with a couple of minor variations signed off end of May). We then did our colour appointment mid May, and plans then submitted for CDC approval end of May. Besides a week hold up for a bush fire report, our plans were approved 26th June. Since then though, we have pegs in (mid July)....and then...nothing... Is this wait time normal? Given we were advised during the tender process that because we were going through CDC instead of Hills Council, the likelihood of us being in before Christmas was highly likely, however I doubt that is likely now since its almost mid August and still nothing is happening! Re: How long is too long? 2Aug 12, 2012 8:02 pm Sounds like us and I think it is quite normal. Ive heard worse though. Our CDC was approved late June and our site pegout was done around mid July. We are now in the "Construction stage" where our builder has 20 working days to come onsite and start works. We are now at 12 working days. Apparently in this 20 working day period the builder orders all the materials and organises the tradies. Check your contract as it should specify what to expect. Hope your builder gets started for you asap. I know Im sick of waiting. Re: How long is too long? 3Aug 12, 2012 8:17 pm Did your 20 day count start from peg out, or when the builder receives all signed final consolidated documents? Ours started from the day they received our signed docs. So our 20 days was up on 3rd Aug.....hmmm. Re: How long is too long? 4Aug 12, 2012 8:24 pm seajay17 - Our 20 day count also started when the builder received the signed docs. Is that 20 working days for you? (ie- 4 weeks)? It is for us. Re: How long is too long? 6Aug 12, 2012 8:35 pm Is there a clause in your contract that states the builder should be paying a penalty to you for going over this period? Ours is $50/day. Might be worth looking into. Hows the communication with your builder? Whats there excuse for not getting started? Re: How long is too long? 8Aug 12, 2012 8:57 pm Good luck and I hope they get going for you. I know how tedious it is to have to wait for them. Re: How long is too long? 9Aug 12, 2012 9:09 pm Hi seajay, (neighbour) We were 3 weeks with pegs before we were scraped and posted so you should be close. I saw yesterday developers were digging at the rear of your neighbourss block on the right side, have u had a look this weekend??. Not sure if they were on your block aswell.. Re: How long is too long? 11Aug 12, 2012 9:25 pm Hello!! You must be so excited you're almost in! We went this morning. I think it's the council digging up some pipes on the corner (storm water/sewer?)...but they have left all their equipment and fill on our block...! Re: How long is too long? 12Aug 12, 2012 9:31 pm Very excited, we get our key this Fri. I meet someone who built with elderton and they were very happy. Stay on them, and hopefully you will get u some answers tomorrow. Keep us posted.. Re: How long is too long? 13Aug 13, 2012 3:33 pm Excavation started today!! After having to ring around and get the estate to move the machinery and pipes off our block....! THE RISE - moving in this Friday? You can be our spies haha! Sirocco - I hope things move along quickly for you too!! Finding it hard to be patient when I am counting down the days until we can move in... Re: How long is too long? 14Aug 13, 2012 3:38 pm Seajay.... Yay , I just went past and saw your block being levelled.. Looks good ! Anytime you need me to check anything I would be happy to.. SS confirmed 10am this friday. I have my tiler starting at 11am. Had our Roller door motor stolen over the weekend. Someone had left the laundry door unlocked and they helped themselves. Congrats on the start and lets hope for beautiful weather for your build. Re: How long is too long? 15Aug 13, 2012 3:44 pm seajay17 Excavation started today!! After having to ring around and get the estate to move the machinery and pipes off our block....! THE RISE - moving in this Friday? You can be our spies haha! Sirocco - I hope things move along quickly for you too!! Finding it hard to be patient when I am counting down the days until we can move in... Thanks and congrats for getting started Do you have a build thread or a blog? Id like to follow your progress Re: How long is too long? 16Aug 13, 2012 4:04 pm The rise - Thats terrible about your motor being stolen! Not good at all!! Sirocco - I set up a blog a while back, to start blogging, and got as far as the title, so I might kick start that now we have some action! Started following yours last night...what a beautiful part of the world you're building in! Re: How long is too long? 17Aug 13, 2012 4:17 pm That would be great. I really enjoy following other peoples builds. Its what has kept me from going mad over the last few weeks of waiting. It really is paradise here. I wouldnt want to build anywhere else and we are happy to stay here for the next 20yrs or so and get our kids through school. Where are you located? Re: How long is too long? 19Aug 13, 2012 7:23 pm Its a great holiday destination for Sydney siders. Our area is one of the worlds top ten recognized mildest climates. So its not to hot and not too cold and averages out through the year. Summers probably the best time. You'll have to make it a holiday destination one day. Be sure to post a link to your blog in your signature and I will subscribe for sure. Re: How long is too long? 20Aug 14, 2012 5:46 pm OK... I'm not a big blogger, actually I've never done it before, so apologies if its boring! But here is the address: ourhillsdreamhome.blogspot.com.au Update though, we are now flat!! And my other half figured out today (despite me protesting about this months ago) that above the windows, we have lightweight cladding in lieu of bricks...which he has now decided he doesn't like. So we rang Elderton to ask if its too late to change, which it isn't, and is a lot cheaper than we thought to upgrade!! (Only $700 throughout!) So relieved... 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