Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building in Brooks Reach 81Apr 13, 2013 3:22 pm so just wondering what happens now that we have exchanged? does our CLO send our plans to council? we get the authority to commence construction from the bank? then wait for the land to be registered before any site work starts? (we have already had out electrical appointment) Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 82Apr 13, 2013 3:43 pm Joh + Lach so just wondering what happens now that we have exchanged? does our CLO send our plans to council? we get the authority to commence construction from the bank? then wait for the land to be registered before any site work starts? (we have already had out electrical appointment) HI Joh (and Lach!) Exciting news for you guys Congrats!! Not sure how your builder will handle this stage in the process but us with Clarendon we just touched base with them every month to provide them with an update on registration. We ran into a few issues as our land was due to be registered in May 2012 and didn't register until late November. As a result we had to pay a price increase our our contract expired (frustrating). Clarendon didn't do anything with our plans until land had been registered - We had had all our appointments (except for tiling and final electrical) so we just had to sit and wait for the land to register.. Once it did we were emailing/calling our builder EVERY DAY! Clarendon submitted our plans to Stockland for approval, then the plans were submitted to CDC and it took so long!!! (CDC is quicker than council, not sure which method your builder is doing) There is meant to be a 10day turn around for CDC but there were apparently some reports missing or something along those lines. We had our two final appointments and then we had our mortgage broker contact the bank to release the authority to commence construction - then the builder has to be on site in 20days. Hope things run smoothly for you and the land gets registered even sooner than expected WizardofOz We are waiting on a report from the engineers regarding the sewer, that's it. Been waiting nearly three weeks now, which is absolutely ridiculous. Once we get that report, we sign the contract and do the colour selections, then off and running, the build will finally start. But omg.....feels like I am moving in super slow motion! Or more to the point BW are moving in super slow motion I don't want to get cranky, but it is fairly obvious that my expectations are not even remotely the same as BW's, and that is the part that annoys me. I like knowing what's happening, what's next and how long (even approximately is good!) things are going to take! And I'm not getting that. Driving me nuts!! (I have discovered that I am a little bit of a control freak and am hating having absolutely no control over this ) Vent over Wiz WIZ! That is beyond awful; I hate that this part of the process is so painful/frustrating - These are peoples lives and dreams the builders are dealing with ... There certainly needs to be better communication and more accurate time frames in relation to each stage and how long things will take. I understand what you mean about wanting to be in control; I am a very organised person and like you Wiz, like to know when/where/what/why especially when we have so much money invested into this thing! All i can really say other than to offer a cup of tea and some baked goods when our houses are finally built is that in a few weeks time this isn't going to matter - we'll be celebrating the start of your build (and talking about other frustrations that are going to pop up along the way haha.) Re: Building in Brooks Reach 83Apr 13, 2013 4:30 pm thanks for that Rubyam! gee, i wonder when our contract expires? we are in stage 8a so not meant to register till at least October. :0 Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 84Apr 13, 2013 5:35 pm Joh + Lach thanks for that Rubyam! gee, i wonder when our contract expires? we are in stage 8a so not meant to register till at least October. :0 Don't stress!! Stockland had a lot of issues with the first 6 stages and unrealistic time frames (largely due to issues with Sydney water and 70 rain days over the summer of 2012!) Once the land is registered and settlement happens things will move quickly It's good to know when your contract expires; did you say you were going with MDJ? I think they usually give you a year from signing date; we only had 9months with Clarendon and we asked them to extend the period but no one ever got back to us - when they came back to us and tried to charge us $5000 for the delays we told them it was partially there fault so halved it... jerks Re: Building in Brooks Reach 85Apr 13, 2013 5:51 pm Since we are doing a 5% deal with MJH ours is probably different. I'll get my husband to call our CLO on Monday and find out what the process is. All that sounds frustrating with Clarendon Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 86Apr 14, 2013 1:04 pm just went for a drive out there! Kids played in the park so good to see lots happening! @Darrenh how high is your ceiling, is it standard size? looking good. i wonder how many more Nova's are getting built out there? heaps of MJH are going up. you can tell by the blue steel frames and the high pitched roof. very exciting! Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 87Apr 14, 2013 2:40 pm Hello WizardofOz I hope you get this and anyone else in Brooks Reach too. We are new to this forum but are also pretty certain we will go with the Verdelho Guest - we made a major change: put bed four at the end of bed three and made the left over space a huge terraza across the back. I like your change to the laundry seems a better spot. We changed the guest bath into a WIP and a WIL which we are happy about - look forward to chatting with any new builders in Brooks Reach - it is moving fast now builds have started. Re: Building in Brooks Reach 88Apr 14, 2013 3:04 pm Joh + Lach just went for a drive out there! Kids played in the park so good to see lots happening! @Darrenh how high is your ceiling, is it standard size? looking good. i wonder how many more Nova's are getting built out there? heaps of MJH are going up. you can tell by the blue steel frames and the high pitched roof. very exciting! Hi Joh, we were out there yesterday (plus I go once or twice a week on my lunch break - obsessed much?!), and yep there are heaps of blue frames! We met with Rob from MJH yesterday to get our quote and he said there are quite a lot of GenOne homes being built. There are still another 2 x MJH display homes to be built next door to the ones that are already there and Rob said one of them will probably be the Nova can't wait for that! WizardofOz Now I'm going to vent a little! I am getting soooooo frustrated with the slowness of everything at the moment. I'm not sure if BW check this forum out, I'm imagining they do, so they may know who I am! We are waiting on a report from the engineers regarding the sewer, that's it. Been waiting nearly three weeks now, which is absolutely ridiculous. Once we get that report, we sign the contract and do the colour selections, then off and running, the build will finally start. But omg.....feels like I am moving in super slow motion! Or more to the point BW are moving in super slow motion I don't want to get cranky, but it is fairly obvious that my expectations are not even remotely the same as BW's, and that is the part that annoys me. I like knowing what's happening, what's next and how long (even approximately is good!) things are going to take! And I'm not getting that. Driving me nuts!! (I have discovered that I am a little bit of a control freak and am hating having absolutely no control over this ) You poor thing Wiz! You are so so close you can probably smell it LOL! I am a control freak too, big time (just ask hubby) so when it comes time for us to build it will be very interesting to see how I handle it. I guess you just have to roll with the punches huh So a little update from us - we got our quote from MJH yesterday, a lot sooner than expected! We initially just wanted to get a drawing of how the house we want will sit on our block. But after going in there yesterday and getting the quote I think we are gonna go with it. There is so much to consider and so the roller coaster of building and decision making begins! Should we do this, should we do that. Will the land register on time, will it go beyond this date. So many questions! And so much to think about. It all kinda feels like a leap of faith which sounds so corny but it's how it feels. Now I am rambling - the beginning of many ramblings I'm sure! Yep, so it begins... PS - was lovely meeting you too Ruby! And your hubby too of course Re: Building in Brooks Reach 89Apr 14, 2013 4:06 pm jusamyra Hello WizardofOz I hope you get this and anyone else in Brooks Reach too. We are new to this forum but are also pretty certain we will go with the Verdelho Guest - we made a major change: put bed four at the end of bed three and made the left over space a huge terraza across the back. I like your change to the laundry seems a better spot. We changed the guest bath into a WIP and a WIL which we are happy about - look forward to chatting with any new builders in Brooks Reach - it is moving fast now builds have started. Welcome jusamyra! I have found this forum so helpful and addictive! You've come to the right place, everyone on here is fantastic which stage are you going to be building in? Re: Building in Brooks Reach 90Apr 14, 2013 10:16 pm yes Nat84, we were told the other two display homes would be Gen Ones. i don't know why they didn't do the others Gen Ones as well as there are already so many Havanas etc around! doesn't looks like they're anywhere near starting to build them yet though i wish i knew which lots out there were Novas so we could keep an eye on those builds. i used to drive out there a lot too when we first put our holding deposit down (live in Mangerton at the moment), but now we just go down once a month and see how much progress is happening!!! and now that we have exchanged i'm aloud to let myself get excited now :0 Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 91Apr 15, 2013 9:18 pm Howdy ho neighbours!
I wish i was writing with good news but I'm not.. Clarendon are bonkas!!! If having the issue of the tree planted where our driveway is going to be wasn't enough, Clarendon plumber has installed a stormwater pit where our driveway will run. We were visiting our lot on Sunday with some friends and we noticed this random drain.. And upon further inspection we found it to be a storm water pit. See below: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The picture doesn't show the location but it's to the left edge of where the driveway will be poured. We didn't even realise we were getting a stormwater pit, though we checked our documentation again and a PCV (post Contract Variation) indicated that we'd have a 450mm stormwater pit - But what i want to know, and what we've brought up to Clarendon, is why is it installed where the driveway will obviously be? Why were we never asked about where we'd like it to be, or at least told or shown on a plan that it would be installed there!! We are still waiting to hear back from Local, though hubs spoke to someone today and she confirmed the guy who did our CDC was on site on Friday but he just hadn't written up a report or responded to our email. She said she'd keep on him, so hopefully we'll hear something soon about that dumb tree being in our way! Look at us @Wiz, ranting and raving wasn't building a house mean to be fun and exciting?!! Hope you all have good news to share soon Re: Building in Brooks Reach 92Apr 15, 2013 9:45 pm AARRGGGHHHH!!! Bloody builders! Hey Jusamyra - your plan sounds great! I love your ideas, if you are happy to, post your plans we'd all love to have a squizz! Are you also building at Brooks Reach? Where abouts are you? (You don't have to be specific! Give me a general idea, I know the place backward so should be safe in me knowing ) Sigh - thanks Nat, it's all driving me nuts! Like you said, I can almost smell it dammit!!! Hey Ruby - so true what you said, but it's fair enough, we're spending a fortune on our beautiful house and land so some constructive feedback and expectations met is only fair I reckon!! Oh, how Clarendon suck for you at the moment! How dumb is that plan to put the stormwater in your bloody driveway! Hello!!!! ?And the code thing should happen, maybe down the track they will give it to you? And, finally....................................got word from BW that the Engineers report is finally back and guess what? The sewer line is still exactly where it was on our original plan, so $1500 and 3 weeks later....everything is still the same!! Yay Meh. Builders. Wiz Wiz Built @ Brooks Reach Built the Verdelho Guest with Beechwood Re: Building in Brooks Reach 93Apr 15, 2013 10:12 pm Ruby! That is CRAZY! Hubs and I just realised tonight that we will have a sewer pit on the side we want our driveway! OK we'll we knew that whole time that the sewer put was there, but now that we have chosen the house we want we realised tonight that the sewer pit is on the driveway side! So we will prob have to do a curved driveway too I know it's very different and a lot more frustrating for you given the fact that you have already got your slab down and you're a lot further in the build process then we are but man is it frustrating, I can't imagine how you must be feeling at the moment! I don't want to change houses as I feel like I'd be settling. I have even been googling curved driveways tonight LOL!!!!! That really really sucks. So was it Clarendon that installed it, not Stockland? Why would they do that?! Grrrrrrr!!!!!!! Re: Building in Brooks Reach 94Apr 16, 2013 10:07 am WizardofOz And, finally....................................got word from BW that the Engineers report is finally back and guess what? The sewer line is still exactly where it was on our original plan, so $1500 and 3 weeks later....everything is still the same!! Yay Meh. Builders. Wiz WIZ!! how disheartening So where to from here? How can there be so many incompetent people in this industry!! I’m ready to hear some good news about your build; I hope BW get their butts into gear and get this sorted!! Nat84 Ruby! That is CRAZY! Hubs and I just realised tonight that we will have a sewer pit on the side we want our driveway! OK we'll we knew that whole time that the sewer put was there, but now that we have chosen the house we want we realised tonight that the sewer pit is on the driveway side! So we will prob have to do a curved driveway too.. man is it frustrating, I can't imagine how you must be feeling at the moment! I don't want to change houses as I feel like I'd be settling. I have even been googling curved driveways tonight LOL!!!!! Nat, you're right; this is horrible!!!!!! I'm glad you're aware of the potential driveway issue at this stage rather than battling it as you’re worried about the rest of the house going up. Is your builder doing your driveway or are you doing it post handover? If your builder is doing it you might have a bit say in the design and they might be able to come up with something brilliant for you.. Either way you're right, no one should have to change their plans for these silly things!!! I will have to do some googling too I guess, ha! We were planning to have a stencilled border with coloured concrete (grey-ish in colour) but i am not sure how it will look now. We'll just have to wait til we get our concreter to inspect the site and he might come up with a brilliant idea (we can hope, right?!) Re: Building in Brooks Reach 95Apr 17, 2013 3:38 pm Hi all, hope everyone is progressing nicely! Finally have an appointment with BW next week to sign our contract and do our colours and electrical - YAY!!!!! And on a very nice note...I met our next door neighbours last night! Lovely couple with two boys who both go to the same school as my two youngest (different years though) Funny, I think we were both really relieved to meet each other and relax a little. So two neighbours met, other side still to go! Wiz Built @ Brooks Reach Built the Verdelho Guest with Beechwood Re: Building in Brooks Reach 96Apr 17, 2013 4:39 pm thats nice WOZ! when we move in i will be changing my boys school to dapto primary i think. i've heard it's a nice new school and i can't see myself driving into mangerton twice a day from Brooks Reach. deciding on high schools at the moment for my eldest next year :0 very scary. probably go with Cedars and he can catch a bus. so many big decisions to make! and will we change soccer clubs too?? Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 97Apr 17, 2013 4:47 pm Joh + Lach when we move in i will be changing my boys school to dapto primary i think. i've heard it's a nice new school and i can't see myself driving into mangerton twice a day from Brooks Reach. deciding on high schools at the moment for my eldest next year :0 very scary. probably go with Cedars and he can catch a bus. so many big decisions to make! and will we change soccer clubs too?? Hi Joh, I went to Dapto priamry, Dapto high AND Cedars... I loved all my schools (though i haven't been in school since 2006). I was even made school captain at Cedars (even though i was only there for year 11 and 12). I know Dapto is currently bursting at the seams, but hopefully the planned new school will come along soon. WizardofOz Finally have an appointment with BW next week to sign our contract and do our colours and electrical.. on a very nice note...I met our next door neighbours last night! Lovely couple with two boys who both go to the same school as my two youngest (different years though) Funny, I think we were both really relieved to meet each other and relax a little. So two neighbours met, other side still to go! You go girl!!!!! Love the good news!! bring it on! can't wait to hear about your electrical and colour appointment Re: Building in Brooks Reach 98Apr 17, 2013 5:57 pm WizardofOz Hi all, hope everyone is progressing nicely! Finally have an appointment with BW next week to sign our contract and do our colours and electrical - YAY!!!!! And on a very nice note...I met our next door neighbours last night! Lovely couple with two boys who both go to the same school as my two youngest (different years though) Funny, I think we were both really relieved to meet each other and relax a little. So two neighbours met, other side still to go! Wiz that is AWESOME!!! What a huge relief Colours will be so much fun too! Let us know how you go and try post some selections once you have been so we can have a squiz!! That is awesome that you met your other neighbours too! Speaking of schools, they are eventually looking to build a Primary and High School in Brooks Reach aren't they? Word on the street is that they will be called Bong Bong Primary and Bong Bong High LOL. They could have chosen a nicer sounding name such as "Brooks Reach Primary" and "Brooks Reach High" LOL. Wonder what the shopping centre will be like too! It will all be soooo far away though So we found out that we will be able to have the sewer pit sitting within our driveway which is good, so we won't have to change the layout, it'll cost an additional $1500 as we will have to change the lid to a class d lid or something like that, so it's able to have cars driving over it all the time. It can sit flush with the driveway too which is even better, hopefully we will be able to colour the lid so it sort of blends in with the driveway. BUT we are still a long way off all that yet anyway good to know these things though I guess so we can plan ahead and have an idea of costs etc...we're also going to see Rob at MJH on Friday after work to chat about our variations to our quote etc...so that should be fun! Ciao for now Re: Building in Brooks Reach 99Apr 17, 2013 6:17 pm Ruby, are we in area for Dapto Primary? if so i don't need to put their names down. if not i'll do it asap thanks for that! where is the school and shopping centre going to go and how far away? where are you finding out this info, on the brooks reach site? Building the Nova with MJH http://thehousethatj-lbuilt.blogspot.com.au "When you are arguing against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." C.S. Lewis Re: Building in Brooks Reach 100Apr 17, 2013 6:52 pm Joh + Lach - You will be in the area for Dapto Primary living at Brooks Reach....it is a great school, my oldest went through from Kindy to year 6 and is now at Dapto High (another great school, initially I was a bit worried as it is such a big school, but my girl is now in year 8 and hasn't looked back, very impressed with the school) My two youngest are currently in year 2 and 4, they are doing really well. Dapto public won the national J-Rock competition last year! They have a fabulous creative arts program...anyway will stop babbling about the schools now!! Nat, your hubby mentioned those names to me today and I will be fighting very hard against them if they go that way...yuk!! Good news (sort of, you don't really want it there in the first place ) about the sewer plate. Honestly the bloody sewerage has been such a pain in the butt down there (that's what has held us up and is now holding up our pool plans!) @ Ruby! I could read your little writing (and it depressed me, cause I left school wayyy before you ) I will fill you all in next Tuesday with our selections.... Wiz Built @ Brooks Reach Built the Verdelho Guest with Beechwood Hi, Apologies - I know there is plenty out there on this but struggling to put together the puzzle. We're planning our garage/external laundry to master bedroom and… 0 11116 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 110560 |