Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 25, 2013 8:26 am It's time to share with you our first building journey. Now we are just after the roof stage so I think we can share with you our first comments. Once visited many display homes around Perth, we came across The Willow by Dale Alcock Homes. As we really liked the home structure and the finishing details, we finally chose to build with them. The sales consultant was very professional and addressed almost all our needs. Just few of them were not possible such as wall-hung toilets, tiled drain and other small ones. We have to say that this stage has been very positive. I particularly enjoyed it! We started with The Vines but, with all the changes we made, we ended up to have almost all the features of the display home. The main changes were: • Single entry door • Enlarged the study • Move the guest bedroom entrance in order to have more privacy in the family night area. Reduce the pantry to have a WIR for guests • Provide third bathroom for guests • Create a small laundry in the garage • Change the ensuite configuration adding a bath and a huge shower • 31c ceiling throughout • Spotted gum floor throughout (no carpet ) • Kitchen similar to the one in display home – just stacked the microwave above the oven close to the fridge • Appliances (I chose Electrolux), toilets, bidet in the main bathroom, ensuite taps (Scala by Sussex-Reece) and other minor details FINAL VERSION I am definitely happy with it. http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/1%20Ground%20Floor.PDF INSPECTIONS AND FEW ISSUES Our journey has gone smoothly until the second independent inspection: after it we started to think that maybe we haven’t been very lucky as far as the construction stage regards. During the second inspection, many non-conformity were pointed out as far as roof frame, bricks and plumbing concern. • The plumbing pre lay in the kitchen was in the wrong place. • There are open brickwork joints without or with little mortar throughout the internal walls bricks. • Hanging Beam, roof struts, lateral restraints installed with minor issues. Of course we asked them not to go on with the roof tiling before having fixed all the non-conformities and before the independent inspector having done another inspection. Furthermore around the 17th of Feb they started the electrical systems and other issues arose. We had a meeting just two weeks before with the site supervisor underling how we wanted things to be done regarding the electrical system. Easy and obvious things such as power points and switches placed as per plan, all items at correct height and distance, leveled. On the 08/03/2013 we had a third inspection: positive outcome as they fixed all the issues electrical system included. Dealing with them has been quite easy except for last week problem. As the kitchen plumbing pre lay was, in first place, in the wrong spot, they had to cut the slab and re-plumb and re-wire what was needed. Now we have the plumbing in the correct spot but the electrical cables inside a conduit that goes from the island to the cooktop, haven’t been laid at the best. The conduit is not completely inside the wall as expected: they probably took the wrong measures while installing the cables. The outcome is that the cable lays outside of the wall and of the floor using space that is supposed to be dedicated to the furniture’s (see pictures) When we pointed this out, CLO, they replied saying: “We will not be changing this as this will be covered by the kitchen units and to change this may compromise the running of cables through the conduit.” I think this reply is unacceptable. It is their mistake and they are not going to fix it. If tomorrow I want to change kitchen – I am planning on buying a branded European kitchen, that will be a major issue.. Anyone having the same problem? See picture http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/94.%2021032013.JPG I have to say, in same occasion we had to be pushy as we did and do not intend to give up on anything. The money we are investing in this project needs to be well-spent one. Next stage should be the most exciting one, all cabinets, flooring etc will be installed! Our house will definitely start to have a personality! Hope you enjoy our journey and find it helpful! PICTURES SO FAR http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/ THE BUILDING TIMELINE SO FAR: 25/06/2012 PPA signed 29/08/2012 Color meeting 10/09/2012 Prestart and Contract (after insisting, we had the opportunity to sign the contract after the pre start meeting: we wanted to have everything costed) 04/10/2012 Building permit 18/10/2012 Settlement 23/11/2012 Footings 26/11/2012 Slab 15/12/2012 Brick started 06/02/2013 Roof frame started 19/03/2013 Roof frame finished 29/02/2013 Plastering finished THE INDEPENDENT INSPECTIONS TIMELINE SO FAR: 26/11/2012 First independent inspection Before slab down: footings check 15/02/2013 Second independent inspection After roof frame: brickwork, roof frame, rooms dimension and plumbing pre lay check 08/03/2013 Third independent inspection To check if they fixed the negative outcomes of the second inspection Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 2Mar 25, 2013 11:31 am Hi Alessia. Just letting you know I have subscribed to your thread. I noticed there are a couple of things you mentioned that you seemed to have had concerns about - I hope these have now been resolved? I look forward to seeing more photos and updates of your building journey. If there's anything I can do to help please let me know. All the best, Jemima. Dale Alcock Homes. We love building. T: 08 9242 9200 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm Sat - 10-4 thedacrew@dalealcock.com.au http://www.dalealcock.com.au http://www.facebook.com/dalealcockhomes Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 3Mar 25, 2013 12:20 pm Hi Jemina, First of all thank you for your interest. The kitchen issue is still open. We contacted the Site Manager last week and he told us it was fine. Of course we did not like his reply so this morning we called him back. Now we are waiting for the Site Manager to go on site and re-check. Looking forward to solve it by today. Alessia Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 4Mar 25, 2013 3:37 pm I have never seen that before.. they should fix that, so i hope they change it.. great plan.. love the open plan Home Group WA Monte Carlo Timeline on Page 1 Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 5Mar 26, 2013 1:42 pm Nicci I have never seen that before.. they should fix that, so i hope they change it.. great plan.. love the open plan Unfortunately we are still waiting for a solution for that problem. Yesterday morning the Site Manager said that he was reviewing their refusal to fix it but so far we haven't heard anything from Dale Alcock. I still can't believe that Dale Alcock could consider it a "good work"... Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 6Mar 26, 2013 3:22 pm Hi Alessia. I have just been informed that you will receive a response and confirmation about this before we close for today. it will either be your Site Manager or Client Liaison Coordinator who contacts you. All the best, Jemima. Dale Alcock Homes. We love building. T: 08 9242 9200 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm Sat - 10-4 thedacrew@dalealcock.com.au http://www.dalealcock.com.au http://www.facebook.com/dalealcockhomes Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 7Mar 26, 2013 9:30 pm The DA Crew Hi Alessia. I have just been informed that you will receive a response and confirmation about this before we close for today. it will either be your Site Manager or Client Liaison Coordinator who contacts you. All the best, Jemima. Hi Jemima, Thanks for following up our concern. This afternoon we have been contacted by the CLO: they informed us about their decision to fix the problem in a professional way. Looking forward to see the outcome and the next stage (installation of the ceiling) I will then post more pics Alessia Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 8Mar 26, 2013 9:47 pm Hi Alessia posting to follow your thread, sounds like you've hit a few little humps already. Look forward to following you as things progress, and if there's one thing I can say and that is that Jemima is amazing and will follow things up for you time after time so don't be shy to put your thoughts forward. We are first time builders and have stressed about so many things through all this and its been really nice to know there's someone who goes above and beyond to get you answers I notice you got the spotted gum - you will LOVE it. We fell in love with it at the DAH display in Baldivis and when you see it in your own house it looks 10X better (even with all the dusty boot marks over it) lol Building the Riva by Dale Alcock Homes. Follow our progress here: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=57075 Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 9Mar 26, 2013 10:07 pm Go Alessia, it is lots of money and you should be happy. Well DA on coming to a professional resolution. Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 10Mar 26, 2013 10:38 pm MissEm, we fell in love with the spotted gum.. I am sure I will like it! I have seen your pics and I have to say it is really the same as the display home! We are first time builders in Australia as well and we have noticed that we have to fight to have things done properly! The sentence "it has been done as per industry practice" made us upset! I really hope not to here it again!! I have been reading this forum for a lot of months and I have noticed Jemima work! She is great! Bradster, Yes, we are spending a lot of money.. that's why we do not intend to give up!! We are happy with Dale Alcock so far. Even if we have had few problems, they have always fixed it to make us happy. Alessia Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 11Mar 27, 2013 10:27 am Glad to hear there is a solution to the problem. Thats good you are still happy with the builders too. Home Group WA Monte Carlo Timeline on Page 1 Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 12Mar 31, 2013 12:56 pm Last Thursday they began the installation of the ceiling! By the end of next week we should have all the cornices installed and the internal white plaster. Can’t wait to see it finished.
Front and side of the house http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/Kitchen.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------- Kitchen update The conduit is now at floor level. I am sure they tried their best to meet our request. So we are ok with that.
after http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/Kitchen%20issue_improved.JPG the improvement Have a nice Easter! Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 13Apr 03, 2013 1:07 pm We're building with Dale Alcock too so I'm happy to hear they've addressed your concerns. Can't wait to see your finished product. Building with Dale Alcock Homes in Aveley Our thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63880 And yes, my pants are indeed fancy. Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 14Apr 12, 2013 12:39 pm We are almost at lock up stage! Windows have been installed http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/20130411-1.JPG and doors have been delivered http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/20130411-2.JPG We received the Lock Up invoice last Wed saying it will be on Monday but, considering doors are on site, it could be today. I really hope to see doors installed before going back to work! As we are most likely going to replace all windows after handover, I am getting some quotes. Every time we go on site we feel unsafe.. it seems these windows can be destroyed so easily! That's a very poor quality windows. I have received few interesting quotes, one from DuoGlass in Joondalup. Is anyone there that has bought windows from them? Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 15Apr 12, 2013 1:55 pm Alessia As we are most likely going to replace all windows after handover, I am getting some quotes. Every time we go on site we feel unsafe.. it seems these windows can be destroyed so easily! That's a very poor quality windows. I have received few interesting quotes, one from DuoGlass in Joondalup. Is anyone there that has bought windows from them? Hi Alessia we're also building with DAH Just wondering what was the problem with your windows? Glad to see you are at lock-up , everything happens quite fast after that! : : : : : : : : : : : : 2014 | Time to move to the country 2012 | Our Build with Dale Alcock https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61943 Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock - Lock up! 16Apr 12, 2013 9:07 pm Finally Lock Up!!! I've just came back from site but I forgot to take a picture! Unfortunately we have seen they have installed unasked shelves and rails also in the master suite dressing room. They have also cemented the alarm box - asked CLO about this and they will uncover it at the final stage (but before painting). So demoralized by all these small things: DH keeps saying that they are so much disorganised that they prefer to fix the errors instead of planning what to do before sending the contractors We are really looking forward finishing this house! Hope things will be better from now on. For Beachside The windows are exactly the same as the ones we have seen in the display home. We have always used double glazing before moving to Australia and we have just realized that there is huge difference with the aluminium windows they have installed. Double glazing windows and glass panels are much more resistant, whereas the glass they installed moves just touching it! At the beginning we planned to replace them later on but once we have seen them installed… we have changed our minds! The only issue is the price: all the quotes range from 35 to 43 K. Here http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/206.%2012042013.jpeg and here http://rm.itwa.net/DAH/207.%2012042013.JPG you can see what I mean with poor structure so unsafe (I will try to take better pictures). The window frame (second picture) lifts from the fixed structure while closing it. Also the seal is not good -both around the glass and between the fixed glass and the sliding one. Alessia Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 17Apr 12, 2013 9:34 pm Alessia So demoralized by all these small things: DH keeps saying that they are so much disorganised that they prefer to fix the errors instead of planning what to do before sending the contractors Totally agree with this - its horrible. We had sooo many things that shouldn't have been done, but they just do it anyway. For instance a dented fascia on the side of our house which is still there to this very day. - They KNOW they will have to replace it, so why put it up in the first place??? Absolutely ridiculous. Building the Riva by Dale Alcock Homes. Follow our progress here: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=57075 Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 18Apr 12, 2013 9:44 pm Hi Alessia, I've just noticed you have no laundry.. where is your washer kept? Love the flooring you have chosen! Our Custom Dale Alcock build in the Village at Wellard https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=78620 Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 19Apr 12, 2013 10:14 pm Wellard2ndTimers Hi Alessia, I've just noticed you have no laundry.. where is your washer kept? Love the flooring you have chosen! The laundry is in the garage. We have increased the garage depth to the rear to provide provision for the washing machine and a trough. In the end I do not really need to waste house space for a laundry - cabinets can be put in the garage.. It is soooo big!! Our goal was to have 3 bathrooms fully equipped as we have guests (parents) frequently. That's why the guests bedroom access is isolated from the "family night area". I want to preserve the family privacy! MissEm Totally agree with this - its horrible. We had sooo many things that shouldn't have been done, but they just do it anyway. For instance a dented fascia on the side of our house which is still there to this very day. - They KNOW they will have to replace it, so why put it up in the first place??? Absolutely ridiculous. I totally agree with you. It's just to keep us upset. I have noticed that some errors at our place are exactly the same you had at yours (conduits not exactly under the gutters, two boxes for the air conditioning when just one is needed etc). Why do they keep doing the same mistakes?? It's unbelievable!! Re: Building The Vines - Dale Alcock 20Apr 19, 2013 9:48 pm Good news today! CLO advised kitchen cupboards and sink are due to be installed next week a long with bathrooms. So happy that it will be when I am at home! Just hope I like the choices I've made! 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 110573 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11039 |