Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 16, 2013 8:30 pm Anyone had any experience with either Todays Homes or Renaissance Homes in Canberra? Renaissance seems to be quite competitively priced, Todays Homes seem to have won a few awards. We're also looking at Sekisui House. They seems to have been a lot of negativity towards them about the time they took over AV Jennings, but from what I can see that has improved. Has anyone had any experience with the recently? Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 2Apr 29, 2013 11:21 am Hi Shirokuma. We enquired with Renaissance a few months ago as we thought their display house was very nice and priced well too. But once we started discussing changing the plans a little here and there he directed us to an architect (mind you not theirs as he was too busy). We have now since gone with a different builder and extremely happy. But that was our experience. We have driven through Bonner and there are heaps of Renaissance houses built. Almost 1 on every block. You can pick them from their distinctive front entry. I am sure they are good to build with as long as you don't make too many changes to external walls to their already drawn up plans. Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 3May 04, 2013 5:26 pm Thanks for the reply Ms Googonian. Yes, those Renaissance Homes are quite distinctive, aren't they? We've noticed quite a few about Bonner and even Crace and they seem OK. Reasonably priced, too. We looked at Googong, too. I expected it to be a bit further along than it is - seems like a way to go before it will be anything other than a dustbowl. But the plans look good once it's done. I guess by the name you've bought there? Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 4May 05, 2013 10:12 am Shirokuma we have almost finished building with Sekisui in the area. My thread goes into some detail about our experiences with them. We have been very happy since the build started and the quality of our finished home is great. Unfortunately Im in two minds aout whether to reccomend them because we felt that the pre contract phase was unecessarily slow and difficult. It probably isnt such an issue if you are waiting for land to title, but if you already own the land and are paying a mortgage and expenses on it during the process like we did it is a big deal. If you do decide you are seriously interestedin Sekisui I'd be willing to show you around our completed house so you can check out the non display home quality, if you dont mind saying we referred you. Speaking entirely out of self interest here too as existing customers get a $1000 bonus if someone they refer signs on. Tender /1/12 Contract 14/6/12 Planning 12/10/12 Site 23/10/12 Piers 27/11/12 Slab 12/12/12 Frame 15/12/12 Trusses 17/1/13 Roof 24/1/13 Bricks 13/2/13 Plaster 1/3/13 Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 5May 06, 2013 8:53 pm Hi Ribbon - thanks for that. I've been following your build (looks great by the way!) and what you've had to say seems to align with what we've heard - that the initial process can be painful but the finished product is worth it in the end. Certainly if we decide to look into Sekisui further I'll take you up on your offer! Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 6May 13, 2013 8:37 am My name is a give away. Yes, we have bought in Googong. We get regular emails from Googong and everything sounds like it's on schedule for first stage to be ready in June/July. Drove by few weeks ago and there are some display houses with frames already up. Our block isn't ready until Sept/Oct so I have a while to go yet. What area is your block in? Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 7May 24, 2013 12:13 pm Hi Shirokuma, My wife and I are currently building with Sekisui and thus far our experience has been quite similar to that of Ribbon. We did some research (including lurking in this forum) and were aware that Sekisui’s reputation in the Southern NSW/ACT region appeared to be that pre-build admin could be frustrating but that build quality was fantastic. We looked at display homes in the ACT, near Wollongong and at Bingara Gorge and Sekisui were consistently our preferred display home based on both layout and quality. So we chose them and they certainly lived up to our expectations. The pre-build admin was slow and sometimes they appeared to be completely unresponsive (although we also took our time on some things as well). Now that the build has started (we are getting our roof tiles on at the moment) our site supervisor is excellent and the quality of the work thus far appears to be high. In general my advice to you would be to know exactly what you want to begin with and don’t waiver from that. Don’t let them encourage you into moving to contract stage too early (eg. with the promise of a TV) as variations after the contract stage cost $1,000 in admin fees each time. We had about 11 variations at the proposal stage and have had none since signing the contract. Keep in regular, friendly but firm contact with them and follow-up phone calls with emails to keep good records. If the quality of our build is as we expect it to be then by about the end of the first week any frustration from their administration will be long forgotten. Good luck with your choice and your build. Jimbo. Re: Canberra: Todays Homes - Renaissance Homes - Sekisui Ho 8Apr 14, 2014 7:58 pm Ribbon Shirokuma we have almost finished building with Sekisui in the area. My thread goes into some detail about our experiences with them. We have been very happy since the build started and the quality of our finished home is great. Unfortunately Im in two minds aout whether to reccomend them because we felt that the pre contract phase was unecessarily slow and difficult. It probably isnt such an issue if you are waiting for land to title, but if you already own the land and are paying a mortgage and expenses on it during the process like we did it is a big deal. If you do decide you are seriously interestedin Sekisui I'd be willing to show you around our completed house so you can check out the non display home quality, if you dont mind saying we referred you. Speaking entirely out of self interest here too as existing customers get a $1000 bonus if someone they refer signs on. Hi Ribbon, What is the link to your thread please? Thanks *Edit- Disregard, I've found it! Wow I hadn't realised things had gotten that pricey in just a couple of years since I built, that is crazy with how much land is now costing if you aren't lucky enough to… 3 7103 of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 23764 Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74701 |