Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 281Oct 13, 2013 8:42 am I got the same as you Rubes with the hot water system, included at PWC. My sparky friend is installing this hot water control pad (free gadget, love them!) in the bathroom where you can program the desired temperature you want for each person so when you turn the shower on you just have to press the button afterwards to get the temp you like. Haha! Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 282Oct 13, 2013 11:11 am that gadget sounds pretty awesome pooks... I want one Site Start 11/3/14 Slab Pour 2/4/14 Framing Complete 8/4/14 Lock Up 1/5/14 Fixing Stage Complete 14/5/14 New Home Presentation 20/6/14 Handover 2/7/14 blog: http://firsthomebuilding.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 283Oct 13, 2013 7:19 pm ruby123 this was discussed before the pwc was signed. im quite happy with this as only one solar panel wont be very cost efficient any ways. on my pwc it says can only be used in an estate with recycled water or people with a minimum 200lt water tank connected to toilets. I think its to get its 6 star rating This is very interesting as we were never given the choice to change, we have instantaneous hot water but were never given a credit?! Is the solar standard? Or the instantaneous? We are building in cardinia village. Thanks guys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 284Oct 13, 2013 7:29 pm solar is standard I think Site Start 11/3/14 Slab Pour 2/4/14 Framing Complete 8/4/14 Lock Up 1/5/14 Fixing Stage Complete 14/5/14 New Home Presentation 20/6/14 Handover 2/7/14 blog: http://firsthomebuilding.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 285Oct 14, 2013 11:15 am In the past few weeks, i have gone most builders and also had shortlisted few designs from each which would fit into a 10.5width lot. But at this point, i have to admit that Vogue17 is best of the lot. So design wise its confirmed. I have asked my SC for upgrade prices for specific items as per my requirement. Also, SC has told me that there is a kitchen promotion now. It looks like its the old $950 promotion. I will update once i get a response from him. As per few ppl recommendation here, i am also thinking of upgrading to a 4/5 star ducted heating to save my bills. Also thinking of dropping my solar HWS.. Just wanted to ask u all, one thing. Do they include rock costs & temp fence cost etc in site costs? 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 286Oct 14, 2013 12:51 pm Hi bkoolrocks, my understanding to the answer of your question is YES, fencing and removal of rock is included and my contract has FIXED site costs about from the exclusions mentioned in one of the previous posts. HBC seem to tailor to first home buyers with low deposits so apart from any valuation short fall, there should be no surprise excessive costs involved... Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 287Oct 14, 2013 1:57 pm thanks for that info pooks83. what i am trying to get is a clear pic of the tot amnt of house+land+upgrades+mis costs ; so that i can get an idea of my monthly payments ! 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 288Oct 14, 2013 4:57 pm Ok, so we had our pre start earlier today. Pretty happy with our choices but really, really worried about the heating. We only had mentioned it towards the end, so this was as we were signing the variation paperwork. Our Pre start lady said that we would not be able to change the heating - can't delete or even upgrade! How did you manage this one pooks? We had deleted the WIR fitting as well but did not receive a credit. Was not expecting much anyways. We also added about 11 powerpoints but did not touch the lights. We are doing this after handover, so if anyone knows a really good sparky with a reasonable rate, please let me know. Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 289Oct 14, 2013 5:18 pm Oh no!!! Pre-start is the opportunity to change things! Be persistent and I recommend looking into this further. I deleted a wall from the ensuite around the toilet and I got a credit, how are you not getting a credit for the walk in robe? My understanding is that you can't make changes after final plans...since pre-start we have made 3 variations. This makes me angry...maybe send an email off and say "you know someone that upgraded the heating" so what's the deal!! I had made enquiries about the heating before pre-start and as you know, was told it was too early but I just said in my last email that I wanted to speak to a manager....maybe that did it? Even if you aren't looking into the cooling side of things just tell them that their standard heating isn't compatible and for this reason you have to upgrade....so sorry to hear of this. Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 290Oct 14, 2013 5:24 pm Huhuhuh! I know! We are not the persistent type and they keep telling us not to upgrade too much! I also discovered that since we didn't change the lighting setup, I'm wondering if we can have the pillar lights added!!! GRrrr. I'm so stupid!!! We are going to investigate further regarding the heating...thanks for your input pooks! Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 291Oct 14, 2013 8:58 pm Hi Everyone:-) I just found this forum today. It`s good to see that I`m not alone in my experience with Homebuyers Centre! I`m actually really surprised at how much everyone seems to upgrade from category 1 stuff:-) Boyfriend and I signed up with HBC in November last year and we paid standard $3000 deposit( $1500 land, $1500 house), went through Resolve also. We had our colour selection in early Feb, settled in May and started building in early August. We decided on Esprit20, mostly because it had everything we needed and it wasn`t as big compared to other designs. We preferred to have smaller house and a decent size backyard instead of having a big house and pretty much no backyard( we have 1 large dog). Also we are building in Cranbourne West( Quaters). The biggest disappointment so far was dealing with Jake( thankfully we dont have to deal with him anymore). He was all nice and helpful till he got us signed, after that he sort of disappeared. He also promised us nearly 10m backyard, but in the end it got knocked back 2m cos of developer guidelines which he didn't research correctly... The reason we signed up with Esprit20, besides the size of it, was because Jake told us that there will be a display home currently being build that we can have a look at soon and should be done in April 2013. He said he will be in contact and let us know when he can take us to see it. Since then he never called us, it was always us calling him. April was long gone and he still was saying that 'the house is getting built'. That`s when we started suspecting that he didn`t tell us the truth. We called other people from HBC and no one seemed to know anything about the Esprit20 being built, they all said that they will contact Jake and make him speak to us but to no avail. Finally not long ago after our house started to be built he admitted in one of his last emails that there is no display house being built as we are one of the first ones with that design and that he got nothing to show us. Not once did he apologize. On a good note Keisha, Tarryn and Nikita were all really lovely and helpful and had no issues with them at all. Tarryn was always fast to respond to any requests and Nikita keeps us updated week after week about the building progress which currently reached lock-up stage. Overall quite happy with them and can`t wait to move in( hopefully before Christmas). We didn`t upgrade many things at all. Have a double towel rail in en suite and glass shelf in the shower, couple of double power points, nothing too fancy:-) I hope to meet some nice neighbors in cranbourne West soon:-) Good night everyone:-) Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 292Oct 14, 2013 9:11 pm Hi keogh_1! Sorry to hear about your sales guy! Ours is fantastic and hopefully will stay that way. Anyway, it would be great if you could share photos of your build just so we can get excited as well since most of us are still waiting! haha. Good luck with it and hope you move in before Christmas. Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 293Oct 14, 2013 9:26 pm _chylatte_ Thank you and dont worry, it will go fast:-) It took us 7 months from signing up to actually starting to built but it went so fast:-) Good luck with your house. Where are you building? Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 294Oct 14, 2013 10:25 pm We are building in Potters Grove, Officer. Thanks! Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 295Oct 15, 2013 5:29 am bkoolrocks Also, SC has told me that there is a kitchen promotion now. It looks like its the old $950 promotion. I will update once i get a response from him. Please do! This is the one thing I really wanted. Hubby contacted our SC and he wasn't aware of the promotion. Poor guy is very patient with us! Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 296Oct 15, 2013 9:15 am Gaviscon Girl bkoolrocks Also, SC has told me that there is a kitchen promotion now. It looks like its the old $950 promotion. I will update once i get a response from him. Please do! This is the one thing I really wanted. Hubby contacted our SC and he wasn't aware of the promotion. Poor guy is very patient with us! Can you please find out what date it started? Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 297Oct 15, 2013 2:10 pm just talked to my guy...what he told me is this kitchen promotion is limited to certain nos and might probably end next week. he also told me that he cant guarantee it as it might fill the quota anytime!! He said promotion depends on each month and sales figures! didnt tell me a date it started ! Also i had asked him for a list of upgrade costs. He told me roughly 10k. Is that what I am supposed to get? I am expecting a more clearer reply. I know some of the prices for upgrades from this forum. but i think it varies from ppl to ppl. I dont know ! ex: I have seen ppl here saying 55 & 59 for double power points. Also he told me its not worth doing all the upgrades; but just do the necessary ones. 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 298Oct 15, 2013 3:10 pm I agree with your sales guy- just do the necessary upgrades. 10k is so vague for a response! It depends what you want...have you been given your Prestart folder with the selections in it? If you are wanting to add/upgrade electrical that's where the $ is. If you are just looking at the basics -stone bench, appliances, towel racks, door, splash back you would be fine with 3-4k at Prestart. You also don't need to upgrade anything. What type of things are you thinking about? Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 299Oct 15, 2013 3:17 pm I havent signed up yet with HBC. Do they give the prestart folder b4 this? Basically, what i wanted to see is the price for each upgrade and choose whats necessary depending on price and whether it fits into my budget. Just for the info: these were the items i was asking for. I tried to find same kind of info from 2 other builders and they could tell me !! 1. 900mm appliances in kitchen 2. 20mm benchtops in kitchen 3. Cost for upgrading to 40mm in kitchen 4. Overhead cupboards in kitchen 5. Overhead cupboards above fridge 6. 2 Sets of wide pot draws 7. 20mm benchtops for ensuite & bath 8. 900x300 Niche in ensuite 9. 600X300 Niche in bath 10. 1200X900mm shower area extension 11. 2590mm High Ceilings 12. Glazing to Front Entry Door / Sides 13. BAL 12.5 14. NBN Cost 15. Ducted heating Upgrade to 4 Star & 5 Star. 9/4/14-Site Start 9/5/14-Slab 16/5/14-Frame 21/5/14-Roof 31/5/14-Bricks 6/6/14-Plaster 14/6/14-Fixing 19/7/14 -Flooring 8/8/14 - Keys http://newnestinmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Anyone building with Homebuyers Centre in VICTORIA? 300Oct 15, 2013 3:38 pm I wish I could help you but the only thing off that list I can provide a cost for is the heating as I just paid for my upgrade today....4 star- $3090 (MX21i model) and 5 star (HX21i model)- $3376 (Brivis). You receive the pre-start folder when you sign up wit humour preliminary works contract but it doesn't have prices in there. Will your sales guy forward your list to the costing people and get some accurate prices? I should hope they give you all the information you need before you make an informed decision! Build Permit-17/12/13 Earthworks-13/1/14 Slab-30/1/14 Frame-10/2/14 Lock Up-7/3/14 Fixing Stage Complete-20/3/14 New Home Presentation-6/5/14 Moved in 17/5/14! Blog: http://dandesbuild.blogspot.com.au I havent, and i havent looked to much into it, but on face value its not the saviour its trying to make out to be. Shared equity in your home is never a good idea. The… 1 4005 Hi, have purchased a house with 2 single garage doors. The Centre pillar one side sits proud to the other. Can I change 2 doors into one. Please see picture. 0 6419 For reference, this is the Austlii reference. My take on this is, that they would be breaking the law denying access to a homeowner in Victoria, or their agent from having… 1 9180 |