Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 441Dec 31, 2013 10:41 am Hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and hope that the New Year is full of good health, good wealth and happiness. So happy that so many people are progressing smoothly with their builds, can't wait to see the progress next year. I can’t say too much about our problems because I don’t want to break any of HomeOne Terms of Use or Posting Rules and certainly don’t want to be sued for making any offensive or defamatory comments. Today is the last day of 2013 and we want to move on with our lives. We know, understand and appreciate that the admin side of building can be very time consuming, stressful and just downright overwhelming for some people, that is all part of building, isn’t it? At our first meeting we were so happy that we had finally found someone to build our home and a home that we could afford, we already had our Soil Test Report, Site Survey Report and also supplied a Bushfire Report. Over the last 12 months we have been trying to work out a plan that is suitable for our block (slight slope & BAL requirements), we thought we had the perfect plan in May and signed off on the plan, tender and paid our deposit. We took a quick trip to council before signing the contract just to ask a couple of questions about the plan and they didn’t like the amount of cut at the front and were concerned about the streetscape. Everything else was fine just the amount of cut. At our first meeting we had discussed a step down in the house because of the slope but we were assured that it could be worked out and we wouldn’t need it. So ever since we have been trying to get the elevations right and get the plans right, we have removed the room that we added at the back (this was added at our first meeting) because the cost went over our approved building loan from the bank after we had to add on additional costs for the step down that was now required. I won’t go into the problems that we have had with the plans because as I said.... well, let’s just say I am too scared to. We have had numerous meetings trying to work things out but we just can’t do it anymore. Most importantly we can’t afford for it to take any longer, We have been told it is our fault it is taking so long because of so many plans that have been drawn up, Council asked for the changes, perhaps we shouldn’t have gone to Council to ask questions, it would have been submitted to council and they would have rejected it, we thought we were doing the right thing. We have also been asked, why have so many plans drawn up if we didn’t want to build with them, to me it is quite clear, if we didn’t want to build the house we would have walked away before we paid any money and before all the plans were drawn up. After signing the plan/tender our life has been horrendous, the stress and strain that this process has put our family under is insurmountable. Not only has this effected our personal relationship but has also severely affected our relationship with our teenage daughter. We were so busy working out floor plans, site elevations etc. that we didn’t notice the personal and severe health issues that our daughter was going through. So what do we do now? Will we build with someone else? At the moment we are not sure if we could. Even if we could afford to, our family and our health is much more important. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 442Jan 01, 2014 11:52 am Dear Carak, Oh I am really feeling your pain Building a home is one of the top most stressful life events. It is very emotional, as we are all building our dream homes not just putting up bricks and mortar. If it is any help to you I offer these suggestions: 1. Work with your Council. Make an appointment to see someone who handles Development Applications. Take your plans and tell them you need their advice and support. If you have a sloping block the Council must understand there will be some cut and fill required. Ask for their professional advice, after all they will be the ones approving your final plans. Be very positive and calm. Make it clear that you need their help and you want to work with them to achieve the right outcome for you and them. Try to keep emotions out of the meeting because the calmer you are, and the more willing you are to accept their advice/rules, the better the working relationship will be. If you hear directly from your Council what is required, then K has to help you work around that to develop approvable plans. 2. Consider split level. I am not sure which way your block slopes but if there is a need for a step up or down, are you trying to modify an existing plan rather than going with a design specific for split level? 3. Compromise your original idea. As this process is causing you so much angst (and I believe you had similar problems with other builders from your older postings) then you need to think of what your family actually "need". If you only have one teenager, then you probably don't need 4 bedrooms plus study plus two living areas etc. Maybe scaling down to something that is better suited will free up some of the money you will need for extra cut and fill? Scaling down will also help you stick within your approved budget. 4. Remember the bigger picture. Family comes first! If you can possibly take a little weekend break somewhere to charge your batteries and have some 100% fun and make a commitment to each other that you will get life back into perspective. As long as you all communicate, and realise that these horrible preliminary plans are the worst time of the whole process and the build will be the quickest part. I do think that if your family is aware that you will now develop a good working relationship with Council (as you have to follow all their regulations in order for approval anyway) then I fell you will make good progress and your family will see this. 5. Persevere. It is only my opinion but I think you are better to stay with K building rather than lose your money and go elsewhere, where you will have the same problems - as they are all Council based from the sounds of things. I believe K will really help you with your plans to get them right but possibly they have until now been drawing what you wanted rather than really knowing what Council will approve and amending the plans to suit that. Just don't despair and don't give up. It sounds like you need to perhaps change course. Try to make Council your friend. Listen to everything they say and ask for their suggestions of how you can change our plans to suit their regulations. Or even ask them to start from scratch and make suggestions to you of how to build a home on your block that they will approve. It is possible, it just takes a fresh perspective. I apologise for throwing in my two cents worth but please know my advice is from the heart. If you started with another builder it would be the same problems, take longer and cost more so perhaps it's better to work with what you have, but improve it and get Council on your side to help. Once you take positive steps in the right direction, the stress will subside and the enjoyment of building your new home will return. Big hugs to you. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 443Jan 01, 2014 12:56 pm Hi Big Mama and Happy New Year Thanks for your 2 cents.... there are lots of things that have happened with our build that I can not comment about on a forum. 1. We had a meeting with Council and they were the one's that said that they didn't like the cut at the front on the plan. It was a very calm meeting and basically they didn't like the plan, end of story. Everyone has to abide by Council rules and it doesn't make any difference who you are, Council rules are Council rules. 2. We don't need a split level home, just 3 steps in the home. 3. Our block is very large (over 1,200sq m) and overlooking a National Park. To put a 3 bedroom, 1 living area home would look out of place and we certainly would never recoup the money that we have spent when/if we sell in the future. This is not just a home for now this is a home for the future. 4. The big picture is a home that we can all enjoy. The idea of going away for a weekend break is way beyond our financial means, we are having trouble paying for everyday items. This type of life at the moment puts a great deal of strain on everyone in the family. The financial constraints have come about because we were hoping that we would have started building by now and could see a light at the end of the tunnel. After more than 12 months there is no tunnel and someone has turned out the light. 5. We have persevered for months and months trying to get help to get the plans right, it is not just about the step down there is more to a floor plan than a step down because of a slope. As I said before we have spoken to council, we know what has to be changed, we had asked about a step down in a first meeting, so it was not as if it was something that we had not known about or were aware of. After 12 months we just have to walk away, we can't afford to keep pursuing to build our home, the strain on our finances and more importantly our family is just too much. We don't know what we will do at the moment, sell up, build, we just don't know, we are very, very numb and until we can work out which way to go we will continue in a financial downward spin. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 444Jan 02, 2014 2:07 pm Dear Carak, I hope your 2014 will be a fresh beginning. Its a difficult decision to make, no doubt. But make sure you weigh everything up rationally. What is the alternative if you sell up? It might be better to keep going and just amend the plans. Or perhaps go with another builder if there is too much water under the bridge. Wishing you the best! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 446Jan 03, 2014 8:25 am Our plans for 2014 is perhaps we can sign-off on our tender and start building!!! Fingers crossed we can at least start the ball rolling.... I think 3 months at paperstage is taking its toll. I am so confused with the process, I read on forums that people select external colours before submitting for CDC/Council approval but we were advised once we ok, sign the tender K Homes will submit for CDC but we havent chosen external colours!? And then you read somewhere else a difference process..... Anyways, lets hope K Homes returns to work soon so we can continue pushing along... carak777 - thoughts are with you - defiantely family and health first... hopefully, a solution will pop up soon and you can just pass the experience and hope 2014 will be better for you and your family!! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 447Jan 03, 2014 8:54 am Melon, I am first to admit I don't understand K processes. Very different to what I hear from others and their builders and what we did in the past. We had to do externals prior to council as they need all the external selections done to submit. This may depend on council though, as some new estates need to know colours of outside of the house prior to submission. Think K are back on Monday. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 448Jan 03, 2014 9:24 am Dear Carak, I am so sorry to read your post and I truly hope that 2014 brings a fresh new lease of life and a positive direction for you to follow. If I can offer some advise, from someone that followed a similar path to you - in that I felt it necessary to look in to certain aspects of my build myself and not let Kurmond manage it. There were times this worked in my favour - eg, I had to personally fight with Council and the aviation authorities about not needing an acoustic report when they told Kurmond we did, which K didn't follow as far as I did and this paid off as we were correct, however there were other times that had I just let them do what they do best it would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress. Every time I visited my build I would see a mistake and put it back on my SS, however in the end he told me to back off (in the nicest of ways) and to put my faith in him, that mistakes happen, but if I wasn't there so much they would actually be fixed before I even knew about them... which I see now as being true. There was even the time I noticed the pipe work for our ensuite bath we were providing (freestanding) was up one end and it should have been centred to align to the pipe work. I rang the store where we bought our bath and the only display model left was at Brookvale - I drove from Kellyville to Brookvale so I could measure the bath and realised the pipework was going to miss the bath altogether. I rang SS straight away and he said that's fine, we will just move the drain work.... I was like you can cut through the slab, and he's like, yeah no problem.... I had just wasted 2 hours of my day for nothing. I could have just called SS first and said, our drain needs to move to the centre and he would have been yes ok, but noooo, I needed to hit panic stations and drive over an hour to the other side of the city first to try work it out myself!!! (Crazy!). Anyway, I then stayed away for 2 weeks and life was much less stressful, I simply let go and thought that if this all goes wrong they have to fix it - but it didn't, we did our first walk through and it was all as it should have been. My advise to you - deal with K not council for now. Let them battle out your plans and resolve, you are wasting too much of your time going to council and then going back to Kurmond and then back to Council and your plans aren't even finalised yet - this is not your responsibility. Let Kurmond recommend what needs to be built and submit your plans. if Council come back to them and don't approve, let their experts sort that side of it out and you focus on your family. As you say, you thought you were doing the right thing by going to Council in the first place, but you just don't know the relationship between builders and councils, they may have justification as to why your home needs to be that way and council may listen to the builder. Also, I know for a fact approval is purely based on the officer you get allocated and all comes down to that individual, some are certainly more lenient than others. Our plans were not originally approved as they didn't allow us to fill at all - zero fill, which was ridiculous and the cost of using DEB's across the back of our house was in excess of an additional $30k (which meant no build for us), so then I did ring them (after talking to Kurmond to say that I was going to do that and they agreed), so I rang my council officer's boss as my council officer refused to take my calls (their names appear on your DA tracker once submitted so you can follow the approval process). After explaining to him we were on an acre and no amount of fill was going to raise our natural land levels and that our neighbour who started at our level is now building a 1m retaining wall because they have been allowed to use fill, but most importantly that if they can't be more realistic we won't be building, because their recommendations are going to cost us over an additional $30,000 he then agreed to give us some fill across the back. Although he said he understood why our officer recommended what he did, he said that they can be lenient in our case and over ruled. I guess what I am saying is that the person you are talking to now, may not necessarily even be the person that gets your plans so at least get them in to council first and see what they come back with. If you have come this far, get your plan right with Kurmond and have them submit them for approval. If they come back rejected at least they will know how to fix it up. Remember why you went with them in the first place - some builders wouldn't even look at building on your land and those who could were far more expensive so at least get these plans in first and if not approved then decide next steps. Focus on your family, let Kurmond and council fight out your plans. Good Luck sweet!!! xx Blog: http://cbcbuild.blogspot.com.au/ Building Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=62155 Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 450Jan 07, 2014 12:46 pm K aren't back until the 13th. We have approval for our house but need all the variations signed by P before loan documents can be drawn up. Hopefully, get them sorted by next week. We had the trees removed from our block today and have discovered we have a nasty neighbour who likes to yell over fences. Bugger! Was hoping for a nice neighbour. Council told us that once we have approval we can remove the trees so that is what we did. I tried speaking to her to explain we have approval and we are allowed to remove the trees on our property and that over hang our block. She just continued to yell. Then yelled we should have told her first. Don't see why I have to tell her what we are doing every step of the way. Always has to be something. Unfortunately have to continue to deal with her, the fence that separates us is an old wooden fence that is falling over, not that she probably will admit too. I can just picture the fence falling down when they excavate the block and her going of her rocker again. Looking on the bright side though, she at least will be on the garage side and where we will put the sheds so hopefully want have much contact with her once we build, just need to ge through the build. Joandandy, Lilac has built with them already the rest here are in the early building stages. Which housea re you looking at? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 451Jan 13, 2014 6:16 am Today's the day they open again, let's hope all our house progress smoothly in 2014! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 452Jan 13, 2014 10:22 am Hi Upsize Time - thinking of building the Sierra but with modifications of course. We are going to make the house wider. At the moment we are trying to exchange on the block of land & then registered in July so have time to work things out but hubby is set on Kurmond at the moment. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 453Jan 13, 2014 12:16 pm Can't complain yet, already managed to get all 8 documents signed and returned, now back with the bank to finalise all loan documents. Well done K, hope it keeps going Was thinking maybe we need a list of who is building what, I know I have forgotten. I am happy to edit it. Kurmond Build list 454Jan 13, 2014 12:20 pm Planning Phase
JoandAndy - Sierra with personal modifications Melon - custom design based on Kurmond designs Mars - forgot which one, think Sierra? Could read back but not now Big Mama - building Sierra with personal modifications Build Phase UpsizeTime - Glenleigh 39.6 with personal modifications Built - you survived! Lilac Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 455Jan 14, 2014 10:36 pm Happy New Year all! Unsure of what's happening with our build. The plans were meant to go back to Lend Lease after some changes before Christmas and after that into CDC. As seems to be the usual case, no replies to my queries with Kurmond today so will chase up tomorrow with a phone call. Out of curiosity has anyone here decided to put in a swimming pool? We decided over the break that this is something we'd like to do, and are getting quotes but the pool installers are all telling us there is a massive cost saving if the pool can be installed prior to the build... Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 456Jan 15, 2014 7:39 am Mckz, We are putting in a fibreglass pool prior to build. It does save heaps, ours mainly due to access. We will only have approx a 1m on each side of the house. So, digging and removing the dirt will take ages, hence the cost difference. If you will have good access after the build then it shouldn't save you much. What type of pool are you thinking of and what will your side access be like? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 457Jan 15, 2014 8:56 am Well well well, I was pleasantly suprised that we received a courtesy email from K to advise that our tender will be revised and emailed through this week (to which we received this morning). I thought it would be just a continuation of waiting waiting waiting. Maybe b/c we are so close to signing that they just want to push us through and get started! coz that's what we're hoping for!! But of course that said, there is always amendments amendments! We are building a custom design house based on K's existing designs. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 458Jan 15, 2014 10:23 am UpsizeTime Mckz, We are putting in a fibreglass pool prior to build. It does save heaps, ours mainly due to access. We will only have approx a 1m on each side of the house. So, digging and removing the dirt will take ages, hence the cost difference. If you will have good access after the build then it shouldn't save you much. What type of pool are you thinking of and what will your side access be like? Upsize, Kurmond came back to me this morning saying they have no problems with the pool being dug out/installed prior to the build as long as it's fenced off, covered and an adequate distance from the dwelling. I'm still in the process of getting quotes (so far just one from Nepean pools). I guesstimate we're at least 2 months away from commencing (they still haven't submitted the amended application to Lend Lease. Then after that I believe they need to get the slab plan done by the engineer, plans finalised and then it goes to CDC. Maybe 2 months is being is being optimistic. We signed contracts in September.) So far we're looking at a fibreglass pool roughly 6-7m x 3-4m running lengthways down the block on the right hand side (our yard is 15m wide and 10.6m long). Quote has come back at a rough ~33k (with soil removal + solar heating being an estimate). No fencing or the plumbing/electricals. This was based on easy access and it not having to be craned over the house. Otherwise it's an extra 10k. Our setbacks are 1.4m on one side (but with the aircon unit protruding) and 1.2 on the other (with water tank protruding). So not optimal. The pool builder suggested seeing if the neighbour could hold off on fencing if they needed to get to the back. Who are you doing your pool with? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 459Jan 15, 2014 10:50 am mckz UpsizeTime Mckz, We are putting in a fibreglass pool prior to build. It does save heaps, ours mainly due to access. We will only have approx a 1m on each side of the house. So, digging and removing the dirt will take ages, hence the cost difference. If you will have good access after the build then it shouldn't save you much. What type of pool are you thinking of and what will your side access be like? Upsize, Kurmond came back to me this morning saying they have no problems with the pool being dug out/installed prior to the build as long as it's fenced off, covered and an adequate distance from the dwelling. I'm still in the process of getting quotes (so far just one from Nepean pools). I guesstimate we're at least 2 months away from commencing (they still haven't submitted the amended application to Lend Lease. Then after that I believe they need to get the slab plan done by the engineer, plans finalised and then it goes to CDC. Maybe 2 months is being is being optimistic. We signed contracts in September.) So far we're looking at a fibreglass pool roughly 6-7m x 3-4m running lengthways down the block on the right hand side (our yard is 15m wide and 10.6m long). Quote has come back at a rough ~33k (with soil removal + solar heating being an estimate). No fencing or the plumbing/electricals. This was based on easy access and it not having to be craned over the house. Otherwise it's an extra 10k. Our setbacks are 1.4m on one side (but with the aircon unit protruding) and 1.2 on the other (with water tank protruding). So not optimal. The pool builder suggested seeing if the neighbour could hold off on fencing if they needed to get to the back. Who are you doing your pool with? mckz, We're also putting in a fibreglass pool (same pool builder as Upsize) and decided to put it in before the building even though we do have wide enough access. I think its just easier, cleaner and no risks involved. It will be fenced off, but I'm going to probably pay extra to board it up. We had a quote from Nepean Pools also, but they were coming to almost $37K for an 7 x 4m. We're going with Coral Reef Pools, an 8 x 4.4m for around $33K excluding fencing and landscaping. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 460Jan 15, 2014 8:03 pm Like Mars said we are going with Coral reef pools. We are getting it fenced off and I have requested boarding it up, they do t do it as a norm but I will feel better to have it done. It is an extra $1000 but I think it will be worth it considering I would be stressing that something might be dropped into the pool by some idiot because it is funny. Less stress for me = equals worth the $$$. We got a call today for k's energy and gas company requesting information from us to sign us up. Very exciting things are starting to be out in place. We should get all the final documents next week for the final check and our site supervisor will be assigned next week. Fingers crossed we get a good one. Our issue at the moment is with the Pool! It is going through final approval, our issue is we have a end sewer point at he right corner of our block, behind where the pool is to go. He sewer point is 2m from the back of the block and 3.2m in. Seems totally in the middle of the block,we he we want the pool there. So, we are waiting on. The exact measurement we have to be away from it, currently we are only 1m away but will have to be further, just not sure what. We fortunately have. 17m back yard but I was liking the space between the house and the pool, we are thinking of reducing the size of he pool from a 9m pool to 8m. Might be a good compromise. So, we are waiting to her back from P for Coral reef as to the outcome. Also, looking at other options on where to put the pool, I just pictured it directly behind the alfresco so I can see it from the kitchen easily and alfresco area. Have to discuss with DH tonight. never ends, if it isn't one thing it is another Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74701 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105551 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 23482 |