Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 81May 07, 2013 2:41 pm UpsizeTime WOW that facade is amazing AND it has the two coloured brick idea that you were thinking of. Still really confused about facades Glad that you and your husband got the chance to go to Carpet Call, pity they are not open on a Saturday morning or something. Is the Kurmond range large and is the carpet the same as in the Carpet Call retail shops? Do they have bamboo or just the timber laminate? We have looked at other flooring stores and have an idea of cost of carpet & bamboo to be installed after handover but still haven't made a decision on bamboo or tiles for downstairs yet. Oh decisions, decisions Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 82May 07, 2013 3:58 pm UPDATE on our bank situation - the bank has organised 2 loans for us, the first being the 'building loan' the second being for other 'bit's' e.g. demolition, other 'incidentals'. Perhaps we could have had one loan but Banks have their ideas & ways so you go with what they say. The bank has also said they can't approve the 'building loan' until they see the 'working plans' but to get the plans we have to pay Kurmond the next payment (deposit). Talk about going around in circles.... The bank (and us for that matter) are a bit hesitant about paying the non-refundable deposit in case the 'building loan' is not approved but what else can we do. Today we received a call from the bank that the 'bit's' loan has been approved. So we will pay the deposit out of that by the end of the week so the 'working plans' can be drawn up and keep our fingers crossed that the bank likes the plans and approves the 'building loan' ASAP. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 83May 07, 2013 6:36 pm Still really uncertain about what facade I have sent DM's to a few people and the response has been great.... until I talk to DH.... He is still uncertain about the Traditional Facade that we have our plans drawn up with or the new Stella Facade. The Traditional Facade has a gable at the front roof line which DH loves. This morning I spent hours 'drawing' a facade on the Stella Facade (not too good with Photoshop) emailed the finished design to DH, his response "I don't like it". We have spoken to B the architect, he likes the Stella (the Stella is all brick, the Traditional has cladding on the second floor which we have asked to change to brick = extra cost). Today DH spoke to P, he likes the Traditional and will reduce the price of replacing the cladding with bricks. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our Traditional Facade on our plans Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The 'new' Stella Facade Things I like about the Traditional - it is already drawn but will cost to change from cladding to brick (price has now been reduced) Thinks I like about the Stella - Don't know if it is my imagination or not but seems a little bit more 'modern', two windows not three = less blinds or curtains, the window placement showing one window for the upstairs hall and two for the bedrooms, the outside light placements, all brick - no cladding = no extra cost ...... EXCEPT to change the garage to a single double door it is extra.. Stella still works out cheaper. I know that choosing a facade, bricks and everything else is a personal choice - just seem to be at a stage of bashing my head against a brick wall. Something I am sure I will be doing a lot of over the next few months. Would love everyone's (even people not building with Kurmond) thoughts Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 84May 07, 2013 7:32 pm mars78 .. Now that you're familiar with the house here's a summary some of the main changes we're making... 1. Adding a storage room between the garage and hallway (this will make the house wider) mars - this is a perfect idea and will give the home some real "meat" (good bloke term!) 2. mars78 Doubling the size of the ensuite which will occupy the bedroom just behind (moving the bedroom to the back of the house) mars - this ensuite is going to be to die for! Just huge! Is your north-east / sunny aspect on that side of the house? 3. mars78 Increasing the size of the children's activity / study area to occupy the WIR of the master. This WIR will now be shifted to the entry of the ensuite - also adding a skylight as there will be no windows mars - yes - the children's activity room in the display home left me a little flat. It was a dark little space and I felt sad! I'm sure it will be brightened up if it was larger - but again, any window? Definitely agree on the skylight - we are doing that for our WIR and the stairwell (as our stairs will be away from a window) 4. mars78 Increasing the size of the pantry mars - tick ~ tick ~ tick someone in the mars household will be happy! 5. mars78 Increasing size of the living room at the back mars - this can only be a good thing! You are truly going to have a beaut home! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 85May 07, 2013 7:37 pm UpsizeTime DH had the morning off today so we went for a little drive looking at a few house facades and also went and met George from Carpet call he was great. Here are a few photos of what we liked, for today, who knows to,or row I might change my mind. Here is a house we liked the colouring of, think the door needs to be either darker to match garage door or maybe stained dark. - got to say UpsizeTime : I actually quite like this look, too! The front door (colour) is a bit of a disappointment. But gosh - now you've zapped my weekend schedule for the next month! Hadn't thought of taking photos of other built homes. Did you sneak a photo outside the car window? [quote="UpsizeTimeThese are some carpets and laminate flooring options we looked at. Liked the one on the right, Ancient Oak. With the dark carpet above. [/quote] - very nice look. I read further down in carak's reply to your post - is the Carpet Call place that Kurmond use only open M-F?? That doesn't help us too much - we'd have to take a day off from work Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 86May 07, 2013 7:39 pm carak777 UPDATE on our bank situation - the bank has organised 2 loans for us ... - what a confusing little bank (or BIG bank) you have there carak : two loans? I guess I knew that was what they did (land loan + construction loan) but talk about needing to make life hard for you!! But the best news - you are able to proceed! Woooohhoooooooo !!! Congratulations to you and DH! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 87May 07, 2013 7:48 pm carak777 Still really uncertain about what facade This is a tough one carak I have been pondering this one for you and DH for a while. I think it's going to come down to the toss of a coin! They truly are both very nice, but I do agree the Stella has a more contemporary feel. I also agree that, if $$ allows, you should go brick upstairs instead of the cladding. The decision really is tough - perhaps the design that saves you money, but you know, in the end, you can't change the façade again unless you do a KDR, and I don't think you'll be doing that in the future! If I had to call it (I'm watching The Voice as I type this, and they are making lots of (ridiculous) calls), then I'd go Stella - but wonder what others think?? Good luck! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 88May 07, 2013 8:13 pm Taking the lead from carak - here's the façade we are looking at for our Glenleigh design (it's called Melody : Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Couple of things we are currently doing and a couple thing things we are considering Doing 1. As we are on a corner lot, the garage will not be at the "front" (i.e. near front door as per this picture), it will be around the "back" facing the other street. Instead, the "garage" you see here will be turned into a (larger) living room with a nice fireplace ("have to" have one of those in the Southern Highlands with the chilly winters!), and floor to ceiling bookshelves on part of one wall. Ahhh - I can see this being my "relaxation space" already My DW works in the media and we have more books than the local library (well that's what it feels like!) Not to mention the DVD collection we'll have to house in the Home Theatre! 2. There will be a sliding door entry out from the upstairs master room onto the balcony - out from the left. Our sun on this block will predominantly be on front and all the way down the right side as you look at this pic. Considering 1. As described earlier in the thread, we are thinking of a double entry front door 2. We are considering creating a wrap-around verandah that extends from the porch (up to balcony height) and around to the left of this frontage. It may not work (financially or 'look wise') - but very interested in your thoughts?? 3. The grey pillars (is that what we call those things) which probably won't be that grey in ours - just wondering : would you consider making one or both of these into 'stack stone' pillars? Would that date the design in a few years or look the part? It's not uncommon to see new homes in this neck of the woods featuring some stack stone. 4. What do you think of these bricks? 5. To the left of this photo (downstairs) is a Bed 5 (but we will be using that as a home study / office). That side of the house faces south, so the problem we may face if we had a wrap around verandah on this corner would be even less light into that room ?? Anyway, whether we have a wrap around verandah on that corner or not, we are considering a feature corner window on this room (that is, the two panes of glass meet - like the Iris front entry display home. The main reason for this is to maximise the light, and also our best views to the mountains are at this corner. Thoughts, anyone? Windows What do people think about the window designs for this façade? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 89May 07, 2013 9:39 pm Another of my many questions for you. There was early chat about external exhaust for the clothes dryer. To be honest, I'd never thought of external exhaust for anything other than the ducted rangehood. We've always had a house with a window in the laundry where the dryer sat on the wall. But - as I look at our dryer tonight - I know I am constantly sweeping away the fluff that catches on the flyscreen in the laundry, and everywhere else for that matter. Has anyone already got an external exhaust for their dryer? Is it something Kurmond can do, or we do afterwards? I presume you need to purchase some form of external tube to connect the exhaust outlet of the dryer to the external exhaust?? seriously - I am not sure what it even looks like! Anyone? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 90May 08, 2013 10:17 am [quote="unrealhome"]Taking the lead from carak - here's the façade we are looking at for our Glenleigh design (it's called Melody : Love the façade! It does look similar to Carak's but the balcony and wider set pillars add more presence to the building. The windows match also. These look like the wind-up windows which look better than sliding. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 91May 08, 2013 10:22 am Quote: Thinks I like about the Stella - Don't know if it is my imagination or not but seems a little bit more 'modern', two windows not three = less blinds or curtains, the window placement showing one window for the upstairs hall and two for the bedrooms, the outside light placements, all brick - no cladding = no extra cost ...... EXCEPT to change the garage to a single double door it is extra.. Stella still works out cheaper. I know that choosing a facade, bricks and everything else is a personal choice - just seem to be at a stage of bashing my head against a brick wall. Something I am sure I will be doing a lot of over the next few months. Would love everyone's (even people not building with Kurmond) thoughts I can't decide either between the 2 or 3 windows...but perhaps the 3 windows would look too busy. I didn't realise it would be extra to have the single door garage. The façade we like on the Sierra has the 2 doors which we'd want to change. On the bricks, just need to drive around a lot more looking at brick / render combinations. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 92May 08, 2013 12:33 pm Unrealhome, thanks for your thoughts regarding the Facade, I know it is a personal thing and everyone has different tastes and ideas but it is REALLY getting to me. I think EVERYTHING is getting to me because we are so close to signing off on the tender AND the contract, very stressful situation trying to make decisions. Don’t know if anyone is ‘astrological’ but I am a Libra and they are hopeless at making decisions, always having to weigh up everything..... so annoying.... Must admit now that I have seen the Stella facade I think I prefer it myself, as you say a little bit more contempary... (Unrealhome agree about the ridiculous calls last night on The Voice – love Ricky Martin, seems such a gentleman and all round nice guy, can’t really warm to Seal). Absolutely love, love, love your facade (would have that one if we had view’s at the front instead of a street) also love the colours. The brick’s look a lot like the PGH Blue Steel Flash, which is the brick that Kurmond are using for the Glenleigh at Kellyville. Oh please don’t let my DH read that you are having a fireplace AND bookshelves to the ceiling AND you have a DVD collection. (Showing our age here, we also have a record collection in a box somewhere until we can set up the turntable/stero). You are going to get some amazing views from your master bedroom & the balcony. I like the idea of the large wrap-around veranda, the only thing that would concern me, being on the south side would it be too cold. Love the stack stone pillars but as you say would it date – not really sure!!! If they did date, could you render over them later? You asked about the bricks, if these are the Blue Steel Flash (PGH) this is our second choice after Austral Bowral Blue but BB are sooo expensive so we are hoping that the BSF, even at Gold Level are affordable. The idea of the big window sounds great, if you have views why not look at them. What window coverings will you have? Big glass can bring in the cold. Mars78, agree the Stella facade and the Melody facade are very similar with the Melody having a balcony. Unrealhome needs the balcony for the views, we don’t need a balcony to watch the people across the street mowing the lawn, so the Stella is best for us. In regard to the extra cost for the one double garage door instead of two, it is because they have to use more steel beams for support. Mars really looking forward to seeing your plans, sorry I can't remember, have you had your plans drawn up yet? With Unrealhome, UpsizeTime and ourselves doing variations of the Glenleigh it will be really good to see a variation on a single story design. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 93May 10, 2013 9:58 am Firstly - it's Friday, so that has to be a good thing I can almost smell the weekend, and after a 'hard week in the office' I am looking forward to it! I bet everyone has been quietly beavering away at their designs, reviewing tenders and bashing their banks a little. At least interest rates have fallen, so that's great for borrowers I wanted to tap into the collective wisdom once again and ask about windows. DW and I have read a lot of different information this week about various designs. Whilst we want something on the 'melody' façade that looks good, we also want something practical that improves airflow / ventilation, etc. So I was wondering what you thought of windows designs? Kurmond use Wideline I believe (http://www.wideline.com.au), but their website offers very few photographs. - Awning (wind-out) windows? - Sliding windows? - Double-hung windows? - Sashless double-hung windows? I will try and post some photos up over the weekend. We think awning windows are attractive to look at, but I am not convinced that the ventilation they provide is great. We currently have double-hung windows and I like how you can open the top to let the fresh air in, and close the bottom so the breeze (there's quite a bit of breeze in my part of the world!) doesn't blow on you. Maybe it's more practical (and not as expensive!!!) to get feature-type windows on the front façade (we will have to do this on both corners!) and sliding windows on the rear? Anyway, just having a "window" type day (and I use an Apple Mac - terrible computer joke that was ) and would like to know what others are doing. The clock is ticking to the weekend ..... Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 94May 10, 2013 3:11 pm Yes its Friday! It's been a busy week, and luckily I've avoided getting the dreaded man flu which was coming on. On the windows, I'm not a fan of the awning windows, although as you said they're more aesthetically appealing. We had double hung windows at an old house and I agree, they're versatile, offering better ventilation. Standard sliding windows is what we currently have, and I think they're a pain to clean as well as not looking so great. One thing is for sure, I quite like thick framed windows as they certainly add character to a house. Just take notice of the houses with the standard frames versus thick aluminium / timber frames. Alternatively the façade could have a window dressing to appear thicker. Good luck with your window selections Unreal. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 95May 10, 2013 3:18 pm Quote: Mars78, agree the Stella facade and the Melody facade are very similar with the Melody having a balcony. Unrealhome needs the balcony for the views, we don’t need a balcony to watch the people across the street mowing the lawn, so the Stella is best for us. In regard to the extra cost for the one double garage door instead of two, it is because they have to use more steel beams for support. Mars really looking forward to seeing your plans, sorry I can't remember, have you had your plans drawn up yet? With Unrealhome, UpsizeTime and ourselves doing variations of the Glenleigh it will be really good to see a variation on a single story design. Unreal, I agree that if you don't have a view and are not going to actually use a balcony, then it is a waste of money. Just about every balcony in my area are unused! I understand about the load bearing, but I would've thought 2 doors and 2 garage door motors would cost more. Anyway hopefully a single storey load won't be as expensive. Also this may be the case for the corner stacker doors (I'm hoping). We've had initial plans drawn up, but we've changed it significantly. So I'll wait to show the revised plans. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 96May 10, 2013 4:07 pm OMG just what you don't need on a Friday - the internet to stop working unrealhome I wanted to tap into the collective wisdom once again and ask about windows. DW and I have read a lot of different information this week about various designs. Whilst we want something on the 'melody' façade that looks good, we also want something practical that improves airflow / ventilation, etc. So I was wondering what you thought of windows designs? Kurmond use Wideline I believe (http://www.wideline.com.au), but their website offers very few photographs. - Awning (wind-out) windows? - Sliding windows? - Double-hung windows? - Sashless double-hung windows? I will try and post some photos up over the weekend. We think awning windows are attractive to look at, but I am not convinced that the ventilation they provide is great. We currently have double-hung windows and I like how you can open the top to let the fresh air in, and close the bottom so the breeze (there's quite a bit of breeze in my part of the world!) doesn't blow on you. Maybe it's more practical (and not as expensive!!!) to get feature-type windows on the front façade (we will have to do this on both corners!) and sliding windows on the rear? Anyway, just having a "window" type day (and I use an Apple Mac - terrible computer joke that was ) and would like to know what others are doing. The clock is ticking to the weekend ..... WINDOWS, WINDOWS, WINDOWS...... Last night we sat and 'discussed', 'argued', 'communicated' about the facade... nothing decided... still at loggerheads.... DH likes busy/fancy I like plain. I suppose after all the other discussions about the house and this is the only 'disagreement' we should count ourselves lucky. DH contacted P today and we are going to go and see him next week and see if we can mix a few of the facade to make what we want. Funny when ever we feel stressed out about something and not quite sure about something, after a meeting with P everything is fixed, happened with the floor plan, happened with the tender... here's hoping the facade problem can be fixed as easily. Now the WINDOWS... Now that it is becoming a reality I am starting to come down from the clouds and starting to take things really seriously, so it wasn't until yesterday when I was looking closely at the floorplan that I realised that we have a few problems with windows that need to be fixed before the final plans are drawn and the tender sign off. Bedroom 3, DD's room has 2 windows on the northern wall and they are the same size as the ensuite window and up high, probably not the best for a bedroom. In the master bedroom where the shelving near the entrance to the ensuite on the original Glenleigh design we have put a window for extra light (northern wall), that window is also the same as the ensuite window. We would like to change these windows to 'longer' windows. There are a few other things that are 'not quite right' as well so making (another) list. My advice is look, look and look again at your drawings. I think I was so caught up with everything that I didn't 'see' things properly. Also noticed that the windows on the plan look like the 'wind-out' type - not sure how this would go with our Bal rating, we have to have metal flyscreens to all openable windows and doors. I know that make flyscreens for these types of windows but it might be easier to get the double-hung windows because the flyscreens are more readily available. Mars agree about the added costs for one double garage door but what can you do... ah the joys of building a home. I agree, certainly shouldn't be as expensive with a single level home. Understand completely about making changes to the plans, I lost count how many times I sat drawing this wall here, moving this room there Is anyone going to look at bricks or doing any other research this weekend? Hope everyone has a great weekend.. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 97May 10, 2013 6:21 pm Well haven't you all been busy. Haven't had a chance to get on here. Haven't thought much about the house this week, have bee receiving calls from other builders re our tender choice. Silly how I feel bad saying we have gone with someone else. D said we will receive our draft plans and tender by the 21st May, counting down the days. Can't wait to see the plans and hope the tender is close to what we already received. Which I am told it should be better. Believe this when I see it. Still not sure about flooring, I think it will all come down to options cost and then the priority list. Re windows, I think the awning windows look great as less window frame but the ventilation can't be that good, also how do fly screens work with that. However, you have to think how often will you be opening them. If I seriously think about my old house, I don't think I opened the windows at the front of the house. So maybe these type of window ps would be the best option for the house. Haven't even considered windows and what we get. Hope you all have a lovely weekend, we aren't planning on doing any house stuff this weekend, lots of kids sport stuff tomorrow and then restful Mother's Day on Sunday, I hope. Happy mothers day to all! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 98May 11, 2013 3:05 pm UpsizeTime you are lucky that the other builders tendering for you have even contacted you, we are still waiting on a few of them to get back to us Less than 2 weeks & you will have your draft plans & tender so excited for you We have had a few 'free' tenders by other builders, most were over our budget or would have been after adding the essentials, Kurmond came in under what were expecting. That said we still have additional cost because of the BAL requirement etc. but it did make use feel as though we could actually build a home (even with our very tight budget) - which is such a great feeling. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 99May 11, 2013 4:01 pm carak777 OMG just what you don't need on a Friday - the internet to stop working Hope it's all fixed now carak!!! carak777 Last night we sat and 'discussed', 'argued', 'communicated' about the facade... nothing decided... still at loggerheads.... DH likes busy/fancy I like plain. I suppose after all the other discussions about the house and this is the only 'disagreement' we should count ourselves lucky. DH contacted P today and we are going to go and see him next week and see if we can mix a few of the facade to make what we want. Funny when ever we feel stressed out about something and not quite sure about something, after a meeting with P everything is fixed, happened with the floor plan, happened with the tender... here's hoping the facade problem can be fixed as easily. - no doubt about it, once P gets onto the job, you'll get it all sorted! We had a quieter day today reviewing the changes we've submitted for version two of our drawings. We heard from H at Kurmond during the week and she said all was on track for a swift turn around of our revised drawings which will then lead to the tender As UpSize said - happy Mother's Day to all the Mums out there in Home One land! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 100May 11, 2013 4:37 pm unrealhome Internet is working o.k. now, pity my brain is not. Agree P is so helpful. As DH said last night after speaking to P yesterday "he's such a nice guy". Oh dear perhaps I shouldn't be saying all these nice things in case P is checking out H1, don't want him to get a big head of anything Great news that your revised plans will be back soon I wonder who will get their tender first you or UpsizeTime? I just hope we get our's sorted out real soon. If everything goes to plan all will be signed off & deposit paid this week... fingers crossed. Thanks for the Happy Mothers Day wishes on behalf of all the other H1 mum's.... being a Mum can be very, very hard work but it certainly has it's rewards. Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74688 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 105482 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 23465 |