Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1761Sep 14, 2018 8:31 am I totally understand what you are going through. unfortunately it seems Kurmond has issues with every single job. I think you can contact owners with no problem. I did it twice myself. I sent e-maisl to Peter. First time he responded and he sent a senior manager to contact us. Second time he didn't respond but they managed to resolved the issue (I don't know if he asked anyone). I also constantly give them a notice to lodge a formal complaint to Fair Trading NSW. It looks like it also helps a bit. At least they start looking at the issue. I cannot say that construction goes smoothly. It is definitely easier to deal with them during construction as we have a signed contract and if they mess up it is their responsibility to fix stuff. I think the site supervisors are usually quite professional in what they are doing. Some issues can be resolve through them directly without contacting office ladies. I think we have to have our stairs installed today (at least that was scheduled a week ago). I guess lining is finished I am not sure. We are expecting to get a progress update from our SS today. I hope you get your contract today. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1762Sep 14, 2018 8:43 am Guys, does anyone know if we are entitled to a lock-up inspection? Or will we get our next inspection only for practical completion 1st walk through? how do people chase up the progress from lock up stage? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1763Sep 14, 2018 9:10 am The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1764Sep 14, 2018 9:21 am J_C The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. Thanks! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1765Sep 17, 2018 2:34 pm We got our stairs last week. I also suppose they finished the lining. Our SS sent us a message saying they are going to do waterproofing this week. I thought waterproofing would happen after lock-up though no lock-up stage notifications received from Kurmond. We haven't received any invoices for this stage so I guess they haven't finished something. After we get the lock-up invoice we are planning to arrange an inspection. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1766Sep 18, 2018 3:19 pm Guys, anyone knows what does an insulation certificate consist of? Before pre-lining inspection we have also requested an inspection after all the insulation is installed. Our SS told us that there will be pictures of insulation in walls so no need for the inspection. So we only did the pre-lining inspection where there was only frame and services. We now asked him about the pictures of walls with insulation and he responded that we will get a certificate. Is the certificate usually accompanied with any pictures? Or it is only a paper from installer/Kurmand that it is have been made according to plans and some Australian Standards? We have requested additional acoustic insulation in our internal walls and really wanted to see if that was done properly. Now we have no idea how to check it if they just give us a paper. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1767Sep 19, 2018 2:21 pm J_C The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. the funny thing that we got the lock-up invoice today and therefore we requested an inspection. our SS told us that he is busy so the next inspection would be the pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. I don't understand why we always have to fight them for everything. there is no easy way to get anything from them. Now I have to contact the office and ask them to explain it to their SS. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1768Sep 20, 2018 3:46 pm So we contacted the office and gave them a notice that we are going to access the site as per our HIA contract. They backed up the SS who says that he is busy. We are going to be there for inspection anyway as we have a feeling that something is not right as they try to keep us away even though it is our contractual right to go and inspect. It is unbelievable that we cannot do anything with them without escalation. They just don't care until you actually start taking actions. They have already fooled us with the insulation inspection that we requested earlier. Now they are trying to fool us again. Guys, if someone is reading and considering going with Kurmond, just stay away from them. It is constant pain in the butt to deal with them. Not a single thing can be done straightforward. Ah, yes! When you pay your progress payments the accountants are very pleasant with you. That's about it. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1769Sep 20, 2018 7:27 pm nada17 J_C The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. the funny thing that we got the lock-up invoice today and therefore we requested an inspection. our SS told us that he is busy so the next inspection would be the pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. I don't understand why we always have to fight them for everything. there is no easy way to get anything from them. Now I have to contact the office and ask them to explain it to their SS. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1770Sep 20, 2018 9:17 pm kathysangel nada17 J_C The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. the funny thing that we got the lock-up invoice today and therefore we requested an inspection. our SS told us that he is busy so the next inspection would be the pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. I don't understand why we always have to fight them for everything. there is no easy way to get anything from them. Now I have to contact the office and ask them to explain it to their SS. they cant stop you contact the VBA it's your obligation to be able to check on your home your paying them they can be fined check it on your contract I did it's under the consumers affairs as well it's your money and your home not theres thank you, I am in NSW, we have Fair Trading NSW and I am going to contact them for sure. I just cannot believe that they are so disrespectful. we were trying to be nice and not just give them a notice of an inspection but ask them about their availability first. they just keep saying they are busy and that we will have a pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1771Sep 20, 2018 11:06 pm nada17 kathysangel nada17 [quote="J_C"]The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. the funny thing that we got the lock-up invoice today and therefore we requested an inspection. our SS told us that he is busy so the next inspection would be the pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. I don't understand why we always have to fight them for everything. there is no easy way to get anything from them. Now I have to contact the office and ask them to explain it to their SS. they cant stop you contact the VBA it's your obligation to be able to check on your home your paying them they can be fined check it on your contract I did it's under the consumers affairs as well it's your money and your home not theres thank you, I am in NSW, we have Fair Trading NSW and I am going to contact them for sure. I just cannot believe that they are so disrespectful. we were trying to be nice and not just give them a notice of an inspection but ask them about their availability first. they just keep saying they are busy and that we will have a pre-paint inspection in a few weeks.[/quote]What are they hiding it's your obligation to monitor the work going on in your house what there doing is illegal, put your concerns on Google they will start running I did and they are contacting me everyday and arranging inspections for me shame them on google they deserve it they will suck big time Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1772Sep 23, 2018 4:32 am nada17 kathysangel nada17 [quote="J_C"]The next formal inspection after the frame/pre-lining is not until 1st practical completion inspection as per the build guide they have/will provide you. On the other side there is nothing stopping you from asking the SS for an inspection to review progress at any point, as long as notice is provided. the funny thing that we got the lock-up invoice today and therefore we requested an inspection. our SS told us that he is busy so the next inspection would be the pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. I don't understand why we always have to fight them for everything. there is no easy way to get anything from them. Now I have to contact the office and ask them to explain it to their SS. they cant stop you contact the VBA it's your obligation to be able to check on your home your paying them they can be fined check it on your contract I did it's under the consumers affairs as well it's your money and your home not theres thank you, I am in NSW, we have Fair Trading NSW and I am going to contact them for sure. I just cannot believe that they are so disrespectful. we were trying to be nice and not just give them a notice of an inspection but ask them about their availability first. they just keep saying they are busy and that we will have a pre-paint inspection in a few weeks.[/quote]How did you go ,I ring my site supervisor and say to meet me up at my block remember your paying there wages ,you have to be able to monitor all the work that is going on as they could be doing shody painting or crap work covering up there mistakes get a inspector up he will pick up any voids and faults it's worth it i did and I had many major problems Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1773Sep 27, 2018 7:13 am Hi guys, we are also having a hard time with these people. It seems they don't need to finish construction plans any sooner. They say those still 4 weeks away. We signed the initial contract last Feb, now it is 8 months already, what a pain in the butt with these people, not asking anything but just to do their job! We are almost lost interest in this building process. As even market is going down, the best option will be to just buy something already built. But I will anyway complain this to NSW Fair Trading, the way these guys working is totally unacceptable, I need to do my due diligence alerting this to authorities and other people. Anyone who is considering Kurmond, my building timeline below (in signature) is what you are going to get!!! My building experience https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=91499 Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1774Sep 27, 2018 8:35 am Mallik Hi guys, we are also having a hard time with these people. It seems they don't need to finish construction plans any sooner. They say those still 4 weeks away. We signed the initial contract last Feb, now it is 8 months already, what a pain in the butt with these people, not asking anything but just to do their job! We are almost lost interest in this building process. As even market is going down, the best option will be to just buy something already built. But I will anyway complain this to NSW Fair Trading, the way these guys working is totally unacceptable, I need to do my due diligence alerting this to authorities and other people. Anyone who is considering Kurmond, my building timeline below (in signature) is what you are going to get!!! Hi there! Sorry to hear about your troubles. Did you try to contact their senior management and owners? They are probably waiting for other jobs to be completed so they can start with new ones. We had the same story when they didn't give us the final drawings or did want to proceed to the contract. You cannot do anything with that. The only thing is if you convince someone from senior management to prioritse your project. On a good side, the construction speed is good. We got to lock-up stage in 4 months (double storey house). It is not much left so it might be that we get the keys before x-mas. That would mean that the overall build would be under 7 months which is impressive. Though I noticed with my neighbours that other builders are pretty quick also. Maybe it is just the timing when tradies are not very busy, I am not sure. I hope you will get your plans and contract soon. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1775Sep 27, 2018 8:53 am kathysangel nada17 thank you, I am in NSW, we have Fair Trading NSW and I am going to contact them for sure. I just cannot believe that they are so disrespectful. we were trying to be nice and not just give them a notice of an inspection but ask them about their availability first. they just keep saying they are busy and that we will have a pre-paint inspection in a few weeks. How did you go ,I ring my site supervisor and say to meet me up at my block remember your paying there wages ,you have to be able to monitor all the work that is going on as they could be doing shody painting or crap work covering up there mistakes get a inspector up he will pick up any voids and faults it's worth it i did and I had many major problems well, as I said they refused to give me an appointment saying that I would have a pre-paint inspection in 2 weeks (which I doubt). I didn't want to go there without their confirmation because (surprise-surprise!) I have a full time job and taking a half day off for uncertain meeting would be just waste of time and money. Anyway I went there over weekend and saw everything I needed to see. All looks good except for things that I will request to change later. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1776Sep 27, 2018 9:36 am Mallik, I hear your frustration, we signed the preliminary tender in May 2017 and construction has only just started. Don’t expect them to begin this year, but push hard for a final contract prior to them hitting you with a price rise early next year due to the ‘fixed price’ term expiring, as they did to us. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1777Sep 27, 2018 9:47 am amegilla Mallik, I hear your frustration, we signed the preliminary tender in May 2017 and construction has only just started. Don’t expect them to begin this year, but push hard for a final contract prior to them hitting you with a price rise early next year due to the ‘fixed price’ term expiring, as they did to us. They did not increased price for us though. I think it is important to mention it to them that you are not going to pay any price increase if the delays are related to their operational issues. We did that when we requested the final plans. Actually we gave it to them as the main concern of delays so they didn't have a chance to ask us for more money later. Anyway just put on paper and send it to them. And include in CC all people you know in Kurmond. Just in case, as they are known for people coming and going. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1778Sep 27, 2018 10:12 am nada17 amegilla Mallik, I hear your frustration, we signed the preliminary tender in May 2017 and construction has only just started. Don’t expect them to begin this year, but push hard for a final contract prior to them hitting you with a price rise early next year due to the ‘fixed price’ term expiring, as they did to us. They did not increased price for us though. I think it is important to mention it to them that you are not going to pay any price increase if the delays are related to their operational issues. We did that when we requested the final plans. Actually we gave it to them as the main concern of delays so they didn't have a chance to ask us for more money later. Anyway just put on paper and send it to them. And include in CC all people you know in Kurmond. Just in case, as they are known for people coming and going. Good advice nada17. Mallik, hope you can benefit from our experience and use this info constructively. As nada17 said, keep saying to them you don’t want their delays forcing a price rise onto your build. We raised this as a concern a number of times and they kept fobbing us off, saying everything was ‘on track’. Then they tried to blame council for their delays. Don’t let them, keep pushing. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1779Sep 27, 2018 10:43 am My update - our building platform was leveled off and the peiring has been completed. There is piles of stuff on the block, presumably the the mesh and waffle pods for the slab, with the concrete pour expected to happen either next week or the week after. It’s hard to believe that after all this time the build is actually happening. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 1780Sep 27, 2018 11:07 am Morning all! Seems like a busy day on the forum today. Update on our build - Upper roof and cladding all done and painted, scaffolding is down to the lower level and we have had the lower roof installed on Tuesday. I assume they are painting the lower eaves the rest of the week. The Air con ducting is in as well as the lifestyle store cabling. I don't think Seninel have been in, or the sparky. And SS won't give me a date for the pre-lining inspection still... last week he said its still a few weeks away. The last few weeks have felt slow in comparison with how fast the structure went up. The SS called the other week and gave a tentative lockup date for the end of October that they are aiming for. Fingers crossed they are still on track. Seems like I wasn't on the ball about the price rise. We told them our land wasn't registering until October 17, but when we signed the tender docs in April 17 the date of the price rise expired before the land was going to register. I didn't pick up on it until too late. Then when they sent it through they blamed council delays... (council took 5 weeks... one of those weeks was christmas shutdown). We also got slapped with charges to changing the roof design on their traditional facade because the guttering didn't work. They tried to blame us because we had a split level at the front of the house. They were blaming us because of the high ceiling. Even though it was a high ceiling because the floor went lower, not the roof higher. We didn't make any amendments to the roof area, but had to pay about $1200 to fix their gutter issue on their Traditional Facade... *sigh* They will get you where they can that's for sure. It's been a much better process since the admin side of things have been closed out. The build is going pretty well, despite a slow week here and there. Still hoping for a chrissy handover. *fingers crossed* nada17 you should be in by Christmas for sure. SS said its about 8 weeks to hand over after lockup. (I'm pretty sure we have the same SS). Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74700 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 105530 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 23478 |