Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 661Jun 19, 2014 9:24 am Hey all, So this time last week the roof went on but since then no further activity. If upsize is correct I imagine that they're having issues sourcing brickies but it's unfortunate that for our build every trade has been delayed and required excuses as to why they haven't rocked up. Frustrating especially seeing other builds screaming along who started only a few weeks before us In saying that, everyones houses are looking great! When the bricks are finally up I'll post some more photos. RE: Lesanna Your comments on the pre-build process with Kurmond hit the nail on the head. They certainly aren't a disaster and there are some staff there (e.g KJ from sales, and K the CSO) who put in an effort and care but the rest of the experience (especially colours) are just woeful at times. In terms of the plans though, whilst there were some screwups here and there we were originally building with Rawson and they made just as many mistakes with their plans as K were doing. I think it's just one of those things. Also when it comes time to contract signing insist on liquidated damages if they go over the contracted build time. We didn't and I think we're paying the price now as you can see how our build progression is going compared to others. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 662Jun 19, 2014 1:22 pm Hey Bazinga, House is looking great. Can't wait till we get to that stage. Did you arrange for the Solar Panels yourself or through Kurmond? We are considering the same for our place. Thanks Mitch Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 663Jun 20, 2014 2:54 pm Hello Suby/Mitch, Thanks mate! I dont think KH do Solar but im not 100% sure i got it sourced externally but had to get the ok from KH. I guess as long as the guys are qualified and provide the correct documentation for the install you should be ok. Thanks, Buzz Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 664Jun 28, 2014 8:07 pm Hi how is everyone going? I was mighty impressed today, received a call from out tiler today and he said they are starting our wet area tiling on Monday and if we can meet him on our block. Unfortunately Monday was no good for us so he offered to meet us today when he closed the shop. We met at 5pm and went through all the tiles and looked at what we ordered. Ya! It is coming together. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 665Jun 30, 2014 11:33 am Good stuff Upsize. Our tiler has completed the wet areas and will just come to finish off the laundry after the cabinets have been installed. On Saturday the cabinet makers started and finished the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. It looks fantastic! Glad the colours have turned out right. It can be quite nervy. The painter is also well underway having spray painted undercoat layers to everything inside and out. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 666Jul 02, 2014 11:02 am Have people checked out the Kurmond Hones Facebook page? They've attached a few photos for recent handovers. It's a good marketing tool as the homes demonstrate the quality and variety of builds. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 667Jul 03, 2014 1:01 pm Hi all - I will have a look at their Facebook page - we are at the early stages with Kurmond - 1st lot of draft plans - only paid the initial $1,500.00 so no real costing yet. Our land hasn't registered yet so we have decided to wait until it has before we sign any Contract. Getting very exciting now! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 668Jul 05, 2014 1:04 pm Welcome Joandandy! Strap yourselves in for the home building roller coaster. This is a great forum, nothing but support for each other here Which home are you guys building? We are doing a modified Sierra...awaiting blessings from council Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 669Jul 05, 2014 8:27 pm Thanks Big Mama - we are building modified Sierra too - only up to our 2nd drawing - so early stages. Haven't signed a Contract either. Went out to see Sierra today - took photos - measurements - looked at colour scheme - quite like most of their choices. I am really nervous about pricing as I know after you sign & you go & start selecting tiles etc the price goes up & up but I believe their choices are not too bad. I am trying to get price for most of my upgrades now. Told them I don't want any surprises later. Hope all goes well in Council! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 670Jul 06, 2014 6:30 pm Hey joandandy - Don't worry about surprises from the upgrades, as you can always go with the included stuff if you need to and your home will still look fabulous. The surprises will come from things like foundations, slab regulations, stormwater detention, council requirements, etc. One of our fellow builders on this forum may be copping an extra $80k approx to deal with water run off. So far we have been hit with an extra $50K and counting for an upgrade needed for our slab. There is no such thing as being able to afford to build. I think it is a matter of plan to borrow "x" but expect to borrow "y"...and then "z" on top. You also need to think about money for landscaping, new furniture, fencing, etc. Try to keep the wish list to a minimum or you won't be able to sleep at night worrying about the costs. Hey Mars and Upsize - It is wonderful to see you guys progressing with your builds and getting into that "happy place" I am waiting for once all my paperwork worries are over. Best of luck to everyone Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 671Jul 07, 2014 7:23 am Hi Big Mama - thanks for the information it really helps -in our initial first quote we asked for the extras so hopefully won't be much variation there. Our land is being held up with registration so that gives us more time to hopefully get these plans right. We are building in Bingara Gorge Wilton where there are building restrictions but that is up to Kurmond to satisfy those requirements. No matter how many times we look at other houses we just keep going back to Sierra (modified of course). Going out to the house & looking at which way doors should open etc was great. You really need to get it right. I think some of us get swept up in the excitement & forget about all the little things that need changing. I would recommend to people building & are keen to go with a particular house add your extras with the first quote! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 672Jul 07, 2014 12:54 pm joeandandy, what modifications are you making to your Sierra design? I couldn't be happier with how the house has turned out so far and have no doubts that we made the right choice with the Sierra. Big Mama, I'm not sure I'll be in that happy place until we're over the line! One thing is for certain, you have to keep on top of everything. The supervisors are just too busy to ensure everything is correct. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 673Jul 07, 2014 3:16 pm Hi Mars 78 We made bedrooms 2, 3 & 4 bigger - we took away children's activity room in order to do this - 2nd bedroom has an ensuite as well - bed 1 has no walk-in-robe to make way for 2nd ensuite in bed 2 - garage is bigger - hubby wanted little man cave - changed cook top to sit on breakfast bar as I love cooking & wanted everyone sitting around - made breakfast bar wider too - entrance is also wider - so you see a few mods but changed it to fit in with how we live. Me - cooking - hubby - man cave. Not approved yet so hopefully Kurmond will get it through o'k Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 675Jul 08, 2014 11:37 am Hi Siri33 - my hubby is a plumber (self employed) but not doing the plumbing - I don't think the allowance back will be worth it, the time he will have to take off to do the plumbing & then there is the warranty issue. With any additional electrical work we will probably be getting our own electrician in as it will be cheaper. But having said that we will check to see how much more they will charge & then find out from our electrician if he thinks it's reasonable. Sometimes it is easier if they do everything. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 676Jul 08, 2014 11:37 am Hi Siri33 - my hubby is a plumber (self employed) but not doing the plumbing - I don't think the allowance back will be worth it, the time he will have to take off to do the plumbing & then there is the warranty issue. With any additional electrical work we will probably be getting our own electrician in as it will be cheaper. But having said that we will check to see how much more they will charge & then find out from our electrician if he thinks it's reasonable. Sometimes it is easier if they do everything. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 677Jul 08, 2014 1:17 pm joandandy Hi Mars 78 We made bedrooms 2, 3 & 4 bigger - we took away children's activity room in order to do this - 2nd bedroom has an ensuite as well - bed 1 has no walk-in-robe to make way for 2nd ensuite in bed 2 - garage is bigger - hubby wanted little man cave - changed cook top to sit on breakfast bar as I love cooking & wanted everyone sitting around - made breakfast bar wider too - entrance is also wider - so you see a few mods but changed it to fit in with how we live. Me - cooking - hubby - man cave. Not approved yet so hopefully Kurmond will get it through o'k Just goes to show how important being able to customise floorplans is. Everyone's needs are different. Your changes sound good. I can picture it already Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 678Jul 08, 2014 9:37 pm Thanks Joandandy. There is margin if they do everything.... It's cheaper if we obtain from licenced contractor to do the same job. It seems they are not allowed owner contractor to do job during construction. Is anyone experiencing the same issue ? Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 679Jul 09, 2014 6:07 am Hi Siri33 - I would have to say it is an insurance issue as it is their site. It would be nice if we could all the work done before we move in. Our main issue will be the theatre room because we want it properly sound proofed but we will just have to see if we can change our contract to specify that that work needs to be done during the building process otherwise we might have to pay more to get it properly insulated. Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 75633 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 106428 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 24287 |