Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 20, 2013 11:34 am Hi all, I have turned to this forum in desperation and am seeking peoples' views. I have gone down the tender route with three builders, on three homes I fairly equally like (Alkira - Olivia 38, Metricn - Phoenix 38 (preliminary estimate) and Fowler - Monte Carlo 36. I see there are six excellent reviews for Alkira on productreview.com (great, but small this is a small sample size), Metricn and Fowler are a mixed bag. I have read a tonne of reviews for Fowler that REALLY concern me, regarding build time and quality etc. But I really like one of their designs and it should fit my budget (we're looking to spend about $450k all done - but probably have $40k more in site costs (than a perfect block) due to drainage solution and some drop edge beam). For this money, I don't want a ridiculous amount of hassle and I am seeking a good quality build. I really like the sales guy we're dealing with too - seems very straightforward and knows his stuff (and is also building his own home with them). Is there anyone out there that can assure me of the quality of Fowler's builds? I am looking for some recent (2013) positive experiences. Any help immensely appreciated!!! I am getting so over this project build process that I am considering owner building (when I don't have the time!) Cheers Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 2May 29, 2013 1:54 pm My personal opinion as I sit from my fowler home (Monte Carlo 33). Don't do it. Slow, painful, ruins the experience of building. Bad quality, no care. It took us 19 months to get into our house, and things never got finished, we still have a dented window frame, uncleaned brick work, and a bad paint job on the front of the house. Edit - Not to mention we had to buy and fit our own bath tap. www.tinas-cakery.com Building a Monte Carlo with Fowler Homes. Our Build Thread --> https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49218 Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 3May 30, 2013 7:05 am We are approx. 2 months out from handover. This will take us to 12 months from the start of the form work being prepared for the slab pour. Yes fowler are extremely slow and had this question been asked 6 months ago I would have given you a firm NO. However, a new site supervisor and customer service officer have made a world of difference. Quality of work to date has been of a high standard (however this is really dependant on the supervisor and tradies, we have been lucky). I believe I am close to the build so do pull them up on issues immediately. Personally I feel this is the only way you can do this is work along side your supervisor checking the build as it goes. Back office wise, yes there are still hold ups with paper work, billing, quotes, etc and this needs to improve. I would say yes build with them, but ensure you have a good relationship with yours CSO and SS, be prepared to manage the build, communicate changes / discussions via email and finally be accepting of a twelve month build. Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 4May 31, 2013 2:20 pm i too am building with Fowler and I would say NO dont waste your time and money. Lack of communication, slow, quality is below standard. I started process in June 2011. only recently received my house keys on the same day as the end date of the contract, because i pushed them for it but house is still unfinished. noticed crappy workmanship inside, contact supervisor and never get a response. Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 5Jun 03, 2013 12:47 pm Thats exactly right booget, it got to the point for us we accepted the keys with an unfinished house and empty promises www.tinas-cakery.com Building a Monte Carlo with Fowler Homes. Our Build Thread --> https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49218 Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 6Jul 10, 2013 3:21 pm So after reading this thread, I was quite thrown off from building with fowler.. I received a quote and it seems to be within budget and the floorplan suits our needs also, I asked about what they though about the negative reviews that they received here and their response was that last year they had an influx of work and couldn't cope with the work load. They have now employed a lot more staff to deal with it. They also say that they have got rid of 4 SS from last year. So am I taking a big risk building with fowler? Building a modified Fowler Homes Venetian 23 at Ridgeline 2 - The Ponds Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 7Jul 10, 2013 4:54 pm impoze So after reading this thread, I was quite thrown off from building with fowler.. I received a quote and it seems to be within budget and the floorplan suits our needs also, I asked about what they though about the negative reviews that they received here and their response was that last year they had an influx of work and couldn't cope with the work load. They have now employed a lot more staff to deal with it. They also say that they have got rid of 4 SS from last year. So am I taking a big risk building with fowler? There's no way to know until you get to the end of your build, IMHO ... they're not the first builder to say pretty-much the same thing so their excuse/reason is feasible. Re: Please help - Fowler reviews 8Jul 16, 2013 3:26 pm If speed or superior quality are important to you then I'd suggest looking somewhere else. If you want a good price, mid-level quality and are prepared to wait over 12 months then give them a go. Are there better builders at this price? I would have loved to have known. Good luck. Follow our Fowler Homes build: http://buildingourcastle.blogspot.com 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 105542 Anyone built with Fowler Homes? Feedback? Especially any things concerning or negatives? Have heard some horror… 0 9290 We are looking to do a KDR with fairhaven homes, Have seen plenty of good reviews about them pre construction and plenty of negative reviews about them during contruction… 0 18039 |