Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 14, 2013 11:16 am Hey all first home buyer/builder here! First post on here - I’ve been reading this site heaps while I’ve been building and its helped me a lot- so i thought I’d share my experience, to help anyone else, with any of the issues i had Sadly it’s a bit late into the build but I’ll share my experience up until now! Building in SA, Hillcrest with Fairmont Homes. The plan is Fairmont's Sicily, however we've modified it to include a large outdoor alfresco area, large glass bi-parting doors, got rid of the bay window at the back (Thank god!) and extended the living area (flipping the design too). Heres our Plan Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The block is 9.54m wide by aprox 46m deep Main Changes -Upgraded ceiling height to 2.55M, alot cheaper than 2.7M -Added a large alfresco area and large bi-parting doors + a brick leaf wall on the side for future outdoor kitchen, with gas, waste and power (Bi-folds very expensive and no fly-screen) -Added a gas fireplace as a feature in the lounge area -Added a Nib wall to the kitchen with cutouts, to break it up. -Added a second sink to ensuite -2M high tiling bathroom, + better sinks\tapware -R/C A/C and Dishwaser provided at no charge. -Added internal insulation to bedrooms and living area for an extra $670 (Insulation guy called us) -Extra electrical work (pendants, ceiling fans and data cabling) - direct though the electrician, much cheaper Selections Interior Flooring: Floating Floorboards (Grand Walnut) & Choices Flooring Internal Walls: Fairmont Winter Sky Skirting/Ark: Double strength Winter Sky Roof: White Tiles: Bathroom & Laundry Only, concept ice/charcoal. 2m high. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen: Smartstone benchtop waterfall on island bench, Austral (white with silver flakes) - Red splashbacks. Darkish cupboards, silver handles. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ On the right is the grand walnut flooring Exterior Roof & Gutters: Colourbond Monument Facias: Colourbond Shale Grey Roller Door: Colourbond Monument Front Door: Glass horizontal cut-outs (frosted) and bright red colour (Crimson Queen) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Laundry & garage door: Colourbond Shale Grey Bricks: PGH Aubergine with Birghton Light Mortar (Yellow sand.... Didn’t know we could pick white sand, weren’t told at interview) - PGH Oyster to portico Electrical\Appliances Revers cycles A/C, S/S Range hood slide out, gas stove top, electric over, dishwasher. We paid the electrician directly to do a lot of extra work, i.e. pendant lights, exterior lights and some data cabling. Timeline Signed Contract 02/12/2012 Interior Selections (Direct Interiors) 05/02/2013 Kitchen & Joinery Selections (Supreme Kitchens) 26/02/2013 Final Builders Interview & Colour Selection 06/03/2013 Site Works Started 08/04/2013 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Foundations Poured 14/04/2013 Bricks, Bin & Porta loo delivered 30/04/2013 Timber Delivered 07/05/2013 Framework started 08/05/2013 Windows & Framework Completed 20/05/2013 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Gutters & Facias Completed 23/05/2013 Internal Plumbing Complete 24/05/2013 Roof Complete 27/05/2013 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Yellow Sand & Brickies stuff delivered 03/06/2013 Brickwork started 04/06/2013 Brickwork Completed 14/06/2013 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 1st fix electrical & data completed 17/06/2013 Insulation Installed, Gyprock delivered & Gas connection 18/06/2013 Gyprocking Complete 19/06/2013 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Plaster & Downpipes 24/06/2013 Plastering Completed, Eaves + Skirtings Delivered 26/6/13 Stormwater 27/06/2013-2/7/13 8/7/13 - 10/7/13 Eaves, Skirtings, Architraves & Doors (Lockup!) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen & Cabnitry 12/7/13 - 13/7/13 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Stone benchtop installed + Telstra NTD 15/7/13 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Gas Connection from meter to box 16/7/13 Bathroom Tiling started 23/07/2013 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Painting Started 27/07/2013 Tiling and grouting complete 31/7/13 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 2nd electrical fix + eaves/downpipes painted 1/8/13 Tapware/Sinks Toilets installed 6/8/13 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Cornices 7/8/13 Ceiling & cronises painted (in bathroom + Garage) + shower screens and mirrors installed 15/8/13 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Built in robes installed 16/8/13 Spray paint prep (plastic wrapping) throughout house 19/8/13 Garage door installed 20/8/13 Tips we have learned throughout the building process -Mortar colour of the bricks is dependent on the sand colour and cement colour. Ask for white sand + white cement to have white mortar, we asked for Brighton light mortar and weren't told that we could choose sand colour, so we had yellow sand + white cement to make a creamy mortar. -At the quote stage, make sure to put allowances in for everything you will plan on doing - we spent $7000 extra for our kitchen selections (stone bench + splash-back) - and had to pay for it ourselves as our finance was already sorted before selections. -If you really want something changed from standard i.e. colours of skirtings, or certain exceptions to be made from the standard - outline them at the quote stage - otherwise they're generally not done. -In winter make sure Stormwater is part of the contract, ours wasn't and we have had flooding into the neighbours yard and had to speedily organise someone. Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 2Jun 14, 2013 11:21 am Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 3Jun 14, 2013 11:35 am Welcome! I'm also building with Fairmont, and just so you know, we were allowed white skirtings, architraves and doors. We had an allowance of $1000 put in our contract, but only used $400. Good luck with the rest of your build Feel free to follow our build! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59958 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 4Jun 14, 2013 12:35 pm Hey Sammy! I've been following your build too.. secretly you must be so excited for handover!!! ... Gah white skirtings would have made our paint decision so much easier! -Josh 4 Beta Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 5Jun 14, 2013 3:48 pm Welcome, your house is looking lovely! Will be great to follow your build! Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 6Jun 14, 2013 8:29 pm Hi there! Another South Aussie Fairmont build! Same here, in Hallet Cove. With the stormwater issue maybe connect a temp one above the ground and run it some where else? Site Works 9/5/13 Slab 4/6/13 Frame 4/7/13 Fascia/Gutters 10/7/13 Windows 11/7/13 Roof 24/7/13 Gyprock 13/8/13 Lock up 26/8/13 Bricks 2/9/13 Kitchen 11/9/13 Tiling 28/9/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 7Jun 14, 2013 9:40 pm Hey wow a lot of SA builders yeah the brickies have stuffed a VB can in the drain to stop it.... Not very effective but highly amusing lol..... I was going to go there on the weekend with some pipe to see if I could a)block the pipe or b) redirect. Thanks for the advice. 4 Beta Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 8Jun 14, 2013 10:22 pm Welcome, another SA Fairmont build here. Love your choices of brick and roof. Looking good so far. Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 9Jun 15, 2013 8:38 pm Brickwork Complete Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Brickwork Complete by fugisan, on Flickr Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 10Jun 15, 2013 9:39 pm looks great, another fairmont builder here, well hoping to start once settlement goes through in august. really love the dark bricks! tammy your welcome to follow our build https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=64842 Block cut - 15th February 2014 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 11Jun 15, 2013 11:04 pm Ah awesome! So exciting love this process... At times... yeah it's PGH Aubergine and Oyster to portico we love it 4 Beta Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 12Jun 16, 2013 5:55 pm Everything looks great, fugisan. Ours is a little like yours. We kept the yucky bay sliding window at the back. Thinking now maybe it would have been better to have it straightened. Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 13Jun 16, 2013 7:37 pm I'll take a pic next time I'm at the block. Bay windows have their place.... Just not my style haha. 4 Beta Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 14Jun 16, 2013 7:49 pm I'm not partial to them either, but I just didn't think to have it changed. Wondering if it will be tricky to put up blinds or curtains or whatever. I don't think I'll hate it though, and it'll let lots of light in, so it should be something I could live with. I suppose it makes the house look dated. Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 15Jun 16, 2013 8:07 pm _lucinda I'm not partial to them either, but I just didn't think to have it changed. Wondering if it will be tricky to put up blinds or curtains or whatever. I don't think I'll hate it though, and it'll let lots of light in, so it should be something I could live with. I suppose it makes the house look dated. It gives a house character and lets alot of light in, as long as its done well with no cream colours im sure it will look good - Ive just looked at your selections and they are amazing! We were gonna go black bench, light cupboards but decided to swap it around instead Good luck with your build Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 16Jun 16, 2013 8:20 pm My back windows will be ultra silver gloss, not cream. Husband didn't want black trim. Regarding cupboards, I really, really wanted black cupboards, but the builder was not at all keen. First, would have to ask the cabinet maker permission! and then I would have to sign away rights to replacement if they were scratched. I didn't even bother to ask how much. I also would have preferred two-pack, but builder wouldn't allow that either, not even for a premium price, straight out no on that one. Still, things happen for a reason, and I'm happy with white now, and while I stress about the decision to have both black benchtop and splashback, I think it's going to give me the wow factor I was looking for. I have two stone-look chopping boards and I have put one up against the wall, with the other on the benchtop so that I can look at it every time I pass by, and I do like it. Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 17Jun 16, 2013 8:23 pm If I had a bay window, a window seat would be mandatory! Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 18Jun 16, 2013 8:32 pm fugisan Hey wow a lot of SA builders yeah the brickies have stuffed a VB can in the drain to stop it.... Not very effective but highly amusing lol..... I was going to go there on the weekend with some pipe to see if I could a)block the pipe or b) redirect. Thanks for the advice. 4 Beta surely they could have found something better than VB, maybe coopers, heineken your house looks like it is coming along nicely, hope the remainder of your build doesnt have too many dramas. i'm not a big bay window fan either. Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 19Jun 16, 2013 9:30 pm Welcome. Nice to follow another Fairmont build! We are building the Leabrook out at Mallala. _lucinda My back windows will be ultra silver gloss, not cream. Husband didn't want black trim. Regarding cupboards, I really, really wanted black cupboards, but the builder was not at all keen. First, would have to ask the cabinet maker permission! and then I would have to sign away rights to replacement if they were scratched. I didn't even bother to ask how much. I also would have preferred two-pack, but builder wouldn't allow that either, not even for a premium price, straight out no on that one. Still, things happen for a reason, and I'm happy with white now, and while I stress about the decision to have both black benchtop and splashback, I think it's going to give me the wow factor I was looking for. I have two stone-look chopping boards and I have put one up against the wall, with the other on the benchtop so that I can look at it every time I pass by, and I do like it. It really sucks that they wouldn't even let you do two pack Lucinda. I know Fairmont will do it for $60 a panel. Did they atleast allow the polygloss? We are getting that because it looks just like two pack really but is half the price. Building the Leabrook with Fairmont Homes in Mallala, SA. Building contract 24/3/13 Council Approval 18/6/13 Selections 29/6/13 & 1/7/13 Site works 21/10/13 Slab 7/11/13 Re: Fairmont Homes Build - SA (Modified Sicily) 20Jun 16, 2013 10:34 pm _lucinda My back windows will be ultra silver gloss, not cream. Husband didn't want black trim. Regarding cupboards, I really, really wanted black cupboards, but the builder was not at all keen. First, would have to ask the cabinet maker permission! and then I would have to sign away rights to replacement if they ........ Haha I wanted shale grey windows frames but they didn't have that colour either haha - happy with black The black splashback is an awesome colour. Be different. Loving our red. Cant wait to see it on the wall. That sucks about the cupboards colour.... We stuck with standard ones as I didn't want to clean gloss ones everyday! I have found Fairmont to be a little inflexible with certain selections. Unless you make it clear at the quote stage that's what you want. FairmontSAcustom If I had a bay window, a window seat would be mandatory! +1 best idea ever ... Make it a couch tasha_is_clueless Welcome. Nice to follow another Fairmont build! We are building the Leabrook out at Mallala. Awesome. my bookmarks are getting larger haha so many builds to follow 4 Beta Follow our build http://bit.ly/11fwbgB Contract Signed 2/12/12 Slab poured 14/04/13 Frame\Roof Complete 27/05/13 Brickwork Complete 14/06/13 Lockup 10/07/13 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17591 3 48360 Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74701 |