Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 09, 2013 10:14 pm Like many I have been lurking a fair bit on this forum (learning heaps) and decided that it’s time to start my own build thread since things will be happening soon
We decided in about April that we wanted to build our house, you know, the one you want to live in for ever (or a long time at least). We were keen on getting a block bigger than 600m2 but they are pretty hard to find. Eventually got one at 650m2. The philosophy we had with the build was to maximise the backyard space. Our search for a builder started with builders who could help us get land in the estate we were initially looking in (Broadway was one of them). But, we managed to find an empty block in a built up area nearby, which meant the options for builders was pretty much endless. We eventually went with Broadway Homes after meeting about 5 other builders. The plan was custom and took 4 revisions to get it right. The 5th revision was the final drawings that went to council: Ground Floor Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ First Floor Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Elevation Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We got our backyard, with an area about 9m x 20m to play with. So anyway, that’s enough introduction, here is the timeline some far: • First Meeting with Broadway: 23 May 2013 • Land Settlement: 24 June 2013 • Signed PPA: 1 August 2013 • Council Approval: 1 November 2013 • Contract Signed: 4 November 2013 • Pre-start: 21 November 2013 • Unconditional Approval: 10 March 2014 • Pad Down: 25 March 2014 9 November 2013 So the next stage is to get finance sorted (likely this week) and do pre-start (booked in for the 21st). We are hopeful for a slab down before Christmas. We are going through all our choice/upgrades at the moment, and external colours are tough. Wanting a light coloured colorbond roof (Surfmist) but struggling with the idea of light bricks and light roof. We’ll get there! We have been very happy with what Broadway have done for us, and our Consultant is very helpful (and patient) – would definitely recommend him. Our finance people have also told us how professional Broadway are. So far so good! 8 April 2014 Time for some updates. It’s funny reading what I wrote in my last post about finance and slab down. It all went to poo. But since the last update, we did pre-start (went with the light brick and surfmist roof), decided to organise a pool, eventually got finance and the blocks been cleared and pads down. The story with finance is interesting actually. The initial rejection was a result of the bank undervaluing the house+land (by about 15k – what a joke). It was a blessing really, since it allowed us time to get the pool organised, and we also saved 20k on mortgage insurance. Finance was by far the worst part of this experience - took for ever and everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Even after unconditional approval, getting the loan transferred to another bank was stressful. Particularly when the pad went down and we had no access to funds to pay for it - although this is what probably got the banks into gear. And Broadway were on our side with this. We toyed with the idea of organising a building inspector for each progress payment, but decided against it, at least for first stage (pad down). Hopefully bricks go up soon – apparently there is a bit of a shortage of brickies right now though. Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 2Nov 10, 2013 12:50 am Hey Alex, I am also building with Broadway Homes. It has taken a lot longer to get to the building approval stage but mine is being looked at all through email and it is totally custom. I went with Broadway because I like the flexibility that they offered and also the finish on the Harlow is very nice. I will be flying in to Perth in the next few weeks to sign contracts and prestart and all of that..... exciting times ahead i am sure. Cheers Mark Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 3Nov 11, 2013 10:31 pm AussieMark Hey Alex, I am also building with Broadway Homes. It has taken a lot longer to get to the building approval stage but mine is being looked at all through email and it is totally custom. I went with Broadway because I like the flexibility that they offered and also the finish on the Harlow is very nice. I will be flying in to Perth in the next few weeks to sign contracts and prestart and all of that..... exciting times ahead i am sure. Cheers Mark Good to see someone else building with Broadway on here! We also found the finishes in thier display homes to be impressive. They were never really a builder we thought we'd go with but they just impressed at every stage. Good luck with your contract and pre start. Per start prep is a bigger job than we thought. Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 4Nov 18, 2013 1:39 pm We're in Vertu at the moment, great estate. Best of luck with the build! Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 5Apr 08, 2014 10:18 pm The story has been updated - its finally all starting. Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 6Apr 09, 2014 1:16 am Hey Alex. Great news. I cannot wait for mine to start too. I am sure that they will do a quality job. Keep in touch. Ciao Mark Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 9Sep 02, 2014 3:50 pm My build has not started yet as I am waiting for the final contract. I have been organizing this entire build via email. I specifically wanted everything in the contract to limit variables. Stockt12 can you elaborate, even by pm if you feel more comfortable. It is hard to find information on broadway builds. My main concern is the lack of insurance cover for the windows I am supplying. Would really appreciate feedback as I am only going to be flying in and out to keep tabs on the build. Cheers Mark Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 10Sep 17, 2014 5:43 pm I am building with Broadway Homes and look forward to your updates Alex. AussieMark's as well. Like AussieMark I am organizing the build via email and it is taking a long time. We already have the building permit, but are getting bogged down in the details of the Request for Variations. Somehow items discussed in emails have not been costed or are missing from the Request for Variations. The tile limit of 330mm x 330mm for the wet areas is quite frustrating considering the high quality of the fit-out by Broadway standards. I don't know if all interior designers are useless, but I felt that the one assigned to me prior to Prestart was disorganised and didn't have a good product knowledge of the suppliers Broadway uses. (As an interior designer you should invest in a catalogue of the cabinet finishes!) Probably going to reselect the bathroom tiles/cabinet finishes when I can get back to Perth again (and pay the variation fee). We've missed our construction start deadline so it's going to be interesting how this will unfold. Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 11Dec 17, 2014 9:26 pm Quick update on my build.
Builder's client liaison person said they would provide an update as soon as they know the date the slab is booked in to be poured. I found out 2 days after the slab was poured as I received an invoice for the progress claim. Would have wished to check the slab pre-pour as I am particular about a few things. Re: Our Build with Broadway Homes 12Dec 18, 2014 2:26 am Polaris, I am sure it will be fine. It would more than likely be the same crew that did my pour and they were great. I was worried about it being a very hot day the day after and the foreman said that they had arranged a curing retardant so no watering was required. They used about 40 cubic meters of concrete. BTW my interior design lady was not very helpful, she is no longer there. I am going very neutral and using two pac for my cabinetry. I used an independent lady to help with colours and she basically confirmed what mum and I had selected. Good its underway now...... onward and upward. Cheers Mark of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 23784 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 17612 3 48398 |