Burbank Custom DS- 4 months post Handover !

Hi All,


We started the process searching for our block in April 2013 and had Settlement of our block in the Cairnlea Estate on 26th June 2013...it has been a very looong and alittle bumpy journey to get us to where we are today.

After quite abit of searching , in late August we made decision to build with Burbank because they had a custom division.. We building a custom double Storey (Menton3850) approx 41sq (includes triple garage)

Here the progress to date -
- Contract signed - 14 October 2013 (initial $1K deposit paid)
- Colour Appointment & Water Meter Installed - 13 NOV 2013
- Engineer plan completed - 29 Nov 2013
- Permit approved - 11 December 2013
- Final Construction drawings updated and signed - 12th December 2013

With every hope building to commence before xmas- this did not happen...

On 19th Dec 2013 I received a call from Building supervisor advising that my file has just been referred to the construction division with estimated start date after xmas - new year break ..

I am now having my fingers cross hoping they'll start week commencing 13 January 2014.

As this is my first time building , I thought I create this blog to post and share my building journey so any help advise along the way would muchly be appreciated

Also I would like to know if anyone built a double storey with Burbank and how long did it take them to build their home and if there is any issues?


Thread
http://ourmentone3850.blogspot.com.au/




FLOOR PLAN
http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=68855&p=1120052#p1120052


UPGRADES/ COLOUR SELECTIONS
http://ourmentone3850.blogspot.com.au/p/blog-page.html


TIMELINE (to-date)
Presite
26 June 2013 - Purchase LAND

02 Oct 2013 - Registration and paid $1000 to Burbank
10 Oct 2013 - Soil test and Site Survey requested
22 Oct 2013 - Signed our Tender and paid $2000 to Burbank

08 Nov2013 Bank Approval
12 Nov 2013 Water Meter installed
13 Nov 2013 Colour Appointment at Edge Studio
19 Nov 2013 More variations signed and sent back (Variation 4-6)
24 Nov 2013 Site Costing completed (Variation
25 Nov 2013 Energy Rating Report

29 Nov 2013 Engineer Plan Completed

11 Dec 2013 - Permit approved
12 Dec 2013 - Final Construction drawing updated and signed (Version F)

13 Dec 2013 - Refer file to Construction Department
19 Dec 2013 - Received SS courtesy call to advise will be commencing construction start of 2014.



Construction /Onsite
Stage 1 SLAB
07 Jan 2014 (Week 1) Site Fence went up and port-a-loo delivered
09 Jan 2014 Sight Scrape
15 Jan 2014 (Week 2) 35 Concrete Piers
17 Jan 2014 Electric Meter Box Installed
20 Jan 2014 Sewage and Underground Pipes completed
22 Jan 2014 ( Week 3)SLAB preparation
23 Jan 2014 Slab Poured
28 Jan 2014 Invoice for first progress payment received (Slab payment)
29 Jan 2014 (Week 4) Received Burbank commencement letter


Stage 2 FRAME
03 Feb 2014 (Week 5) Frames delivered
05 Feb 2014 Ground Floor Frame assembled
10 Feb 2014 (Week 6) First Floor Frame put up
11 Feb 2014 Roof Trusses up
12 Feb 2014 Garage Roof Truss and Windows Installed
13 Feb 2014 Plumbing rough ins
14 Feb 2014 Invoice for Second progress payment received (Frame payment)


Stage 3 LOCK UP
18 Feb 2014 (Week 7) Ground Floor wrapped
19 Feb 2014 Bricks Delivered
20 Feb 2014 (Week 7 - 10) Brick Work to Ground Floor started

12 Mar 2014 (Week 9) Scaffold erected
14 Mar 2014 Fascia Installed
15 Mar 2014 Gutter Installed
17 Mar 2014 (Week 11) Roof Tiles delivered, First Floor Wrapped & Roof Scaffold erected
18 Mar 2014 Roof Batton
19 Mar 2014 Roof Tiles
24 Mar 2014 (Week 12 - 13) First Floor Bricking Starts
26 Mar 2014 Heating and Cooling Ducts installed
28 Mar 2014 Solar Hot Water Panel installed

03 Apr 2014 Bath Tub delivered
08 Apr 2014 (Week 14) Eletrical Rough ins
09 Apr 2014 Plaster prepartion / Wall Leveling
10 Apr 2014 Eave installed & Front face rendering commences
12 Apr 2014 Eave painted (first coat)
14 Apr 2014 (Week 15) Wall Installation batts delivered
15 Apr 2014 First Floor Bricks cleaned & wall installations started
16 Apr 2014 Received SS courtesy for Lock up , Invoice for Third progress payment received (Lock up payment)



Stage 4 FIXING
16 Apr 2014 Wall installation completed
17 Apr 2014 Second undercoat of rendering
18- 25 Apr 2014 Easter/ANZAC holiday
20 Apr 2014 (Week 16) Downpipes installed
28 Apr 2014 (Week 17) First Floor windows cleaned
29 Apr 2014 More Electrical Rough ins (special request)
30 Apr 2014 Scaffold Down & Floor Sanding

06 May 2014 (Week 18) Plaster & cornices delivered, more undercoat rendering
07 May 2014 Ground / First Floor Plastered
08 May 2014 Stairs Delivered & Plaster Wall joints starts
09 May 2014 Internal doors , cabinetry delivered & Stairs IN
13 May 2014 (Week 19) Internal garage door hung. Officially locked out!!!!
14 May 2014 Kitchen, Butler Pantry and Laundry Cabinets installed, plaster wall joints done
16 May 2014 Sight Clean
20 May 2014 (Week 20) Shower Recess Waterproofing
21 May 2014 Cornices installed
23 May 2014 Front Door Delivered
26 May 2014 (Week 21) Caesarstone Bench, Toilet, Vanity/Kitchen Sink delivered and installed
27 May 2014 Ground Floor Bricks cleaned, architraves continues
28 May 2014 Internal Door Hung
29 May 2014 Ground Floor Skirting start
30 May 2014 Ground Floor architraves/Skirting (complete)

02 Jun 2014 (Week 22) Garage Fascia and Gutter delivered and installed
04 Jun 2014 Garage Scaffold erected
05 Jun 2014 Garage Roof Tiled, Vanity Caesarstone Bench installed



Stage 5 Final inspection (PCI)
16 Jun 2014 (Week 24) Glass splash-back installed, paint preparation
18 Jun 2014 Wet area Waterproofing
19 Jun 2014 Full Face Rendering
23 Jun 2014 (Week 25) Fixing Walk-through, Painting commences
26 Jun 2014 Downpipe connected to stormwater system
30 Jun 2014 (Week 26) Wall and Floor Tiles delivered

03 Jul 2014 First Floor Floor and Balcony Tiled
04 Jul 2014 Garage Panel Door installed/ Ground Floor Tiled
10 Jul 2014 (Week 27) Electrical Light Fittings (First Floor)
11 Jul 2014 Plumbing Taps Fittings
14 Jul 2014 (Week 28) Heating & Cooling Vents Fittings
15 Jul 2014 Toilets, Wardrobes, Shower screen & mirrors
16 Jul 2014 Carpet Underlay/House Cleaned, Admin called to advise issue with Shower Heads
17 Jul 2014 Carpet Laid/ Security and Intercom system installed
18 Jul 2014 First floor electrical work (Electrical wall plates)/Fly Screen installed
19 Jul 2014 Internal Door Handles, Bathroom fittings
21 Jul 2014 (Week 29) Sight Clean, Ground floor electrical work (Electrical wall plates)
22 Jul 2014 Site Fence , sight cage and port-a-loo removed
24 Jul 2014 Water Meter / Telephone Line Trenching
25 Jul 2014 Front Door/ Stair Painted
28 Jul 2014 (Week 30) Kitchen Island Pendant light installed
30 Jul 2014 Gas Meter installed

01 Aug 2014 Internal Garage Wall painted
04 Aug 2014 (Week 31) Crack Master Mirror Robes replaced
11 Aug 2014 (Week 32) Still awaiting PCI to be booked
21 Aug 2014 (Week 33) Outstanding issue fixed
22 Aug 2014 PCI booked
26 Aug 2014 (Week 34) House cleaned, Invoice for Fifth progress payment received (Completion payment)
28 Aug 2014 Occupancy Permit

02 Sep 2014 (Week 35) PCI inspection
07 Sep 2014 Picked up Bank Cheque for Builder
10 Sep 2014 (week 36) House cleaned, appliance installed
11 Sep 2014 Final Inspection/Settlement

Hey there

We built with Burbank (knock down rebuild). Ours is 44sq. Slab went down Feb 2013 (site works started after the Xmas break in Jan much like yours) and we had handover in September 2013.

As with any build there were issues along the way but all resolved satisfactorily and we are very happy with the end product.

Hi bluesuade,

Thanks for your reply ..

Congrats on your new home !!

May I ask what you built ? if you had organised independent inspectors ?

What kind of issues did you face ?

Regards

Week 1 - Sight Scrape started !!
Mon 6th Jan - Sun 12th Jan 2014


Today dropped by the land and to my surprise I saw temporary fence , sight cage and............ sight scraping !! Yes sight scrapping so does that mean builder has started ???


Does anyone know if this is what we call start date ??

If so , Looks like they have started before 13 nov !!

Here are some photo thought I share


Tue 07 Jan -Portaloo and Sight Cage - Day 0





Thu 09 Jan - Sight scrape officially starts - Day 1







Rocks

Yay!

In our contract, 'commencement day' was when excavation works began, and that day is when the builders clock starts ticking (168 days they have for us!).

Mentone3850 House Floor plan (Custom) - 41Squares


Thought I post the house floor plan of what I am building to share

Any comments welcome

Ground floor Design




First Floor Design

That plan looks really great, we would have build something very similar if we went double story, ticks all our boxes!

Thanks buildinginballarat ..

I hope the rooms not too small because this plan is smaller than the one we saw on display .

Hi Mentone 3850, where in the very early stages of a knock down rebuild with a custom design from Burbank, will be following your blog to see how it all goes

Fingers crossed for smooth sailing and dry winter

Ps are you getting an independent building inspector ?

Hiya Kia-018,

This is my first time building so i have alot to learn so any help /advise from anyone would be much appreciated ..

What are you building single or double ? And what are you planning to build..

We still indecisive if we really need to get an independent building inspector for all stages as heard that these days hard to find major faults with building work.. We thinking maybe at frame , lockup and handover stage only if we do decide .. how about you . Are you planning ?

I'm building a single storey house with burbank in southeast, my site is still untouched except water taps...hoping something would happen next week! I'm thinking about if I would need a quality inspector too, feel frame stage and pre handover could be necessary? er.....

Hi trambay,

When did you sign contract ?

Burbank arranged our tap to be installed 4 week after signing contract and nothing on the block after that to sight scrape started late last week ( week 12).. I hope they start soon for you too ..

We're going to be building double, we are in the inner north our block has only got 9mt frontage however it's 40 in depth so we have struggle alittle to find a suitable floor plan.We went to three of the major builders and found burbank the most accommodating with changes to the floor plan.

We will be using an independent inspector ... No matter who you build with how often you visit the site there is going to be problems.

Best of luck

Hey there again and sorry for the late reply.

We built the Forrester 4300 with a fair bit of customisation and added workshop option.

Is the Mentone 3850 a new design? I don't see it on their website anywhere.

Yes - had an independent inspector (my brother in law who runs his own building company) plus I used to be an architect (changed careers though because I ended up hating it).

Issues we faced included and incredibly long and slow admin phase, plus the usual tradie errors we had to keep bringing to their attention (eg wrong insulation installed or missing, power points in wrong locations, data cabling not correct, facade painted incorrectly, etc etc.. nothing major, just the usual annoyances that come with any building project - more quality control than anything else that the SS should have picked up but didn't.)

Will look forward to following your build. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers.

my contract was signed on 28/11/2013, but land settled on 9 dec. I think they tried to start before xmas.... but no enough time for anything... this week is extremely hot in melb, so I don't think they would do anything see what will happen!

Wow thats a very quick on site start there Trambay..
I had a very slow admin process (pre sight) but i hope things will pick up from this week onwards..

Thanks for coming back to my blog,

I so can related to the slow admin phase but i was told once building start things will happen very quickly is that so?

Metone3850 was a design from a previous builder we had planned to build with.. Hence Burbank classified it as 'Custom' and was happy to build it for us

Do you have a blog or any photo that you can share of your home? I like the Forrester4300 design too

Week 2 - Pegs, more sight scraping and 35 Piers!!!
Mon 13th Jan - Sun 19th Jan 2013

Mon 13th Jan - Day 3
Pop by the block on the way home this afternoon but besides a few pegs and garage step down, nothing much has happened since the initial sight scrape last friday.. I am hoping this heat that is forecast this week will not set them back much as I am wanting to see my 35 concrete piers put in soon

Garage stepdown
**this is where my triple garage will be located**




Wed 15th Jan - Day 5
We have 35 Piers!!!

Its now becoming alittle crazy but each day I am looking forward to coming home and rushing over to the block to see what they have done

At last I can see the PIERS.. And there is 35 of them.. 1.2.3....

Does anyone know how long the average wait time to let the piers cure before they pour down the SLAB??


35 Piers and a close up of one of the piers [450mm width]


Fri 17th Jan - Day 7
Meter Box Installed on a 44 Degrees day!!

Congratst to you!

They started building mine too, I couldn't believe they did the earthwork on a 43 degree HOT day last week! Finally find some ppl building with burbank here, will read you stories and learn.

Week 3 - Stormwater & Sewer Pipes are IN !!!!
Mon 20th Jan - Sun 26th Jan 2014


Mon 20th Jan - Day 8
Underground Pipes!!!
Yes they are truely now underway and made a mess of my wonder and FLAT block

I am looking forward to alot of progress this week as its going to be much much cooler than last week [mid 20's to low 30's].. Well, anything better than 44 degrees days I say..

The underground Pipes are in





Official Burbank Sign IN





And also the delivery of the red sand, ready for the slab???




Fingers cross for a concrete slab by end of the week


Tue 21st Jan - Day 9

Today it seems they have finished working on the underground pipes, sight has been cleared and levelled

I am assuming the fluorescent green Pipe are water Pipes and fluorescent Pink is for the sewer?? Anyone know?





TO BE Continued..... refer page 2