Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 19, 2014 10:29 pm Hi Everyone,
A little bit of back story, My Fiancé and are 21 years old. We have been together for 5 years. Probably about 4 of those years we have been planning to build. It has taken such a long time to get to this stage. Especially after trying to pay off debt/then start saving with the OH being an apprentice. We originally were trying to secure a 15m block. But unfortunately our estate is in such high demand all of the bigger blocks had already been snapped up by cash buyers. Luckily we have secured a 12.5m lot in the Honeywood Estate Wandi. We are planning to build an altered version of the Catalunya with Dale Alcock. We are still living at home trying to save all our pennies for this build. We are slowly growing our glory box with things for the home. 2014 is our year for the Build 2015 is our year for the Wedding!! I’m sure the next two years is going to be very stressful but In the end in know it will be worth it. Any comments of feedback is greatly appreciated. I promise I don't bite Here is the original plan: Here are the final plans Elevation: Our DA sales consultant has been amazing. He gave us the confidence to sign with Dale Alcock even though we were seriously considering Shelford. Even since we signed he has continued to give us outstanding service by answering our endless questions and calls. Timeline: 14/09/2013 Secured Land in Honeywood Estate, Wandi 11/01/2014 First Meeting with DAH 05/02/2014 Signed PPA with DAH 13/02/2014 Meeting with Resolve Finance 27/02/2014 Preapproval for Finance 27/02/2014 External Colour Meeting 02/04/2014 Titles Issued 26/04/2014 Singed Building Contract 02/05/2014 Prestart Meeting 24/05/2014 Tap 06/06/2014 Conditional Approval for Finance 09/06/2014 Final Plans Received 19/06/2014 Final Plans Signed 23/06/2014 Building Permit 30/06/2014 Unconditional Approval for Finance 16/07/2014 Land Settlement 17/07/2014 Moved to Construction 28/07/2014 Earthworks 04/08/2014 Footings 05/08/2014 Slab! 19/08/2014 Bricks delivered 20/08/2014 Frames delivered 24/09/2014 Sand delivered 07/10/2014 Brickwork commenced 09/11/2014 Roof timbers delivered 10/11/2014 Roof carpentry commenced 13/11/2014 Roof carpentry completed 17/11/2014 Plumbing completed 17/11/2014 Electrical completed 17/11/2014 Gutters and down pipes installed 17/11/2014 Roof tiles delivered 20/11/2014 Roof Cover! 24/11/2014 Plate Height! 24/11/2014 Grey float commenced 27/11/2014 Grey float completed 28/11/2014 White set commenced 02/12/2014 White set completed 02/12/2014 External render completed 04/12/2014 Ceilings installed 08/12/2014 Cornices installed 12/12/2014 Doors and shelves fitted 15/12/2014 Lock Up! 16/12/2014 Skirting boards installed 07/01/2015 Ceiling, doors, frames, hardiflex and undercoat seal painted 19/01/2015 Cabinets installed 21/01/2015 Grano poured 21/01/2015 WIR fitout 29/01/2015 Tiler meeting 29/01/2015 Tiling Started 30/01/2015 Stone installed 05/02/2015 Tiling completed 09/02/2015 Toilets installed 09/02/2015 Final Electrical completed 09/02/2015 Final plumbing commenced 15/02/2015 Insulation Installed 19/02/2015 Render Painted 19/02/2015 Painting Completed 19/02/2015 Garage Door Installed 20/09/2015 Sliding Robes fitted 20/02/2015 Shower glass installed 20/02/2015 Garage Door Installed 20/02/2015 Mirrors installed 24/02/2015 Timber flooring installation commenced 03/03/2015 Air Conditioner installed 03/03/2015 Kitchen and Bathroom Cornices installed 06/03/2015 Kitchen and Bathroom Cornices painted 06/03/2015 Toilet roll holders, Towel rails installed 06/03/2015 Door handles fitted 06/03/2015 Oven and Hotplate installed 09/03/2015 Rangehood installed 10/03/2015 Silicon gaps around cabinetry 10/03/2015 Flyscreens fitted 11/03/2015 Final Plumbing fitted 12/03/2015 Aggregate poured 14/03/2015 Wood flooring installed 19/03/2015 Carpets installed 19/03/2015 Practical Completion Inspection - Pre Handover! 27/03/2015 KEYS!!!! Re: Our forever after in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 2Mar 20, 2014 6:06 am Very exciting!! I love a big pantry, so looking forward to seeing the amendments. It looks like you've changed it from a 4 bdrm to 3 bdrm? And you've changed the orientation of the alfresco etc too, is this to suit the block better? Which way is north? Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=69984 If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Re: Our forever after in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 3Mar 20, 2014 9:34 am CountryHome Very exciting!! I love a big pantry, so looking forward to seeing the amendments. It looks like you've changed it from a 4 bdrm to 3 bdrm? And you've changed the orientation of the alfresco etc too, is this to suit the block better? Which way is north? Thanks CountryHome!! Our block is north facing. DA designed our home around this to best maximise the sun. When we were deciding what we wanted it was important for us to have storage and space. In order to extend our bedroom/ ensuite add WIP and WIL we had reduce to 3 bedrooms instead of 4. We would rather have 3 good size rooms instead of 4 smaller rooms. Also this design was too long for our block. That also played a part in our decision to reduce the house to 3 bedrooms. Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 4Mar 20, 2014 9:40 am Nice design, and your changes look good. I also love having storage and space. So your kitchen and WIP should be great. Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 5Mar 20, 2014 9:43 am Along with all the structural changes here are the upgrades we made in the contract Clay Tiles 2nd entry to garage Laundry Bench tops and Cupboards Under mount Sink Close Home Theatre 4 Panel sliding door Internal Paint Dakin Air Con 920mm Entry door 31c Ceiling to Entry Coffered Ceiling to Home Theatre Highlight Window to Home Theatre Overhead Cupboards to Fridge Recess Microwave Recess Bin Drawer Double Robes to Bed 2&3 Extend Vanity in Bathroom Door to Linen Doors Upgrade Nib walls to ensuite and bath WIR Fitout Poured Aggregate 31c Plasterboard Alfresco Ceiling HWS Upgrade (we are thinking of changing this to a continuous water system. has anybody upgraded to this is it significantly more expensive?) As we have signed already we are limited to making big structural changes however any input would be great! We haven’t really started making a list for prestart yet but my fiancé and I would like to make the following changes to our plan. -remove 25c opening in entry - waterfall edge -extend width of kitchen bench to at least 1m -add soffit/bulkhead to recess in living Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 6Mar 20, 2014 9:46 am TiredHalo Nice design, and your changes look good. I also love having storage and space. So your kitchen and WIP should be great. Thanks Mia even though we are on a small block it was important for me to try get as much storage as possible. I hate clutter! Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 7Mar 20, 2014 10:24 am Welcome Kelsey, your plans look fantastic!! We also have a 12.5m block...it's so tricky trying to fit everything you want in there isn't it! Love your kitchen and storage, you've done amazingly well with the space you have! Can't wait to see it all come to life for you, will be following for sure Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 8Mar 20, 2014 11:36 am dee_77 Welcome Kelsey, your plans look fantastic!! We also have a 12.5m block...it's so tricky trying to fit everything you want in there isn't it! Love your kitchen and storage, you've done amazingly well with the space you have! Can't wait to see it all come to life for you, will be following for sure Thanks so much! I've been secretly following your build! I love your layout! Especially your grand entry! Also very jealous of your pool! We really wanted one but didn't have the space !! Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 9Mar 20, 2014 3:59 pm Kelsey78 dee_77 Welcome Kelsey, your plans look fantastic!! We also have a 12.5m block...it's so tricky trying to fit everything you want in there isn't it! Love your kitchen and storage, you've done amazingly well with the space you have! Can't wait to see it all come to life for you, will be following for sure Thanks so much! I've been secretly following your build! I love your layout! Especially your grand entry! Also very jealous of your pool! We really wanted one but didn't have the space !! Oohhh a secret admirer thanks! We're very excited about the pool but it has been a drama fitting it and making it work. Fingers crossed the next stages go a lot quicker for you than they did for us! Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 10Mar 20, 2014 6:34 pm The plan looks great and the changes you're considering sound ideal to me. Fingers crossed your title comes in on schedule! Building with Dale Alcock Homes in Aveley Our thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63880 And yes, my pants are indeed fancy. Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - SO IT BEGINS 11Mar 20, 2014 7:12 pm fancy pants The plan looks great and the changes you're considering sound ideal to me. Fingers crossed your title comes in on schedule! Thanks so much FP! I loved all your ideas with your build so it's really nice to hear you like mine! It's funny you mention titles. We got an email from Satterley today saying they have now been delayed until mid April! Oh we'll I'm sure it's the first of many delays in this process!!! Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 12Mar 24, 2014 3:45 pm We received a letter from Satterley saying that Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) on lots had been updated and now we are subject to 12.5 BAL rating. This is really frustrating as we chose that block on the basis that we did not have to pay extra to meet that rating. We are now looking at an extra 10K to get it up to code. Our builder is already drawing our plans and our finance is already conditionally approved. This just means we are going to have to wait longer for our drawings and have to go back to Resolve Finance with these changes. This is not something we have budgeted for Apologies for the rant!!! Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 13Mar 25, 2014 6:29 pm Hi Kelsey78, subscribing so I can follow your build! -Shannon Dale Alcock Homes. We love building. T: 08 9242 9200 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm Sat - 10-4 thedacrew@dalealcock.com.au http://www.dalealcock.com.au http://www.facebook.com/dalealcockhomes Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 14Mar 25, 2014 6:44 pm Well that's crap! Sorry to hear your block has been rated differently. Shouldn't they have finalised all of that before the sale? Aren't you supposed to be fully informed of what it is you're buying? Fingers crossed it won't cause too many problems with finance. Building with Dale Alcock Homes in Aveley Our thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63880 And yes, my pants are indeed fancy. Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 15Mar 26, 2014 12:06 am The DA Crew Hi Kelsey78, subscribing so I can follow your build! -Shannon Thanks Shannon!! Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 16Mar 26, 2014 12:11 am fancy pants Well that's crap! Sorry to hear your block has been rated differently. Shouldn't they have finalised all of that before the sale? Aren't you supposed to be fully informed of what it is you're buying? Fingers crossed it won't cause too many problems with finance. Thanks FP! I'm trying not to get too upset its still early days. We are trying to fight it, it was not mentioned in our contracts or by the agent (He actually made a comment about how lucky we were not having to pay for a BAL rating). Apparently within a month of signing (early October) they made this decision, I feel that's so wrong especially considering we only just found out about it! Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 17Mar 26, 2014 1:45 pm We had the same thing with our block in Hammond Park. It was about 2 months after settlement on the block that we got a letter from the developers advising that our block had a BAL of 12.5. Before that nothing was mentioned, we tried to fight it but all it did was cause delays, apparently not advising you at settlement of the fire management plan is not any kind of breach of contract and they did nothing wrong, we even contacted some fair trade government department or something (can't remember what they were called). Finance had already been processed so all extra costs had to be paid by us so good thing we had extra saved up. It also put a 2 months delay on construction starting because our builder had to get all these reports done to know exactly what was needed etc. Our developer paid for a fire assessment on the block since the fire management plan only covered the estate and gave each block a rating but not enough detail. That would have cost about $800 our builder said. Ended up being abiout $5k though, that include weep holes covers, garage door seal, the front door frame being made of different wood, and sarking in the roof (which was the biggest cost of about $3.5k for our 260m2 roof (rough size). The sarking does help with insulation so we should have reduced energy costs going forward BUT it was the biggest nightmare of our build. Hopefully you can get your costs down to around $5k like ours was.. your house is fairly similar in size to ours so shouldn't cost so much I would think. All I can say is GOOD LUCK! And don't let it get you down, with building, nothing ever goes to plan so you have to take it all in stride. The bush that caused our BAL is already planned for development so we paid for BAL rating and won't even live there a year before the bush is long gone. Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - First drama of the buil 18Mar 31, 2014 2:26 pm felicity01 We had the same thing with our block in Hammond Park. It was about 2 months after settlement on the block that we got a letter from the developers advising that our block had a BAL of 12.5. Before that nothing was mentioned, we tried to fight it but all it did was cause delays, apparently not advising you at settlement of the fire management plan is not any kind of breach of contract and they did nothing wrong, we even contacted some fair trade government department or something (can't remember what they were called). Finance had already been processed so all extra costs had to be paid by us so good thing we had extra saved up. It also put a 2 months delay on construction starting because our builder had to get all these reports done to know exactly what was needed etc. Our developer paid for a fire assessment on the block since the fire management plan only covered the estate and gave each block a rating but not enough detail. That would have cost about $800 our builder said. Ended up being abiout $5k though, that include weep holes covers, garage door seal, the front door frame being made of different wood, and sarking in the roof (which was the biggest cost of about $3.5k for our 260m2 roof (rough size). The sarking does help with insulation so we should have reduced energy costs going forward BUT it was the biggest nightmare of our build. Hopefully you can get your costs down to around $5k like ours was.. your house is fairly similar in size to ours so shouldn't cost so much I would think. All I can say is GOOD LUCK! And don't let it get you down, with building, nothing ever goes to plan so you have to take it all in stride. The bush that caused our BAL is already planned for development so we paid for BAL rating and won't even live there a year before the bush is long gone. Wow felicity01 I can’t believe you didn’t have a leg to stand on considering it wasn't until after you settled that council enforced the BAL rating. I feel like I’m fighting in a losing battle with this. I don’t want it to hold up our build. I may just have to accept it. DA has given us a PS of $8,257.00 to meet the rating, I wish it was closer to your amount Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - External Colours 19Mar 31, 2014 3:01 pm Recently we had our Pre-Contract Meeting where we selected the exterior colours of house. Overall the whole experience was a bit overwhelming. I wasn’t impressed with our pre-start consultant. Being young I felt like she didn’t take us seriously. She was also really pushy. I came out of that appointment more stressed and confused than when I walked in. Here are our colour selections Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Brick – Collie 1c Tile – Vienna Cocoa Facia, Garage Door, Entry Door – Surfmist Frames – White Lustre Render – Solver Vitesse Feature render – Solver Lundy Grey 200% I’m really uncertain about the feature render we were wanting a brown that contrasts well with the tile but I’m really unsure Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood Our Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70204&p=1154102#p1154102 Re: Dale Alcock Build in Honeywood - External Colours 20Mar 31, 2014 3:08 pm Hi Kelsey78, This is exactly how I felt after our exterior colour meeting. I was so unsure and ended up changing the exterior colours to the same as the display a week or so later. I them changed it all again at pre-start and I am so glad I did as it was the right decision. If it is any help I think your colour choice is great! Everything is the same as ours except roof colour as we went surf most colorbond. Check out my thread if you want to see lundy grey and vitesse together. I will try and get another close up pic for you today. 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 17618 Can anyone recommend a good/affordable retaining wall and fence builder that I can get a quote from located in Sydney? 8 45834 If you are in Victoria you have a statutory right to your own building inspector regardless of builder's consent. No negotiations are required. However the builder will… 1 2943 |