Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 24, 2008 1:34 pm I have found this forum immensely helpful and informative. I really appreciate the ideas and opinions that are shared here. It's unfortunate that I stumbled across this only recently even though we started the home building journey a while ago (about 8 months now).
We thought we will put together a thread for our new home (a blog is also in the making). We are building 34 sqrs Henley Horizon at Pt. Cook. We are in tender stage right now. Tender is signed on 17th June and eagerly waiting for the contract sign on 8th July. Rewind 8 months back. That's when we realised that we need an upgrade from our rented home at inner Melbourne. We zero'd on suburb & building a home (vs Buying) by Nov'07 . We had our land (at Point Cook, Melbourne) by Jan'08. Display home and plan search went on for next 3 months. We were in good shape and in track by the time our land was settled (Mid Mar'08 ) as the builder & plan was finalised by this time. Little delay from here, partly due to us and partly due to builder(sales consultant changed) as a result we had a detailed Provisional quote only by Mid April (a month after settlement /finalising builder & plan) and got our tender appointment 2 months after the provisional quote (Mid June). We caught up little bit as we were put on quick start which includes both colour selection and tender on the same day and now completed . Here is the plan of the house (with extended rumpus & laundry options)... The orientation will be north facing front, east side open area (courtyard/alfresco). Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ ..and here are some display home photos Facade Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Living & Dining Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Living Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Master BR Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Three Key structural changes that we did 1.Extended the umpus from approx 4x5 to 6x5 2.extended the laundry and added a partition wall so the new larger laundry is laundry + pantry 3.Added a external sliding door (in liu of window) in bedroom 3 Upgrades : Too many to list here We will to get the driveway & flooring done separately as Henley does not cover these items. we are now waiting for contract signing on 8th July... any suggestions or words of caution on the contract signing ?? we can't make any changes to our selection now anyways... during the tender stage we were told the contract days is 260 days.. Subh Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 3Jun 24, 2008 2:01 pm Looks great SubH. Not quite sure about the WC almost inset into bed 3...Make sure they put some insulation in between. Dont want to wake anyone up everytime someone flushes... Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 5Jun 24, 2008 2:15 pm Thanks for the informative post....you'll be happy to know I moved from Point Cook two months ago....suburb is much better for it... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 7Jun 24, 2008 2:36 pm What a gorgeous house! Congratulations! Enjoy the process; it's so exciting!
xMadmel _______________________ We have a slab!!!! http://marshallmansion.blogspot.com/ Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 8Jun 24, 2008 2:53 pm congrats! will watch this tread with interest
Quote: Not quite sure about the WC almost inset into bed 3...Make sure they put some insulation in between. Dont want to wake anyone up everytime someone flushes... agree with Vanderlay, currently i live at home with my parents, and my bed wall is directly against their ensuite toilet...hehehe....luckily im a heavy sleepr Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 10Jun 24, 2008 7:13 pm Wow, that's a very very nice house Subh. Thanks for putting the pics up - of course, now you've started we all want the pics to keep coming Dana -------------------------- Building with DFH - carpet installed! Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 12Jun 24, 2008 7:54 pm Welcome to the forum SubH!
I am building with Henley too, we have our first walk through inspection tomorrow. The house you've selected is very nice. We liked the floor plan when we were looking through their designs too. I like your idea about making the laundry and pantry larger. My advice, if you haven't selected it already is sound-proof around all toilets/bathrooms etc. and especially the theatre room. Its worth the money in my opinion. Make sure you advise them that you will be getting an independant inspector out preiodically, that will keep your options open. If you need one there are a few that have been recommended on the forum. Because we are all sticky-beaks, we'd love to see your colour selections etc. we just love that sort of stuff here, so don't be afraid to share! Cant wait to check out your blog... Make sure you don't have any provisional allowances in the contract anywhere. Make sure you understand it all, and make sure you read through it all before your meeting. Good Luck with your contract signing....let us know how you go. Building Update 13Jul 17, 2008 10:54 pm Thanks for all the great comments !! We will post more pics as we go
Our Contract got postponed from 8th July to 14th July. We had two minor last minute changes and Henly accepted the same. We have now signed the contract !! Once Hnly get the building approval, we should be ready to go. Any idea on wha's the lead time for a) getting building approval in Point Cook (Wyndham City Council) and b) typical lead time for Henly from contract sign to site start Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 14Jul 17, 2008 10:59 pm Ari Nice house. I haven't seen this Henley house before...have they discontinued it? Yes this is discontinued from Mar this year. Not sure why. The only display ome for this house was in Berwick. Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 15Jul 17, 2008 11:11 pm I was wondering what happened to you subHASHISH. Best user name ever.
Can't help you with your question, but good to have you back. Hopefully all continues to go well. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building Update [25/07] Home on the Horizon !! 16Jul 17, 2008 11:21 pm **Phoenix** I am building with Henley too, we have our first walk through inspection tomorrow. We had a quick look at yr blog.. congrats that it all went well in time....wonderful house !! .... how long did it take for you from contract sign to inspection ? **Phoenix** My advice, if you haven't selected it already is sound-proof around all toilets/bathrooms etc. and especially the theatre room. Its worth the money in my opinion. Thanks. This was one of our last minute change. Got sound proofing done in all walls around living, kids tv and theatre. They said no to the change initially but later said yes when the contract sign got delayed **Phoenix** Make sure you advise them that you will be getting an independant inspector out preiodically, that will keep your options open. If you need one there are a few that have been recommended on the forum. Yes, after going through this forum we realised how important it is to get a building inspector. I am going to seacr through the forum to get the list. If you have some suggestion please do let us know. **Phoenix** Because we are all sticky-beaks, we'd love to see your colour selections etc. we just love that sort of stuff here, so don't be afraid to share! Sure... coming in a future post ... **Phoenix** .. Make sure you don't have any provisional allowances in the contract anywhere. Make sure you understand it all, and make sure you read through it all before your meeting. Thanks.. we spent whole of Sunday tring to skim through the contract... it looked ok to us ( i hope)....There is one provisional iem which is rock removal.. it was $1176...they also mentioned that it's capped at a certain amount but there was nth mentioned abt it in the tender/contract. They agreed to send this in a sepearte email to me though ... Building Update [25/07] & Checks prior to Land purchase 17Jul 25, 2008 4:11 pm H3nley called up yesterday to let us know that our building permit have come through !!
But also gave us a not so good news - Our survey pegs were missing. So they have to do a survey again. It will cost us ~$800, it's already included in the contract but we were expecting that it will come back. I would have got some discount on my land deal if i would have know this earlier. Looking back few things that should be checked if you are purchasing a land (not directly from the land estate agency). Negotiate or get the agent to give discount based on this 1.Check if the survey pegs exists (dames if not there ~$800) 2.Soil test ( damages if not clean - we are paying ~$2000 etc due to silty soil not too deep. 3.Fencing - Get the seller to fence the place before you buy 4.orientation : for e.g. a corner plot is good but less flexible as one can't make a driveway on either side of the frontage hence can choose only limited plans. 5.Power source/ Meter Box : Builder charge etc , if they have to pull extra cable to meter box. Subhashish We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16275 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110570 |