Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 29, 2015 10:26 am The pile of dirt has been removed from our block, the gates come down this week and we find out next week if the bank will renew our loan application as it went over the 3 month limit. Because of some uncertaintity with the finance we have avoided making any committments with any builders but this weekend started looking through display homes again. Found the perfect design with a Sunshine Coast based builder who builds a lot of houses here, the quality met my very fussy husbands standards (hes in the trade so knows quality from cheap) and the 'on the spot' quote was truely amazing. But, and theres always one of those, the saleslady wouldn't give us a list of inclusions! When pressed she told us she would be sacked if she gave one out. I asked if I could go through the display home which she told us was all standard, with someone from the company and make a list of what we would get but she wanted $1500 deposit before that would happen. To get the full list and even before soil testing would take place she wanted another $8500. Wewent through another few homes but nothing compares to this one. What to do, what to do?? Re: Always A Catch 2Jun 29, 2015 10:45 am Sounds odd that they wont give you the standard inclusions list, all the builders we have looked at from bulk to custom have given this quite freely. Have you checked their website. The main builder we have been dealing with has given us a fairly complete quote before we have given them a cent. I wouldn't give them anything if i didnt know what the standard includions were. Our Build Thread - JG king Memphis Re: Always A Catch 3Jun 29, 2015 11:42 am Agree - very odd. Surely the list helps sell the house ... Display houses are good - but often have extras the standard house doesn't. Don't they have a brochure etc with details - a web site ? Re: Always A Catch 4Jun 29, 2015 12:41 pm Her story for not giving out an inclusions list was that 1: her boss was afraid it would be pased onto opposition companies and 2: Her boss is so honest he just doesn't think that anyone would believe him or his staff weren't upfront. Yeah, I know, crazy. She assured us the home we viewed hadn't been 'blinged' except for the ceiling height but when I asked about the large tiles she got quite vague and also there were lovely gauzy nets over the windows and they weren't standard either. We actually went through one of their upgraded homes the next day and liked the standard one better. She said the $1500 would take it to contract (refundable if finance didn't come through) and that would include the list of inclusions. However we would need to pay that before the months end so we could get the special rent relief deal. And if thats the one thing my husband hates its been pressured to hand over money. Our block isn't flat and will require a bit of siteworks but they won't even look at the land until we've come up with another $8500 so my fear is they will absolutly wallop us with the site works. I know, should walk away but we've looked at every company that builds on the coast and this is best quality, best plan and best price and they build by far the majority of homes in this region. Re: Always A Catch 5Jun 29, 2015 1:18 pm you could always get your own soil test done now, about $320 that will give you a good indication of what you're upfor in that front knowing the class and contours of the block. Our builder gave us a full detailed specification of every item in the house, custom designed plans, plus full costing before we paid any money. We were always of the gentleman understanding that we would reimburse a reasonable fee of work so far if we didn't continue. When we bought the block we had a soil test done so when i was speaking to builders we could if we chose give them the report to give us a clearer quote on site works and costings... they will always do their own soil tests and readjust if needed but it took alot of the well it could be anywhere form 5k-50k sort of speak out of the equation with a more closer estimation to help us choose. Re: Always A Catch 6Jun 29, 2015 2:57 pm We bought one of the very last blocks in a development that has been going for 5 years. All the building companies we have spoken to thus far know it well and have said its H1. But we do want to get our own report done just not quite sure where we go for that. Re: Always A Catch 7Jun 29, 2015 4:46 pm They usually refuse to give out the list of what is included in the display home - I've had that response previously too. But they should certainly have a list of standard inclusions, EVERY builder I've seen does and we went to a LOT of display homes on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, from small to large volume builders. If they can't even tell you what their standard inclusions are, just walk. They might magically produce them and say it was a "misunderstanding". If they don't, you don' t want to be working with someone with so little transparency anyway. Jen (& Dave) Plantation Bronte, Ormeau Ridge, Gold Coast QLD 12/03/2015 - Commencement... 26/08/2015 - Handover! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=76446 Re: Always A Catch 8Jun 29, 2015 5:44 pm Ilaeria They usually refuse to give out the list of what is included in the display home - I've had that response previously too. But they should certainly have a list of standard inclusions, EVERY builder I've seen does and we went to a LOT of display homes on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, from small to large volume builders. If they can't even tell you what their standard inclusions are, just walk. They might magically produce them and say it was a "misunderstanding". If they don't, you don' t want to be working with someone with so little transparency anyway. I'm thinking of ringing the company. Maybe speaking to the organ grinder and not the monkey might produce better results. Re: Always A Catch 9Jun 29, 2015 5:54 pm Another builder that wants to baffle people with BS. If they are that reluctant to supply a basic inclusions list one can only imagine how painful the rest of the building journey would be with them. Display homes are always full of "extras" that are not included in the basic package, although this in itself is illegal as homes are suppose to be displayed as they will be built. Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: Always A Catch 10Jun 29, 2015 6:16 pm Roomeat Another builder that wants to baffle people with BS. If they are that reluctant to supply a basic inclusions list one can only imagine how painful the rest of the building journey would be with them. Display homes are always full of "extras" that are not included in the basic package, although this in itself is illegal as homes are suppose to be displayed as they will be built. I went to a clarendon display at capestone mango hill. Was a $262k house on their price list. I asked how much as displayed and was told $580,000! No wonder so many get suckered in by display homes. Re: Always A Catch 11Jun 29, 2015 9:15 pm 1st-timers Her story for not giving out an inclusions list was that 1: her boss was afraid it would be pased onto opposition companies and 2: Her boss is so honest he just doesn't think that anyone would believe him or his staff weren't upfront. Yeah, I know, crazy. She assured us the home we viewed hadn't been 'blinged' except for the ceiling height but when I asked about the large tiles she got quite vague and also there were lovely gauzy nets over the windows and they weren't standard either. We actually went through one of their upgraded homes the next day and liked the standard one better. She said the $1500 would take it to contract (refundable if finance didn't come through) and that would include the list of inclusions. However we would need to pay that before the months end so we could get the special rent relief deal. And if thats the one thing my husband hates its been pressured to hand over money. Our block isn't flat and will require a bit of siteworks but they won't even look at the land until we've come up with another $8500 so my fear is they will absolutly wallop us with the site works. I know, should walk away but we've looked at every company that builds on the coast and this is best quality, best plan and best price and they build by far the majority of homes in this region. You don't have to walk away but you do have to wonder why they need so much upfront to give you specifications and a soil test and even engineering. You can protect yourself by getting the $8500 itemised and putting in terms if you walk away what do you take with you. They may also know you are so keen they won't budge......so you walk away.............unless you can afford 8.5K We are all in the best position before we pay anything and before we sign anything IMO. |