Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 22Aug 11, 2008 9:21 pm Another thing we recently discovered... when we put in a deeper bath tub, the drafties did not allow for the change in depth with the adjacent window.
On the plan we had lost our window sill and had the top of the bath running flush with the bottom of the window. Luckily we spotted this prior to final plans being drawn and moved our window up 2 courses to allow for a tiled sill. Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 23Aug 11, 2008 9:26 pm Gosh I'm glad I joined this forum!
DH and I have just been looking at out plans, and we think they might have built it wrong!! This is a pic of our north elevation. The (crudely circled) laundry door and window are supposed to be different heights, and every other window is supposed to line up with the higher window. BUT in actual fact, ALL the windows are the same height as the laundry door!!!! (see second pic which shows laundry door against the two windows right next to it - same!) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Also on the elevation, the two living area windows (to the far left) appear to be centred vertically - unlike my picture of them earlier which shows they definitely are not! So we think we might have a case for getting it fixed for free - what do you all think ?? Sorry to hijack this thread but this is quite important to me and if it hadn't been for this thread I wouldn't have noticed - so THANK YOU to BestBuilder for bringing it up! Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 25Aug 11, 2008 9:49 pm Thanks Matrix! I'm right aren't I? It's definitely different from the plan!
I don't care much about the laundry/study doors, just the big ones I'm worried about. We are lucky the brickies have not done that section yet - so I think it can be changed! Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 26Aug 11, 2008 10:23 pm Hi Donuts,
Doesn't look like your windows are done to plan and you definitely have a case there. I think you could go one of two ways : 1) Dig your heels in and make them vertically center the windows. Framing and brickwork issues here, extra time, and wear & tear on the windows from being pulled out & reinstalled by crabby trades who are not into rework. 2) Point out the error to the builders, and be the good guy by suggesting a "compromise" of having transom windows added over the top of your existing windows. Minimal framing issues, no brickwork dramas (yet, by the look of your photos) and you get all that lovely above fence sunlight that you're disappointed about losing. Variation costs could be zero or quite favourable, depending upon the builder's perceived effort of remedying the existing defect per option 1. If it were me, I'd go option 2. Cheers, Justin. Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 27Aug 12, 2008 7:16 am Justin 2) Point out the error to the builders, and be the good guy by suggesting a "compromise" of having transom windows added over the top of your existing windows. Minimal framing issues, no brickwork dramas (yet, by the look of your photos) and you get all that lovely above fence sunlight that you're disappointed about losing. Variation costs could be zero or quite favourable, depending upon the builder's perceived effort of remedying the existing defect per option 1. thanks for the reply Justin. That's a good idea about the transom windows! I would just hope they don't look like an 'add-on'. The transom windows would add more sunlight than just centring the window would, and would have the added effect of making the window larger - I've always felt that these windows were too small for these walls). thanks for the suggestion...am psyching myself up to call builder this morning ... wish me luck I'll let you know how it goes! Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 28Aug 12, 2008 1:10 pm Well I called the builder and had to leave a voicemail. Will call back if I don't hear back by around 4-ish I think...
Just went past the house this morning and saw that the bircks HAVE actually been laid to about halfway up the offending walls. So maybe the transom windows will be the best option. Will wait and see what builder suggests first! On a happier note - the electricians were in wiring away By the way Justin - weren't you building with Marshall Baker? Has your house finished yet? Were you affected by the liquidation? Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 29Aug 12, 2008 1:55 pm donuts By the way Justin - weren't you building with Marshall Baker? Has your house finished yet? Were you affected by the liquidation? Yes I was building with Marshall Baker, it's not finished, and myself, wife and two young children are most definitely affected by the liquidation. I'll post some details in the Marshall Baker thread started by 4186anne, just so it's kept in the one thread. Justin. Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 30Aug 12, 2008 5:36 pm Justin [I'll post some details in the Marshall Baker thread started by 4186anne, just so it's kept in the one thread. Justin. good idea, think I've hijacked this one enough. very sorry to hear you are affected I received a call from the builder's new site supervisor this afternoon. Nice that I got a call but thought it was a bit mean for builder to pass my complaint on to the new guy as his first dealing with me! He tried to say that it was all ok, I got the impression he was just trying to talk his way thru it without really going into my concerns. He kept referncing the sliding door around the corner, which isn't fair as it's not on the elevation drawings. Think I might've even heard him call me 'love' somewhere in there So I requested a meeting onsite to discuss, which will happen tomorrow afternoon. Wish me luck everyone! Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 31Aug 12, 2008 5:40 pm Helyn, so sorry I have ignored your posts in all my excitement over my issues I agree your window looks fine, I suspect mine would too, but your has a nice bit of space outside it. I think I would really miss the extra sunshine I'd get at the top of my window, which is north facing - shame not to make the most of it - so I'm going to push to get this rectified somehow ... Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 32Aug 12, 2008 6:24 pm Good luck Donuts, stick to your guns (and the facts) and don't let them give you any rubbish, particularly if they start talking about "nominal" dimensions or "within tolerance".
It's a bit of a concern that you're getting the newbie site supervisor tomorrow, his desire and/or authority to compromise might not be the same as someone with more time in the company. Hopefully it turns out ok, but I'd turn any verbal agreements into written ones quick smart - even just with an email confirming details of the day's conversation, especially any deals that were struck. Cheers, Justin. Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 33Aug 12, 2008 7:20 pm Quote: Helyn, so sorry I have ignored your posts in all my excitement over my issues I agree your window looks fine, I suspect mine would too, but your has a nice bit of space outside it. I think I would really miss the extra sunshine I'd get at the top of my window, which is north facing - shame not to make the most of it - so I'm going to push to get this rectified somehow thanks, donuts, but hey, I didn't feel ignored at all I hope you get your issue sorted, its not about what anyone else is happy with, if your plan says x, then x is what should be supplied. (I remember similar hassles with our kitchen supplier when we wanted certain things "but other people like it this way" SO?? We're not othe people and we want it our way! ) As I said, our area is different to yours weather wise so we have to be careful not to have too much glare and also the shape and size of our house and block means that no main windows are heavily blocked by fencing as that side window of yours appears to be in photo - if I was you I would want more light thru there too and I would also want what I asked for! Again, good luck in getting it all resoved. Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 34Aug 12, 2008 7:27 pm Thank you Justin
Yes it's weird that I am getting the new super after all my dealings having been with the owner. But I think I'll be able to handle it ok and I expect it will probably escalate to the owner anyway, who I have a good relationship with - happy to go through the motions. Now busily trying to find someone to come with me to look after the kids while I fight it out Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 35Aug 12, 2008 7:30 pm Hi all!
I had a mild panic attack when I read all this about ceiling heights! Had to go check our plans (again!!) Our ceiling was upgraded to 2740mm (i think the standard is 2590mm) as part of a "display upgrade" package. We didn't even think of window heights and the like I think we must've been lucky with our place.....as part of the ceiling height upgrade, they also increased the door heights from 2040mm to 2340mm. All full height windows were increased to 2400mm, The head height of all the other windows were raised to 2400mm. Alan and Thuy in Melbourne Building a second time! Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 36Aug 13, 2008 4:52 pm Thanks Helyn. Toast - you ARE lucky... I never even thought to ask for taller doors OR to check about the windows.
Well, I am back from my meeting. It did not go that well for me. He was trying to convince me that from the outside, the window was centred, saying that a course or so of bricks would disappear under the eaves, and if you stood back 100m - which you can't - it would appear centred. (I am still not convinced - but he was so convinced himself that I gave up after a while.) He also said that these windows are definitely higher than the laundry/study ones (which he agreed were not done to plan, but knows I don't care about them). However it was from the inside that I am concerned about. My view is - if it's centred on the outside, is it not a fair assumption that the inside would be centred too?? He could not really comment on that as we do not have elevations or plans for the inside to go on - all he knows, it's built to the plan of the outside drawings, so he's done his job. I'm feeling a bit about it right now. I think I didn't have my angry pants on Toast. Am wishing I had persuaded DH to take off work and come with me. In the end, he is going to get a cost for getting transom windows added to the top (for us to pay ), and suspend the bricks going up there till we have it resolved. I am still hopeful that when Kevin comes to do pre-plaster inspection he can do his measuring and tell me whether we have a leg to stand on. Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 37Aug 13, 2008 5:03 pm joles Good tips especially the light switches. I find going through displays and actually using the lights gives a feel for where they should be. Also the ability to put on a hall light from just outside the bedroom is important for those mid night toilet trips. Can I add some of my own tips? These were primary considerations in my search. How easily can a toilet be reached from outside? (important when you're thinking littlies forgetting to take off gumboots , perhaps elderly gardeners who sometimes need to go in a hurry and of course for guests when entertaining. The practical movement from space to space. When I went through displays I walked from space to space. For example, standing in the kitchen and walk to the door to outside. Amazing the amount of homes where this is an obstacle course and no amount of moving furniture will help. Not too handy for entertaining. And from car to kitchen is another one. (shopping) Jo in my case how easy is iot for me to get out to go hide in my shed - umm mwiththe house in mind striaght out the back bi-folds and I'm gooooone! Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 38Aug 13, 2008 5:03 pm Donuts,
Surely you cannot be serious! Feeling very John McEnroe now!!!!! WTF?????? It's not my house and I'm ropable!!! Give me this bloke's number!!!! I would be saying, "It's pretty simple to me. The plan looks one way. The wall looks another. Make the wall like the plans that were signed off on MORON!!!!" You are a much calmer person than me donuts. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 39Aug 13, 2008 5:17 pm Jo!
I know, I'm a bit kicking myself that I wasn't more forceful, but I think this guy was so convinced he was right that nothing I said would've changed his mind in the big scheme of things it's not worth getting TOO upset over, especially when I read about all the poor MB people. Having said that, I DO want it fixed and prefer not to pay for it myself! Have just spoken to Kevin and booked pre-plaster for monday afternoon, and briefly explained my problem, he said he'll be able to look at it so I'm happy. If he says it's wrong then I'm sure they'll listen to him Re: Some recent tips for your new home design 40Aug 13, 2008 5:42 pm donuts :lol: Jo! I know, I'm a bit kicking myself that I wasn't more forceful, but I think this guy was so convinced he was right that nothing I said would've changed his mind in the big scheme of things it's not worth getting TOO upset over, especially when I read about all the poor MB people. Having said that, I DO want it fixed and prefer not to pay for it myself! Have just spoken to Kevin and booked pre-plaster for monday 1pm, and briefly explained my problem, he said he'll be able to look at it so I'm happy. If he says it's wrong then I'm sure they'll listen to him just tell them they have not delivered what was contracted with you. You have a contract for x, they have supplied y, breach of contract QED. Tell them to rectify or offer substantial and reasonsble compensation. That compensation should be comensurate with what it would cost them to rectify the problem. Don't sign off or pay further till you are satisified. best of British to you. Title: Expert Tips for Painting Your Own House: Insights from Brisbane Painting… 0 285 Just be careful with building stability during construction, that is when the structure may be weakened, refer to your engineering drawings for stability methodology. 1 7229 Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. We definitely wish to settle and get these people out of our life. They are trying to charge us interest on late… 7 14278 |