Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 41May 09, 2017 7:16 pm We haven't looked into it as of yet - as our cut/fill is far enough away from the boundary that we will only need retaining walls on the fencing if our neighbours require it. Or at least that's what we've been told thus far! So that's a potential scary bill Engineering suggests we need a small one towards the back corner of one house for the water tank area, and maybe something at the front of the house depending on the front path we choose to do! Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 42May 09, 2017 7:26 pm Eek. Yes, definitely prepare yourself for that one, it's really harsh but I guess a lot of hard work goes into it. I highly recommend RWI retaining if you need any advice, we spoke to around 8 different companies and they were by far the best in knowledge and pricing however, we didn't need them after changing blocks Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 43May 09, 2017 7:31 pm Good to know! If we find out we need it, we'll definitely look into them for any retaining. (Actually, probably will get them for the stuff suggested by the builder, and ask their opinion on the side fencing!) Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 44May 16, 2017 12:19 pm So we're into the waiting period, causing a lot of discussion between myself and the man of the house about landscaping plans and such... Right up until our "for your information" letter from the local council about missing details in the council approval documents and missing payments etc. Of course, this sent the fella into a right worry about it all. I've contacted our CRC and she says it's all being handled and not to worry, however I'm fairly certain any more letters like that and the cold feet will pop up once more!! Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 45May 16, 2017 12:44 pm Oh it does get like that, you obviously have a different CRC than us but our guy was great at getting things sorted and was true to his word when he said that things were being dealt with. It's all part of the fun of building and I have no doubt, a few more things will crop up along the way Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 46May 16, 2017 12:49 pm So far our girl has been really punctual and good with keeping us updated when we need to know something; just unfortunate that we got the CC-version letter from the council when we possibly didn't need to be notified about it really. Or hadn't been notified that there may be something coming and not to worry. Just got to focus on the fun parts and let Simonds handle the rest! Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 48Jun 06, 2017 3:10 pm So the never ending delay continues - finance approval was done at the bank, but delay in that getting sent on to the builders (urgh, having to follow that up!) but according to the bank they've sent it..so. Sigh. On other notes: 1. We've got a fairly good plan now for our intended gardening/landscaping plans. Which involved an epic marathon at Bunnings and Stratco talking over every other thing! (We've definitely had to up out landscaping/decking projected budget...we were hoping for $35k all up, but with the general size of the whole block and some new changes we're definitely needing to save another 50%! ) Will make a mock up and some picture ideas for thoughts later! 2. We've sorted out our intended furniture pieces (gosh the couch is going to be what I dream about until we get in!) so hopefully will go quite well with the internal colour scheme. I'm in love with the couch we're planning on - the 2.5 and 3 seater Andersen's from Freedom in the tan union! 3. My gorgeous sister is pregnant - so anyone with good recommendations of baby-gates would be much appreciated, given I'm sure they'll be visiting quite frequently and we have much in the way of stairs! So we continue thinking as the waiting continues!! Here's hoping this fixes up soon enough and we can get moving! Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 49Jun 07, 2017 9:25 am That sucks are you using a broker or doing it yourself?? omg landscaping is a never ending black hole in the pocket!!! We had to do a lot of ours upfront because we won't have rear access for machinery once the frame is there I can't even picture what it will all look like yet! Make sure you order your couch with notice in our first build we bought ours with notice and they said 12 week delivery or something then it pushed out to like 25 weeks and we had to cancel the order! so frustrating You can get baby gates at bunnings in barker actually haha they are just the standard white metal ones with the adjustable sides however I got myself some pretty looking ones at Baby Bunting which are nice silver with a bit heavier duty latch on it I think I'll be buying a couple extra of those for the playroom Current Build with Gall3ry Living https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=87680 First Build Thread : Our Mt Barker Build @ The Grove Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 50Jun 07, 2017 12:35 pm We're doing it ourselves with the bank, as we've got a friend in the bank system. The bank said they sent the paperwork two weeks ago, the builder said they hadn't gotten it...We went back and forth, and our MySimonds now says all good/all received!! Now just waiting on the council approval (just got a "need to add frosted to staircase window" despite it being like 7ft off the stair case point and not easy to see from the landing down into the neighbours??) to be finalised. Additionally, we've had a bit of a financial windfall so we're talking with the builder about a few of the extras we were skipping due to financial constraints. Landscaping is looking terrifying - we've got approximately >200sqm of grassing to do, about 100sqm of gravel for near the garage (veggie garden areas) and down the utilities side of the house, and then looking at 60sqm of decking (hopeful to do composite decking).. Tears, endless endless tears... At least we've worked out a general design that's working well. Good to know about the furniture! We're planning to organise/sort furniture about 3 months out, but good to know and be aware! Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 51Jun 07, 2017 12:51 pm Aw it's so hard I remember with our first build being so stressed out trying to micro manage everything this time around is soo much easier and laid back I know it's hard but it will be worth it you just have to sit back and ride it out really! I feel your pain with the grass I reckon we have about double the grass as that Hubby is refusing to get roll out lawn haha just take it easy and get the important things done and work on the rest is my best advice! You will get there! Current Build with Gall3ry Living https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=87680 First Build Thread : Our Mt Barker Build @ The Grove Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 52Jun 07, 2017 1:04 pm We're taking the approach of "Prior Preparation" - get things hashed out and sorted before the build gets going, and then we can just sit back, relax, and let everything go once we know what we want. (Also definitely planning a few vacations throughout the process - so should hopefully be able to just switch off and let it alllll happen!) Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 53Jun 27, 2017 2:26 pm So - we've had a few changes recently for the better! The partner has come into a bit extra cash which means we're not needing to stress regarding the endless black hole of landscaping costs (I've already got out intended furnishing fully covered cost wise at the moment myself, so he's in charge of financing the equivalent outside - though we're both still saving like scared little bees!) and has let us splash a bit extra fun around internally! We decided to add extra double power points where we'd err'd on the side of not for finance reasons before, we've made the bottom cabnietry within the butler's pantry into a more functional L-shape (my little splurge!) and for the man of the house - a 2340 x 1200 Windsor 5G pivot door for the entry! It's so big and beautiful (but so much! argh!) On the plus side, we've been given Council Approval, just waiting on the final drawings, building approval and the last bits. Anyone whose built with Simonds - how accurate did you find the MySimonds count-down, as ours to move onto Build stage has been moved forward from the 19th of July to the 5th!!! (SCARY!!!) Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 54Jun 27, 2017 4:37 pm That's fantastic news, very exciting! The mysimonds was pretty accurate with about a weeks leeway either side, for us anyway. We added 8 extra power points and still finding places that we wished we'd added another.. 2 of those were external. The pantry splurge will be worth every penny, wish we'd done something like that, we will eventually add more units to the top I think. All the best with your build Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 55Jun 27, 2017 4:45 pm We added four extra power points at our original gallery appointment, and have added another 8 now! (And due to a miscommunication on Simonds end, they added another one free of charge for our second data point/where we'll put our booster). We figured if we were looking to add a few extra bits anyway, we might as well add in the harder-to-change things while we were at it! I'm very excited for the butlers pantry cabinet - an extra 950 cupboard in there will be great for functionality - at the moment we have no top cupboards but we're planning to do it right after hand over. We've also organised with the solar supplier (getting solar done by Simonds solar provider) to get a 7kw battery system installed right after handover too, so we should be able to save on power bills (especially good seeing how those have been going in the news of late!!) thanks to the extra funds. We've been very blessed in the last few months as this has all started (despite the causes) so we're looking pretty good and comfortable/not stressed regarding finance as this goes at the very least. Which definitely was one of our major stress factors!! Oh wow, great to know - possibly could be getting started while we jet over the Melbourne for a week in the MySimonds is accurate. Good thing we've got a building inspector sorted! Hopefully will be able to update this more regularly very soon! Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 57Jul 07, 2017 7:29 pm Should be in the next week or two - we've got our building permits completed according to our MySimonds, just have to get the purchase order confirmed and process the remaining deposit/first payment from the bank/from our savings through, so should hopefully be looking in a week. (Which is DREADFUL timing for us actually, as we head off to Melbourne for a week next Friday - which is their usual site-start day.) Our SS has already gone out to site and confirmed everything is good to get going, so should be a quick turn around! Hows your's going? Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 58Jul 21, 2017 2:24 pm So we just got back from our (extremely poorly timed now) holiday over to Melbourne last night and found out that on Wednesday... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We then found out when be got back last night (Thursday) that the trenches had all be done as well as the metal for in the slab delivered... And then we had our "Site Start" meeting this morning (Friday)! Who knows how quick it'll be for the next steps for slab with the lovely weather we're now having.. (So scary for the cut though...no idea what were going to do and our neighbours cut down a LOT.) Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 59Jul 21, 2017 10:31 pm JM1911A1 So we just got back from our (extremely poorly timed now) holiday over to Melbourne last night and found out that on Wednesday... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We then found out when be got back last night (Thursday) that the trenches had all be done as well as the metal for in the slab delivered... And then we had our "Site Start" meeting this morning (Friday)! Who knows how quick it'll be for the next steps for slab with the lovely weather we're now having.. (So scary for the cut though...no idea what were going to do and our neighbours cut down a LOT.) Ooh its all starting!! That is one huge site Building in Springlake Mount Barker SA Re: Simonds Harcrest - SA Build 60Jul 21, 2017 10:34 pm HFBMPC JM1911A1 So we just got back from our (extremely poorly timed now) holiday over to Melbourne last night and found out that on Wednesday... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We then found out when be got back last night (Thursday) that the trenches had all be done as well as the metal for in the slab delivered... And then we had our "Site Start" meeting this morning (Friday)! Who knows how quick it'll be for the next steps for slab with the lovely weather we're now having.. (So scary for the cut though...no idea what were going to do and our neighbours cut down a LOT.) Ooh its all starting!! That is one huge site It is quite insane now it's all going about - you can't even see the back! The man of the house is slightly concerned about Mount Machu Pichu that is the back of the fill for the footings...but we're planning a deck and can step down so shouldn't be as terrifying at it looks at present. We hired Darbecca to do every stage inspection, and I strongly recommend them to anyone that asks me. They were amazing. Thorough reports with photos at every stage,… 6 7128 i would not be signing anything on the day read your contract about when builder submits final invoice generally, have to meet builder within 7 days of receiving final… 1 4736 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 17591 |