Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 12, 2017 10:15 pm After a couple of false starts with other builders & a very lengthy, nightmare of an admin process with Porter Davis (which started back in July 2016), I had given up on the idea of starting my own thread...it was just too depressing to recall my experience here with all the delays... Yesterday, we finally received our building permits and we should (hopefully!) be able to get to a site start soon. I have leaned back to this community as a valuable source of information and guidance, so it is high time I share my journey trying to build our dream home... We are building the Porter Davis Bristol (approx 44sq) on a narrow inner city block of land in Melbourne (12.5x32.5). Key features & Big ticket items on top of base price of $360k at the time of signing contract: - Site costs & expenses - 48k for a rigid raft slab due to fill on the block - Structural changes to the standard plan including Extended theatre and living option, powder room extension on 2nd floor, and a full width extended Alfresco at the rear - $26k - Doors and window upgrades - $12K - Plumbing upgrades - $7.5k - Promotional Hebel & fully rendered house - Free Refrigerated cooling & colorbond roof - Prestige Seize the dream offer with various inclusions like floorboards and carpet - we have various upgrades over and above this - Upgrade to Double Glazing throughout ( as a result of a energy Report) - Upgrades to kitchen, pantry , bathroom cabinetry -'22k - Electrical upgrades - over 22k & counting - upgraded to include close to 45 network point throughout the house, pre-wiring for home theatre, Clipsal Saturn Zen switches for living areas on ground floor etc. Yet to include LED lighting throughout - Tiling upgrades - 7K+ Contracted costs: ~506K Variations expected: ~20-25K Driveway and landscaping budget: ~25-30K Blinds - TBC Others: TBC Our floor plans & Elevation: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My (poor) rendition of the facade (such a shame the builder does nor provide this) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Color Selections: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Electricals: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Here is a timeline of how things went for us so far: <tl/dr> Long harrowing process over the last 3 years in finding a builder for our dream home. Some bad decisions on our part in trusting some builders early on. We signed with Porter Davis for a Nov 16 site start. We just received our building permit yesterday, and we are hoping to get to site start soon.. </tl/dr> Longer version: Warning: Some depressing rant ahead! - Land Deposit Paid - Sep 2013, with initial land settlement date Dec 2014 - Search for builder commenced - within 2 hours after paying the deposit! - funny fact: we initially looked at the Bristol by Porter Davis - this was the only design that my partner & I both liked, but a lazy sales consultant gave us the wrong impression that they could not build the house on our lot based on the setback requirements - We then started to look out for custom builders, as it felt that was the only way to go for our land & design requirements. Found one in and locked in our plans based on our budget - Land settles Nov 2015 - Feb 2015 - we ask our custom builder to write up the contract - Mar 2016 - Contract price comes in a more than Double our budget for not much real value!!! We got duped! Had to move on...didn't see any point negotiating as the cost came to within 150k of our 500k budget, but the quality and inclusions were next to nothing. - Apr 2016 - found Arden homes to be quite reputable and paid them a deposit. Everything was going so well with a great design. We proceeded to the next phase for color selection - May 2016 - Arden lost their balls somewhere along the line and came back a day before color selection appointment to say that they can't build on my block, just because there was some fill on the land!!! - June - July 2016 - search for new builder begins, and I happen to meet with PD again when I was in a display village. The new sales consultant called bulls*** on the previous sales consultant's assessment and locked us in for a Nov 2016 site start - The nightmare Admin process begins!!! - Color selections and tender completed Sep 2016 - only steps completed on time! - Contract signing delayed by 4 weeks for no reason - this was by way of them informing me via a call just 2 hours before the contract signing appointment! Their excuse was that someone forgot to get the contract drawings completed in time... - Meanwhile 2 neighbours on either side of my block had almost finished their construction and I was sharing quotes with them on fencing...while paying for 2 mortgages on a single income supporting a young family... - Finally, Got the contracts signed Nov 16 - Next steps were for PD to get Developer Approval and Building Permit in the next 2 weeks... - Nov 2016 - mid Jan 2017.. People sitting on their asses doing nothing, until I intervened... - After a few hurdles, I personally got involved to get them the developer approval from Mirvac in Feb 17. - Ideally we should have got out building permit within a week, but PD now "invents" a unnecessary approval that they thought was needed from a water authority. The water authority sends me a written letter stating that no such red tape is required...Lost another 6 weeks there - I had lost it with them by now and escalated all the way up to their regional supervisor. (They are all useless by the way...) - Mar 2017 - More mess up with the building permit... I had to liaise with the council to get things sorted out. - We finally got our building permit yesterday! 11-Apr-2017 - During all this saga, I was promised by their building co-ordinatior manager that they would transfer us to site start a day after building permit was issued, but I just learnt that they can't do it for another week! Why am I not surprised? - Let's see what happens on 19-Apr, which is their next promise!!! Apologies for the lengthy post...happy to answer any questions, although my responses may be delayed due to work commitments...keen to see if anyone else is building the Bristol - couldn't find any build threads so far... Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 2Apr 13, 2017 12:14 am sinbox After a couple of false starts with other builders & a very lengthy, nightmare of an admin process with Porter Davis (which started back in July 2016), I had given up on the idea of starting my own thread...it was just too depressing to recall my experience here with all the delays... Yesterday, we finally received our building permits and we should (hopefully!) be able to get to a site start soon. I have leaned back to this community as a valuable source of information and guidance, so it is high time I share my journey trying to build our dream home... We are building the Porter Davis Bristol (approx 44sq) on a narrow inner city block of land in Melbourne (12.5x32.5). Key features & Big ticket items on top of base price of $360k at the time of signing contract: - Site costs & expenses - 48k for a rigid raft slab due to fill on the block - Structural changes to the standard plan including Extended theatre and living option, powder room extension on 2nd floor, and a full width extended Alfresco at the rear - $26k - Doors and window upgrades - $12K - Plumbing upgrades - $7.5k - Promotional Hebel & fully rendered house - Free Refrigerated cooling & colorbond roof - Prestige Seize the dream offer with various inclusions like floorboards and carpet - we have various upgrades over and above this - Upgrade to Double Glazing throughout ( as a result of a energy Report) - Upgrades to kitchen, pantry , bathroom cabinetry -'22k - Electrical upgrades - over 22k & counting - upgraded to include close to 45 network point throughout the house, pre-wiring for home theatre, Clipsal Saturn Zen switches for living areas on ground floor etc. Yet to include LED lighting throughout - Tiling upgrades - 7K+ Contracted costs: ~506K Variations expected: ~20-25K Driveway and landscaping budget: ~25-30K Blinds - TBC Others: TBC Our floor plans & Elevation: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My (poor) rendition of the facade (such a shame the builder does nor provide this) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Color Selections: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Electricals: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Here is a timeline of how things went for us so far: <tl/dr> Long harrowing process over the last 3 years in finding a builder for our dream home. Some bad decisions on our part in trusting some builders early on. We signed with Porter Davis for a Nov 16 site start. We just received our building permit yesterday, and we are hoping to get to site start soon.. </tl/dr> Longer version: Warning: Some depressing rant ahead! - Land Deposit Paid - Sep 2013, with initial land settlement date Dec 2014 - Search for builder commenced - within 2 hours after paying the deposit! - funny fact: we initially looked at the Bristol by Porter Davis - this was the only design that my partner & I both liked, but a lazy sales consultant gave us the wrong impression that they could not build the house on our lot based on the setback requirements - We then started to look out for custom builders, as it felt that was the only way to go for our land & design requirements. Found one in and locked in our plans based on our budget - Land settles Nov 2015 - Feb 2015 - we ask our custom builder to write up the contract - Mar 2016 - Contract price comes in a more than Double our budget for not much real value!!! We got duped! Had to move on...didn't see any point negotiating as the cost came to within 150k of our 500k budget, but the quality and inclusions were next to nothing. - Apr 2016 - found Arden homes to be quite reputable and paid them a deposit. Everything was going so well with a great design. We proceeded to the next phase for color selection - May 2016 - Arden lost their balls somewhere along the line and came back a day before color selection appointment to say that they can't build on my block, just because there was some fill on the land!!! - June - July 2016 - search for new builder begins, and I happen to meet with PD again when I was in a display village. The new sales consultant called bulls*** on the previous sales consultant's assessment and locked us in for a Nov 2016 site start - The nightmare Admin process begins!!! - Color selections and tender completed Sep 2016 - only steps completed on time! - Contract signing delayed by 4 weeks for no reason - this was by way of them informing me via a call just 2 hours before the contract signing appointment! Their excuse was that someone forgot to get the contract drawings completed in time... - Meanwhile 2 neighbours on either side of my block had almost finished their construction and I was sharing quotes with them on fencing...while paying for 2 mortgages on a single income supporting a young family... - Finally, Got the contracts signed Nov 16 - Next steps were for PD to get Developer Approval and Building Permit in the next 2 weeks... - Nov 2016 - mid Jan 2017.. People sitting on their asses doing nothing, until I intervened... - After a few hurdles, I personally got involved to get them the developer approval from Mirvac in Feb 17. - Ideally we should have got out building permit within a week, but PD now "invents" a unnecessary approval that they thought was needed from a water authority. The water authority sends me a written letter stating that no such red tape is required...Lost another 6 weeks there - I had lost it with them by now and escalated all the way up to their regional supervisor. (They are all useless by the way...) - Mar 2017 - More mess up with the building permit... I had to liaise with the council to get things sorted out. - We finally got our building permit yesterday! 11-Apr-2017 - During all this saga, I was promised by their building co-ordinatior manager that they would transfer us to site start a day after building permit was issued, but I just learnt that they can't do it for another week! Why am I not surprised? - Let's see what happens on 19-Apr, which is their next promise!!! Apologies for the lengthy post...happy to answer any questions, although my responses may be delayed due to work commitments...keen to see if anyone else is building the Bristol - couldn't find any build threads so far... Wow what a saga. Really hoping the build process is much smoother for you and you can enjoy your new home. Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 3Apr 13, 2017 9:44 am Sounds like you have had a tough time so far, fingers crossed the build goes well for you. Love the floor plan. Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 5Apr 13, 2017 1:12 pm Hurrow Sinbox that seems like a huge number of network points, what's the thinking there? In hindsight, yes a few more than what I actually need. I have dedicated about 10-12 for IP PoE security cameras. Each bedroom has 2, living areas, study & theatre have 6 ... Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 6Apr 13, 2017 1:20 pm sinbox Hurrow Sinbox that seems like a huge number of network points, what's the thinking there? In hindsight, yes a few more that what I actually need. But I have dedicated about 10-12 for IP PoE security cameras. Ok that explains it to some extent! We've got 4 or 5 which seems like a lot less than some, but a lot more than most. I'm assuming most things will be wireless in the future so there will be less need for actual network points. Building a Kew 28 with Porter Davis Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 7Apr 13, 2017 1:22 pm Hmmm I think we only have 1 maybe 2.. What else do you use them for? Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 8Apr 13, 2017 1:32 pm Hurrow sinbox Hurrow Sinbox that seems like a huge number of network points, what's the thinking there? In hindsight, yes a few more that what I actually need. But I have dedicated about 10-12 for IP PoE security cameras. Ok that explains it to some extent! We've got 4 or 5 which seems like a lot less than some, but a lot more than most. I'm assuming most things will be wireless in the future so there will be less need for actual network points. It depends on what you want to get out of your home network. I'm (luckily) in a NBN FTTP area, so wanted to get the best out of a fiber connection. Wireless is great for mobiles & tablets but not so much for streaming on TV's and home theatres. I will also be installing a IP doorbell camera like DoorBird which is more reliable over Ethernet rather than wireless. I have a couple of points dedicated for Wireless Access points on the ceilings of the ground and first floor. You could consider this as it vastly improves wireless access if you are building a double storey... There is a great thread over on the Whirlpool forums for home cabling ideas and advice, which is where I got most of my inspiration from: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-r ... ?t=2551153 Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 9Apr 13, 2017 2:01 pm sinbox Hurrow Ok that explains it to some extent! We've got 4 or 5 which seems like a lot less than some, but a lot more than most. I'm assuming most things will be wireless in the future so there will be less need for actual network points. It depends on what you want to get out of your home network. I'm (luckily) in a NBN FTTP area, so wanted to get the best out of a fiber connection. Wireless is great for mobiles & tablets but not so much for streaming on TV's and home theatres. I will also be installing a IP doorbell camera like DoorBird which is more reliable over Ethernet rather than wireless. I have a couple of points dedicated for Wireless Access points on the ceilings of the ground and first floor. You could consider this as it vastly improves wireless access if you are building a double storey... There is a great thread over on the Whirlpool forums for home cabling ideas and advice, which is where I got most of my inspiration from: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-r ... ?t=2551153 We've got Opticomm which I believe is FTTH. We are only building a single storey home though so hopefully don't need as many network points. There will be network/tv points anywhere that we are looking at installing TVs (or may want to down the track) as well as a data point in the study but other than that we will just be going with wireless which will hopefully do the job. Thanks for the link to the thread, unfortunately it's a little over my head! Building a Kew 28 with Porter Davis Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 10Apr 13, 2017 5:31 pm That's a long wait and too much stress for you sinbox! I hope you're able to get all your deposits back from previous builders and that PD has not been charging you for site start delays! One good thing is you were able to lock the $360K base price of Bristol which is now $382,900, not sure if there's any changes in inclusions and promotions with this price difference. I hope things will start to get moving for you! Building: Forsyth 35 with Porter Davis Land Titling : April 2017 Site Start: June 2017 Blog: https://forsyth35.blogspot.com.au/ Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 11Apr 16, 2017 11:42 am Phoenix That's a long wait and too much stress for you sinbox! I hope you're able to get all your deposits back from previous builders and that PD has not been charging you for site start delays! One good thing is you were able to lock the $360K base price of Bristol which is now $382,900, not sure if there's any changes in inclusions and promotions with this price difference. I hope things will start to get moving for you! Yes, I have seen the price of the Bristol rise from $340k since we signed the initial Sales Quote. While we were happy with the base price and inclusions, it is really the wasted money in getting to site start that is causing grief. Money which could have been so well spent for landscaping & furnishings... Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 12Apr 16, 2017 12:04 pm Kitchen Plans: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pantry & Galley: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Overheads in Laminex Honey Elm (standard prestige range) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Base Cabinets in Laminex Polar White Silk finish: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Island & Benchtop Negro Tebas Stone (4 stone upgrade): Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Here is the flooring tiles for the kitchen & wet areas Alpine charcoal: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Keen to hear your comments on the color selection. I have been toying around with the idea of replacing the base cabinetry with the Honey Elm as well. Would it stand out too much? Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 13Apr 17, 2017 7:13 pm The verdict is in then...we'll keep the base cabinetry in white....seperate topic here viewtopic.php?t=87428 I think it will go well with the Bosch appliances in the kitchen which we need to install post handover... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 16Apr 30, 2017 12:56 am Hey Sinbox. just came across your thread. Sorry to hear of the whole frustrating saga. Hope things take positive turn from here. Just a question, did PD not charge for double glazing to all windows? Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 17Apr 30, 2017 10:00 am naziac Hey Sinbox. just came across your thread. Sorry to hear of the whole frustrating saga. Hope things take positive turn from here. Just a question, did PD not charge for double glazing to all windows? Thanks Naziac, Initially they forgot to charge me for it, but they added it in via a variation. We agreed to splitting up the cost of double glazing based on the energy report as it was added post contract. You may know this, but my suggestion is to NOT ask for double glazing during the sales phase until you see the tender document. Builders may add in double glazing to meet 6-star energy rating unless there are any structural changes off the base plan. We had made changes to the base plan... Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 18Apr 30, 2017 10:21 am Wow, I've just come across your thread! You're building a beautiful home, I'll be following J My Phoenix by Metricon in Melbourne viewtopic.php?f=31&t=83584&p=1570829&hilit=my+phoenix+by+metricon+in+melbourne#p1570829 Re: Bristol (44sq) - Porter Davis Melbourne - New Build 19Apr 30, 2017 10:56 am sinbox naziac Hey Sinbox. just came across your thread. Sorry to hear of the whole frustrating saga. Hope things take positive turn from here. Just a question, did PD not charge for double glazing to all windows? Thanks Naziac, Initially they forgot to charge me for it, but they added it in via a variation. We agreed to splitting up the cost of double glazing based on the energy report as it was added post contract. You may know this, but my suggestion is to NOT ask for double glazing during the sales phase until you see the tender document. Builders may add in double glazing to meet 6-star energy rating unless there are any structural changes off the base plan. We had made changes to the base plan... Yes we held of asking for it too and then found out it was required for the 6 star rating but we had to wear the cost of the double glazing which was more than $10,000. We had made changes to the base plan too. Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 13580 I ended up going with 'Andrew Belic Construction Co.' https://www.instagram.com/andrewbelicconstruction/ 2 59990 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 19077 |