Hoping this week we will be finally back on track with everything. Fingers crossed!
We had a few dramas.. the first and continuing issue is that Valeco are refusing to move our hot water solar panel that was put in the wrong section of roof. They have completely ignored our council approved plans and variation notes specifying what we wanted, and emails literally a week before with head office on the location of the panel and what we expected to happen. The reason for this is that we had planned to add solar panels after hand over, and where they have placed the water panel is smack bang in the middle of the roof where our electric panels were going to go. Because of this, our solar installer says it is now impossible to get what we want without having to pay an extra 2-3K with higher wattage panels. Based on our design, there actually isn't that much usable panel space.
Not claiming responsibility for any wrong doing, Valeco have flat out refused to move it and quite rudely too. They did not once contact us (from head office, SS or installer) in relation to deviating from our plan, or even apologised once it was installed in the wrong spot. The excuse they gave us first was it wasn't going to fit (our installer said otherwise), after a couple of weeks of silence, they then gave a second excuse.. that they rely on their installer to position the solar panels in the best spot. Yes it was the best spot - for our panels after hand-over. Don't worry about our actual agreed plans Valeco.
We have also discovered that there have been many deviations from our approved plans with additional bulkheads, lazy plumbing, and repositioned aircon vents - all without consultation or discussion. Very very disappointed. There is never an apology and there's never any communication about it unless we bring it up multiple times.
I am hoping with our new SS that things will be rectified. He has come into this with a long list of defects and problems. And this is the first one (other than our temporary SS) that has bothered to call us with actual updates. We are now at least 2 months behind because of continual mistakes and communication issues with them. Trying to remain positive, but it is incredibly frustrating.
Everyone should do themselves a favour and hire your own inspector for peace of mind.
In saying all of this, Valeco have been slowly rectifying their mistakes, and over the next few months i'm sure we will left with a beautiful home. However until they actually rectify their mistakes for our water panel and other deviations, it will be hard to recommend them. Working as a professional marketer, i know it would be in their best interest to right their wrongs or be left with a lot of negative feedback.
Bricking is now completed, and waiting for cladding this week. There's a lot. Sorry for such a negative post, but you might understand why i've been quiet. Anyway next week i'll hopefully have a lot of positives to say. i am still optimistic.
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Hi gr8ly,
Again so sorry to hear about your dramas
I hope your new construction supervisor comes to the party and picks up the slack for the others mistakes.
I’ve quickly realised what you all were saying how it all comes down to having the right SS.
On a better note, it looks like your facade it coming together nicely, and how good is it to have your bricks finished!