Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 07, 2022 6:26 am See my previous post about the carpentry. Pre paint, I noticed that my fixing had been done appallingly. 3-4mm gaps in mitres and butt joins. Pieces cut too short, etc etc. Fast forward to our completion inspection at the end of October, it was clear that they're just tried to fill it. I had 5-6 emails saying fix it, don't do that. I tell them again, to fix it, and the paintwork was disgusting to say the least. Not to mention most of the doors were also damaged. We get to the end of December, site manager keeps disappearing, missing site visits and phone calls I end up getting an inspection. It was no different, the place was still disgusting. They hadn't had carpenters out to fix the fixing, they'd had the painters with more wood filler. I crack it, emails and letters go out everywhere. Our site manager leaves/gets fired, days before Christmas. New one calls, I give him a brief rundown. We were just having our fence put up, and I go out to check on it. They've delivered 4 doors (there were supposed to be 12 or so), and left them outside. I call the SS, the office, send emails. No one answers and the site can't help. I call first week Jan, second week. Until the SS comes back 17th January. He says he's mad the previous SS had left them. The new SS says he cares about his reputation, as it goes with him. We organise a site visit for last week, gets to Thursday with no response. He texts me, saying he'll call me Friday. I never received that phone call. I read between the lines, he's got nothing good to show me, and both good to tell me. I head back out on site. The painters have been back at it, the entire house has timber fill throughout. We're talking ~8mm deviation in a window quirk "Ahh, fill will fix 'er right up" for example. I've linked a PDF with all the photos I've taken. I am honestly in shock, that they would continue like this. There is absolutely no regard for quality. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cac32B ... p=drivesdk Do I have any recourse other than to hound them telling them that this workmanship is simply unacceptable? I am glad I got this evidence before they painted and attempted to cover it up. Fill and paint won't fix this. Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 2Feb 07, 2022 8:01 am Clearly Metricon Victoria has no intention of rectifying these defects unless they are forced to. Suggest following the dispute proceedure in your contract, plus leverage all available social media channels - with good reach and frequency. Make them accountable but be careful not to defame anyone personally. Email the owner Mario directly for assistance if Metricon's Victorian management doesn't respond appropriately. Assuming contract liquidated damages is just a token amount, Metricon Vic's normal tactic here is to slow down and frustrate clients causing emotional and financial stress, ultimately forcing them to accept Metricon's poor workmanship and low quality standards. Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 3Feb 07, 2022 8:51 am They absolutely have no intetention of rectifying these issues. I am lodging with the DBDRV today, organising a private inspector to go out this week. The Area Manager has indicated that we won't be doing "Final Inspection" until they have all gone through the house. The damaged are 250p/w if we go over our contract date (end of March). The response I got from the AM was appaling, not acknowledging the fact that these issues even exist. They don't care at all. Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 4Feb 07, 2022 9:33 am Unfortunately you are in the final finishers (crunch) of building a house ie Where the builders contract pricing doesn't allow for increase payments for better trades. So they get anyone to finish the job. You will have to take possession as is and then lodge a compliant Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 5Feb 07, 2022 9:40 am So there is nothing I can do beforehand? I can't accept a home of that quality... I'm happy to wait it out, if it tips over the contract date, then they have to suck up the damages payment, right? But you mean, they technically can't pull anymore money out of the build/contract to get it fixed correctly? But, once they've painted it up, it's all covered then? So they'll just keep going around in circles if they can't get someone to actually come and fix the underlying issues (i.e huge gaps in the carpentry). Is it possible to settle? We come up with an amount for me to have it fixed externally, then we get it fixed post handover? You and I both know, if we do handover, it's not getting fixed for a very long time... That's now how it should be, moving into a brand new house, accepting it with multiple defects then having people fix it whilst we are in? Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 6Feb 07, 2022 10:11 am Face reality and don't Shoot the messenger samtk So there is nothing I can do beforehand? I can't accept a home of that quality... I'm happy to wait it out, if it tips over the contract date, then they have to suck up the damages payment, right? Then rent indefinitely, while you are locked out as the builder has the upper hand Good luck with finding the cheap rent samtk But you mean, they technically can't pull anymore money out of the build/contract to get it fixed correctly? But, once they've painted it up, it's all covered then? So they'll just keep going around in circles if they can't get someone to actually come and fix the underlying issues (i.e huge gaps in the carpentry). Is it possible to settle? They will keep coming around with the polyfilla until the maintenance period ends (check the contract..generally 3 months). Then its up to you to " Do your best and mastic the rest" (humour) samtk Is it possible to settle? We come up with an amount for me to have it fixed externally, then we get it fixed post handover? You and I both know, if we do handover, it's not getting fixed for a very long time... Settle, LOL how much do you want to spend in court? The building commission is chockers, in finalizing the complaint you will take what the builder gives you to end the nightmare samtk That's now how it should be, moving into a brand new house, accepting it with multiple defects then having people fix it whilst we are in? No argument there, and it's going to cost you a lot more later on to fix it. The final hand is revealed when all the chips are down Until then it's builders bluff..go out cut and your losses.. better luck next time Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 7Feb 07, 2022 10:11 am Metricon Victoria will claim practical completion status per your contract, saying they wiill 'fix' the defects 'later' - they won't! They will suggest you register on their 'My Metricon' silicone and putty guys maintenance portal etc. At practical completion the clock stops and they won't care how long it takes you to make the final paymemt for handover because there is no cost to them. They will encourage you to go to the tribunal where the outcome will likely be delayed and probably go 50/50 anyway. This saves their admin resouces. They are very experienced at this business model of outsourcing their customer service and consumer warranty obligations to silicone guys and the Victorian government! Unfortunately 95% of their customers just accept this so they get away with it. Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 8Feb 07, 2022 10:28 am So you suggest, let them finish what they need to? Handover, and move in while carrying on with DBDRV? StructuralBIMGuy Face reality and don't Shoot the messenger samtk So there is nothing I can do beforehand? I can't accept a home of that quality... I'm happy to wait it out, if it tips over the contract date, then they have to suck up the damages payment, right? Then rent indefinitely, while you are locked out as the builder has the upper hand Good luck with finding the cheap rent samtk But you mean, they technically can't pull anymore money out of the build/contract to get it fixed correctly? But, once they've painted it up, it's all covered then? So they'll just keep going around in circles if they can't get someone to actually come and fix the underlying issues (i.e huge gaps in the carpentry). Is it possible to settle? They will keep coming around with the polyfilla until the maintenance period ends (check the contract..generally 3 months). Then its up to you to " Do your best and mastic the rest" (humour) samtk Is it possible to settle? We come up with an amount for me to have it fixed externally, then we get it fixed post handover? You and I both know, if we do handover, it's not getting fixed for a very long time... Settle, LOL how much do you want to spend in court? The building commission is chockers, in finalizing the complaint you will take what the builder gives you to end the nightmare samtk That's now how it should be, moving into a brand new house, accepting it with multiple defects then having people fix it whilst we are in? No argument there, and it's going to cost you a lot more later on to fix it. The final hand is revealed when all the chips are down Until then it's builders bluff..go out cut and your losses.. better luck next time Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 9Feb 07, 2022 10:32 am Yes, making the final payment does not mean you accept Metricon Victoria's defective work. If the rest of the house is acceptable don't let them delay your handover. This situation is common and just business as usual for them. You will need to pursue rectification at the tribunal and via social media etc.
Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 10Feb 07, 2022 10:34 am Kippers01 Yes, making the final payment does not mean you accept Metricon Victoria's defective work. If the rest of the house is acceptable don't let them delay your handover. Okay, that's not a bad strategy. I'll get it all in writing. There's a few other small things. Like stovetop not centered, rangehood not flush etc. Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 11Feb 07, 2022 10:49 am Before you accept and sign practical completion documents from Metricon Victoria ensure the house fundamentals are acceptable: built to plans? floors, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, etc straight, plumb, level...? brickwork, roof, insulation, gutters....? The defective interior carpentry and cover ups may be symptoms of more fundamental problems from earlier stages. Document everything, inculding all calls and conversations... Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 13Feb 07, 2022 11:08 am samtk So you suggest, let them finish what they need to? Handover, and move in while carrying on with DBDRV? What else can you do? The contract is in play and the house is in the builders control until handover. When you finally make it to the building commission they may well tell you to lower your standards/complaints at mediation. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 14Feb 07, 2022 11:14 am Make sure your inspector's report references the deviation from relevant Australian Standards for every defect photo - ie specifically why its unacceptable work and what represents acceptable work by Metricon Victoria to rectify. I noticed your report did not show these details. Important to have these facts presented professionaly in addition to basic photos of what just looks simply bad. Your inspector should know the relevant standards intimately and report against these.
Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 15Feb 07, 2022 11:15 am StructuralBIMGuy samtk So you suggest, let them finish what they need to? Handover, and move in while carrying on with DBDRV? What else can you do? The contract is in play and the house is in the builders control until handover. When you finally make it to the building commission they may well tell you to lower your standards/complaints at mediation. So you're saying that damaged doors, mitre joints that have 3-8mm gaps is "high standard". I'm sure you're aware, that in the Victorian guides to tolerances and standards that there aren't to be any cracks at handover? And less than 1mm in the first 12 months.... Look at some of those photos.... You reckon a mitre joint that's got a 5mm gap, filled is t going to crack... No one is going to tell me to lower my standards, every single person (including people in construction) are absolutely appalled. Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 16Feb 07, 2022 11:21 am samtk So you're saying that damaged doors, mitre joints that have 3-8mm gaps is "high standard". mastic it up yourself or wait forever? samtk So you're saying that damaged doors, mitre joints that have 3-8mm gaps is "high standard". I'm sure you're aware, that in the Victorian guides to tolerances and standards that there aren't to be any cracks at handover? And less than 1mm in the first 12 months.... Look at some of those photos.... You reckon a mitre joint that's got a 5mm gap, filled is t going to crack... That is a guide Not a Standard besides is it referenced in your building contract. I suggest you get legal advice. Here in WA it is not referenced samtk No one is going to tell me to lower my standards, every single person (including people in construction) are absolutely appalled. Mate, Don't shoot the messenger Forewarned is forearmed Goodluck, and please post back when your problem is resolved Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 17Feb 07, 2022 11:30 am StructuralBIMGuy samtk So you're saying that damaged doors, mitre joints that have 3-8mm gaps is "high standard". mastic it up yourself or wait forever? samtk So you're saying that damaged doors, mitre joints that have 3-8mm gaps is "high standard". I'm sure you're aware, that in the Victorian guides to tolerances and standards that there aren't to be any cracks at handover? And less than 1mm in the first 12 months.... Look at some of those photos.... You reckon a mitre joint that's got a 5mm gap, filled is t going to crack... That is a guide Not a Standard besides is it referenced in your building contract. I suggest you get legal advice. Here in WA it is not referenced samtk No one is going to tell me to lower my standards, every single person (including people in construction) are absolutely appalled. Mate, Don't shoot the messenger Forewarned is forearmed Goodluck, and please post back when your problem is resolved I'm pretty sure the standard is "if it cracks" not how it's constructed... Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 18Feb 07, 2022 11:43 am samtk I'm pretty sure the standard is "if it cracks" not how it's constructed... Opinions are worthless in a court of law, what you want is Engineering data, proofs and certifications That guide is a free get out jail card for builders imo it will be challenged ie cracks are acceptable when the work is carried out by fools. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 19Feb 07, 2022 11:51 am Require your inspector to reference the exact clauses in the relevant standards, what the tolerance is, what his observed measurement is, and how it needs to be fixed properly.
Metricon Victoria's semi skilled painting 'handy people' will fill cracks with paint and fillers just before PCI and handover to cover stuff up that should have been done properly in the first place. Often on weekends. Another cheap presentation trick. In a few weeks time the cracks open again and you log them into the portal for 'siicone boy's' eventual visit! Re: After months of trying to my carpenter fixed, they're st 20Feb 07, 2022 11:56 am Kippers01 Require your inspector to reference the exact clauses in the relevant standards, what the tolerance is, what his observed measurement is, and how it needs to be fixed properly. Metricon Victoria's semi skilled painting 'handy people' will fill cracks with paint and fillers just before PCI and handover to cover stuff up that should have been done properly in the first place. Often on weekends. Another presentation trick. In a few weeks the cracks open again. Yep, pretty much it. The inspector already references the standards, they've been really great. I'll get the inspector back out when they're "done" and if everything is to standard and presentable. I'll accept that. I'll outline that I absolutely do not agree with the standard they have done the carpentry (subjective), hopefully there's an inspector that can agree in writing. So when DBDRV pick it up, it can be properly rectified. I had a similar issue with my fridge not too long ago. It wasn't the same model, but the symptoms were pretty much the same: the compressor would start and then stop… 3 7838 This certainly doesn't look good. I would be engaging with an independent inspector to have a look at this. As for the unscheduled site visits, most builders are quite… 1 28363 |