Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 30, 2008 2:33 pm Great site and with such valuable contributions I'm getting nervous with our choice of builder, Clarendon, after reading about your experiences.
We're so close to signing (like tommorrow) but I can't shake this feeling we will make the wrong decision. FWIW we are knocking down/rebuilding in the Sutherland Shire. Do you shoot me now or forever hold your peace? Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 2Aug 30, 2008 3:31 pm Have you checked out the thread below relating to all the delays involved in the Clarendon building process?
http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=7971&highlight=clarendon This might help you come to a decision. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 3Aug 30, 2008 4:48 pm Exactly our dilemma.
Our last build had compensation negotiated to the tune of $250/week if the construction guarantee wasn't met. Maybe we could negotiate something more significant (like our rent cost) to spur them on. Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 4Aug 30, 2008 4:56 pm I'd say give it a go.
Though if they've got significant issues causing such dreadful delays, I think they'd probably steer well clear of clauses which provide compensation such as your rent cost. Good luck Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 5Aug 30, 2008 6:48 pm Hi Happyhome
Our liquidated damages were also $250 per week (which is irrelevant now as per previous posts) but Southies mentioned something which I think is very important. Rent costs way more than this amount at the moment for many people, so if a builder is not willing to go with a higher amount, then to me that says they are not confident about getting the build done in time. If they are, and they tend to allow themselves about 8 to 9 months which should be plenty of time, then they shouldn't have an issue with an increased amount. The purpose of the liquidated damages it to cover rental costs due to delays so it should be in line with today's rental prices. In regards to being nervous about your builder, at the end of the day you can only make the decision and go with it. Any builder can have problems, one person can have a great experience and the next not so great. You could change builders and have just as many issues. I will say though and others may argue, that knockdown/rebuilds don't seem to be built as quickly as houses in new estates when using a volume builder. It may have something to do with the fact that in new estates the builder may have more than one house being built so less travel and they can work on more than one house. We were building with Marshall Baker and it seems that some people who were building in new estates and who had signed way after us were further progressed in their build. So I would definitely be trying for liquidated damages that covered rent simply because as I said (and it is only my opinion) that knockdown/rebuilds seem to be of lesser priority resulting in longer build time. Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 6Aug 30, 2008 6:54 pm HappyHome Exactly our dilemma. Our last build had compensation negotiated to the tune of $250/week if the construction guarantee wasn't met. Maybe we could negotiate something more significant (like our rent cost) to spur them on. Good luck with that!!!!!!!! Your sales rep will tell you that you may try and negotiate that later, but TRUST ME it is not NEGOTIABLE....... Once they have taken your money they will send you to look at the tender & your consultant will tell you .."THIS IS A CONTRACT, THE $15 A DAY IS NOT NEGOTIABLE, YOU CAN HAVE A SOLICITOR LOOK AT IT, BUT NOTHING WILL BE CHANGED". They will not budge on that... You can see on my avatar picture that we have columns on the top of our house, and our site supervisor decided to put another row on top without telling us, so all the other features have 3 rows and the top level has 4... if we wanted to change something structurally it would have cost us to vary our contract.. he stated it was for water, but none of the other waterhavens have this extra rows, we think the brickies stuffed up... I think that the problem is that we are treated like the customer, when really we have employed their services, but funnily enough the whole process doesn't seem to work like that with any builder.... We prob would not go with Clarendon again, however I am not sure whether any other builder would be any better..Clar seems rather reasonable for 2 storey homes, but just nag nag nag & go to the top! We have had to do that on several occasions. Good luck. Regards Sasha 1st time bldrs, fussy and impatient! Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 7Aug 30, 2008 7:03 pm Hi Waterhaven
Just read your post and the bit about the builder making changes. Not sure if this helps at all because we are in Vic and you are in NSW but you never know. I had to contact the BCAV/Cnnsumer Affairs regarding a change the builder made to our plans. They advised me that if a builder wants to make changes to the plan they need to provide you with a variation (the same one they provide you, including the increased costs whenever you make a change) and you have to agree with it. May be worth looking into because they seem to forget that the same rules apply to them and also seem to think that you won't take the matter any further. It may not help with the columns, but you may be able to seek compensation. We did with bulkheads our builders ended up having to put in. Got us a door between the WIR and ensuite that wasn't originally there. As an old manager of mine used to say, don't get mad, get even. There's always a way. So I would suggest contacting whoever is the authority up there just to clarify. There's nothing to lose and maybe something to gain. Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 8Aug 30, 2008 7:59 pm Hi HappyHome - I assume you've read all the other relevant threads by now - I really don't know what to advise you. I also remember being CLEARLY told that the liquidated damages are NON-NEGOTIABLE, so we didn't even try for that. As for other problems - there most definitely will be, but then again, there are likely to be problems with any other builder also.
It's just the slowness of Clarendon that kills you - slow to get started, slow to respond to questions (or even acknowledge them), slow to progress. This week is the first week in the whole build that we have been surprised by the progress - the walls are in, the cornices are in, the stairs are in and all the doors have been delivered. So, we are nearly at lock-up....and that means more $$$$ - ah hah - THAT'S why they put their skates on this week! If the design is the one you really, really want and there is no other 'close' alternative, you should probably let that guide your decision. That's how it was for us. good luck with your decision. Built a Clarendon 'Balmain' 2008 Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 9Aug 30, 2008 8:09 pm I cannot recommend them to anyone, even if they have a design you like. There are a few people there that are fantastic, but it almost seems like the organisation is too large, and there is simply no one that is able to respond positively to any issues that you raise with them. Basically, it's their way or the high way, so be prepared to put up with that and the delays that come with it if you proceed.
$15 liquidated damages is the maximum you will get - it's non negtiable with them. C&G -------------------------------- A new building chapter begins.. Re: Are we mad going with Clarendon? 10Aug 30, 2008 8:53 pm A big thank you to everyone. Thank goodness for sites like this where real stories are told with no razzle dazzle thrown in.
We've decided to go elsewhere, too many horror stories for us (and thats just from this site) I think the endless trips to Homeworld was the catalyst to rush this through but you've all convinced me to get back out there and see who and what else is available. Best of luck to those already entrenched with them, and those that have come out the other end...a big sigh of relief. Keep on keeping the bastards honest. I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105491 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14435 the stair balustrades? There is nothing special about these and I imagine literally every stair installer will be able to do this. 1 6690 |