Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 27, 2018 3:27 pm We will be building with CJ Homes a two-storey brick-veneer house in Mitchelton (Brisbane North). Contract has been signed today and I will use this thread to keep track of the build progress and, fingers crossed, move in mid 2019. This thread can also serve as a general CJ Homes thread. Re: Building with CJ Homes 2Nov 19, 2018 6:45 pm 19/11/18: We obtained unconditional finance and returned pre-construction documents. I find it odd that on these documents, we have to re-fill the build address and chosen project home given this is obviously already part of the build contract. QBCC Insurance has been prepaid and the next step should be the colour consultation. I have read that the administrative process is often long when building a home. We'll see how this goes. Re: Building with CJ Homes 3Nov 22, 2018 7:49 pm I discovered this week that the neighbour's builder decided to dump the excavated soil on my land without asking for my permission. It's apparently very common practice. I still have a few weeks before our own build start and hopefully a gentle reminder will be enough for them to remove the soil. Re: Building with CJ Homes 4Nov 27, 2018 8:42 pm It seems that CJ Homes is also the neighbour's builder, explaining why they didn't mind using my land temporarily. It's been 8 days since pre-constructions documents have been sent and we have now received the working drawings. Re: Building with CJ Homes 5Dec 10, 2018 11:12 am Colour consultation cannot happen before the 15/01/2019 because of the Christmas break. I wasn't expecting the build to start until after Christmas to be honest but I would have thought the colour consultation to have happened earlier. I have been told this won't delay the build that is pending council approval and engineering plans. Time will tell. Re: Building with CJ Homes 6Dec 26, 2018 9:43 am Despite obtaining a declaration from the neighbour to have our garage wall 200mm from the boundary, I've been told by the builder it cannot happen. The given reason is that the lot is in a Community Facilities zoning and hasn't be rezoned to residential. Somehow, building houses on this site is however not an issue. Re: Building with CJ Homes 7Dec 26, 2018 7:48 pm onlyann Despite obtaining a declaration from the neighbour to have our garage wall 200mm from the boundary, I've been told by the builder it cannot happen. The given reason is that the lot is in a Community Facilities zoning and hasn't be rezoned to residential. Somehow, building houses on this site is however not an issue. My suggestion is do not take this "advice" prima facie from the builder - call Brisbane City Council and ask to speak to the duty planner (provide them with your lot and plan number) to confirm. The Community Facilities Zone Code in the City Plan doesn't appear to have any provisions for setbacks. I'm guessing this is the Cribb Avenue development? (as that it looks like that is the only land in Mitchie that has been subdivided into residential sized lots but is still zoned as Community Facilities) If so, it appears that the development applications that were approved for this site for the subdivision and material change of use specifically permitted residential uses (including small lot residential on those lots <450sq.m). Development application A004413452 appears to have the relevant information, but if you don't know where to obtain this or interpret the documentation, speak to Council. Re: Building with CJ Homes 8Dec 31, 2018 12:32 pm iTool onlyann Despite obtaining a declaration from the neighbour to have our garage wall 200mm from the boundary, I've been told by the builder it cannot happen. The given reason is that the lot is in a Community Facilities zoning and hasn't be rezoned to residential. Somehow, building houses on this site is however not an issue. My suggestion is do not take this "advice" prima facie from the builder - call Brisbane City Council and ask to speak to the duty planner (provide them with your lot and plan number) to confirm. The Community Facilities Zone Code in the City Plan doesn't appear to have any provisions for setbacks. I'm guessing this is the Cribb Avenue development? (as that it looks like that is the only land in Mitchie that has been subdivided into residential sized lots but is still zoned as Community Facilities) If so, it appears that the development applications that were approved for this site for the subdivision and material change of use specifically permitted residential uses (including small lot residential on those lots <450sq.m). Development application A004413452 appears to have the relevant information, but if you don't know where to obtain this or interpret the documentation, speak to Council. Thank you for this piece of information iTool. You are correct, this is the Cribb Avenue development. I have already given them agreement to proceed but will certainly bring the matter to their attention. It is not a big deal to us. Mainly, it has eroded my trust in the builder. Re: Building with CJ Homes 9Jan 16, 2019 9:32 pm The 4 hours colour consultation took place this week.
We had a vague idea of what we wanted and the consultant has been very helpful. We also discussed some minor interior variations. Even though this will add a few grands to the total cost, they were changes we were happy with and didn't feel like an up-sell. The only downside was the absence of a preview on a computer. I feel that it should be a given in 2019. At least, I am thankful for the existence of https://australbricks.com.au/ivisualise/. Working with small samples is good but doesn't replace the overall preview. That being said, I understand that prototyping colours on a computer can be deceiving in reality. Anyway, we hope to get the ball rolling soon with an official build start date. Re: Building with CJ Homes 10Feb 20, 2019 9:32 pm The build has finally started officially on the 11/2. The pre-pour stage has completed and they are planning to pour the concrete tomorrow (21/2). The private building inspection of the pre-pour stage has reported that "the job presented well" but came back with a list of 12 defects not meeting the NCC/BCA standards and require rectification. I have made a formal request to rectify these defects to the building administrator (direct communication with the supervisor is prohibited by CJ Homes). Hopefully, the supervisor will be given the list prior to pouring the concrete. Time will soon tell us how good/reliable they are to acknowledge and fix defects. Re: Building with CJ Homes 12Feb 23, 2019 4:40 pm It seems a lot of builders have a very irritating and somewhat disjointed admin phase, but it's great to see that hasn't carried over to construction in your case. That's very good they were quick to rectify those defects - it builds confidence going into the rest of the project. It sure shows the importance of having independent inspections carried out though hey! Re: Building with CJ Homes 13Apr 16, 2019 9:44 pm 13/03/2019: I receive the frame invoice from CJ Homes, indicating that the frame stage is complete. While arranging the payment, I ask to schedule the frame inspection. Although the frame stage is considered complete, the supervisor wants to proceed with some additional work prior to the inspection, such as installing the roof, as well as doors and windows. The third-party solar panel installers come in to perform the pre-wire. The supervisor wishes that they install the solar panels while the scaffolding is still on. In the end, after being postponed because of rainy days, the scaffolding is removed and solar panel install will take place after the build. 10/04/2019: The frame inspection takes place. The supervisor has requested that specific day so that the carpenter can directly rectify any raised defect on the spot. While I was expecting the supervisor to be present, only the carpenter is there, working on the frame. The inspector reports that a total of 12 defects have been identified:
The carpenter is of the opinion that some of the raised items are not defects. In any case, no additional will be done until the supervisor reviews and approves the requested changes. 12/04/2019: I receive an Extension of Time notice of 2 days because of inclement weather early April. My HIA contract specifies that there is an allowance of 10 days for inclement weather during the build and nothing has been claimed so far. I notify the build administrator that as per my understanding, extension of time can only be granted after the allowances have been exhausted. After a phone conversation, I get told that it will be counted towards the allowance, confirming my understanding. Nevertheless, I am confused by the wording of the document I received as it is effectively claiming an extension of time. I write back that I acknowledge that the 2 days will be counted towards the allowance. 16/04/2019: I am enquiring about the progress made. The supervisor emails me that some of the defects have been fixed and the the plaster installation is to start the next day. Follows up a phone conversation with the supervisor where I explain that as per previous written notice to CJ Homes, a pre-plaster inspection needs to be scheduled first. The supervisor is confused and assumed the previous inspection to be both a frame and pre-plaster inspection. Thankfully, I can get the private inspector to come for a pre-plaster inspection the next day and the supervisor cancels the plaster job. Tomorrow will be my first time meeting the supervisor and inspector face to face and getting access to the building site. Some pictures of the progress: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building with CJ Homes 14May 12, 2019 5:21 pm 17/04/2019: The pre-plaster inspection takes place. 10 of the previously raised defects are still present. Another 10 are added to the list. The inspector's recommendation is to have them fixed before starting the plasterboard work. 18/04/2019: We receive a notice from the builder. They ban the inspector from accessing the site for breaching the agreement, referring to items of the HIA Contract. The long story short (I may expand on the matter at a later stage) is that we feel our simplest course of action is to use a different inspector for the remaining inspections (fixings and PCI). 24/04/2019: The supervisor emails us a status report on the defects and response from the certifiers, but the attachment is missing. 01/05/2019: After sending emails and missed phone calls, we finally receive the missing attachment. As part of the response, a large quantity of defects should also be fixed according to the certifier. CJ Homes has fixed a number of them and some are expected to be fixed at a later stage. Other defects are not considered as such by the certifier or it is too late to rectify, notably the stormwater system (Item 2). We notify that defects 1and 2 need to be addressed. Most other defects are either fixed or won't be followed up. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building with CJ Homes 15Jun 15, 2019 1:40 pm 14/6/2019: Fixing inspection takes place with a new inspector as well as a new supervisor. I learn that the previous supervisor has been reassigned to maintenance works. There are 3 tradies (painters) on site at the time of inspection. The work presents generally well. A few minor defects (chips, brick discolouration, dirt) are identified. A lot of work is incomplete and cannot be inspected. Despite being invoiced for fixing stage, the following are missing/incomplete at the time of inspection: - electrical work - toilets, showers, completion of sink installation, sealants - door handles for all internal doors - some paint of the cladding - stormwater system Because of all the dirt and protection for the paint job, a number of items cannot be inspected. The estimated practical completion date is the 13/07 (~150 days after the start date). I am looking forward to the progress in the next couple of weeks. The driveway and landscaping should start in 2 weeks time. As shown below, cladding painting job is in progress. We can clearly see discolouration in the brickwork. However, we'll have to wait until after the bricks have been cleaned. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building with CJ Homes 16May 24, 2020 2:16 am onlyann 14/6/2019: Fixing inspection takes place with a new inspector as well as a new supervisor. I learn that the previous supervisor has been reassigned to maintenance works. There are 3 tradies (painters) on site at the time of inspection. The work presents generally well. A few minor defects (chips, brick discolouration, dirt) are identified. A lot of work is incomplete and cannot be inspected. Despite being invoiced for fixing stage, the following are missing/incomplete at the time of inspection: - electrical work - toilets, showers, completion of sink installation, sealants - door handles for all internal doors - some paint of the cladding - stormwater system Because of all the dirt and protection for the paint job, a number of items cannot be inspected. The estimated practical completion date is the 13/07 (~150 days after the start date). I am looking forward to the progress in the next couple of weeks. The driveway and landscaping should start in 2 weeks time. As shown below, cladding painting job is in progress. We can clearly see discolouration in the brickwork. However, we'll have to wait until after the bricks have been cleaned. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Thank you so much for the step by step information, it's really very helpful. Re: Building with CJ Homes 18Feb 22, 2022 9:03 pm Hello, Lovely home. Can you share some of the upgrades you made and pricing? Thanks! Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74709 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 105579 Hi there! Putting the feelers out there for those who have (or almost) built with Arli homes! Interested in your experiences who've built from their stock home designs… 0 23492 |