Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 17, 2008 1:18 pm Is anyone else building at Hawkstowe? We have a block on Hawkstowe Parade (lot 439), opposite the Park and proposed community centre (by the way, does anyone know what this building is going to be?).
Anyway, our block is relatively flat, but has a lot of engineered fill on it. We got a quote for site costs from one of the major builders and it came back approx 27k, which I felt was exhorbitant. They claimed that the sewarage pipe in the rear easement was buried 7m deep, and due to the 'angle of repose' we would need to do extensive piering etc to the rear of our house. I found it amazing that the sewar would be that deep, and after sending many emails back and forth to Stocklands, they told me that it was actually only 1.5m deep. ??? Very confusing... needless to say, we are seeking another opinion and looking to go with another builder (H3nley). I am particularly interested to know if anyone else has had any issues building on engineered fill at Hawkstowe, and what were the quotes for site costs. We are building a two storey. Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ Re: Building at Hawkstowe 2Sep 17, 2008 1:33 pm I'm just up the road at Mernda Villages, but there are quite a few H1 forumers (is that a word??) currently building or aobut to build in Hawkstowe.
Newbies, Ch0p, MikkyG, JT, corusant.....to name a few. You can use the search option (top right hand corner of this screen) or look in the section that you posted this thread in. Hope you get some answers. $27k is alot of $$$. We fixed ours with PD at $10k and our neighbours were quoted $30k with H*nley Re: Building at Hawkstowe 3Sep 17, 2008 5:10 pm Jas 'n' Rach Is anyone else building at Hawkstowe? We have a block on Hawkstowe Parade (lot 439), opposite the Park and proposed community centre (by the way, does anyone know what this building is going to be?). Anyway, our block is relatively flat, but has a lot of engineered fill on it. We got a quote for site costs from one of the major builders and it came back approx 27k, which I felt was exorbitant. They claimed that the sewarage pipe in the rear easement was buried 7m deep, and due to the 'angle of repose' we would need to do extensive piering etc to the rear of our house. I found it amazing that the sewar would be that deep, and after sending many emails back and forth to Stocklands, they told me that it was actually only 1.5m deep. ??? Very confusing... needless to say, we are seeking another opinion and looking to go with another builder (H3nley). I am particularly interested to know if anyone else has had any issues building on engineered fill at Hawkstowe, and what were the quotes for site costs. We are building a two storey. Hi Jas n Rach, I'm also building in Hawkstowe (East section) will see you around soon no doubt. $27k, tell them the classic line from the movie 'the castle' - tell em there dreaming. that ain't exorbitant thats highway robbery. But thats exactly how the big volume builders make there money. Get a quotation from a local excavation company, they will tell you the honest truth. Re: Building at Hawkstowe 5Sep 17, 2008 7:52 pm Hi Jas n Rach,
Sounds like we are neighbours - just a few lots away from you guys. We fixed our site costs through PD and paid about $8000. Friends of ours just a bit further down the road (still on Hawkstowe pde) didn't fix and paid about 7,000 with the big M. Sounds a bit steep to me. To be honest though - through our tender process we didn't take too much notice about that because we had fixed ours. Kerrie Re: Building at Hawkstowe 6Sep 17, 2008 8:22 pm Hi we are over in the west section of Hawkstowe and again we fixed with PD, the exact cost I don't know but it certainly wasn't anything like 27K. I think you are seeing a pattern here from the responses that suggest a second opinion might be on the cards
Best of luck! Re: Building at Hawkstowe 7Sep 17, 2008 8:26 pm Hi Jas 'n' Rach!
We're building in Hawkstowe East too (as H2b said). Welcome ur site costs sounds really really high! esp cos being a developed estate, i didn't think prices could get that high! Our block is flat as well, i think there was a bit of lift and fill that needed to be done and we fixed our site costs with PD for about $10k or something like that (heheh fiance takes care of the $$! hhahaha). I know stockland compacted the land but I haven't heard of anyone paying any more than that in hawkstowe..... i would def question that with ur builder and keep persisting with ur builder and stockland i'm not sure if that helped much Re: Building at Hawkstowe 8Sep 17, 2008 8:29 pm Hi, we're building in Hawkstowe too and our site cost came back at just over 16k which I still think is a bit steep. However, our SC at PD said there had been blocks with up to 22k in site costs! So given that, 27k still seems rediculously high! Re: Building at Hawkstowe 9Sep 17, 2008 8:50 pm Thanks guys!
It gives me some confidence as we await the results of our soil tests from H3nley. I will be going back to Simmonds and asking for a please explain, and at least part of our deposit back. Geez I didn't realise there was so many Hawkstowe locals here. It looks as though it is going to be a nice little community. I look forward to the community bbq's in the Park! I can't wait to get our house started, just waiting for finance approval! Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ Re: Building at Hawkstowe 10Sep 17, 2008 8:58 pm Hello!,
With our bit of land at hawkstowe east, site cost was $22K. and this is with natural land, no fill.. When we were choosing out a block I was told by Stocklands sales rep that building on 'fill' is going to be more expensive, did stocklands not inform you of this also? Re: Building at Hawkstowe 11Sep 17, 2008 10:52 pm I don't recall Stocklands mentioning that it might be more expensive. They did say it was fully compacted, and the compaction reports to prove it was up to the required level. I was happy that our block was flat, and I thought that if we have fill, we would be less likely to find any big rocks!
Anyway, fingers crossed! Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ Re: Building at Hawkstowe 12Sep 17, 2008 11:14 pm kezandcheds Sounds like we are neighbours - just a few lots away from you guys.Kerrie Kerrie, shame you didn't keep your blog up. I drive past your house every week to have a peek!!! It's looking great!!! I see you have another Cremorne a few block down on the next corner. How is it all going with yours? You must be getting close! Happy at Home Re: Building at Hawkstowe 13Sep 18, 2008 5:47 pm S1monds finally got back to me today. They say there is nothing that they can do to reduce the site costs on my block.
Because the block has 2-3m of fill, I need to have further reinforcement in my slab, which I can understand. However, the main reason is that they say, the sewerage pipe in my rear easement is buried 7.093m deep. This pipe is in my lot, 1.16m from the rear boundary. Due to the angle of repose (45 degrees for clay soils), any building within 7.093m of that pipe needs to be further reinforced with screw piles etc. In other words, if I build within 8.3m (7.093 + 1.16) of the rear boundary I need screw piles. Has anyone else on Hawkstowe Parade around the main park have this problem? We are now looking at another home design that is 'shorter' and will keep us as far away from the rear boundary as possible. Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ Re: Building at Hawkstowe 14Sep 18, 2008 5:51 pm ohhh thats no good Jas 'n' Rach...did u guys know that u had that sewerage pipe when u brought the block? i hope u guys can either find a house that can build on ur block...or start growing that money tree? hehe
sorry i cant really help, we purposely stayed away from blocks with any eavements to avoid this exact problem.... good luck though! and keep us posted Re: Building at Hawkstowe 15Sep 19, 2008 7:20 am Jas 'n' Rach S1monds finally got back to me today. They say there is nothing that they can do to reduce the site costs on my block. Because the block has 2-3m of fill, I need to have further reinforcement in my slab, which I can understand. However, the main reason is that they say, the sewerage pipe in my rear easement is buried 7.093m deep. This pipe is in my lot, 1.16m from the rear boundary. Due to the angle of repose (45 degrees for clay soils), any building within 7.093m of that pipe needs to be further reinforced with screw piles etc. In other words, if I build within 8.3m (7.093 + 1.16) of the rear boundary I need screw piles. Has anyone else on Hawkstowe Parade around the main park have this problem? We are now looking at another home design that is 'shorter' and will keep us as far away from the rear boundary as possible. Have you spoke to Stockland? They should know exactly how much fill they put on your land from there engineering, if Stockland say 1.5m fill and the builder reckons 2-3m then either (A) Stockland put to much fill on the land and need to remove some themselves, or (B) get an independent soil test done, because your current builder could be taking you for a ride. Best of luck with your build. Re: Building at Hawkstowe 16Sep 19, 2008 9:20 am Thanks Snake...am currently awaiting soil test results from H3nley. We weren't entirely happy with the service we were receiving from S1monds anyway. Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ Re: Building at Hawkstowe 18Sep 19, 2008 9:44 am Would be good. We should organise a community bbq soon...for current and future residents.
We most likely wont be moving in for 12 months, but would be good to meet some people in the area. Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ Re: Building at Hawkstowe 19Sep 19, 2008 6:18 pm House to be,
Are you building on Mernda Villages Drive. Your house in your avatar looks a lot like a house being built about 5 blocks up from us. We could be neighbours. My site costs were approx $7000. I can't remember the exact number. I couldn't imagine being hit with 27K though. I would be devastated. Hopefully there will be good news for you Jas n Rach Re: Building at Hawkstowe 20Sep 19, 2008 8:40 pm Thanks B&D, we are confident that we will get a better result with a new builder. Fingers crossed!
Been out this afternoon looking at bricks...and doing our 'umpteenth' drive through, of Hawkstowe to look at what other people have chosen. We are tossing up between the Austral Maize and Austral Latrobe bricks. Built in now city 2009, now moving to the country to embark on another build. Check out our previous blog http://ourpalazzo.blogspot.com/ go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110585 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11039 |