GJ Gardner Melb Inner East

adi1506 · Jul 05, 2020 4:44 pm

Hi guys,

I was hoping to get some feedback on GJ Gardner Melbourne Inner East franchise builder.

We are close to progressing with them on our knockdown rebuild project in Box Hill, Victoria. All has gone well so far and the sales process has been pretty good...especially when compared to our experience with other builders. We have however not spoken to anyone who has had personal experience with the builder. We are keen to get feedback on how the entire build process if possible - contract signing through to construction and post handover.

Just as a background - ours is a custom build but heavily inspired from one of GJ Gardner's standard designs (Greenbay 274). Our block is somewhat unique in that it has crossfall of about 4 meters and is quite square in shape...hence our preference for a custom build. GJ Gardner seems to have a good reputation in our area and there are a few similar builds happening nearby. Cost wise we are likely to end up somewhere near $1,750 per sqm with some decent high end upgrades and customization to the standard design. It seems a bit on the high end ...any thoughts on that would be great as well!

Thanks again...

Cheers,
Adi

djdommo · Jul 16, 2020 8:42 pm

Hi, we have just received a quote from GJ for the Forest Park 307. It came to around $1,488 per sqm (excluding demolition). it will be constructed on timber supended flooring on stumps. Not sure whather that helps. Not sure whether they are constructing on a concrete slab or other method. My fall is 2.5 metres, so perhaps there is extra cost on the 4 metres crossfall.

adi1506 · Jul 16, 2020 9:48 pm

Hi djdommo,

Thanks for replying! We are going with the Greenbay 274 which is a double storey plan. The sales guy had said that the second level adds about $40-50k. May I ask if your quote above includes site costs and upgrades and if so roughly how much are the upgrade costs?

We are progressing with GJ on the design stage and will get firm costing in the next month or so. So far have had a good experience with them and their references have checked out well. Just unsure on costing...keeping fingers crossed!

Good luck with your build.

Cheers,
Adi

djdommo · Jul 17, 2020 10:51 am

Hi, the way they have quoted the build it’s hard to separate the upgrades. It does include the kitchen upgrades such as stone tops, pot draws, the electrical upgrades, laminate flooring, driveway. It was an additional $25k for the timber flooring. The site works have also been included. The pricing needs to be clarified with soil and land survey.
I have seen examples of GJ Gardner’s projects and they seem like they are great builders.

itsMeTino · Jul 17, 2020 11:53 am

Hi. I have just found a FB page for people who are building or considering GJG.
I am in Sydney (Austral) and I am going to build with their Liverpool team.
If you look and join their FB page there are heaps of people building with them all over Australia.

adi1506 · Jul 17, 2020 12:39 pm

Thanks itsMe Tino!
I assume this is the group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/243128330182805/

Norfolk · Jul 17, 2020 12:59 pm

Note GJG is not a builder.

They are a franchise marketing company like Jim's Mowing, Gloria Jeans etc. Their project results will vary across the country depending upon the capability and attitudes of their individual franchisees and their subcontractors.

itsMeTino · Jul 17, 2020 1:34 pm

adi1506

Thanks itsMe Tino!
I assume this is the group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/243128330182805/

Hi Adi1506 - yep that’s the group 👍

itsMeTino · Jul 17, 2020 1:44 pm

Norfolk

Note GJG is not a builder.

They are a franchise marketing company like Jim's Mowing, Gloria Jeans etc. Their project results will vary across the country depending upon the capability and attitudes of their individual franchisees and their subcontractors.

Hi Norfolk thanks for the advice and valuable feedback. I have learnt so much from this place and for everyone’s opinions as it always helps avoiding those bear traps 😃

Notwithstanding GJG being a franchise I am aware the directors of each of their branches are builders with many years of experience so that gives great confidence to novices (like me 😎)

From my (very little) knowledge (but lots of stalking and researching) GJG are quite consistent and “picky” when it comes to picking trades. They seem very fussy with who they work with. IMO that’s a positive thing.

Norfolk · Jul 17, 2020 2:45 pm

Quality can vary. As research I would suggest asking the GJG local franchise directors for the contact details of 5 customers who have built with them, with these customers' prior permissions of course, and speak with at least 3 of them directly (either in person or by mobile phone call back - to be sure they are real). A good company such as GJG should have no problems providing such business references. If any GJG franchise won't provide these referees that would be a significant concern warranting further investigation.

itsMeTino · Jul 17, 2020 10:07 pm

alymei · Oct 11, 2020 6:36 am

adi1506

Thanks itsMe Tino!
I assume this is the group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/243128330182805/

Am keen to see your plans? We are looking at the greenbay 322 as inspiration

adi1506 · Oct 24, 2020 2:34 pm

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Sorry for the delayed response...I hadn't logged into this forum for a while. See below our 'pretty close to final' plan. While we started with Greenbay 273 ...its heavily customised now. The total area including garage and outdoor space is now to 306 m2.

Lot212 · Nov 10, 2020 1:51 pm

We're building with them. Complete and utter regret. Never again.

The biggest issue - they could not do what was agreed in the contract. Blamed their own draftsman.
We had to revisit the plans, find an alternative solution and pay extra on top of what we already paid for what was not delivered.

Constant delays. No attention to detail whatsoever. No care.

It's the 4th builder we're dealing with and by far, they've been the worst.