Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Custom Build with Carter Grange - Melbourne 2Jan 21, 2013 6:35 pm Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Custom Build with Carter Grange - Melbourne 11Apr 05, 2013 2:22 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Custom Build with Carter Grange - Melbourne 16Apr 28, 2013 9:48 am Hi all, I am new to this forum but have been reading with great interest. Like Agape, I have built with Henley several years ago and had a good experience with them. This time around we are looking to build a quasi-custom build with a better quality and I am very close to signing a contract with Carter Grange but the mixed reviews about their jelly-like quotes and admin problems are making me nervous. CG have assured me that they can build for $450k or under based on our discussions to date and my description of what I want, but can I trust them ? Agape's extra $100,000 above nominated budget is making me nervous ! I am desperate to know who the GOOD vs BAD admin people are at CG ! I am fussy and fastidious for detail and if I get a slack admin person it will end badly for both of us. Can you guys tell me who to ask for at CG when it coes to admin ???? Re: Custom Build - Melbourne 17May 01, 2013 4:30 pm Hi All, We are brand new to the forum but reading with interest all of the comments about Carter Grange. We got in touch with CG back in early March after we had read some great reviews elsewhere. We went initially to get a quote for a custom build. We visited the office, put down our $1500 deposit and waited for the magic to begin! We set our budget at $400k and we were after a 4 bedroom double storey home, around the 38 square mark. First off, we were told they couldn't do a custom build for that price, it would be better to alter one of their current floor plans - so we went for the Metropol. Site and soil surveys and alterations through, the price came in at $428k. A 5% blow out we could deal with. But then we noticed something strange on the siting plan and tender - there was only allowance for one retaining wall, when we had specifically asked for retaining walls to both sides and rear boundaries. When I asked the tender presenter about it, she said she would get engineering to look into it and get back to us. 3 days later we got the call - $56k for 2 retaining walls! I just about had a heart attack! I told the tender presenter (very nicely, of course) that for $56k I would take a year off work and dig it out by hand! Went to our colour appointment and managed to add another $22K by changing from tiles to bamboo, upgrading kitchen cabinets and the stone benches by one category. We went to Carter Grange because we were hoping to get a custom product built with excellent inclusions. They also promised to stick to the budget. If you include the upgrades and the retaining walls, the final price is more than $100K over budget. With the exception of a couple of people, the CG service has been average and we have just been so disappointed with the whole experience. Thinking it's time to move on and engage another builder. Re: Custom Build - Melbourne 18May 17, 2013 12:30 pm Hi It is sounding like CG is becoming more expensive now. I've started my dealings with CG in May 2012 and as stated in other forums I've manage to get a 29squares 2 storey house for slightly under 300k - including all upgrades that I think was around 60-70K in total. This is also a custom build based on my own design. The only thing I copied from CG is the facade with slight modification to fit the size of my house. I did manage to get all the standard inclusions (stone benchtop, semi-commercial glass doors and windows etc, etc,..) Before committing to CG I found them highly recommended online. I think my mistake and I'm sure some of you might be in the same boat as me is that I forgot that although CG is by far the best builder to deal with they don't use special tradies to build their homes. Hence, expect that the end product will be exactly the same as the rest of the other builders. I suggest that you be involve as much as you can. The good thing about CG is their Site Supervisor (at least mine) listens and do something about issues I raise. I suppose in terms of pricing, they're there to make money. Despite getting what I think is a good price for my house, I still feel ripped off in some regards. For instance, for a 6meters x 2.5meters alfresco I was charged ~15k in total. For a 3.8m by 2m balcony without roof I was quoted over 20k (for which I ended up not getting). In the end, I think I'm getting the house that I want. Might not be the dream house we wanted but good enough for the cost. Re: Custom Build - Melbourne 19Jun 29, 2013 2:01 pm We are also building with Carter Grange and can happily report that we are delighted with the build so far. We are almost at lockup, if not today - then Monday or Tuesday next week. The price is probably going up as Carter Grange has become quite popular, though I doubt that you could get a better deal. I have paid about 11K per square metre for a highly customised house, same thing should realistically cost around 13K. For budgeting I would subtract $50-60K for finishes such as driveways, fences, landscaping, new furniture etc, then divide the rest by 12, and that will tell you what size house you should be looking at. As for Admin, I try to look at the issue from their side, they are only working with what they are told and are not in a position to comment on much, they have either passed on your request to the whomever needs to deal it, or are passing on what they have been told. Best thing if there is disagreement is to politely point out the issue for their noting (not action), and ask who to follow up with. I have found this necessary in a minority of interactions, and the outcome achieved my objectives, provided clarity to admin, and removed unnecessary angst. The admin people I have dealt with at CG have been great and are only trying to help and get their and your job done. They deal with quite a few jobs at once and are only the messengers. I suggest if there is an issue, politely take it to the source as quickly as possible and don't shoot the messengers Carter Grange Radisson Carter Grange Custom Radisson 43 with rear balcony (see CG Build for details). Re: Custom Build - Melbourne 20May 23, 2014 10:40 pm Agape As I understand it, it is something to do with the Stormwater. We have to run the stormwater thru our neighbours property (sub-divided lot) due to the fall of the land, our land falls to the back instead of the front meaning we can not drain to the front road. I think the house elevations only need to be changed by 10mm, which I think is ridiculous - after today meeting we are at our wits end with building. Hi Agape, Just wondering how you overcame the drainage issue. Did you simple raise the level of the slab or implement another system. Looks like I have the same issue to contend with ------------------------------------------- Build Thread - Mainvue Emporio ER430 KDR https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=76790&p=1332227&hilit=mainvue#p1332227 Hello, we can help you please get in contact 0421019219 thank you 3 32157 Hi, can anyone recommend a custom home builder who can build in north east area? Looking to build a custom 4-br energy-efficient home with a max budget of 750k. If they… 0 23253 I'd get the gutters to match your roof and pipes to match the paint - otherwise they become a feature. Nice pick with the paint colours! 1 34609 |