Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 25May 01, 2013 2:14 pm Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 27May 01, 2013 7:52 pm Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 30May 02, 2013 1:54 pm Thanks carak777 for the wonderful welcome...yes there's so much to learn on this forum. It makes building so much easier than it would normally be. Certainly not too many questions...The North Kellyville area was released in 2008 and was not originally planned for large scale subdivision due to the sensitivity of the Cattai and Smalls Creek catchments. Therefore much of the riparian corridors are zoned for environmental living, that is blocks backing the bush corridor usually 1-2 acres. Gardeners Ridge is right alongside these zones. Luckily though we escape the BAL 12.5 zone by 100m. The land is expected to be registered in November '13 so we'll hopefully commence building soon after. We're getting in early with Kurmond to make sure we're ready to go, especially choosing colours! We were initially looking at the Sapphire 32, but realised that the Sierra 31 was more functional and we visited the display at Homeworld South 3 times before deciding finally. We got a pre-tender from Macdonald Jones, however DW wanted the master bedroom at the front (sticky beak) and their prices were slightly higher. Plus our developer who also lives in Gardeners Ridge was alarmed that there quite a few MJ homes being proposed already. I'd initially enquired with Kurmond regarding split level homes / site costs etc and P called me to provide some useful information. I didn't realise he was the owner. I then talked to him about single storeys and he asked me to come see him directly at Windsor after visiting the display home, and we went from there. B was excellent as he went beyond just adjusting our floorplan. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. Hopefully we'll have some preliminary plans next week. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 31May 02, 2013 3:20 pm mars78 good on you for getting in early, making decisions can take forever if you are anything like DH and myself (we are now wondering if we should change the facade ). It's great that you missed the BAL by 100m, we are not so 'lucky', we have a BAL of 40 back and sides and 29 at the front which add's a great deal of expense to the build. Glad you found P very helpful and it is nice to know that you can actually taking to the owner/director - not knocking the sales people but talking to the 'top' is somehow reassuring, well it was/is for me. Love the Sierra design, when we have inspected it at Catherine Fields it feels very welcoming and comfortable. Spent a lot of time in the kitchen/family area, felt like a real home. Could be the way it was furnished not sure but felt as though I could just sit and relax for ever. Really looking forward to checking out your plans. If you have any questions just ask, hopefully someone will know the answer, if not we will all ask P (perhaps I had better not ask any more questions, I am sure P is so sick of all my questions he has put my email address in the blocked sender list section ) Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 32May 02, 2013 6:32 pm Welcome Mars. Talk about asking too many questions. When I rang D last he used my name straight away. Kinda welcoming and scary he knows my number already. LOL, poor him and we have only just begun. We are dealing with D at home world south, he has been good. I think P emailed me initially in response to an Internet query but the we started speaking to D. So far so good. Hanging out to Sunday, babysitters organised. Keen to get the ball rolling on the plans. Also getting the house layout positioned on our block to get an idea of landscaping needs and where we should put our pool. Getting closer to a decision there also. Funny how some of you talk about not using the dishwasher, with three kids ours is full everyday plus extra washing for the drying rack. Endless! Great to see there are a few if us. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 33May 02, 2013 6:46 pm I think if we had three children we would need to use a dishwasher as well. The first person we spoke to at Kurmond was D and he was extremely helpful. Happy to hear that you have organised the babysitter and that Sunday is 'house day', so much to see, so much to ask, you will most probably come home exhausted, mind spinning, excited & overwhelmed. Can't wait to hear how it all goes. If you want to confused D, change phones occasionally that should do the trick. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 34May 02, 2013 7:04 pm mars78 Hi All Great to see a new Kurmond thread! ... Kurmond impressed us with their designs, inclusions and pricing. Despite reading the negative comments on product review etc, I’m fairly comfortable going with Kurmond as I know of horror stories with many other builders, big and small. A lot of the comments have related to administration and communications, but what I’m interested in is the finished product over anything else. We’re building a modified version of the Sierra 31 in North Kellyville – gardenersridge.com Yah - welcome to the 'gang' Mars78 : great to have another Kurmond builder find this emerging thread ... I think at the end of this process we need to throw a big luncheon in a park somewhere to pat each other on the back for getting through the stresses. You are building in another great part of Sydney and I'm pretty confidence that P and all his team are going give you just the perfect home! My DW and I considered Eden Brae early in the piece, but found their "business model" a bit bloated for us (that is, we dealt with salespeople, and as nice as they are, they are not the owners of the business - the actual builder!) mars78 Looking forward to discussing all challenges and triumphs along the way. I will post the amended plans once I get them. Can't wait to see the plans, and once again, welcome aboard Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 35May 02, 2013 7:07 pm mars78 We were initially looking at the Sapphire 32, but realised that the Sierra 31 was more functional and we visited the display at Homeworld South 3 times before deciding finally. We got a pre-tender from Macdonald Jones, however DW wanted the master bedroom at the front (sticky beak) and their prices were slightly higher. Plus our developer who also lives in Gardeners Ridge was alarmed that there quite a few MJ homes being proposed already. Forgot to add - what a great design you've chosen!! We are going with the Glenleigh design and hope to have "version B" plans back in a few weeks. Mind you, with all these good people like you mars78 coming onto the Kurmond list, they are going to be busy, that's for sure. As for MDJ Homes - yep, been there done that with them. Pass. Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 36May 02, 2013 7:10 pm carak777 .. we are not so 'lucky', we have a BAL of 40 back and sides and 29 at the front which add's a great deal of expense to the build. -Yes, those wretched BALs carak777 ... we got lucky in the Southern Highlands and don't those challenges - instead we have rivers to watch out for! - Any news from your "lovely" bank - the bank we will all vote Bank of the Year if they get back to our friend carak777!!! Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 37May 02, 2013 7:13 pm UpsizeTime Hanging out to Sunday, babysitters organised. Keen to get the ball rolling on the plans. Also getting the house layout positioned on our block to get an idea of landscaping needs and where we should put our pool. Getting closer to a decision there also. Great to see there are a few if us. - UpsizeTime I think "Sunday" needs to be re-named "House Design Building Day!" what do you think? Mind you, this week we need to make it a Saturday, so we will be out and about looking at bricks (thanks to carak777 and her DH for all the tips there!), and might try dropping into Homeworld just the hell of it! - Oh - better go and wash the dishes Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 38May 02, 2013 7:35 pm Had to share this view - it was sent to me by a friend of a friend today. Autumn in Bowral has a particular colour about it, doesn't it?! http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r784/unrealhome/highlands_pic_today_zps4529b5ff.jpg Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 39May 02, 2013 8:03 pm unrealhome I think at the end of this process we need to throw a big luncheon in a park somewhere to pat each other on the back for getting through the stresses. Hi unrealhome... DH just said why wait until the end, we need to get together now and pat each other on the back Rang the bank again - "looking good" - yah sure what does that mean!!! Hopefully that is bank talk for "yes" but until I see something in writing, I am not going to be convinced and don't want to get my hopes up to be disappointed. I know this is going to sound really, really strange but I'm excited for you going to the brick places... great to see bricks 'in real life' and walls of bricks not just photo's - don't forget you can take samples home - we will be able to build a great letterbox with all our samples... If you drop into Homeworld the Kurmond display home has all the Diamond Package Inclusions - great to see what they are and how they look in a home. Just saw the Bowral Autumn - beautiful... also love Tulip Time in October Re: Building with Kurmond Homes 40May 02, 2013 8:37 pm carak777 ... It's great that you missed the BAL by 100m, we are not so 'lucky', we have a BAL of 40 back and sides and 29 at the front which add's a great deal of expense to the build. carak777 I can't imagine what the extra costs would be for BAL 40! P had estimated $10K for the Sierra when I enquired. But your view to the bush does look serene. I'd assume its a steep drop from the photo Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 76061 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 106743 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 24620 |