Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Porter Davis homes 8267Oct 05, 2013 6:03 pm Our discussion over ducted vacuuming went - if the kids poke something up it it will be the most exy vacuum replacement ever! So hence no ducted for us Re: Porter Davis homes 8268Oct 05, 2013 6:24 pm clairemumto5 Our discussion over ducted vacuuming went - if the kids poke something up it it will be the most exy vacuum replacement ever! So hence no ducted for us we have ducted vacuum in current house for last 8 years (since bought this place), no issues at all. kids tried their best, but nothing happened so far best part is no noise inside, and no frequent bags replacement (one bag lasts a year easily) Re: Porter Davis homes 8269Oct 05, 2013 9:50 pm Hi Everyone! I'm back for round two with PD. After a series of unfortunate events lead to the sale of my last build, I'm starting again, this time on my own! Unfortunately for me, I was not the one that was any good at selecting colours etc last time, my specialty was the electricals, and being a pain in the butt when it came to admin etc. ANYWAY I have selected the Livingstone 20 with the Grand Alfresco option. I originally went the Montague, but changed this as it was just too similar to the last place (we built the Montrose with Grand Alfresco & 4th Bedroom). I really like the plan of the Livingstone, it has the same features I liked about the Montrose, but with an added study area (which of course appeals to the nerd in me). I may end up starting my own thread, or doing a blog as last time, but I thought I would start off with a few questions in here, since it's been a couple of years since I've been through all this, and doing this on my own = needing all the help I can get! Firstly, what are the chances of building a nice looking place while keeping upgrades to a minimum? I'm working on a budget here, but at the same time, I want the place to look good. I've already added a few things, such as the current kitchen promo (with stone benchtop etc) and a glass splashback instead of tiles (I'm happy to listen to suggestions with this if the fashions have changed, last time glass splashback was the go, but I was suprised to find it wasn't offered in the promo packages, and I had to ask for it before anybody mentioned it). Secondly, has anybody got any experience, or feedback with the Bolero flooring VS tiles? We went tiles last time, and were happy with the look, but something is making me lean towards the Bolero this time. Today somebody told me that it's not good, and that you can't get it wet or it will bubble. Would this be correct? As that seems like a bit of a deal breaker to me! Lastly, has anybody opted for those lights that go under the overhead cupboards in the kitchen? If so, what did they cost, and is there anything I should know? Appreciate any help I can get! Re: Porter Davis homes 8270Oct 06, 2013 3:44 pm I believe mumma dj has lights under kicthen bench I think they look great! Wish I had picked them...no idea about changing trends we were budget concious too. We did go bolero as we couldn't afford to upgrade tiles and I know cat 1 tiles aren't coloured through and with 5 kids chips in tiles are unavoidable, at least with the bolero if they wreck it in 10years we can pull it up easily and replace with better tiles then or other flooring... Re: Porter Davis homes 8271Oct 06, 2013 8:34 pm That's a good point about the bolero. I really like how it looks, and all the pics I've seen posted look great too, I guess I was just scared from what I was told about it getting wet! We had cat1 tiles in the last place, and while they turned out good, after only 1 year you could find the odd white mark on the tile, and I also managed to chip a couple, bolero seems a little safer for a clutz like me! It seems like lots of people are using it though, and I'm sure I would have found complaints on the net by now if there was an issue with water Re: Porter Davis homes 8272Oct 07, 2013 10:07 am Just wondering if someone here tried a void upstairs above staircase to keep the house cool? Someone suggested us to go with one, as it will let all hot air out in summer time. but not sure how it will work in winters? I believe it should be operable to leave it open is summer and close during winter time. and also if evaporative cooling ducts requires downstairs or only upstairs? Re: Porter Davis homes 8273Oct 07, 2013 12:13 pm Take two... Our site cut is now re-scheduled for the 15th and slab by the end of the month - weather permitting of course - and as long as the bank don't play anymore tricks on us again... here's hoping Re: Porter Davis homes 8274Oct 07, 2013 1:37 pm Good luck! if it is anything like Meowsy's build you could still be in before the new school year! Re: Porter Davis homes 8275Oct 07, 2013 1:56 pm Multi-post response... Back Pocket, with your vacuum points, check to make sure they're using the right plans, and that the plans don't have massive "dots" where the points should be. If they do, then they might just be following (incorrect) instructions. Putting a vacuum point in can require a bit of adjustment to suit the frame, but putting it into a different room isn't acceptable. As for how they fix it now plaster is up, not your problem. Personally I don't like ducted vacuums. I had it in my last house and while it never broke down it seemed less effective than my Roomba. Wateman, you'll probably find the upgrade costs are largely unavoidable but probably worth it in the long run. Glass splashback is what we went with, but I'm finding it hard to keep clean. Maybe I need better cleaning products? We opted for Bolero floors, and while it has only been a month I'd say they were a good choice. They're quiet, don't freeze your feet off in cold weather, and easy enough to keep clean (Roomba does most of the work). Our layout protects them from getting too severely wet but even that doesn't seem like a big issue. The builder even mopped them during handover - I freaked out, but apparently they do it in every single house! I really like the Bolero product, PD has done me a favour by suggesting it. I also have the under-bench lights. At first I didn't like them but they've grown on me. Unlike downlights they don't consume any cupboard space but bear in mind that they are largely decorative. They're enough to work by at night by themselves, but only if you're trying not to disturb anybody else. They do look really nice when lit though, especially against the glass splashback. Mirz, not 100% sure I understand your question re: evap cooling, but if you're thinking about cooling the house with evap ducts upstairs only what you'll find is that downstairs won't cool at all. You'll also probably find upstairs struggles to keep up with the workload, because the heat from downstairs will rise rather than get pushed outside. My last house had a large void over its staircase, but it was no help in summer that I could detect. In fact, it just gave me a larger mass of air to push around, making my evaporative system struggle even more. Finally, my own update... A month after handover and the house is still standing! The massive winds over recent weeks had me worried, but in the end everything was fine. We're still sorting through a couple of issues but my SS is doing his best to knock these last few things over with some assistance from management. I know I've posted a bit about the frustrating aspects of the process, but the house itself is extremely well built. We keep coming home to a place that makes us smile, and that has to be the most important thing. The soundproofing has turned out well, with very little noise from the local trains being noticed from inside but we have learnt the hard way that these newer home designs have one critical flaw: you can't open the bedroom window while you sleep unless you want the entire street to see you! I'll be getting a quote later this week for window tinting, and investing in some screening plants ASAP, but it really makes me wonder how people with larger front windows survive summer. Re: Porter Davis homes 8276Oct 07, 2013 3:18 pm Lurgen Multi-post response... Back Pocket, with your vacuum points, check to make sure they're using the right plans, and that the plans don't have massive "dots" where the points should be. If they do, then they might just be following (incorrect) instructions. Putting a vacuum point in can require a bit of adjustment to suit the frame, but putting it into a different room isn't acceptable. As for how they fix it now plaster is up, not your problem. Personally I don't like ducted vacuums. I had it in my last house and while it never broke down it seemed less effective than my Roomba. Wateman, you'll probably find the upgrade costs are largely unavoidable but probably worth it in the long run. Glass splashback is what we went with, but I'm finding it hard to keep clean. Maybe I need better cleaning products? We opted for Bolero floors, and while it has only been a month I'd say they were a good choice. They're quiet, don't freeze your feet off in cold weather, and easy enough to keep clean (Roomba does most of the work). Our layout protects them from getting too severely wet but even that doesn't seem like a big issue. The builder even mopped them during handover - I freaked out, but apparently they do it in every single house! I really like the Bolero product, PD has done me a favour by suggesting it. I also have the under-bench lights. At first I didn't like them but they've grown on me. Unlike downlights they don't consume any cupboard space but bear in mind that they are largely decorative. They're enough to work by at night by themselves, but only if you're trying not to disturb anybody else. They do look really nice when lit though, especially against the glass splashback. Mirz, not 100% sure I understand your question re: evap cooling, but if you're thinking about cooling the house with evap ducts upstairs only what you'll find is that downstairs won't cool at all. You'll also probably find upstairs struggles to keep up with the workload, because the heat from downstairs will rise rather than get pushed outside. My last house had a large void over its staircase, but it was no help in summer that I could detect. In fact, it just gave me a larger mass of air to push around, making my evaporative system struggle even more. Finally, my own update... A month after handover and the house is still standing! The massive winds over recent weeks had me worried, but in the end everything was fine. We're still sorting through a couple of issues but my SS is doing his best to knock these last few things over with some assistance from management. I know I've posted a bit about the frustrating aspects of the process, but the house itself is extremely well built. We keep coming home to a place that makes us smile, and that has to be the most important thing. The soundproofing has turned out well, with very little noise from the local trains being noticed from inside but we have learnt the hard way that these newer home designs have one critical flaw: you can't open the bedroom window while you sleep unless you want the entire street to see you! I'll be getting a quote later this week for window tinting, and investing in some screening plants ASAP, but it really makes me wonder how people with larger front windows survive summer. Thanks mate for your feedback on Bolero flooring and Roomba cleaning on its surface. Sounds like you are enjoying new place, that’s great to know. It's very hard job to keep glass splash backs clean, that's why this time we will be going with tiles splash back. specially with Asian style cooking, it takes some time to clean glass splash-back. We have decided to divide our house into three zones for heating. But for cooling, it’s still a big question mark. Evaporative cooling is cheaper to install, and running cost is low too. But still struggling to figure out how it will in double storey house. PD hasn't provided quote on evaporative cooling yet, but mostly builders are installing evaporative cooling upstairs with 5 outlets. Henley quoted in $5300 for a Bravis PD34 unit with 5 outlets in their house Sahara Q1 for $5200 (again upstairs only). I personally don’t want to end up with multiple split systems all around the house. but open to all possibilities. Just wondering what everyone is doing for cooling double storey houses? Re: Porter Davis homes 8277Oct 07, 2013 3:20 pm MummaDJ Hi Mirz Eaves are an upgrade. You might see some facades have eaves, that is included. Eaves are definitely value for money as over time they help with shading on the windows and protection from rain etc. Our upgrade cost was: 450mm eaves to ground floor house and garage - $1270 450mm eaves to the upper floor - $1862 Thanks MummaDJ, we are looking at either Bronte or mayfair facades now. need to figure out if any eaves come as standard with these two facades options. Re: Porter Davis homes 8278Oct 07, 2013 3:28 pm Lurgen Multi-post response... Back Pocket, with your vacuum points, check to make sure they're using the right plans, and that the plans don't have massive "dots" where the points should be. If they do, then they might just be following (incorrect) instructions. Putting a vacuum point in can require a bit of adjustment to suit the frame, but putting it into a different room isn't acceptable. As for how they fix it now plaster is up, not your problem. Personally I don't like ducted vacuums. I had it in my last house and while it never broke down it seemed less effective than my Roomba. Wateman, you'll probably find the upgrade costs are largely unavoidable but probably worth it in the long run. Glass splashback is what we went with, but I'm finding it hard to keep clean. Maybe I need better cleaning products? We opted for Bolero floors, and while it has only been a month I'd say they were a good choice. They're quiet, don't freeze your feet off in cold weather, and easy enough to keep clean (Roomba does most of the work). Our layout protects them from getting too severely wet but even that doesn't seem like a big issue. The builder even mopped them during handover - I freaked out, but apparently they do it in every single house! I really like the Bolero product, PD has done me a favour by suggesting it. I also have the under-bench lights. At first I didn't like them but they've grown on me. Unlike downlights they don't consume any cupboard space but bear in mind that they are largely decorative. They're enough to work by at night by themselves, but only if you're trying not to disturb anybody else. They do look really nice when lit though, especially against the glass splashback. Mirz, not 100% sure I understand your question re: evap cooling, but if you're thinking about cooling the house with evap ducts upstairs only what you'll find is that downstairs won't cool at all. You'll also probably find upstairs struggles to keep up with the workload, because the heat from downstairs will rise rather than get pushed outside. My last house had a large void over its staircase, but it was no help in summer that I could detect. In fact, it just gave me a larger mass of air to push around, making my evaporative system struggle even more. Finally, my own update... A month after handover and the house is still standing! The massive winds over recent weeks had me worried, but in the end everything was fine. We're still sorting through a couple of issues but my SS is doing his best to knock these last few things over with some assistance from management. I know I've posted a bit about the frustrating aspects of the process, but the house itself is extremely well built. We keep coming home to a place that makes us smile, and that has to be the most important thing. The soundproofing has turned out well, with very little noise from the local trains being noticed from inside but we have learnt the hard way that these newer home designs have one critical flaw: you can't open the bedroom window while you sleep unless you want the entire street to see you! I'll be getting a quote later this week for window tinting, and investing in some screening plants ASAP, but it really makes me wonder how people with larger front windows survive summer. Have you tried using on old newspaper with the cleaning product on your splashback? Does the job with glass windows - wonder if splashbacks are the same? Re: Porter Davis homes 8279Oct 07, 2013 3:31 pm lol - we decided on a glass splash back b/c we thought it would be easier to keep clean than tiles and grout oh well, you win some, you lose some! Porter Davis homes 8280Oct 07, 2013 3:54 pm You can use newspaper or paper towel with glass cleaner to clean glass splash back, but issue is how often you clean house windows? This requires cleaning every other day in a busy kitchen, lol. But it looks better compare to tiled splash back. I reckon best option is to keep separate dirty kitchen in gally for frying and messy cooking. This will help to keep main kitchen nice and shiny all the time. Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 14031 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 109681 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 26677 |