Boutique Homes

TheMC · Aug 12, 2014 12:06 pm

charlie01

TheMC, maybe you could book some time to go into the Boutique offices and spend a couple of hours looking through all the options? That way you'll be better prepared on the day?

Our frame is up and windows are in. I guess the roofing and guttering is next?

Nice progress, Charlie - must be nice to see it all ticking along!

Sorry, should have mentioned that we have been in to the Docklands showroom and we took photos of most of the colours we liked, grabbed some samples, noted some of the upgrades we'd like and got a general feel for how we'd like the home to look.

It was good to 'dip the feet in' and understand what sorts of things we will need to be picking out.

We were, however, very rushed around the room by the Sales person on the day, then handed a pen and notepad and then left to our own devices (lots of others in there doing the same thing, so understandable). So we probably didn't go through everything in fine detail, but enough to know what to expect, which is the main aim of the visit I guess!

Thanks for the reply mate!

charlie01 · Aug 12, 2014 12:09 pm

We pretty much knew what we wanted when we went in for the pre-start meeting but we saw other home buyers who were clearly having to make decisions on the fly. Stressful!

suranga7667 · Aug 12, 2014 5:00 pm

hi i am new to the thread. i too building with boutique. still waiting till my developer approval come through. been 3 weeks now this is 4th week running, then council approval. don't know how long it will take. hmmm ... seems i wont be able to settle in in this year. anyway seems you guys not experience much issues during building which is greatly satisfying given the amount of some major issues are found with other builders by some people.
any thoughts???

Bandha · Aug 12, 2014 7:38 pm

News today that the framework was completed, as well as the fascia installation and roof rail. This week I have the roof cover and internal lock up due, along with plumbing and electrical rough in's.

TheMC: My advice would be to do some homework & go into your meeting aware of any items which you're prepared to go to an outside provider for. The colours process is generally a bit rushed & they won't invite you to do these sort of variations for a 3rd party provider. It can muck up things as the Boutique SS loses control over scheduling & quality, but it is an option if you're prepared to step in and handle it.

An example is that I wasn't happy with any of the flooring options and ended up compromising with a laminate, which is not what I originally intended. I've since seen others who have gone to the trouble of sourcing their flooring independently - it was a pain & more trouble & effort for them, but they got what they wanted in the end. You see the vast tile choices etc shown on The Block - you wont get offered anything like that range although there are quite a number of nice options. Just be prepared to raise the question of this 3rd party option with your consultant if you don't see something you're happy with.

Pippa1987 · Aug 13, 2014 4:43 pm

Hey Guys, Been ages since I posted anything. Our house is now plastered which is the best feeling yet. We had a big delay due to the windows being incorrect and new ones taking about 2 weeks to get in. Despite this we are still over the moon with Boutique. Our site supervisor is fantastic. Keeps everything moving along when trades are there and very accommodating.

Our timber floor boards are going in next week which I am really excited about. This was a late addition as we were going to tile everything (fiance is a tiler) however we just couldn't find tiles we were 100% happy with. Ended up going with Grey Ironbark Hardwood Timber which I think looks amazing. Hopefully ours will look something like this

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Other photos:

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Site is a mess but that is only because of the delay meaning the bricky hasn't been able to finish and as such they haven't been able to get the bobcat in to move it. The house is always swept clean and generally is very tidy.

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Anyone interested in more photos can go to my blog barcelona28.wordpress.com

Hope everyone else is coming along.

Bandha · Aug 13, 2014 5:19 pm

Great progress Pippa. I also like the furniture on your blog, I have to start getting my head around this now as well, lots to buy. My blog is here: http://bellarinebuild.blogspot.com.au/

It amazes me how many of us in this chat are at a similar stage. no wonder Boutique have money to splash around on TV ads now. I was informed today that my frame stage is complete (invoice arrived 5 minutes later!). That's two invoices in two weeks.

suranga7667 · Aug 14, 2014 9:35 am

hi,
did anyone got double glazing windows from boutique as standard?

charlie01 · Aug 14, 2014 2:39 pm

suranga7667

hi,
did anyone got double glazing windows from boutique as standard?

We specified double glazing on almost all our doors and windows, mainly to keep out road noise. We paid extra for it. However, I think they will include double glazing where necessary to meet the 6 star energy efficiency rating. That might just be one or two windows here or there. I doubt they would provide double glazing throughout as standard.

Monty39 · Aug 14, 2014 5:59 pm

Hi Pippa, your photos look great. What is the name of your darker brick colour do you know?

Thanks

Bandha · Aug 14, 2014 7:26 pm

suranga7667

hi,
did anyone got double glazing windows from boutique as standard?

Same as Charlie. When they get the energy assessment done, if it's below minimum requirements they have to do something to bring the rating up & double glazing is one option but it's their call. eg they might just upgrade the ceiling or wall insulation instead.

Pippa1987 · Aug 14, 2014 8:53 pm

Thanks Bandha. Love Dare gallery.

hey Monty I believe the bricks are Hawksburn. They were from their cat 4 brick range. They are on the display at warralily. The ones on the front will obviously be rendered. They look terrible

Suranga we got one window double glazed for nothing as it was obviously required to meet the energy rating. Wish we could have afforded to do everywhere but the stacker doors were about $3k each

fruitlubes · Aug 14, 2014 10:58 pm

Looking great Pippa, it's so exciting seeing each stage and how it's all coming together. The floors you've chosen look fantastic.

Suranga, we didn't get any double glazing but due to the 6 star we got 6 of our windows double glazed for nothing, which is great..

The Mc, for your pre start I would suggest you have an electrical plan thought out too.. Makes it a lot easier and quicker process.. Make sure you include your extra powerpoints on it as well..

TheMC · Aug 15, 2014 9:50 am

Thanks for the replies everyone, will take your suggestions on board and hopefully not get too overwhelmed by it all on the day.

Pippa, coming along nicely - Love the look you're aiming for.
A couple more blogs with yours and Bandha's now added to the list, thanks for sharing guys!

suranga7667 · Aug 15, 2014 2:16 pm

thanks everyone.
i got 2 windows double glazed, one in front and one in back. does not make any sense to me.how you gonna achieve 6 star rating with 2 double glazed windows??? they seems just doing it just to satisfy the customer but not any meaning full way.
fruitlubes good on ya, you are lucky to have 6 windows double glazed. i heard they pretty expensive.
pippa you and me not so that lucky. lol

Bandha · Aug 15, 2014 4:47 pm

They have formulae to give a standard energy saving based on aspect, shade, etc, hence they can improve the rating with a limited number of windows done. I got double glazing all round, I don't think it was all that expensive. Glass was in before the frame was finished.

Just got my frame inspection report today, looks like the roof is on now. About half a dozen defects identified, nothing critical. The reports are well worth the money, I think.

Bandha · Aug 17, 2014 11:32 pm

More progress, my frame is wrapped and roof tiles are on. This is the back:
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The mud is unbelievable, it had hardly rained in the days before this shot was taken. Any tips on how to prep this sort of clay for a garden would be appreciated - I have no clue?

I also noticed that the put in a gas line for my (electric) oven. I raised this about 4 or 5 times until they removed it from the plan, so it seems the tradies go on auto-pilot for Boutique standards rather than look at the plans properly.

fruitlubes · Aug 18, 2014 12:49 pm

Had our report back from our inspector too.. only about 4-5 minor items on it.. which is great..

Can't really help much about the clay question, ours is wet too but starting to dry up.. maybe you need some crushed rock there to help for now..

Bandha · Aug 19, 2014 12:45 pm

Those of you getting 3rd party inspections - how re you dealing with Boutique on the defects? Are you holding back payment until they fix them &, if so, how do they react when you go past the invoice due date?

charlie01 · Aug 19, 2014 12:56 pm

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Snap!

Bandha, we had clay soil in my old place in Clifton Hill. While we were renovating the clay was so thick and sticky it would cling to the bottom of my Blundstones and start building up so it felt like I was walking on stilts!

When we got to the landscaping stage I got the bobcat driver to excavate the flower beds to about a metre deep, treated them with gypsum and filled them with quality compost. After a year they were back to clay again! Once you have planted, you won't really notice the clay until you have to dig a hole or pull out a tree stump.

insider · Aug 19, 2014 2:42 pm

Bandha

More progress, my frame is wrapped and roof tiles are on. This is the back:
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The mud is unbelievable, it had hardly rained in the days before this shot was taken. Any tips on how to prep this sort of clay for a garden would be appreciated - I have no clue?

I also noticed that the put in a gas line for my (electric) oven. I raised this about 4 or 5 times until they removed it from the plan, so it seems the tradies go on auto-pilot for Boutique standards rather than look at the plans properly.

Bandha
Try to get your SS to put temporary downpipes in which will help your site not be so boggy and also so they comply with the Australian standards.