Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 863Nov 13, 2008 10:45 pm VJ, you are coming up against a similar problem to us. Kevin uncovers a mountain of issues of which are seemingly impossible to get fixed in a reasonable period of time. We are 5 weeks on from our Practical Completion Inspection and have only had a small percentage of the issues fixed.
We have decided to make a list of only the things that really need fixing and to give up on the rest. Even with the list we have now it feels like it will never get done. Our SS promised us handover tomorrow morning but this afternoon's drive by showed almost all issues unfixed. I wonder if he will show up at the scheduled time of 10:00am? Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 864Nov 14, 2008 8:11 am Quote: I'm really keen to hear your thoughts about defects #8 (air vent) & 10 (exhaust fan). For the issues #8, we asked our ss before, the vent should not be direct at the top of stair. For the issues #10, if the power room don't have window, it need to dust to outside. we pay $120 get it done to comply with the BASIX requirement. Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 865Nov 14, 2008 3:16 pm I think there should be ducted vent to the external for the bathroom downstairs. Something to do with BCA? I noticed that our air vent was also above the stairs, must question SS on Monday.
Is it worth the hassle to get them to fix the kitchen issue? Would anyone notice or see the bottom of the benchtop? If SS is not willing to fix ALL the problems, then it may be better to pick your battles carefully. Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 866Nov 14, 2008 3:40 pm Hi VJ
Have you had the actual builder out to look at the problems. Not the site supervisor but the registered builder whose name is on the contract. Kev suggested this to us at one point and we did do that. Technically because they are the registered builder they are responsible for the build and any issues. It amazes me how many problems can occur with houses and yet the actual builder never sets sets foot on the site, nor feels they have any need to. When you ring the building commission they will probably even ask you that question. Make him get off his or her backside and come out to the site and see exactly why the build is not to standard and ask them why they haven't rectified the issues. They shouldn't even have the job if they are not going to be accountable for the work. I think sometimes unless you take the futher action they just won't listen. AT least if you get the Building Commission to do a report they can't argue with it and if you haven't made final payment it gives them that extra incentive doesn't it. Dancelisah "We have decided to make a list of only the things that really need fixing and to give up on the rest". Don't give up on any of your issues. You have paid them money to build the house to standard and quality workmanship. If you don't get them to fix an issue that already exists then you are paying twice if you have to fix it yourself. They have five weeks still and I'm sure if you hold back payment until they get it done it will get fixed. If you are unsure of any of the items give the BCAV a call and find out what they think. I'm surprised at what some builders say only to find out after ringing the BCAV that they are completely wrong and you do have a leg to stand on. It's really worth finding out. If Kevin has put it in his report then it should definitely be fixed.[/quote] Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 867Nov 14, 2008 9:42 pm Thanks everyone for your responses... really appreciated.
Quote: VJ, what a cheeky bugger! He probably thinks that you would be so eager to get into the house you would accept his excuses!!!! Stick to your guns and get the issues fixed!!!! Best of luck for tomorrow...I hope you get a happy answer!!! BTW besides the issues it all looks great....just love your colours!! Flissfloss, Good thing we haven't terminated our rent.. otherwise we might be forced to accept some defects Unfortunately, our CSR was on leave today... so don't know whether our SS was able to get hold of our email yesterday. Quote: Can you please explain what you mean by sill flashing? dreamhome, here is the best way to explain it: http://www.imiweb.org/design_tools/tech ... 0&%20A.pdf Quote: Also, would you mind posting some pictures of issues 7 and 9, can't quite visualise issue 7. I keep thinking, how can they get the floors out of levels??? we actually didn't notice it during our inspection! it's because Kev has some tools to measure the levelness (sorry if the wrong term) of the floor. re: #7, i think the tiled area of the bath tub is not aligned (the other side is a bit shorter). Quote: Thanks for sharing the information and pics VJ, it has been interesting to follow your build as we are also building with M in Point Cook and as i am told M uses local builder, there is a possibility that we might run into the same issues as you did. Thanks again for sharing. that's one of my purpose for posting some of the issues with photos.. so others would be aware that these things are defects. really best to get an independent inspector. So you'll be building in Point Cook! We'll be neighbours then! Goodluck on your build! Let me know who's going to be your SS... Quote: VJ, you are coming up against a similar problem to us. Kevin uncovers a mountain of issues of which are seemingly impossible to get fixed in a reasonable period of time. We are 5 weeks on from our Practical Completion Inspection and have only had a small percentage of the issues fixed. We have decided to make a list of only the things that really need fixing and to give up on the rest. Even with the list we have now it feels like it will never get done. Our SS promised us handover tomorrow morning but this afternoon's drive by showed almost all issues unfixed. I wonder if he will show up at the scheduled time of 10:00am? dancelisah, gosh, i can feel our pain. now i know that it's not only M that have these kinds of issues with clients.. even PD! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 868Nov 14, 2008 10:00 pm Quote: For the issues #8, we asked our ss before, the vent should not be direct at the top of stair. For the issues #10, if the power room don't have window, it need to dust to outside. we pay $120 get it done to comply with the BASIX requirement. rldragon2003, as per Kev's report, the vent should not be on the ceiling.. it should be located at floor level (never in the ceiling). this is normal industry practice and stated in the checklist of Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria for greater heating efficiency, re: the powder room exhaust, our powder room, unfortunately, do not have a window. therefore, it should have an exhaust going outside of the house. but our SS said it wasn't part of our contract. we weren't even asked to pay extra... therefore, if it's required by BCA, they should be provided by the builder Quote: I think there should be ducted vent to the external for the bathroom downstairs. Something to do with BCA? I noticed that our air vent was also above the stairs, must question SS on Monday. sammy, tell your SS about the requirement on the air vent... at least it's not too late Quote: Is it worth the hassle to get them to fix the kitchen issue? Would anyone notice or see the bottom of the benchtop? If SS is not willing to fix ALL the problems, then it may be better to pick your battles carefully. yes, it is noticeable. i pointed it out to our SS during our own walk through. i said they have to cover the left upper area of the window. the reason being, the side reveals of teh window opening are not plumb. if a layman can easily spot it, what more an inspector? actually, from the outside it was noticable that it wasn't aligned (looks worse though from the inside).. i should have taken a photo when we had the walk through. Quote: Have you had the actual builder out to look at the problems. Not the site supervisor but the registered builder whose name is on the contract. Kev suggested this to us at one point and we did do that. Technically because they are the registered builder they are responsible for the build and any issues. It amazes me how many problems can occur with houses and yet the actual builder never sets sets foot on the site, nor feels they have any need to. When you ring the building commission they will probably even ask you that question. Make him get off his or her backside and come out to the site and see exactly why the build is not to standard and ask them why they haven't rectified the issues. They shouldn't even have the job if they are not going to be accountable for the work. Very good point, photogirl. PRobably we should do that! Thanks for the suggestion. Quote: I think sometimes unless you take the futher action they just won't listen. AT least if you get the Building Commission to do a report they can't argue with it and if you haven't made final payment it gives them that extra incentive doesn't it. Yes, that's why we are seriously thinking of going to the BC to have them inspect the house (as suggested by Kev). I emailed some queries to Kev but i missed his call this afternoon. We will decide once we discuss it with Kev and receive feedback from SS about whether they are going to fix the issues or not. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 870Nov 14, 2008 10:21 pm Quote: HAave they said anything about the cladding joins yet? Yes, it's part of our list of defects and even mentioned to Kev (just before his inspection) how we are about it. Hope they fix it properly though. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 871Nov 20, 2008 8:06 pm We haven't heard anything from our SS for a week now...
DH has already inquired from the Building Commission on how to deal with our issues. The guy from the BC asked the sort of defects we found and he agreed that those were real defects that should be rectified. We are giving our builder up to tomorrow to respond to our inspection report. If we don't receive a reply from them by tomorrow, we are going to lodge a complaint and ask for a BC inspection. Unfortunately though, it will take 2 weeks to process our complaint. Looks like we won't be in by Christmas. Still hoping for a resolution with M soon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 873Nov 20, 2008 8:23 pm Good on you for holding out and not giving in, even if it means not being in by Xmas VJ. I am wondering if we'll be in the same position as you after our handover inspection... Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 874Nov 20, 2008 9:05 pm VJ So you'll be building in Point Cook! We'll be neighbours then! Goodluck on your build! Let me know who's going to be your SS... Yes we are building in Point Cook, Alamanda estate to be precise. Our land has not been released yet and probably won't until Jan or Feb next year. I really hope things get sorted out for you... It's really not fair on you, to be so close yet not being able to move in. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you I feel very anxious now as we are also building with M and there's probably a big chance that we may get the same SS? I don't know who my SS will be yet. Can you please pm me your SS's name just so i know that i need to be careful, if i get him. Thanks in advance. We've also just been told about a month ago that our CSR has changed. Not sure if she is any good. We liked the previous one and we were very sad to hear that he wasn't going to be our CSR anymore. I think i read on your thread that you were very happy with yours? Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 875Nov 21, 2008 7:50 pm Quote: Oh VJ I'm so sorry How frustrating for you I really hope a resolution is reached ASAP and you can be in your home for xmas Bel, We're feeling sad because what's happening... it's so close to handover and yet we feel that we won't be in this Christmas! Quote: Good on you for holding out and not giving in, even if it means not being in by Xmas VJ. I am wondering if we'll be in the same position as you after our handover inspection... Yes, donuts. We are definitely not going to accept the house with all those defects . Especially now that we have a case against them, as confirmed with someone DH had spoken with at the BC. Hope you have better outcome than us on your pre-handover inspection. Quote: I'll keep my fingers crossed for you I feel very anxious now as we are also building with M and there's probably a big chance that we may get the same SS? I don't know who my SS will be yet. Can you please pm me your SS's name just so i know that i need to be careful, if i get him. Thanks in advance. We've also just been told about a month ago that our CSR has changed. Not sure if she is any good. We liked the previous one and we were very sad to hear that he wasn't going to be our CSR anymore. I think i read on your thread that you were very happy with yours? thanks, dreamhome. I'll PM our SS's name and you can ask me any questions once you find out who's your SS. Yes, once you start building, your CSR would change. We prefer the old CSR (pre-site start) though. Good luck on your build. No regrets building with M.. I love the house that we built. It's just a pity that things are holding up this last stage of our build. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 876Nov 21, 2008 7:54 pm Another update...
SS rang DH this afternoon, just after we emailed our CM's boss about our issues. He said he received our email re: the issues that we want fixed within this week... and that we wanted everything to be fixed. Of course! He reasoned out lack of tradies for the delay. We have to get something in writing that they are going to fix all defects listed on our inspection report by Monday. Because if they don't fix all, we will lodge a complaint to the BC and we have to do it fast, as it will take 2 weeks to process it. Christmas is fast approaching... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 877Nov 22, 2008 1:15 pm hi VJ,
I hope you get in by christmas. It is such a shame isn't it? We have the same problem. Just had an inspection. SS pretty much said it is our fault for not accepting the keys! He said they can still fix it after handover. Yeah right, it has taken them more than a month and they still have not fixed it yet- and this is before handover. Hopefully, you can sort this out asap. Good luck. Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 878Nov 23, 2008 5:59 pm Quote: I hope you get in by christmas. It is such a shame isn't it? We have the same problem. Just had an inspection. SS pretty much said it is our fault for not accepting the keys! He said they can still fix it after handover. Yeah right, it has taken them more than a month and they still have not fixed it yet- and this is before handover. Hopefully, you can sort this out asap. Good luck. sammy, we really hope to get in by Christmas. actually, we need the keys by 1st week of December, so we could still sort out the tiling to ground floor and carpet to all rooms before Christmas. saw your blog... it must be very frustrating for you. i can't imagine having another inspection, only to find out that we wouldn't get the keys due to defects like those. hope you get your keys ASAP. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 879Nov 24, 2008 4:30 pm Update...
WE elevated the issues to the higher management and the Building Manager and Construction Manager will be meeting us on Wednesday. Question - should we bring Kev along? Do you think it's a good idea? We will be getting Kev do the final (hopefully final) inspection once they fix all defects... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! Re: Building our dream home.. walls no longer bare! 880Nov 24, 2008 6:41 pm I think it is a great idea to bring Kevin, that way he can point out exactly what he thinks are faults and have them address the issues there and then.
Good Luck VJ My karma ran over your dogma DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair to do it properly you need to dig out the garden and waterproof the outside of the wall. There are some products you can put on the face of the bricks but the water is… 2 4624 Render your bathroom walls, two opinions versus the one, makes you wonder. 3 6062 The spacing of the studs looks pretty large especially for a load bearing wall. 3 11117 |