Coral Homes general build thread

bpratt · Dec 22, 2014 7:10 pm

Finnsmamma

hmmm.. sounds like they were just covering their butt by changing the zoning! The new development where the chook farm was is going in fast! I'm amazed every time we head out there to visit the in-laws.

Cover their butt for when the now overgrown creeks back up with run off water, then back up on to peoples properties. All the creeks are choked up with new growth and rubbish, so water just can't get out to the river.

Aspect Acreage is that one, and one of the forum members who built a Coral home is in there. I think they got one of the better blocks on that side of the street too, with the others that back on to Stegemann road going to cop a lot of road noise.

THX · Dec 24, 2014 3:34 pm

Has anyone had issues with Coral over excess soil? Our tender states we are responsible for removal of excess soil from site scrape and trenching. The day after trenching was completed (e.g. all the plumbing/electrical was in) there looked to be a reasonable pile of dirt on site - in my wholly non technical opinion approx. 7 tonnes. 2 days later when we visited the site it now looks to be A LOT more and we have been told by our SS to remove it. I am obviously not happy nor do I feel legally obliged (as my reading of the tender) to do this.

1st photo: http://i.imgur.com/Wm9ObQl.jpg

2 days later: http://i.imgur.com/7uu0bw2.jpg

bpratt · Dec 24, 2014 6:50 pm

It certainly does look like a lot more, doesn't it ? ... I dare say that they might have pushed it all up to that fence end, and in a narrower strip of dirt, rather than a pile that the first photo shows.

Pity you're not near Jimboomba, as we would've taken the lot from you.

THX · Dec 24, 2014 7:06 pm

Another angle: http://i.imgur.com/zR3qc2r.jpg

I should add that is not even all the dirt, a long pile of dirt now at the very rear of the block appeared at the same time. http://i.imgur.com/SQC4FWb.jpg

whzzz28 · Dec 24, 2014 8:51 pm

Don't worry too much about the stuff at the back, or rather ask the SS if he wants it removed as well.
They will need a little bit of fill for around the slab once it has cured.
Your slab looks fairly thick, probably a H1 or higher slab, so it will need some fill around it.

As for the front, can't really help there. If its in the contract that the owner pays, then not much else to it. If you think someone else has dropped dirt on your land then speak with the SS.
There are some places that will pay you for clean fill, or at least take it off your hands for free. Most want it delivered though, so still need to find a truck.
Give this a try: http://www.fillwanted.com.au/

THX · Dec 24, 2014 10:03 pm

I'm not too worried about the fill at the back, I can use that. My argument is my contract says excess soil from scrape and trenching only which imo my first photo shows. The second photo is clearly exponentially more.

whzzz28 · Dec 25, 2014 7:46 pm

Then you need to take it up with the SS.
Chances are though you will still need to get it removed regardless, at your cost.

lisalent · Dec 27, 2014 1:44 pm

Hey all

We are building the Noosa 25 hopefully starting mid next yr on the Central Coast. Loving this forum, learning so much before we even start

lisalent · Dec 27, 2014 1:54 pm

Hey there, do you mind if I ask you what colour your floor tile is? We are looking for something similar..thanks!

s_mack

Hi all, starting to get the hang of posting pics now. Hope I don't flood this thread with too many

Here are the colours we have selected for the kitchen
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Main floor tile underneath, cabinetry in polar white silk, Urban Caesarstone and I love love love our splashback tile: Polished Touchstone Mos Hex in Black.

Modifications we made in the kitchen/pantry
- upgrade to Hume Venetian Door for pantry external
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- Upgrade to Stained Clear Glass Cavity for Pantry internal
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- selected indulgence kitchen option 2, deleted all Technika appliances and supplying our own
- changed cupboards below bench to pot drawers
- added over head cupboards either side of range hood
- upgraded to silver range Hettitch handles
- added cold water connection to fridge space
- added waterfall end to kitchen bench
- upgraded to Clark Quatro Sink and Caroma Quatro Sink mixer
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carmen84 · Dec 27, 2014 2:11 pm

Hi everyone,
My hubby and I are on the hunt for a new home in the Newcastle area, but nothing us come up we like, or within our budget.We were turned off with the idea of building after my sister built with eden brae and the whole build process seemed to drag on forever and various problems (3 or 4 supervisors). I've been reading up on different builders and coral seems to have a great build time! We are desperate to get out of our rental, so if it was going to take best part of a year, we'd rather buy an established home.
I love the Coral home designs and hanging out for the new ones they are bringing out in the new year.
Just a few questions if any of you can answer.
If you built a 2 storey, what was your build time from start to moving in? I like the Hampton and Bahama home.
Also we want to build in the Cameron park estate but there are no house and land packages available with Coral homes. Can builders customise a house and land deal if you tell them the area your wanting to build, or will we have to buy own land and house separately? We are first home buyers and how zilch building experience, so trying to get head around how things work. It just seems easier getting house and land package without worrying about if land suits design, soil etc.
The part i'm excited about with building is personalising it, interior design and all that stuff.
We want a home we are going to stay in for a long time, so we thought we may as well built something we love, instead of buying something that is ok and needs work.
Any help will be appreciated! the display centre is closed until new year, so hanging out for that to open.

manderinne · Dec 27, 2014 2:12 pm

Hey guys, Merry Christmas! Our land settled on December 18th so I thought I'd finally start my build thread. Link is in my sig

ASH Jordan Springs · Dec 27, 2014 4:14 pm

Does anyone know anything more about the new house plans that may be released next year? I hope I don't see something and fall in love with it!

whzzz28 · Dec 27, 2014 4:53 pm

lisalent

Hey there, do you mind if I ask you what colour your floor tile is? We are looking for something similar..thanks!

Looks like Brooklyn Grigio: http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllPro ... yn&pspid=1

Possibly Brooklyn Ash: http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllPro ... yn&pspid=1

But more likely Grigio.
Which is what is used in the Noosa24 display at North lakes:

s_mack · Dec 27, 2014 5:44 pm

whzzz28

lisalent

Hey there, do you mind if I ask you what colour your floor tile is? We are looking for something similar..thanks!

Looks like Brooklyn Grigio: http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllPro ... yn&pspid=1

Possibly Brooklyn Ash: http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllPro ... yn&pspid=1

But more likely Grigio.
Which is what is used in the Noosa24 display at North lakes:

Hi Lisa,
Whzzz was on the mark. It is Brooklyn Ash.
Also take a look at the Poplar Light Grey tile too. It is a similar shade but is wood grain patterned.

Bronte2 · Dec 28, 2014 6:47 am

Carmen84 coral may be good at the build time but from my experience you will be waiting the better part of a year for the paperwork to all come through etc. we are building a 2 storey just got out of council before xmas and due to get a start date when they reopen in jan.
Planning stages have been long!!! Build time is around 22-26 weeks but I'm not sure of exact times just yet. Also if your soil comes back highly reactive ( ours was h2 class) on a 2 storey it can be quite pricey. We have had to get bigger pipes lower footings and more drainage temporary and permanant. We started this process in March and build to start end of jan. Hope this gives you a rough idea. Not everyone's is this long but it can get lengthy.

lisalent · Dec 28, 2014 2:19 pm

thanks for the answers guys, its all so daunting!

s_mack

whzzz28

lisalent

Hey there, do you mind if I ask you what colour your floor tile is? We are looking for something similar..thanks!

Looks like Brooklyn Grigio: http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllPro ... yn&pspid=1

Possibly Brooklyn Ash: http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllPro ... yn&pspid=1

But more likely Grigio.
Which is what is used in the Noosa24 display at North lakes:

Hi Lisa,
Whzzz was on the mark. It is Brooklyn Ash.
Also take a look at the Poplar Light Grey tile too. It is a similar shade but is wood grain patterned.

felipe1982 · Jan 05, 2015 6:08 pm

Hi All Coral homes customers! I have a question regarding my contract.

We have put down our deposit of $1750 in early December and we received our contract and plans a few days before Christmas. We were hoping to review them during the holidays, however we spotted a few errors, such as missing eaves on the garage, and a couple of little issues.

We wanted these things rectified before continuing to sign the contract, but they informed us that the contract must be signed first, and then all changes are marked as variations to contract. It seemed to us a little strange that we have to sign first, and then negotiate later. It's usually negotiate first, then sign. They've agreed not to charge us for these variations to contract (some of them are their own errors), but they won't move at all until we sign. I've asked them to make the changes before signing, and they have all flatly refused. Over the phone, I THINK he said that we can make the contract conditional on us being satisfied by the variations to contract, to ensure they are done properly.

Further, someone at Coral indicated that it's illegal to have a "subject to finance" condition in a building contract. My conveyancing solicitor, land developer sales lady, mortgage broker, nor the Coral sales rep, have never ever mentioned anything like that to me. They won't make it conditional on finance. The Coral guy said he could extend the cooling-off period from 5 to 10 days, which could give us enough time to get finance (we already have pre-approval, and have been formally approved for the land portion).

I'm worried about signing something that isn't yet finalised, and we have to trust that they are going to do as they say. I have expressed this to them, but they are sticking to their guns.

Is it illegal to have a finance condition in a building contract
Can I push them to fix their mistakes before signing the contract
Can a cooling off period be extended, and be used as a sort of "finance" clause?
Are There are normally penalties for terminating a contract during cooling-off period...
Will paying the 5% after we are happy with all the variations, and after we get finance approved be of any
help/use to us?

What have been your experiences with contract signing with Coral Homes?

--
I'm building Springfield Lakes, QLD

dalemengel · Jan 05, 2015 6:57 pm

felipe1982

Hi All Coral homes customers! I have a question regarding my contract.

We have put down our deposit of $1750 in early December and we received our contract and plans a few days before Christmas. We were hoping to review them during the holidays, however we spotted a few errors, such as missing eaves on the garage, and a couple of little issues.

We wanted these things rectified before continuing to sign the contract, but they informed us that the contract must be signed first, and then all changes are marked as variations to contract. It seemed to us a little strange that we have to sign first, and then negotiate later. It's usually negotiate first, then sign. They've agreed not to charge us for these variations to contract (some of them are their own errors), but they won't move at all until we sign. I've asked them to make the changes before signing, and they have all flatly refused. Over the phone, I THINK he said that we can make the contract conditional on us being satisfied by the variations to contract, to ensure they are done properly.

Further, someone at Coral indicated that it's illegal to have a "subject to finance" condition in a building contract. My conveyancing solicitor, land developer sales lady, mortgage broker, nor the Coral sales rep, have never ever mentioned anything like that to me. They won't make it conditional on finance. The Coral guy said he could extend the cooling-off period from 5 to 10 days, which could give us enough time to get finance (we already have pre-approval, and have been formally approved for the land portion).

I'm worried about signing something that isn't yet finalised, and we have to trust that they are going to do as they say. I have expressed this to them, but they are sticking to their guns.

Is it illegal to have a finance condition in a building contract
Can I push them to fix their mistakes before signing the contract
Can a cooling off period be extended, and be used as a sort of "finance" clause?
Are There are normally penalties for terminating a contract during cooling-off period...
Will paying the 5% after we are happy with all the variations, and after we get finance approved be of any
help/use to us?

What have been your experiences with contract signing with Coral Homes?

--
I'm building Springfield Lakes, QLD

I cant help much with your other issues (other than recommending that you get your lawyer to look over the contract and ask about the finance clause), but Coral Homes telling you to sign and then fix the issues as variations sounds like a money grab to me.

That way they can slug you builder's margin (minimum 20%) on top of the usual cost of the item. Get them to fix any issues and include things you want as a fixed price before you sign - if they refuse just tell them you'll take your business elsewhere and they may reconsider. Afterall, 20% on a $1000 item is $200 - much better in your pocket.

As far as I know there is no penalty for terminating during the cooling off period, you just lose your deposit, etc that you have already paid. Check with your lawyer though - a few hundred dollars on a lawyer for something worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is well worth it IMHO

s_mack · Jan 05, 2015 8:37 pm

felipe1982

Hi All Coral homes customers! I have a question regarding my contract.

We have put down our deposit of $1750 in early December and we received our contract and plans a few days before Christmas. We were hoping to review them during the holidays, however we spotted a few errors, such as missing eaves on the garage, and a couple of little issues.

We wanted these things rectified before continuing to sign the contract, but they informed us that the contract must be signed first, and then all changes are marked as variations to contract. It seemed to us a little strange that we have to sign first, and then negotiate later. It's usually negotiate first, then sign. They've agreed not to charge us for these variations to contract (some of them are their own errors), but they won't move at all until we sign. I've asked them to make the changes before signing, and they have all flatly refused. Over the phone, I THINK he said that we can make the contract conditional on us being satisfied by the variations to contract, to ensure they are done properly.

Further, someone at Coral indicated that it's illegal to have a "subject to finance" condition in a building contract. My conveyancing solicitor, land developer sales lady, mortgage broker, nor the Coral sales rep, have never ever mentioned anything like that to me. They won't make it conditional on finance. The Coral guy said he could extend the cooling-off period from 5 to 10 days, which could give us enough time to get finance (we already have pre-approval, and have been formally approved for the land portion).

I'm worried about signing something that isn't yet finalised, and we have to trust that they are going to do as they say. I have expressed this to them, but they are sticking to their guns.

Is it illegal to have a finance condition in a building contract
Can I push them to fix their mistakes before signing the contract
Can a cooling off period be extended, and be used as a sort of "finance" clause?
Are There are normally penalties for terminating a contract during cooling-off period...
Will paying the 5% after we are happy with all the variations, and after we get finance approved be of any
help/use to us?

What have been your experiences with contract signing with Coral Homes?

--
I'm building Springfield Lakes, QLD

Can't help much with the legals either, but can tell you that changes we made post contract were all done without great drama. I was pre approved for finance at that time but we were waiting for the land to settle - which is why I believe we ended up going through 3 tender letters before we went to contract. This meant that by the time we got to contract we had covered most of what we wanted changed and cleaned up most of the errors. At contract signing we did submit a variance request then and there to remove and correct the final items items such as driveway/letterbox. This was done as a post contract variation with no admin charge and sorted pretty quickly. Not sure what kind of changes you are looking at but when the variation does come through, it doesn't become part of contract until you are happy with it and have signed.
Hope this helps

daydream_build · Jan 05, 2015 9:39 pm

Agree with s_mack. We had 3 tender letters I think before contract and still had errors and omissions in the contract. These were fixed with post contract variations which we didn't sign off on until we were completely happy. No admin fee for those. We didn't sign or pay the 5% though until we had the ok from the bank - they had a copy of the contract & did a valuation and all ok. Our approved finance amount is for the contract amount and we will have to pay for the variations ourselves. He knew and had budgeted for the variations from tiles & colours. Fortunately the errors in the contract worked in our favour and we had a reasonable credit once they were sorted which offset the other variation costs. So you'd need to check with your broker with regards to financing the variation costs as they're not in the contract price. I'm not sure with the legal side of things with the 'subject to finance' clause. However, I'm pretty sure that was not in our contract which was another reason for getting finance approved before signing and paying the 5%. We were told we couldn't progress any further eg with booking in for selections until 5% had been paid.