Brisbane build with Steve Parcell - Handover

Meerkat · Feb 10, 2015 2:40 pm

Hi guys & OP - saw this thread about Steve Parcel & had to join the board!!

my wife & are looking to build a 2 storey home on a sloping block & steve parcel is one of our options
lots of positive reviews for them so far

after walking through show home city @ Rochedale we are concerned that the inside finish of the home will not be as flashy as some of the show homes (obvious statement i guess - but still a worry to know what you will actually get)

OP - did you have to "upscale" many things to get a "show home style" house?
are there any things you would recommend upscaling? kitchens/bathrooms? windows?

thnks heaps

thebrolga · Feb 11, 2015 9:13 pm

Hi Meerkat. Yes we too did the rounds of the show villages at Rochedale when we started thinking about building. There certainly are some pretty flash places there, but very few of the volume builders were interested in doing anything for us when they saw a plan of our block, and those that said they may be able to help, only wanted to plonk one of their standard designs in a spot that didn't take advantage of aspect, views etc.

From memory, Steve Parcell's display home at Rochedale has a kind of 'industrial' feel which isn't everyone's cup of tea. We did like their approach to building though, so we then went to their display at Springfield Lakes. The guy who operates out of that house was awesome, and he was the one who managed us through to signing the contract.

In terms of upgrades, we found that the standard level of fittings was pretty high and all good quality stuff, so we didn't have to change too much. We did go with things like stone benchtops; higher ceilings; air con; bamboo flooring; etc which did add a bit on to the contract price, but we could have happily lived with the standard stuff.

I understand that Steve Parcell does a fair bit of sloping block or unusual block builds, and he was excellent in dealing with ours. As I've said in previous comments, we are very happy with how things have gone so far, and are pretty confident that this will continue. Where about are you building by the way?

Anyway, happy to answer any other questions. You can just send a private message if you prefer.

Best of luck with your build whoever you end up going with.

cat_dunc · Feb 12, 2015 1:41 pm

I don't have anything to add other than it's looking amazing and yeah, your builder sounds amazing! I cant wait to see more pictures

Meerkat · Feb 16, 2015 11:06 am

Hi OP - thanks for replying & for your honesty - a rare thing indeed these days

we headed out to springfield lakes on the weekend & the display home there is fairly similar to what i have drawn up - a bit freaky really - only main difference is ours will "hopefully" include a split level

As for the insides - a mixture of rochedale & springfield fit & finish would be great (perhaps without the villeroy & bosch handbasin though !!)

thebrolga · Feb 17, 2015 7:37 am

Hey Meerkat. If you haven't already done so, perhaps you need to complete the trifecta of show homes and go see the one out at Deebing Heights. A totally different design that again makes good use of the block. This one is on a sloping site and from memory 'steps down' over three levels. Different feel & finish to the other two. It also doubles as the 'selections' location, so you can get a good idea of the kind of things that are included in their standard fittings.

plucka · Feb 17, 2015 9:39 am

Hey brolga,
I built recently with Steve Parcell and found him to be excellent. You made the right choice. You can check out my building thread here viewtopic.php?f=31&t=57639

I too had the issue of sloping block and Steve and I designed a split level house which worked out really well. In some ways not too different from yours. What suburb are you building in? Looks like you got a great location.

I'm actually looking a building again this year and have my eye on some land coming up for sale soon. Steve Parcell will be first choice again, having built previously with a volume builder the difference is night and day.

Good luck with your build I'll be interested in following it.
Plucka

yvonneh · Feb 17, 2015 9:42 am

plucka

I'm actually looking a building again this year

wow! you got the bug

plucka · Feb 17, 2015 9:44 am

yvonneh

plucka

I'm actually looking a building again this year

wow! you got the bug

Yeah, Just finished 2 years doing landscaping and now looking at starting again, sigh. We want to move closer to the city.

plucka · Feb 17, 2015 9:52 am

Meerkat

Hi guys & OP - saw this thread about Steve Parcel & had to join the board!!

my wife & are looking to build a 2 storey home on a sloping block & steve parcel is one of our options
lots of positive reviews for them so far

after walking through show home city @ Rochedale we are concerned that the inside finish of the home will not be as flashy as some of the show homes (obvious statement i guess - but still a worry to know what you will actually get)

OP - did you have to "upscale" many things to get a "show home style" house?
are there any things you would recommend upscaling? kitchens/bathrooms? windows?

thnks heaps

I didn't like Steve's Rochedale house at all either, way too industrial. As far as "show homes" go the likes of Metricon, Plantation etc always impress because they must hire very good decorator's. What they don't like to tell you though is their display homes are $200k+ over the base price.

Meerkat · Feb 17, 2015 10:04 am

Hi OP - think we will defo head to the other show home for more ideas
thanks for the heads up & info
Hows your house going? feels like i have high jacked your thread with all my questions!!

Hey Plucka - your split level looks great - hope whatever we end up looks like that!

yeah i hear you about the show homes - absolutely know for sure that they aren't standard
trying to get an a salesperson(sic) to tell you whats actually included is palm reading at its best

i don't mind parts of the industrial look @ steve parcel rochedale - too much though makes it feel cold

thebrolga · Feb 17, 2015 2:37 pm

Hey Plucka - no need for me to check out your thread as I reckon I know it inside out. Must have read through it at least half a dozen times when we were thinking of signing with Steve! You're right that there are a number of similarities with our builds, and you'll probably notice even more as ours progresses - rendered brick; weatherboard cladding; timber deck; bamboo floors etc. So glad you posted those landscaping pictures - you've done an incredible job. Good luck with your next project. We're building in Middle Park by the way.

And don't worry about the questions Meerkat. I remember what it was like when we were starting out on the building process so keep them coming if it helps.

plucka · Feb 18, 2015 10:19 am

Haha glad my build provided some inspiration for you. Yeah you won't be disappointed with bamboo flooring, comes up really nice.

Middle Park is a nice area, we're looking a Corinda so just around the corner from you.

thebrolga · Feb 26, 2015 8:23 am

A quick update on progress at our place:

ceilings & walls have all been sheeted internally...

and bricking & cladding has commenced...

The garage door is to be fitted within the next week so we should be at lock up stage very shortly.

We're off on holiday now for three weeks so will miss out on seeing the daily progress. No doubt though that the place will look significantly different on our return!

cat_dunc · Feb 26, 2015 8:24 am

Wow wow WOW!

yvonneh · Feb 26, 2015 3:15 pm

oh wow!! that looks amazing (I'd say amazeballs but that just sounds so teeny boppy!)
we were at lock up once the doors got added -- the garage door is yet to come.

A holiday for 3 weeks will be amazing and I'm sure when you get back you'll be so closed to being finished, it'll be like getting a present!

EEN1973 · Mar 07, 2015 10:20 pm

Hi, we also recently completed a build with steve parcell on a sloping block. Very happy with them and would recommend / build with them again. The team from initial contract (Garry at Rochedale) to the colour selection (Julie is awesome) and the contractors eg kitchen / tiler plus site supervisor are all fantastic to deal with and you meet them all face to face. Very happy with service and our new home.

thebrolga · Mar 20, 2015 8:58 pm

Well alot has happened in the three weeks we were away, so a few extra photos this time. Brickwork & rendering is finished, and solar panels installed...

Garage door fitted, so we're now locked up...

Kitchen units fitted and all ceilings painted...

Waterproofing done...

Laundry fitted out...

Deck balustrading up ...

So happy with how things are progressing. Additional bit of good news is that the golf course have agreed to trim a number of their trees back which will improve our outlook a bit...

Painters say they should have the inside & outside finished next week. Tiles have been delivered for the wet areas. We're hoping another six weeks or so should see us pretty close to being finished.

Pleased to hear you had a good build EEN1973. I agree with all your comments so far. Getting to meet all the trades is definitely a bonus and helps keep things running smoothly, and the communication with every one of the Parcell staff has been faultless. Hope we end up as happy as you obviously are.

TraceyWayne · Mar 20, 2015 9:09 pm

Wow, looks great, glad their trimming those trees for you. What wood for the deck and glass on the balustrade or ss wire? Beautiful outlook :-)

Ilaeria · Mar 20, 2015 9:22 pm

Looks great brolga, what a peaceful outlook! We went with a volume builder in an existing estate for our build because it's not only our first build but our first home, but we will definitely be looking at a custom build next time (I don't have a slab yet and already thinking about next time!). Your builder sounds fantastic, I'm glad you're having such a great experience.

cat_dunc · Mar 21, 2015 2:57 am

It's looks great brolga. Great idea getting laundry cupboards now rather than dealing with it later like we are, I'm envious! You kitchen is huge and that deck, wow