Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Porter Davis homes 14Aug 02, 2006 9:21 am Isn't it always the way that once you start to praise somebody/something, they inevitably let you down!!
First real downer happened yesterday ..... Stewie, if you end up dealing with Porter Davis, ensure you ask the following question "Will the 5 Star Rating evaluation incur further cost". Stupid question you might ask - well yesterday we received a post contract variation of $1,500 which ensures the house is 5 Star Energy Rated. What the **%($(? was the response by John and I. The response from PD was that the 5 Star Assessment had been completed and due to client variations there are some things that need to be done to achieve the rating. Now, forgive my blatant ignorance in this area but when we questioned items such as 'weather strips, Glasswoll Batts to external house walls and insulation to the ceiling' we asked why aren't these part of the initial cost of building the house - particularly when PD pride themselves on building 5 Star Rated homes. Note - we have made NO structural changes to the home at all. We have raised ceilings and in the formal lounge included 2 windows instead of one large one - that's about the only real 'structural' changes we have made but still can't understand why this makes any difference to these variations they say we now need. Mood yesterday: P**%*%($ off Mood today: Acceptance with mild aggrevation We are looking into this further and will of course pay this stupid variation however it has put a small dent in the good reputation they have built so far with us. Good thing I didn't go into this expecting nothing to go wrong!! On a further point made earlier re the ridiculous pricing for floorboards/carpeting. When they gave us the price ($3.5k over the price we got privately) we showed them our quote ... from the same people .... and questioned the outrageous mark-up. The only response the guy gave was 'we have to make money and there is administration costs etc'. I think he was a little bit put out to start with when I accused them of blatantly ripping us off, but after some continual pressure for a proper explanation he agreed that it does seem a lot of money and we are doing the right thing by doing it after we take over the house. Stewie - also in regards to 'standard inclusions', standard is exactly that. The very basics. Bear in mind that if you were to go to a PD display home (as an example) and say 'I want my home to be exactly like that' - they generally have every upgrade imaginable so be prepared to add at least $30k to the base price of the house. We ended up with $40k upgrades to the base price .... and that is without window coverings. Of course then take into consideration the points Adrian has made .... fencing, decking, landscaping blah blah... the list goes on. anyway - still very excited - haven't let this little set back dampen the spirits. Re: Porter Davis homes 15Aug 02, 2006 10:19 am Amber, interesting post regarding 5 star. Introduction of mandatory 5 star ratings caused an enormous amount of angst in the Buiding Industry with both the MBA and the HIA taking a swipe at the Building Commission over its introduction.
The Victorian Government have tried to maintain that the overall cost of 5 star is only about $1500.00 per home, however the industry groups believe it to be much more. Keep in mind 5 star is LAW! Showing that your minor variations alone increased the cost by $1500.00 easily puts paid to the bureacratic spin doctoring about increased consumer costs of 5 star! Anyway, as far as your variation is concerned I believe you have a right to have the fee substantiated. That is, did they engage an external consultant to do the energy rating? If so, then you want to see a copy of the bill. If not, then you have the right to pay what would be a market rate for the service, especially if they did not advise you of the cost until after they are claiming they incurred it. Energy ratings (especially re-ratings) are simply not that expensive. You will find a clause in all building contracts that the builder can claim a variation if directed to do anything in order to comply with regulations that was not on the drawing etc but this does not give any buider the right to claim whatever price they want for the variation just because they have a legal right to the variation. Hope that makes sense. Re: Porter Davis homes 16Aug 02, 2006 11:32 am Thanks Builda .. that's helpful.
I actually don't have a major issue with the $1,500 ... it's the issue that all of a sudden we are hit with this cost and at no point did they point out that they had to have a valuation after our variations were confirmed. I guess my ignorance also ****** in what is seen as having an effect on the energy rating. I'm sure there are a whole lot of things that come under this category that I'm not aware of. An example of my ignorance in this process is when we changed the colour of the door ... apparently the colour we chose meant they had to reinforce the door with something (that cost an extra $70) so that it would not warp in the future. Didn't think 'colour' would effect how a door behaves but there you go. Mood: need coffee Re: Porter Davis homes 17Aug 03, 2006 12:40 pm Hi Amber, re the Energy Rating Assessment
I am surprised that PD do not have an accredited Energy Rating Assessor on their Payroll. Our builder have their own internally accredited people, provided a very detailed report and did so within a few days. Ask for the copies of the invoice and report, both the old one and the new one. Adrian B Re: Porter Davis homes 18Aug 03, 2006 1:38 pm I read it wrong when I got the information .. they have their own accredited assessor. Apparently after we made upgrades/changes they re-assess the 5 Star Rating based on items that could effect it (such as flooring, changes in doors etc). Apparently they were supposed to have the re-assessment back to us before we signed the contract but it didn't come in on time which is why we now have a post-contract variation.
After a few detailed emails this morning they have agreed to deduct $537 from the original variation due to mucking us around and causing delays etc. They have given us a copy of the report and apparently (maybe somebody can let me know if this is bulldust) even things like changing the type of doors can effect the energy rating. Because we have changed doors, floorings etc. we now think that the cost is justified. Once again, it's only $1k but more the principal of it all. But also in PD's defence, they have been very good about it and understand our concerns. They have not once fobbed us off and continually give us the information we are after. Mood: Content Re: Porter Davis homes 19Aug 03, 2006 2:01 pm PD are 100% correct on that statement re effecting the energy ratings as everything can and does come into consideration if it is done properly.
They should put us on the payroll as marketing consultants for them - this thread is now marketing gold for them!! Re: Porter Davis homes 20Sep 10, 2006 4:02 pm Hi all, this is an interesting thread, we too are building with Porter Davis, so this is all very good reading.
We too are not going thru PD for our floor coverings, way over priced, but we are just happy we found out beforehand. Hope things are going well Amber. Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12345 Ask for references and speak to them. If they are defensive or try to avoid the request, walk. 1 74717 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 105609 |