Building with Fairmont Homes / RealtySA @ Woodcroft Horizon

Lgrimz · Dec 10, 2014 11:42 am

Hey guys, was really go to see your story and that you are finally nearly at lock up stage after what looks like a slow start!

I am looking at buying in this new development as well and as a first home buyer im trying to work out everything before I making any life changing alterations.

I was just wondering what additonal costs you have had to take into account, I have already picked up on soil removal which I wouldnt have even thought of! But are there any other costs that I might get stung buy that are not included with just the purachse of the land and the house package I want? Any help would be much appreciated and I look forward to seeing how everything goes for you.

feroshious · Dec 12, 2014 8:18 am

I think we are supposed to have practical completion mid February. We are planning to move first week of March.

I have the first two weeks of March off so I hope it isn't delayed too much... how about you?

Anubiz · Dec 14, 2014 11:15 pm

Yeah our date is around the same, middle of February, we will probably move in with in a couple of weeks of handover. Our neighbours handover was a month late, so I’m not too confident.

I'm getting really annoy that our brick still haven't gone up. The house is a lock up and we already have our kitchen bench and 2nd fix carpentry in, just doesn't make sense to me.

feroshious · Dec 15, 2014 11:25 am

Our neighbour is about a 3 weeks late.

Funny how we are swaying back and forward with who's infront. We are just getting our kitchen in now, and the bricks are 1/2 done.

I swear fairmont just have a big hat with names in it, and when your name is plucked out then you get something done on your house.

ST13 · Dec 16, 2014 8:17 am

Also with Fairmonts.

Was due to finish early Feb but as they are doing my carpet and tiles its now March 3rd.
As my second fix carpentry is still sitting in my front yard and has been for 9 days.. I don't seem them having the house complete (minus carpet and tiles) by Feb 2nd.

danandmel · Feb 13, 2015 9:03 pm

I was wondering if anyone can help me out with a query about the Horizon development.

My Sister is thinking about buying a block that she currently has on hold. As I have been through the building process a couple of times, and as recent as last year, I am helping her out with a couple of things.

One thing I have noticed is how deep the footings are recommended based on the prelim soil report. Has everyone else found the same? I assume so based on the amount of soil that has been mentioned in previous posts on soil renoval. I know Woodcroft has some pretty average soil, like the rest of Adelaide really, but the footings do seem quite deep.
If others have experienced this, can you tell me how much your footing costs were? If you want, PM me the costs.

Thanks

feroshious · Feb 23, 2015 8:27 am

Footings: Deep, the deepest they go. Clay soil. Mine were $30k. Soil removal costs a couple thousand more (which you will need to pay as it isn't included in the build)

Build Time: Well mine is 5 weeks past the completion date and will probably extend further. 12 months from settlement of land.

Build Quality: Mostly good. Though I can already see they will need to take down one interior wall (its pretty terrible and obvious), one door will need to be replaced and have a few smashed bricks.

danandmel · Mar 12, 2015 9:37 am

feroshious

Footings: Deep, the deepest they go. Clay soil. Mine were $30k. Soil removal costs a couple thousand more (which you will need to pay as it isn't included in the build)

Build Time: Well mine is 5 weeks past the completion date and will probably extend further. 12 months from settlement of land.

Build Quality: Mostly good. Though I can already see they will need to take down one interior wall (its pretty terrible and obvious), one door will need to be replaced and have a few smashed bricks.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

I think she will go ahead with the build, just sorting out some finances.

Interesting what you say about the build time, they are telling her about 7 months. Am unsure whether this is from slab being poured to moving in, or from once the plans have been completed to moving in, which is fairly unrealistic considering Council take a while to approve plans.

Thanks again

feroshious · Mar 12, 2015 10:10 am

I am moving in 2 weeks. Makes it about 9-10 months from slab down. Some houses made it in 7 months, some are still going. Depends on your luck.

I'd expect 9 months from slab down. I believe standard plans go quicker if you are not making any changes.

Fairmont have a massive shortage of tradies. I don't think they pay well thus tradies put priority on other work before Fairmont (opinion only). Whilst this keeps the house prices reasonable, it does make the build longer. No winning I guess, personally I'd rather pay a bit more and get it quicker. 2 months of interest is 2-3k in interest anyway.

Customer service dies the moment you sign the contract for the record.

Pretty much the worst reviewed builder (that hasn't gone bust). They have the fortunate position of too big to fail.

Search "Fairmont Homes Review".

danandmel · Mar 12, 2015 10:47 am

Yeh, that is what I figured from what I have read on here and the reviews on the web about Fairmont. Things happen a little slower than other builds. I told my Sis that she will be renting for probably 12 months I would expect. We were lucky with our build, we built with Homestead Homes, we had our slab down in mid July last year, moved in mid Dec last year. But obviously with buying a block of land in Horizon, you have to build with Fairmont. I think the main thing is, as long as you have a good quality built home at the end which is where all your hard earned cash has been put into, then maybe a few delays along the way is ok.

Still no excuse for customer service though, this should be a given when you are in this industry. But obviously some builders don't care as soon as they have your deposit and the contract is signed!

The Slaters · Mar 22, 2015 2:49 pm

We are building with Fairmont Homes
We have had no problems
They don't rush but
that is good
and our bricks have just started
And the brick layer is so neat

Kasiad · Apr 18, 2015 9:21 am

Di any else's house take for ages to go through Fairmont and for the build to actually start???

feroshious · Apr 20, 2015 11:34 am

About 4 months from settlement and another 9 months to build.

Chrismadmac13 · May 18, 2015 3:17 pm

if anyone would like to talk about the estate or questions on what I have had don't hesitate to send me a reply i would like to also talk to people who are in this estate to get to know people.

S7iCkSt3R · Jul 07, 2015 1:23 pm

Hi All,

I signed my contract last month and excited about my build coming up on Sunrise Drive. This will be my first build and first home I will own, so I cannot wait to move in in hopefully 11 months' time.

Mine's a modified Lincoln, pushing some walls out a little and taking out the robe recess. Kinda bummed that it's on special this month but managed to get them to throw in 2.55m ceilings, so not too bad when you add that to the Air Con and Bathroom Upgrade bonuses. The day after signing I decided to upgrade a sliding door to a sliding stacker and I think they couldn't be bothered changing the contract so got that thrown in as well, so think I've done pretty well.

Waiting on my selection pack to come, but just received the footings costs which is $21,000. I had allowed $20,000 in the contract and the sales guy said that it was going to be around $18,000 because I'm closer to Panalatinga and the soil is better there. So I wasn't sure whether that is reasonable, but having read some of the costs of others building in the area, it has put my mind at ease.

They want to charge me $550 for a resurvey and pegging, and have said they have found 0, but I was able to quickly find 3, I think I'll go back this weekend with a shovel and try and find the fourth. The stakes are all there, but the peg is hard to find (could be buried or moved when the builders next door started working).

For external colours, I was thinking:
Bricks: Austral Bricks Grange
Roof: Colorbond Monument
Panel Lift: Colorbond Monument

Is anyone else using the Grange brick? Would like to see it on a house IRL.

Plan:
Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Colours:
Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Cheers,

Leon

Thols001 · Jan 22, 2016 7:54 pm

Hi guys!

We are new to the forum! Building in woodcroft. Wanting to get an update on how everyone is going? We have selections next week. Final builders meeting late feb and settlement 29th Feb.

Do building times seem to be as long.

Hoping we have missed the busy period.

May be a little optimistic.

Would love to hear how others are going.

Luka

S7iCkSt3R · Feb 29, 2016 1:55 pm

I had settlement in August, due to be complete in early April.

My thread
http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=78654

Leon

S7iCkSt3R · Feb 29, 2016 1:56 pm

Good luck with your build and hope your settlement went through smoothly today!

S7iCkSt3R · Mar 12, 2016 5:14 pm

Quick question for anyone who's still alive in here, is anyone on Exetel for NBN in Woodcroft?
I've heard the speeds can be hit and miss depending on the area.