Why did you choose Carlisle Homes?

mattwalker · Nov 30, 2009 7:51 pm

I was asked a question yesterday by somebody who had read my blog and I thought it was a good question to share/ask here

Why did you choose Carlisle Homes?

Personally for me it was a combination of things but I think the big ones were the design (ie the stair case that wrapped around) and the value for money. We were deciding between the Carlisle Grande 43 and the Windsor 47 and the $$$ won out. We also liked that the builder was not massive like M*tricon / Porter Davis.

We felt that the 'value for money' was there, that was lacking a little in some of the other builders. Not all, just some! There were plenty of other houses that we really liked but the designs weren't for us.

I guess I would attribute a bit of the decision to Warren too

We initially met with the salesperson at the Lyndhurst display and he was rude/nasty and just downright unhelpful. We almost walked away from the builder for this point alone.

So what was it for you? Was it price, floor plan/design, inclusions, promotion, size of builder or even salesperson.

If price, how much cheaper?

If it's floor plan/design, what did you like about it?

If inclusions, what did they include that others don't?

Did the size of Carlisle Homes come into your decision?

Did the salesperson make all the difference?

Zerosignal · Nov 30, 2009 9:57 pm

For us it was mostly a value proposition, initially we wanted to build the Hayman 29 by Porter Davis.

A few things changed that however, we first brought in Tarneit but the bank valuation did not stand up on that block.

The next block we brought (In Point Cook) was a block with a north facing backyard and Porter Davis had no acceptable designs, we looked at Big M (Santorini 29) but quickly realised that the costs were going to be too high for what we wanted.

I had already liked Carlisle Homes (I referred my partners Sister to them) so it was just a matter of convincing Emma to swap over.

Overall the Riverton 30 ticked all the boxes, north facing living area, good value inclusions (high ceilings, overhead cabinets, flooring and stone benchtops) and the variations all came back at reasonable prices (For example we ended up taking Evap cooling when were planning to do it ourselves with all the other builders).

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 01, 2009 4:31 pm

To be quite honest, we didnt actually visit any display homes, other than Carlisle Homes. We looked at a number of websites: PD, M, etc.. but didnt like them. Although when we did go into other builders' displays, this was just for pure stickybeaking

and inspiration ideas for colour schemes. Not at one stage were we in PD or M houses contemplating building the house.. they didnt have the 'vibe' of Carlisle.

IMO, Carlisle display homes generally are more realistic and presentable. The decorating isnt too over the top and unreplicable, and doesnt cover and mask the house. PD houses, in comparison, dont really come across as display homes IMO. They are more like showrooms selling furniture, knick-knacks and homewares. Their decorating hides the house and is too full on.. a turn off, really.

We currently live in the same street as one of Carlisles old exdisplays.. by old, I mean the Provence 34 old!

From that moment on, we only started to look out for Carlisle.. waiting for new displays to open and finally landing with the Atlantique Mk2. I feel as though the quality and feel of the houses at the moment is still as good as what the houses were like when Carlisle was a more 'local' builder. And yes, their smallish company and small number of homes built a year, did contribute. Strangely enough... this reputation has continued, even though they currently have 8 display centres and more coming.

I have to admit though.. we didnt know about Carlisle Homes until a relative introduced them to us and showed us their display homes. They were that small a builder!! It was all word of mouth really! Look at them now.. you cant possibly miss them.

I cant really speak about the pricing with Carlisle Homes... as we didnt get quotes from any other builder except them. However, from reading brochures and websites, it is fair to say that Carlisle base prices offer better value and inclusions. Carlisle also drew our attention through their frequent promotions. Like I have said before... a standard Carlisle house is more or less equivalent to an upgraded M house... with the only difference being a huge price tag. Carlisles standard kitchens are more 'stylish', most ensuites have spas, showers with tiled bases, huge standard alfescos, and so on.

But the main reason why we chose Carlisle.. was because of the floorplan - the Atlantique 36 Mk2. This design was extremely reasonably priced when it was released.. $196,900 for almost 37 squares. The differences between this design and others.. were that:

- the alfresco is double the size of most other alfrescos
- the alfresco has 2 door entry points and 1 window point (in our case)
- walk in pantry/linen
- powder room (3 toilets altogether)
- rear hallway passage was not excessively long.. HATE the really long and narrow hallways!!

- open plan and spacious rear living space
- dedicated and rather large home theatre (study in our case)
- 3 metre feature square set ceiling in entry
- facade
- and.. the floorplan just suited us!!

And lastly, I can tell you.. salespeople do make that difference.

Our original salesperson, R at Caroline Springs, was friendly and helpful. He showed what was standard and what wasnt. He even travelled to our house, one hour away, to finish off the sales paperwork, as he thought it would be inconvenient for us to go back there. Then we got a new salesperson, Warren, as we changed our mind and now wanted to do papers for the Pagoda 35 Mk2. Go to Marriott Waters and see Warren!! He is great to work with, ALWAYS gets an answer for you as soon as possible, and is really funny. And he didnt hesitate when we wanted to revert back to the Atlantique Mk2!!

So.. I guess Carlisle Homes has the 'local builder' charm but the 'volume builder' clientele and popularity.This company just keeps rising and rising... because of its fine salespeople, fine presentation of display homes, vast range of floorplans to suit the needs of different families, and excellent promotions and inclusions. I know Im sounding exactly like a Carlisle employee now.. so lll stop rambling..

dtrance · Dec 01, 2009 5:38 pm

I visited all the display centres around Melbourne. I liked heaps of homes from Henley, Porter Davis, Metricon, Simonds, Carlisle etc.
The house I really wanted to build was the Carlisle Atlantique 36sq (single story), but our block isn't wide enough so we went with a smaller double (Prominence 38sq). The Prominence suited us and dealing with Warren Dibble (sales consultant @ Marriot Waters) was a pleasure so that sealed the deal with Carlisle.

(Why is Metr!c0n censored into ****?)

lindsay · Dec 02, 2009 8:18 pm

Hi - I'm very new here, and have been browsing, but when I saw this thread I had to reply!

We are about to put a deposit down with Carlisle and besides the nice houses, good inclusions and reasonable price, the salesperson was the final step in the process!!

We had a deposit down with another builder, but the salesperson was a complete fool! Didn't know anything and it drove me around the bend. Went with my friend to Tarneit to check out some displays and met Phillip the salesman! Does he know his stuff or what!!!

Went home, got husband (who absolutely detests salespeople in any form) dragged him (alsmost kicking and screaming) to Tarneit and not only did he fall in love with the Atlantique, perhaps even Phillip!! Cancelled deposit with other builder

He is knowledgeable, approachable and one of the best sales people around, and for my husband to agree.....

Anyway once we have secured our block in the new year, hopefully we can deposit.

Anyhoo great to hear you all have positive comments to make, am really looking forward to the journey!

mattwalker · Dec 02, 2009 8:27 pm

Hi Lindsay

What a great first post!

Welcome to the forum ...

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 02, 2009 9:31 pm

Welcome, Lindsay!

The Tarneit Atlantique is awesome isnt it? Really like how theyve done the landscaping/alfresco work with this corner block.

Have added you on the list on the Carlisle General Thread.

IDuo · Dec 03, 2009 11:31 am

Hi all forumone members

I built Pagoda 35 with Carlisle 2 years ago in Pt Cook area. The reason last time I chose them:
- I like the floorplan and the quality of their display homes
- I found from this forum that they had less negative reviews than other builders (Matt Walker blog was helping me to choose Carlisle)
- The standard inclusion was better than other builders
- The sales representative was great

Issues during the building process:
- A lot of miscommunications between their office staff and the site staff
- A lot of issues in the contract drawing (never assume what they put in the contract drawing is the same as the display homes) I am saying this because I didn't have any modification from their standard display home but found what they put in the contract drawing didn't match with their display home.
- They installed the different handles with what I have chosen in the contract without telling me that the supplier did not supply the handles that I have chosen anymore (The CLE was very helpful to find the better solution for me)

Comments after the house completed:
- I was very fortunate to have the good Site Supervisor which is very helpful and approachable
- Love the quality of the house
- Haven't had any issues after they did the maintenance stage

Whether I want to build with them again:
- Yes after my building experience with them. I have recommended them to my friends and brother
- Nope after following my brother's building progress with them so far now. Seems that the company has expanded too fast and the new staff doesn't have the good experience and quality as their old staff. Hope my brother will end up with the good experience as I had previously before I can recommend Carlisle again.
Update: Me and my brother just met their senior construction manager and very pleased with how he handled the issues. Hope it will continue until the house completed. Until then I won't give any comments about Carlisle.

Advice for the new homebuilders:
- Make sure you have your own independent inspector (I highly recommend Kevin from http://www.newhomeinspection.com.au Thanks Matt for recommending him in your blog)
- Check all your paperworks before you sign and never assume
- Make sure to use email/sms for any issues/queries/appointments with them and ask them to reply with the written email/sms.
- Keep monitoring your house progress and be pro active

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and again I want to thank Matt Walker and all the homeone forum members advices/blogs in this forum.

Cheers,
Iduo

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 03, 2009 2:20 pm

Good to hear your opinion IDuo.

What stage of building is your brother at?

IDuo · Dec 03, 2009 3:42 pm

Hi Salt&PepperMKII my brother is in the pre plaster stage now.

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 03, 2009 4:30 pm

IDuo

Hi Salt&PepperMKII my brother is in the pre plaster stage now.

Oh ok. Who is his CS, and which area?

I ask this because our build with Carlisle was really good. I didnt have any of the 'new' staff, but I would imagine Carlisle is still taking up people that would get the job done.

Reassure him that the rest of the build will be good - I know for sure that Carlisle are fast and efficient at fixing problems.

Oh and I dont really think their expansion is the cause for concern - theyre expanding slowly and step by step, so I guess this will make the transition much easier.

lindsay · Dec 03, 2009 8:29 pm

Thanks for the welcome. Reading back my post it was very gushy!

But I have to admit it's all true.

Sadly the block we are looking at won't fit the atlantique

well it will fit but we won't have a back yard at all. but the Bordeaux will fit and I think we'll be going to that instead. Didn't want stairs with the little kiddies but then we want a back yard so that's the decision

So, it looks like we are switching! Wish us luck.

S&P - I'll be joing the other thread once I have some more to report - thanks for the invite!

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 03, 2009 8:35 pm

lindsay

Thanks for the welcome. Reading back my post it was very gushy!

But I have to admit it's all true.

Sadly the block we are looking at won't fit the atlantique

well it will fit but we won't have a back yard at all. but the Bordeaux will fit and I think we'll be going to that instead. Didn't want stairs with the little kiddies but then we want a back yard so that's the decision

So, it looks like we are switching! Wish us luck.

S&P - I'll be joing the other thread once I have some more to report - thanks for the invite!

A shame to hear about the land.. If you really like the Atlantique, are you able to look for a different block?

How big would your backyard be, with the Atlantique? I ask this as our backyard with Atlantique is 4 metres.. 590sqm block.

Good luck!!

DARING2Build · Dec 03, 2009 8:37 pm

lindsay

Hi - I'm very new here, and have been browsing, but when I saw this thread I had to reply!

We are about to put a deposit down with Carlisle and besides the nice houses, good inclusions and reasonable price, the salesperson was the final step in the process!!

We had a deposit down with another builder, but the salesperson was a complete fool! Didn't know anything and it drove me around the bend. Went with my friend to Tarneit to check out some displays and met Phillip the salesman! Does he know his stuff or what!!!

Went home, got husband (who absolutely detests salespeople in any form) dragged him (alsmost kicking and screaming) to Tarneit and not only did he fall in love with the Atlantique, perhaps even Phillip!! Cancelled deposit with other builder

He is knowledgeable, approachable and one of the best sales people around, and for my husband to agree.....

Anyway once we have secured our block in the new year, hopefully we can deposit.

Anyhoo great to hear you all have positive comments to make, am really looking forward to the journey!

Totally agree.. Phillip is DA MAN !!

Have my long story to post.. shall do it pretty soon.. keep watching this space

DARING2Build · Dec 03, 2009 8:40 pm

lindsay

Thanks for the welcome. Reading back my post it was very gushy!

But I have to admit it's all true.

Sadly the block we are looking at won't fit the atlantique

well it will fit but we won't have a back yard at all. but the Bordeaux will fit and I think we'll be going to that instead. Didn't want stairs with the little kiddies but then we want a back yard so that's the decision

So, it looks like we are switching! Wish us luck.

S&P - I'll be joing the other thread once I have some more to report - thanks for the invite!

We went for Bordeaux for the very same reason.. a house without a backyard.. was not for us. Initially we wanted a single storey.. and all the single stories we liked wont fit on our block..or if they fit.. they gave us 3M backyard.. so Bordeaux it is..

lindsay · Dec 03, 2009 8:57 pm

S7P - Backyard would only have been about a 2.5 m (Our swing set wouldn't fit

) - it just doesn't work on any blocks we are looking at which is a real shame, as we want a bigger block for our kids - but in saying that the Bordeaux is a lovely house - so I'm happy enough and husband likes the idea of the kids upstairs!

The only thing in the Bordeaux is that the laundry isn't very big and doesn't have that awesome cupboard that the Atlantique does....but it does have storage under the stairs and a big family room which is great.

Also, love your kitchen - not brave enough to go with the tiles with my offspring running around.

Daring2Build - tell me your Phillip story

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 03, 2009 9:29 pm

Good to see youre happy to build the Bordeaux, Lindsay.

There are new double storeys out too... Vogue 4 and Thornleigh 41. :wink:

2.5 metre backyard... now I understand why youve changed houses.. :lol:

Are you going to get the alfresco extension and bifolds?

Thanks... were pretty happy with the kitchen, although the porcelain tiles are a pain to keep clean. :lol:

IDuo · Dec 04, 2009 9:18 am

Salt&PepperMkII

IDuo

Hi Salt&PepperMKII my brother is in the pre plaster stage now.

Oh ok. Who is his CS, and which area?

I ask this because our build with Carlisle was really good. I didnt have any of the 'new' staff, but I would imagine Carlisle is still taking up people that would get the job done.

Reassure him that the rest of the build will be good - I know for sure that Carlisle are fast and efficient at fixing problems.

Oh and I dont really think their expansion is the cause for concern - theyre expanding slowly and step by step, so I guess this will make the transition much easier.

::lol::

Hi SaltPepperMKII

I don't think it is appropriate to mention any name in this forum. However
we just had meeting with the supervisor, construction manager and the senior construction manager and very please with how the senior manager handles the issues that my brother raised. Hope this will continue until the house completed. Until then I won't give any comments about Carlisle Homes.

Btw just wondering whether you are working for Calisle Homes. I built with them before and I just can give comments from my experience with them only but I can't give the assurance that the rest of my brother's build will be good. Finger crossed it will so my brother can share another good experience with Carlisle Homes with his friends and the forum members.

Cheers

Salt&PepperMkII · Dec 04, 2009 1:29 pm

I definitely DON'T work for Carlisle Homes.

Good to hear the issues are being fixed.

amav26 · Dec 04, 2009 3:23 pm

Hi

We are building Montrose32 with carlisle homes. We loved the design and ofcourse the exceptional customer service from the sales person D in Cranboune north (Sierra Estate).

We had almost finalised with Porter Davis (Camberwell 29). Gave the $1000 deposit as well. but their terrible customer service and the blatant don't care atitude forced us to change our mind and look for some other builder.

Also, the fact the most of the features in the house were included in standard and were not upgrades won us over. - spa in Master Ensuite, Alfresco, Mirror front for cupboards in Master Bedroom etc.

We are not making too many changes in the plan. We are adding

1. Evaporative Cooling
2. Dishwasher
3. High Ceilings
4. Window between meals are and rumpus
5. Sliding door from Rumpus to Alfresco

Our color appointment is on 08.12.09. I am super excited about it