Building with Suburban Property Group in Truganina

thespot · Jan 09, 2010 10:40 am

Hi guys,

How are you all? I randomly found this site and was quite surprised with the amount of useful information that is available here! I'm hoping to learn from many of the people that have experienced the ups and downs of building from this site

I'm currently in the initial stages (land just settled last month, hopefully building should begin end of this month or start of next month) of building with Suburban Property Group and was wondering if anyone else here has built with them. I've seen the homes that they've built and find them of comparable quality to the many display homes that I've looked at previously but I was wondering if anyone has any feedback in regards to them positive or negative. Also anyone else here building around the Westmeadows Lane part of Truganina? What do you think of the area?
Thankyou in advance for any feedback

somewoman · Jan 11, 2010 11:38 am

Firstly, congrats!!! Secondly - do you have a house plan of what you are building? I think I can speak for many people on here in that we LOVE looking at plans and seeing what other people are building!!

Can't help with the builder, sorry... We're building in Adelaide. I built my first home in Truganina about 6 years ago, and I really loved the area. It would be much better now, though, with all of the new shops and infrastructure that has gone in. I have no doubt that you will love it there. Much bigger sense of community there now than when I built - I was surrounded by barren land and a few roads as the new estates were being prepped!! Unfortunately I only got to stay in it for less than 12 months due to work commitments and being moved to the ACT!

All the best with your build =)

mpgioia · Feb 14, 2010 10:07 pm

thespot,

I've put in an offer with a unit that Suburban Property Group are building (1 of 6) in Brooklyn, Victoria.
It's actually not that far from yours in Truganina.
A google hit against Suburban Property Group doesn't bring up an official website.
Like you, i'm interested in other properties they've built. You've said you've visited a few.
Hit me up. Where are they ? How many ?
The unit i'm keen on is 3 months away from construction being completed.
You should drive past the 6 that are being built at the moment (579 Geelong Rd/Princes Hwy, Brooklyn - Opposite the Caltex)
If we secure it, you're welcome to get in contact with me and whenever I go down to monitor its progress, you can synchronise a visit.

Justinm · Mar 02, 2010 6:35 pm

Hi there, Ive brought a block and house land package in truganina also! I'm still going through the crap stuff with the bank....tippical. But I am also building with suburban property group and found my way here. I brought on Botanical drive. I was originaly on west medows but thats a diffrent story. Yet to find out how these people are but as i learn ill share it with you all

homeheart · Mar 02, 2010 6:43 pm

Yes I know Botanical Drive. I live in westmeadows lane and had suburban Property Group. Beware. Keep on them. and get everything in writing. Best of luck

mpgioia · Mar 08, 2010 11:38 pm

The Brooklyn unit is mine now. We got it.

Hmmm....I put in a request with SPG to lay some alarm cable, and extra Cat5 cable to the rooms, as doing this at the stage of building that the unit's at (frame and roof only) is ridiculously easy. I wasn't asking them to do it for free. I wanted a quote, and was happy to pay.
However, any deviation from the standard template, they obviously don't want to go down.
They flat out told me they don't want to do it.
Disappointing.....
Rather than to build a reputation of being a nosy and pesky owner, i'll just let them continue and I'll do it myself when we settle and move in.
One negative already.

I'll keep everyone informed in the progress.

thespot · Mar 20, 2010 2:02 pm

Hi guys,
Truly sorry with the very delayed reply... But first of all I wanted to say howdy to everyone and their input on the area and builder.
Somewoman - Thanks for your comments... Truganina is really booming as you said with the many estates developing crazily, which of course is what attracted me to Truganina. The affordability, close to freeway and a future investment due to the building of Williams Landing Train Station and Town Centre close by. I hope all is well for you in the ACT.

mpgioa - Indeed I have seen the units being built along the princes highway there in Brooklyn, it was the SPG placards on the fencing that really caught my eye :lol:

That definitely has a lot of potential for rental afterwards if you are thinking along those lines... Due to buses and Altona Gate shopping centre being relatively close. I have seen a few houses that they have built, due to the real estate agent showimg me some. The ones I saw are also in the Truganina area on Vanderbuilt Drive the estate agent says most of the houses there are built by SPG.
From what I have seen and dealt with SPG:
1. They are very patient and understanding to what you want and so far very honest in their dealings with me.
(I say honest because they've shown me prices upfront of what their contractors charge them, just to prove there is no insane upmarket margin for them)
2. Being a smaller builder they dont have a wide variety of things you might want for your house eg: I wanted to have stack stone at the front of my house, but they said it was better off for me to do it

Although disappointed I'm guessing it cant be too hard and Im willing to give it a go.
3. As homeheart mentioned you really do have to be on their back for things and I have to totally agree here and my house hasn't even started building. They are very hard to get into contact with and most of the time when I cant get them on the phone, email has worked just as well, but not as of prompt reply as you want but better than nothing...
I hope all goes well in the next 3 months with your unit and congratulations

Justinm - Congrats to you too on your purchase in the Botanical, although practically next door to us the Botanical estate has more value due to the covenant in the estate. I have a friend that lives in Truganina off Vanderbilt drive and they say the amount of units in the area being builit is astonishing. You know how the story goes cheaper housing brings in people of lower socioeconomic class and blah blah blah. True to what extent I dont know, but it does make sense. Good luck to your dealings with SPG and living next door to us!

homeheart - What street are you on? Im just off Westmeadows Lane .

How's your house going?

For all those that want to know about where I'm at... I signed my contract in August. Land was released in December, of course during the holiday season. Between since then and now was finalising plans and adjustments so now just waiting for the council to approve the plans and for them to start building. I'm in no rush really saving up more money to buy things for the house

Ive found some info on the area
http://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/building_ ... plprecinct

From my understanding due to the halt of the UGB there will be no residential North of Leakes road which was planned and a detrimental blow for area in my opinion of a decision to create the block Marquands/Leakes/Palmers/Sayers Road to be an Industrial one as also planned to be residential. But as we all know things may change and hopefully for the better.

Good luck with everyone and if anyone else has some more feedback about the area and SPG any comments are greatly appreciated.

homeheart · Mar 20, 2010 8:38 pm

Hi thespot
interesting to read your message
I live in westmeadows lane, opposite botanical drive in a three bedroom unit built by SPG. I moved in October. There are still problems with SPG from me and several of my neighbours. These include a fence in the wrong place, holes in walls from leaking pipe not fixed, extra charges for phone connections and others.
I hope they have improved since my settlement day. all the best.

thespot · Mar 21, 2010 7:17 am

homeheart

Hi thespot
interesting to read your message
I live in westmeadows lane, opposite botanical drive in a three bedroom unit built by SPG. I moved in October. There are still problems with SPG from me and several of my neighbours. These include a fence in the wrong place, holes in walls from leaking pipe not fixed, extra charges for phone connections and others.
I hope they have improved since my settlement day. all the best.

Thanks for the comments homeheart

,
I guess the problems are falling on deaf ears... Initially I was sceptical of getting inspections throughout the stages of building because it is quite pricey, but I think for peace of mind and from what you have just told me I think getting inspections is a definite must. The problems that you mentioned seem quite disastrous and quite ridiculous

I hope they do get to fixing yours and your neighbours problems, but if it has been that long and if it potentially will be longer would you go for legal help? Is there anything else you could do? Reasons why I ask I'm just wondering what people do in these circumstances and how they find resolutions. I hope it resolves somewhat easily...
Besides these problems, how are you finding your house? The area? Your neighbours thoughts?
Cheers

homeheart · Mar 21, 2010 8:51 am

Hi thespot
thanks for your reply
I won't be saying any more on this in writing. Call in at 1 / 4 5 westmeadows lane or leave a note in my letterbox if you want to know more.
cheers
homeheart

simplelife · Apr 06, 2010 3:25 pm

hmmm.. so far not too good experience with SPG. very unprofessional.
they finished doing the slab stage last october (2nd week of october), but as of march 30 this year, (after slab) only frame and bricks were the things they have done, no roofs or electricals yet.

still a lot of work to do, but it says in the contract the construction period is 180days including weekends and public holidays. The 180days will lapse before april ends. so i am already preparing for my next actions.

thespot · May 10, 2010 10:35 pm

They've just got a website up and running... For those further interested have a look
http://www.suburbanpropertygroup.com.au/

Also more links about the area that I found...
http://www.dealcorp.com.au/wallangarra- ... a.205.html

playhouse · May 13, 2010 2:38 pm

Similar to Homeheart, I'd rather discuss my dealings with SBG in a private manner, send me PM if want to know about our experience, but on the positive side, we're on the final stage of building.. Also building in Truganina area. =)

thespot · Oct 17, 2010 2:29 pm

Its been 10 months since my initial post and due to a combination of waiting for developers and SPG to start building itself, the house is still not even at lock up stage... My thoughts so far?
If your reading this in the curiousity of the company and the building quality, then your the lucky one because you should not consider this company one bit... Seriously find another builder.

If your reading this because your currently building with them/starting to build with them, then brace yourselves and get on their backs about everything you need or want and get a building inspector through the building stages.

If you've heard the line "we only use skilled tradies that have had a trial period with us to monitor their work" then take it from my experience and i'm sure from a few others that their work is just pathetic.

In summary, they are unprofessional to deal with (never can get through to them, I attend meetings wait for an hour or so and they are not there and having to resechdule 4 times in order to meet, take days to answer simple questions), their quality of work is abysmal (my biggest frustration right now is the * brickwork where the perpends are nearly than 25mm apart and less than 5mm in others, use of chipped bricks where there was a whole pallet full of other bricks to choose from ::angry::

amongst other things) and unreliable quotes for extras that come out of their *** that can change one week to another due to not having a extras cost list of some sort ( I'm sure those currently building with them or those previous know what I mean)

Sure these guys are somewhat cheap, which is what attracted me to them, but dont do it... Avoid this crappy mob!

veryannoyed · Mar 19, 2011 1:48 pm

All I can say (cannot say anymore due to legal reasons) is if you have any trouble at all with this mob contact Consumer Affairs ASAP!!!

mpgioia · Mar 19, 2011 5:00 pm

Correct. I've been in my property for about 5 months. I've had a few issues here and there.
I basically ring them and threaten Consumer Affairs on them, in every instance and they come running out.
Yes, I wouldn't go through them ever again, in hindsight, but I don't have any issues getting things attentioned post construction if I just threaten. Not a nice way in an ideal world but it works.
..... I know a lot about this mob also... <Not going to say anything>.... But would avoid them if you could.

asingleroze · Feb 07, 2012 11:27 am

NEVER build your home with these people! They purposely ignore your calls, take 2 years to build houses instead of the normal 6 months! They scam for money, they are slow, hopeless and do EXTREMELY bad work. If you let these people build your home you are MENTAL. I am surprised they are not bankrupt, i've been in there office and witnessed some crazy things!!!!!!!!! People waiting 3 hours to get seen, labourers not getting paid and them being extremely racist towards people. Screening peoples calls and pretending there not in the office. don't be fooled.

thespot · Mar 03, 2012 2:22 pm

Two things.
It's sad to hear that many more ppl are in the same shoes as I was, I really understand the pain you're going through. On the other hand it's good to know this thread is still alive to heed warning to many others that consider building with this company. As many of others have stated here, dont do it! I constantly regret building with them. Dont let this company destroy your dream house and make the building progress a hundred times more stressful than it can be.

affectiion · Apr 06, 2012 7:30 pm

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with SPG - I hope things work out with Cons Affairs :/
I'm just hopping in this thread to say hi- I've just brought land on Westmeadows Lane, building with Orbit as soon as the land titles in October. Were there any troubles with the land itself that I should be aware of? Also, is it a nice area to live in? I got a good feeling myself, which is why we bought the land, we're pretty excited!

hc12 · Apr 15, 2013 1:20 pm

ALL,

Agree with everyone in this forms how painful deal with this mob, just watch out during the sale phase, they make many promise not in written. Once they lock you in the contract, they will turn there self into a different world, instead you are the clients, now you are the opposed side. You call them 10 time, you lucky will get a call back, you send them 10 email, if they fell like they will respond to your email. Before the contract is sign, if they said 4 month to build, you need to include another 6 month. They didn’t details you, it took them 6 month get approval, if they modify the floor plan they didn’t consulting you first thing and force you sign the drawing plan. If the contract state it took 180 day to build, that is only count after the approval plan have been finalised. Also you need to prepare yourself an addition fund for the final payment, because in the special condition on the contract, after received the final payment, the appliance, flooring will only be install, anything is removable. The bank valuation will reject the report only at 90% completed, they call it a completion stage, if you don’t pay the final payment , they will drag on for months, that mean you will be paying the interest for the loan, if you are first home grant, just enough for the interest repayments.
Oh there 2 business name register the same builder.
design one properties
suburban property group