Browse Forums Building A New House Re: who to build with? 6Feb 02, 2010 10:41 pm ---------------------------------------- Building the PD Lisbon 24 http://www.porterdavis.com.au/#homeviewer/lisbon/24 Blog of our progress. http://lisbon24.blogspot.com/ Homeone build thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28665 Re: who to build with? 9Feb 03, 2010 9:57 am We're building with Pl@ces, the other other PD spinoff. They're all owned by the same group and effectively the overall management and things like selections etc are all done in the same way as PD, theres just some differences. Firstly the houses sit between the access and lifestyle range in terms of size, cost etc. They have a few more original floorplans than PD as in they fit smaller frontages, or blocks with rear access for garages etc. We've gone through the whole contract process and are now just waiting on our land to be settled so we can start building. So far, there were a few bumps along the way. Some due to their recent system change that all of PD is now using. Some due to human error. A few things changed significantly in cost between quote and tender. For instance the base price for our house was $170k give or take, whilst our final contract price was $217k. That said we did make some expensive upgrades, a workmate who is incidently building the same plan house didn't make an structural changes and has less upgrades than us and his came to around $195k. They do require that their choices mortgage arm look at your finance and push you towards using them as their affiliated. That said we used an independant broker who came highly recommeded, provided them with a finance approval from the bank and for the rest told them to get over it. We also requested that our contract be re-drafted twice due to the amount of errors and inconsistancies, they also wanted to limit the viewing of the contract to the appointments only. However we negotiated on that point after paying a partial deposit. it hasn't been all smooth sailing, but that said i'd still recommend them. For the most part at least when an issue was brought to their attention it was resolved rather than being ignored. TBH due to the value of the contract, the amount of time we put in to making sure everything was right was considerably more than what several colleuges said they did, now I considered it due dilligence. Other people may describe it as being anally retentive, as i was picking out spelling errors in the contract, aside from the real issues. Would we have had a smoother ride with a different builder, maybe but that said H3nley we're not willing to adjust their plans at all from the "standard' variations. PD didn't have a plan that was quite right. Carslile didn't have anything that would fit our block. And the reputation of simmonds and burbank along with the personal experiences of some friends didnt put them in contention. Rawdon hill were promising as well as a smaller builder and we nearly signed with them. We also considered going independant, we contacted 3 who were reputablely referred. 1 didn't respond to our enquiries at all, the second made an appointment with us to show us through their display house, didn't show up, didn't answer his phone, never gave us a reason. and the third was so busy they couldnt fit us in until at least half way through this year. Our Build - Places Fairhaven 23+ - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28045 Our Landscaping - Belial's Backyard - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=45375 Re: who to build with? 10Feb 03, 2010 11:54 am As a first home owner, I would be looking at floor plans and the size/shape of the house instead of more so the builder. I built with PD and had what most would consider a fantastic build, it's still an giant emotional rollercoaster though and very stressful. At the end of the day every builder has good and bad builds, you are better off trying to get a floor plan that -you- like and that fits on the block of land that you will be buying. 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: who to build with? 11Feb 03, 2010 8:51 pm Having worked for a boutique building company before who only dealt with customers wanting to spend $500K+ on their homes, I can probably give you some advise in what to look for. Yes a budget is critical but before you can set it, there are several non-negotiables you have to decide on. Easy you think? Guess again because we are all at different stages in our lives and it's these stages which dictate these non-negotiables and only you know what stage in life you are at. However help is at hand and no matter whether I had a client who could or had a snow balls chance in hell to even think they could build with the company I worked for, I offered them this very simple formula to discover what they were truely after. 1.) Both you and your partner go into seperate rooms and write out a list of what you want to have in your house. I mean everything you can think of from the ridiculous (including the disco ball in the toilet) to the must have. 2.) Once done and I mean you've exhausted all your options, come together and compare your lists. Those things which match are in and those which don't are out. Not even if you forgot to put in yours after seeing your partners list, if you didn't remember it, it wasn't one of your priorities so tuff titties. After you have made a new list move onto step 3. 3.) You now have your wish list in front of you. The list of, 'If I won tattslotto', now must be divided into 3 lists which you both sit down together and do. The first one you've done already, the 2nd one is made up of 'I need to have this item' and the last list is 'are the must haves and cannot do without'. The above rules will work with any person no matter what stage you are in life and I can guarantee it works. Yes there will be arguements and tears just over the lists, and just think, you haven't started the building stages yet. Are you sure you really want to go down this path I ask................. HELL YEAH !!!! I hope this helps in your choices PD Hayman 34 H1 Thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29460&start=0 Blog http://miazfolly.blogspot.com Tiles 25/3/09 Colors 6/4/09 Tender 7/5/09 Contract 28/5/09 Land 16/11/09 Re: who to build with? 12Feb 03, 2010 9:03 pm Mia's Folly excellent advise! If you think the above advise is tough wait till you actually get into the build... argui9ng with your partner is easy compare to the builder who are experience than you in the game. BTW we are building with h3nl3y as we were able to find an acceptable mix. Most people end up going with a particular builder just because they are the only one with the 'must have' plan. Re: who to build with? 13Feb 03, 2010 9:27 pm Mia's Folly 1.) Both you and your partner go into seperate rooms and write out a list of what you want to have in your house. I mean everything you can think of from the ridiculous (including the disco ball in the toilet) to the must have. I'm very curious to see this toilet you're building...or did somebody veto that idea? Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Re: who to build with? 14Feb 03, 2010 10:08 pm Twiggy Mia's Folly 1.) Both you and your partner go into seperate rooms and write out a list of what you want to have in your house. I mean everything you can think of from the ridiculous (including the disco ball in the toilet) to the must have. I'm very curious to see this toilet you're building...or did somebody veto that idea? Yes I have to admit I lost out on the disco ball in the toilet. It really is a must have you know, just think of the endless hours of fun you can have just sitting there contemplating your naval while the world just passes you by as the dulcet tones of the Bee Gee play away in the back-ground to help relax your bodily functions. Oh those were the days I can tell you... PD Hayman 34 H1 Thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29460&start=0 Blog http://miazfolly.blogspot.com Tiles 25/3/09 Colors 6/4/09 Tender 7/5/09 Contract 28/5/09 Land 16/11/09 Re: who to build with? 15Feb 03, 2010 10:26 pm hehe. It'd work a treat when the drunks are hugging the toilet as well...suddenly all seems not so bad Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17638 Hi We have finally decided to complete a KDR on our corner plot in NE Melbourne suburbs. Given its a corner plot approx. 400 sqm just a standard design may not fit the… 0 8580 |