Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Who is building with Beechwood 21Jan 17, 2011 12:24 pm Hunter Valley First Time Builder Beechwood Homes "The Merlot" Chosen 28/10/10 Fixed price tender received 7/11/10 Paid Deposit to draw up plans 1/12/10 Land Settled 23/12/10 Re: Who is building with Beechwood 22Jan 17, 2011 1:30 pm just starting Lake View Lodge - Beechwood deposit 17/08/09 Council April 10 signed contract 11/06 earthworks started 9/07 slab completed 8/09/10 Frames 21/09/10 bricking finished 13/10/10 roof 22/10/10 Gyprock 22/11/10 Tiles bathroom 21/12/10 Kitchen in 21/12/10 Painting 09/02/11 handover 11/03/11 We are in 15/03/11!!!!!!!! http://kathdom.blogspot.com/ Re: Who is building with Beechwood 23Jan 18, 2011 7:30 am Hunter Valley First Time Builder Beechwood Homes "The Merlot" Chosen 28/10/10 Fixed price tender received 7/11/10 Paid Deposit to draw up plans 1/12/10 Land Settled 23/12/10 Re: Who is building with Beechwood 24Jan 18, 2011 7:37 am Our Acreage Build The Lakeview Lodge - Beechwood Homes 01/04/10 YES 2010 - Deposit paid 23/09 - PCI CANCELLED 28/09 - PCI - will it happen.-18 months later 07/10/11 - ITS OURS..WOOHOO Re: Who is building with Beechwood 25Jan 20, 2011 7:09 am just starting Lake View Lodge - Beechwood deposit 17/08/09 Council April 10 signed contract 11/06 earthworks started 9/07 slab completed 8/09/10 Frames 21/09/10 bricking finished 13/10/10 roof 22/10/10 Gyprock 22/11/10 Tiles bathroom 21/12/10 Kitchen in 21/12/10 Painting 09/02/11 handover 11/03/11 We are in 15/03/11!!!!!!!! http://kathdom.blogspot.com/ Re: Who is building with Beechwood 26Jan 21, 2011 10:51 am Hunter Valley First Time Builder Beechwood Homes "The Merlot" Chosen 28/10/10 Fixed price tender received 7/11/10 Paid Deposit to draw up plans 1/12/10 Land Settled 23/12/10 Re: Who is building with Beechwood 27Jan 21, 2011 11:58 am just starting Lake View Lodge - Beechwood deposit 17/08/09 Council April 10 signed contract 11/06 earthworks started 9/07 slab completed 8/09/10 Frames 21/09/10 bricking finished 13/10/10 roof 22/10/10 Gyprock 22/11/10 Tiles bathroom 21/12/10 Kitchen in 21/12/10 Painting 09/02/11 handover 11/03/11 We are in 15/03/11!!!!!!!! http://kathdom.blogspot.com/ Re: Who is building with Beechwood 28Jan 21, 2011 8:55 pm Our Acreage Build The Lakeview Lodge - Beechwood Homes 01/04/10 YES 2010 - Deposit paid 23/09 - PCI CANCELLED 28/09 - PCI - will it happen.-18 months later 07/10/11 - ITS OURS..WOOHOO Re: Who is building with Beechwood 31Jan 23, 2011 11:46 am We have already paid extra for the piers....as we had to have more than was anticipated...an extra $380.....then we had to pay extra for the fencing around the house as we needed more than the average person as we are on acreage.....an extra $400...be very aware of the electrical work.....don't sign with costa until you speak to the subcontractor for the electrical work. Although with you being in Sydney you might deal directly with them. They put way to many down lights in the house...we had to take out about 20 lights all up. The quote for the lighting was over $10,000 but we got it down to $7,750. House is going well.....have all stormwater and septic hooked up but still have no lights or paint......have got the go slow on at the moment(thats beechwood).... just starting Lake View Lodge - Beechwood deposit 17/08/09 Council April 10 signed contract 11/06 earthworks started 9/07 slab completed 8/09/10 Frames 21/09/10 bricking finished 13/10/10 roof 22/10/10 Gyprock 22/11/10 Tiles bathroom 21/12/10 Kitchen in 21/12/10 Painting 09/02/11 handover 11/03/11 We are in 15/03/11!!!!!!!! http://kathdom.blogspot.com/ Re: Who is building with Beechwood 32Jan 23, 2011 5:21 pm Hey Guys, just wanted to let you know that we built with Beechwood Homes 20yrs ago. At the time , they were fairly new, & their prices were reasonable. Just letting you know that because we were on a tight budget, we hardly made any upgrades, the only thing we did from memory was upgrade the stove & oven, the rest we went basic inclusions, the only thing we found with BH was their "after Sales " service, they were reluctant to come out when called, also, the paint they use is not washable, which means if you have young kids it's a real nightmare ...other than that, 20 yrs on the house still looks nice, and their site site costs at the time were reasonable.....having said that, we are building our second house at the moment & decided to go with Westminster Homes as we liked their quality inclusions. Good luck to you all. Hi Jacknruby, Just letting you know that we have exactly the same delima with Westminster Homes, we too were supposed to start afetr Xmas.....and nothing has happened as yet....hoping to start "benching " ( levelling ) the site this week....so don't despair...SLOW must be all the Builders' motto! Re: Who is building with Beechwood 33Jan 23, 2011 8:25 pm Hi Springtime.. I am glad that I am not the only one...going through this pain. It is turning me off building. Funny thing is I think your right they are all the same, i was speaking to the council officer that accessed our plans and I was saying to him I hope I haven't made the wrong decision in choosing Beechwood cause at the moment I am second guessing our decision, and he was like nope they are the same at the end of the day. I am just really worried, as I really cant afford the stamp duty if they dont have the foundations down by the end of March, means all our upgrades will need to be downgraded . I have told them and told them from the start that this all needs to happen, and look I am sure it will be, but it is all the stress wondering.....keeps me awake at night....goosh imagine when they actually start I will be beside myself 594jessica- we are the same thought they are very reasonable for all the extras and changes as compared to other put project home builders, but I guess I will tell hopefully this week when I get our contract, I am guessing it will be blown out, here hoping not to much more then the tender, we did some serious changes to the floor plan, moved the Laundry, added a walkin pantry, amongst other things and it all adds up, my hubby and I were getted a little carried away at one stage has to pull the reins in, I was like we have even started with the internals yet....... Glad I found this site.....and can share my experiences and see I am not the only one experience stress..... Land Settlement - 1/10/10 Slab 23/3 Frame 14/04 Roof Tiling 29/4 Bricks 5/5 Electrical Rough In 27/5 Gyprocking 23/6 Kitchen install 29/6 Tiles 14/7 Paint 4/8 Plumbing 27/7 Were in 1/9 Re: Who is building with Beechwood 34Jan 24, 2011 5:37 am Hi Jacknruby, Do not despair!!! Just to let you know you're not alone, the building company we are with told us from the beginning that our land comply's with comply & development (meaning we don't have to be approved thru council we can go thru a certifier which is quicker ), this was way back in June, we waited for all the paperwork to be done, after submission to the certifier in September, we get a phone call telling us oooops sorry we made a mistake, we have to resubmit & go thru council which means we lost 8 weeks , thank god we have approval now, but till now we haven't seen anything done yet & when I call them they give me some lame excuse.....what I mean to say is in the end it'll all be worth it & you'll look back & laugh at these moments ...hey, you may be like us in 20 yrs time & decide to go thru it all again With regards to your stamp duty, I suggest you hassle them till there's no tomorrow, cos you are the one who stands to benefit from this not them, so be firm but nice & keep calling, sending emails till you finally get what you want....don't stress, enjoy this time ( I know... easily said than done ) Re: Who is building with Beechwood 35Jan 29, 2011 9:29 pm Well good news contract is signed yey! Very exicited ! Got the contract after numerous follow ups, was almost ready to tell them to shove it, I just dont understand sometimes, you are spending so much money and they just couldnt give 2 hoots.....anyways the colour appointment made us change our feelings as the girl was so good and yep spent another $4k but we have everything we wanted.....so now its just needs to start and then finish so we can enjoy it!!!! and not have anymore price suprises.... Lucky we signed the contract this week as as of the 1 Jan the Merlot has increased another $4,000.00 but we were still in the 120 tender period (Thank Goodness) so instead of us coping the price hike we just spent it in the colour studio ! Got to push the bank now for that letter of commencement! Wish me luck! Regards for now... Land Settlement - 1/10/10 Slab 23/3 Frame 14/04 Roof Tiling 29/4 Bricks 5/5 Electrical Rough In 27/5 Gyprocking 23/6 Kitchen install 29/6 Tiles 14/7 Paint 4/8 Plumbing 27/7 Were in 1/9 Re: Who is building with Beechwood 36Jan 30, 2011 4:56 pm Keep on the bank......then keep on Beechwood Once they have the letter of commencement it took them about 4 weeks before they started. Hopefully you don't have the rain that we had when we started We now have septic and all stormwater hooked up. The painter started Thursday....then the electrician should be in as soon as he is finished Getting close now but has been a long and drawn out process Will definately not do it again Will add new photos as soon as I can get into the house just starting Lake View Lodge - Beechwood deposit 17/08/09 Council April 10 signed contract 11/06 earthworks started 9/07 slab completed 8/09/10 Frames 21/09/10 bricking finished 13/10/10 roof 22/10/10 Gyprock 22/11/10 Tiles bathroom 21/12/10 Kitchen in 21/12/10 Painting 09/02/11 handover 11/03/11 We are in 15/03/11!!!!!!!! http://kathdom.blogspot.com/ Re: Who is building with Beechwood 37Feb 01, 2011 9:33 pm Just Starting: Just curious about your comments re Costa's and your lighting, how many downlights was that for if you dont mind me asking as we are trying to work out our budget moving forward looking grim...and we would like extra powerpoints (like 10) and 3 extra TV ports and downlights (maybe 50 - all rooms of the house), what did your extra $7700 get, I am now frighten to think....we were allowing like $3K Building ahhh the joys.... Thanks... Land Settlement - 1/10/10 Slab 23/3 Frame 14/04 Roof Tiling 29/4 Bricks 5/5 Electrical Rough In 27/5 Gyprocking 23/6 Kitchen install 29/6 Tiles 14/7 Paint 4/8 Plumbing 27/7 Were in 1/9 Re: Who is building with Beechwood 38Feb 01, 2011 10:31 pm We havent even met with costas yet - but we are having downlights in all the living rooms, alfresco etc, and ceiling fans/lights in the bedrooms and we are going to go with a private electrician - I already know from what kathy (just starting) has told me that costas is going to blow the budget - we will provide all the light fittings to the electrician also and go from there. we are allowing $5k - we will have a fair few exterior lights though. Our Acreage Build The Lakeview Lodge - Beechwood Homes 01/04/10 YES 2010 - Deposit paid 23/09 - PCI CANCELLED 28/09 - PCI - will it happen.-18 months later 07/10/11 - ITS OURS..WOOHOO Re: Who is building with Beechwood 39Feb 02, 2011 4:58 am Hi Everyone, We too are having 50 downlights , but we're building with Westminster Homes & like you all, we have to go thru Costas. We got them to give us a quote that went in the contract & for 50 downlights they quoted us $5,500.00.... ( they're not cheap, I know )....Just one thing I would like to advise you all, DO NOT get normal downlights as they emit an enormous amount of heat and use up HEAPS of energy, ....Instead, get LED downlights, they're more expensive initially, but they use less power, emit a minimum amount of heat, are brighter and last alot longer than conventional ones, How do I know this you ask? My husband is an Electrical Engineer Re: Who is building with Beechwood 40Feb 02, 2011 6:45 am Hi Thanks for your replys...just a couple of ?? Acre-Is Costa's just doing the wiring and and have you engaged the private electrician? We have a friend who is a sparky but he is always so busy and thought might just be easier to get them done by Costas but now I am hearing the cost its a little freaky..... Springtime - is the quote for $5k for LED Downlights? we have been to some light stores and they are recommending Compact Flouro Downlights (a lot cheaper and only use 9w of power LED use about 5W) but you can also buy LED globes for the CF's also not cheap mind you like $80 globe but guaranteed not to blow for 15 years, if a LED blows you have replace the whole downlight apparently. DOes any know approx cost for costa's to put in extra power points? Land Settlement - 1/10/10 Slab 23/3 Frame 14/04 Roof Tiling 29/4 Bricks 5/5 Electrical Rough In 27/5 Gyprocking 23/6 Kitchen install 29/6 Tiles 14/7 Paint 4/8 Plumbing 27/7 Were in 1/9 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110592 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11039 |