Building First Home with Simonds - Narre Warren, VIC

mattnjaz · Jun 05, 2011 6:50 pm

sorry for the elongated post before... i didn't realize i typed so much... got a bit carried away haha...

mattnjaz · Jun 05, 2011 7:02 pm

edscl

Quote:

-wider nicer vanity in ensuite (jas really wants this and i like it too) - $407 (we seem to remember rep quoting a lot more for this today but inclusion catalogue says $407?)

When we went to the gallery the wider nicer vanities just seemed over priced for what they are. To add the shelves onto the side of the single vanity cost $300, we have decided to go for the basics up stairs and change them in the future when we can afford to.

yeah we were actually quoted $1140 for the deluxe vanity in the ensuite. like you said these are things that can be upgraded in future without too much trouble....

Jovi0990 · Jun 05, 2011 7:15 pm

Hi welcome, We are currently building with Simonds have just finished Lockup Stage. Our site start was around the end of April & about over a month we are already up to Fixing Stage. So far we are very happy with the process, very very few problems but were building in Geelong as you are not. All I can say make sure you have everything in documents & read the contract before you are sure to sign.

Also I will be watching your build, look forward on what's going to happen!

Jovi.

flipflop2010 · Jun 05, 2011 9:54 pm

Hi mattnjaz

Reading your thread brought me into reminscent stage. We were originally to build with Simonds but after Colour Selection, pulled out and decided to build with Carlisle Homes. We lost our 1,500 deposit with SH but we are more than happy with our decision. On the surface, you'll think that Carlisle is quite an expensive option but when you examine the details of what their standard inclusions, you'll end up getting more value with your money. Right now, they have "as displayed" promo in which you get practically everything on the display home of your choice. Check their website for more information. So, floor coverings, higher ceiling, 3 coats of paint, render, designer kitchen cabinets etc are all part of the base price so that you would most probably just have to add site cost and the normal council req on top of the base price. My advise is that you shop around and try visiting and if possible get quotes from other builders until you finally find the one that would satisfy the most of your needs. Goodluck to your build!

mattnjaz · Jun 05, 2011 10:06 pm

Thanks jovi. The more people I speak with on here the more the good stories are starting to balance out the horror stories which is positive. We got a really good feeling about all this we just want it all to work out properly.

Go cats.

Flipflop thanks for the tip on carlisle we've been to carlisle and we liked their homes it's just that this simonds house is perfect for us n we kind've got our heart set on it now. We just hope they do a good job building it...

yellowdieselgolf · Jun 05, 2011 10:36 pm

I built with simonds and found it extremely frustrating and stressful. Feel free to im me if you want specifics.

my pics and progress is on this link

humble · Jun 06, 2011 12:39 pm

-does anyone know what the telstra velocity smart estate package is all about?

It means there is fibre optic internet to your house, it also means your home phone and foxtel all come through the one cable.

Its quick.. NBN quick, but the downside is you can only use Telstra for the service (and will not be able to go with anyone else) and its expensive, check telstra's website.

nck321 · Jun 06, 2011 10:13 pm

Hi everyone!

Just got our contract appointment today. The things have turned out not that bad!

Figures were OK, still in the budget we could afford. Nevertheless some options appeared more expensive, some less, and some surprisingly - for free!

All together - just the budget we had from the start. It is strange as we have had many features quoted different prices over the three times in the sales, tender and colour papers, all has been done in writing! We didn't point out this issue because we have ended up with the budget we needed (and agreed) as well as we had everything we asked for.

As a very positive moment, which I did not expect at all, we have been provided with "H class" instead of "M class" slab for free!!! They have kept their word to sell the package for the agreed amount, and here we are! This is a big "+" to them!!!

I also have found clearly stated FIXED pricing regarding every single figure in the contract. The contract was a robust thing regarding the pricing. I was happy to have it because we really needed this confidence. Thanks to us being proactive and stating all what is required prior to the contract appointment, and in writing. Also we asked all discussion points to have in writing, even from the very first conversation with the salesman. THIS WAS VERY HELPFUL!!! I would recommend everyone to ask for all information confirmed in writing.

We also have one important thing still in the progress, I'll let you know what it is when we have either positive or negative outcome.

nck321 · Jun 06, 2011 10:24 pm

Jovi0990

Hi welcome, We are currently building with Simonds have just finished Lockup Stage. Our site start was around the end of April & about over a month we are already up to Fixing Stage. So far we are very happy with the process, very very few problems but were building in Geelong as you are not. All I can say make sure you have everything in documents & read the contract before you are sure to sign.

Also I will be watching your build, look forward on what's going to happen!

Jovi.

In my humble opinion, your posts and blog look pretty much as being a pure promotion of Simmonds. Your feedback is too spotless, which does not happen in the real world in general! You should also know that Simonds does not allow to keep the contract before you sign. They want you sign it in front of you. The reality is different to your advise and other posts, which looks more and more like an artificial thread in general.

Jovi0990 · Jun 07, 2011 8:22 am

nck321

Jovi0990

Hi welcome, We are currently building with Simonds have just finished Lockup Stage. Our site start was around the end of April & about over a month we are already up to Fixing Stage. So far we are very happy with the process, very very few problems but were building in Geelong as you are not. All I can say make sure you have everything in documents & read the contract before you are sure to sign.

Also I will be watching your build, look forward on what's going to happen!

Jovi.

In my humble opinion, your posts and blog look pretty much as being a pure promotion of Simmonds. Your feedback is too spotless, which does not happen in the real world in general! You should also know that Simonds does not allow to keep the contract before you sign. They want you sign it in front of you. The reality is different to your advise and other posts, which looks more and more like an artificial thread in general.

Hi, thanks for your opinion, but how could you say that. Well Firstly FYI Simonds let us keep a copy of the contract before sign, and I'm not ******.
Secondly I'm having a fantastic experience with them, Yeah others have problems, but does that give you the right to accuse my build of being "artificial or promoting them" because I haven't stated any problems, no it doesn't!! .
And lucky last, Yes my posts may be different but it doesn't mean it's not reality. Why because Simonds has a bad reputation and I'm meant to suffer!!

Sorry mattnjaz for this post!

Jovi.

Romani · Jun 07, 2011 10:27 am

[quote="mattnjaz"]humble - thank you so much. that list certainly is extensive. lots in there i probably wouldn't have thought of.

abraham - thanks for your advice and i agree with your logic but no other builder seems to be any different on the internet. they all have negative feedback. it goes by the old saying that 10 people will give you a bad story for every 1 good story. people love to pass on bad news. even if it didn't happen to them but it happened to their friend's friend. how often do you hear good news stories on the news? maybe one little tidbit at the end of some panda bear that made friends with a monkey? the rest is war, famine, death, aids, carbon tax....

Hi,

was just having a look at your thread and sorry can't help you with any opinion on Simonds as I haven't ever built with them but to mention about my building experience with Carlisle..I haven't found any negative thing about them...I am building with them and just browsed this forum before we took the final decision but so far I haven't found anything negative here or haven't experieced anything negative during our build...there is a seperate thread for Carlisle building with 108 pages and all the pages with very positive experiences..so i dont think that 9 out of 10 people only share their negative experience..Good luck with your build..

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=24223&start=2140

SherWin · Jun 07, 2011 4:30 pm

Quote:

Hi, thanks for your opinion, but how could you say that. Well Firstly FYI Simonds let us keep a copy of the contract before sign, and I'm not ******.
Secondly I'm having a fantastic experience with them, Yeah others have problems, but does that give you the right to accuse my build of being "artificial or promoting them" because I haven't stated any problems, no it doesn't!! .
And lucky last, Yes my posts may be different but it doesn't mean it's not reality. Why because Simonds has a bad reputation and I'm meant to suffer!!

Sorry mattnjaz for this post!

Jovi.

Hi Jovi
I think you might find that Simonds have changed their ways of issuing their contracts after being advised at VCAT in November 2010 to reconsider their obligations concerning the rights of prospective clients to receive documents in sufficient time. Maybe you have been one of the fortunate ones to have your contract issued after this time.

Glad to hear you continue to enjoy your construction experience.

Mattnjaz, the above maybe of assistance to you also ...... might help you feel a little at ease.
SherWin

Jovi0990 · Jun 07, 2011 5:17 pm

SherWin

Quote:

Hi, thanks for your opinion, but how could you say that. Well Firstly FYI Simonds let us keep a copy of the contract before sign, and I'm not ******.
Secondly I'm having a fantastic experience with them, Yeah others have problems, but does that give you the right to accuse my build of being "artificial or promoting them" because I haven't stated any problems, no it doesn't!! .
And lucky last, Yes my posts may be different but it doesn't mean it's not reality. Why because Simonds has a bad reputation and I'm meant to suffer!!

Sorry mattnjaz for this post!

Jovi.

Hi Jovi
I think you might find that Simonds have changed their ways of issuing their contracts after being advised at VCAT in November 2010 to reconsider their obligations concerning the rights of prospective clients to receive documents in sufficient time. Maybe you have been one of the fortunate ones to have your contract issued after this time.

Glad to hear you continue to enjoy your construction experience.

Mattnjaz, the above maybe of assistance to you also ...... might help you feel a little at ease.
SherWin

Okay, understand now! Thanks SherWin.

Just was upset cause of the other post.

Jovi.

edscl · Jun 07, 2011 5:37 pm

I tend the think that Simonds build great single storey houses, as I have had chats with people who have built with them and have had no issues.

I also think you will hear about the bad more than the good, that is human nature, so that is why I follow Jovi's thread as it is positive, there may of been some issues that we don't know about, and there may be some that is unforeseen. But I think it is great to see someones build in a positive light.

Another blog I am following is of a Simonds Amberlea build that is almost complete and I am amazed on the lack of skill the tilers had on her build. But this blog is making me aware of the pitfalls of building.

A lot of the threads have heaps of negative stuff on all of the builders, but by reading them all helps but things in perspective. It also helps on what to look out for, what to do if something goes wrong.

Stay positive, be level headed, communicate with the customer relations consultant and the site supervisor and voice your concerns to the appropriate people, document everything, and cross your fingers that things will go smoothly.