Ladies and Gents, step right up! Mernda & Doreen Residents

I didn't see the fires but saw all the emergency services drive past. Made me realize I need to put a fire plan in place

Did anyone hear gunshots, my DS, friend lives in Mernda Villages said there are Cops everywhere.

I thought they were fireworks too.

Wonder what happened.

I posted our building experinces in a seperate topic as well but it will be of relevance here as well since this seems to be the main thread on Doreen and Mernda. Hope Im not breaking any rules by adding it twice.

About three weeks ago we moved into our new home in Doreen. We built with Minniti Properties and went through National Builders. I am not certain just how it works but I think National Builders are a company that own designs and buy materials in bulk. After you sign up with them they hand you over to one of a group of independent builders. The contract you sign is with the independent builder and not with National.

We went with National Builders for a few reasons. One of them was their policy of not over embellishing their display homes. Basically what you see is pretty much what is standard. This is unlike some well known volume builders who have stunning display homes that contain so many extras that add to the price. The second reason was the long list of standard inclusions. Even more important was their complete flexibility. They were completely willing to design a house to suit any block. Our block was very wide and had about 3 metres of diagonal fall from back to front. The fourth reason was the appeal of actually being with a small builder who should, in theory at least, give more personalised service and be more flexible.

What we were hoping was getting the best of both worlds, the low cost and proven designs of a large builder but the flexibility and quality of a small builder.

What delighted us even more was that within a certain zone of Melbourne we could choose our builder. After doing some research on this forum we chose Minniti Properties.

This was the second home we had built so we were able to compare. To make a long story short there was not a single stage where we did not feel we were getting a more positive experience.

It started at the quote stage when we discovered that we were being charged a very reasonable $10,000 for our sloping block. This was less than we paid for a level block 8 years prior with a large well known volume builder.

At the same time we got the costs of heavily modifying the house. Essentially we added whole rooms, changed the width, height, front plan view, moved every single wall till we got exactly what we want and we only paid $1500 for that.

The colour selection process was also great. We spent a whole morning choosing from a great range of standard inclusions. At no time did we feel rushed. At lunch time they served us a lovely foccaccia. The last builder rushed us through in two hours during which we made several mistakes that we regretted each day we lived in that house.

After that we were handed over to Minniti Properties with whom we signed the contract. We met the builders who took us through the contract, the design and the content and sought clarification on everything. At that stage they asked us many questions about how we would use the house, what kind of flooring we would add and made quite a few suggestions and changes.

This happened in the March timeframe last year. In late April they began cutting and shaping the block, adding retaining walls etc. Only a few rocks were found and these were clearly shown to me. I paid a very nominal amount for the extra costs incurred as a result. Again this was in sharp contrast to the previous builder who tried to charge me $10,000 for 1 cubic meter of rock.

At that stage we met the building supervisor who was also a great guy. Unlike the previous experience neither the builder nor the supervisor had any hesitation in giving me their mobile numbers.

The slab was poured in early May. The frame went up around three to four weeks later and progress was steady from then on. We were in regular contact with both the builder and the supervisor. They allowed us to add internal noise insulation and add extra sealing to the sarking. They also allowed me to make regular inspections.

We we made several minor changes such as the colour and location of the carpet, the types of handles, added and moved electrical points, changed the colour of the splashback and that of the front door.

They also allowed us to install smart wiring through an independent contractor.

The buidling continued progressing well. Both builder and supervisor always picked up their phone or returned my call within a few hours. At no stage were they anything but completely nice and friendly. I did my best to treat them well also. I made sure that any progress payments were paid the very same day.

Even National Builders kept calling me regularly to make sure I was happy with the progress.

The original completion date was around February 2012 but as September came around we could see a possibility of the house being completed in time for Christmas. When we broached this with builder they promised to try as hard as they could.

During this time they allowed me to begin landscaping. I got a driveway and some other concreting installed and the block cleaned up. In October I build the side fences and in November I laid grass in the back. In late November they let me install a timber floor and then closer to handover they let the person come in and sand and polish it. During this stage they also let other tradespeople do other things to the house I needed.

I guess you already know how it ended. We got the house before Christmas. It was handed to us very clean and in very good condition. The paint was very good and generally we are very happy with how it turned out. It was certainly many levels above the quality of the previous home. A few small things needed to be addressed after handover and they showed the same speed and diligence in sorting those out even after we had handed over the final payment.

So if anyone is looking for a great builder I can certainly recommend one.

To anybody interested in the 5 story block of apartments (74 proposed) to be erected at 32
The Waterways Doreen the sign is up in regards to the appeal etc. The notice is dated 12/01/12 and the document is available at Council until 27th January. The sign was laying down under a piece of rubbish but is now displayed although it is attached to a tree at front of block.

guys, hows the weather in mernda been since this morning?

we are having our slab poured today. We heard in weather forecast that there's going to be quite a bit of rain. Where i work, i.e. east, has had little to no rain since this morning.

I am just hoping that it's the same in mernda. The last thing we need is pouring rain while the concrete is poured.

thanks in advanced for any 'weather updates'.

Our frame is up!

Beautiful day here in Doreen/Mernda. Great day for your slab to b poured. Buttercup yours should b next.

Great to finally see the faces on the forum

I got the dogs home and they haven't moved since. Pretty funny about the wardrobes...got to get that sorted out