Thursday, 12 May 2016
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
Week 4 - 3rd May 2016 Set back :(
Last week we inspected the slab and noticed the missing nook in the garage. We waited. Also noticed some issues with slab chipping, fraying and small long crack along the porch. Raised this issue with SS 9/5/16 via sms no response yet.
Received a call from Clarendon draft leader on 3/5/16. Clarendon have taken full responsibility for the slab mistake. When drafting the concrete plans the nook in the back of the garage was missed! They have offered to rectify by cutting it out as the original plans however it will slow down the entire construction process as an alternative they have offered creating shelving 'Man Cave' for the nook.
Despite being assured we would receive an email with a sketch right away for the alternative, we received the sketch the following day after I called in the morning to follow it up. It's a sketch without photo's and advised we can't decide or move forward without a photograph. Now it's 10/05/2016 still no photograph!
I spoke to my SS about our concerns with cutting it out Saturday morning 7/5/16. Will it affect the rest of the foundation? My SS explained the process to cut the concrete. They require an engineer to draft the plans, cut it out and re-concrete the area. By the sounds of it not only will it be time consuming it sounds expensive for Clarendon. He also told me to inform him if we still have not received the photo's of the Man Cave by Monday to let him know. Also there had been some miscommunication because the frames started going in today! Told me not to worry as they can just remove the nails if needed.
We visited the site Sunday 8/5/16 Mother's Day and brought bub along. It started to drizzle. That's when we noticed some nailing faults in the family room wall frame, missing the wood and concrete slab chipping, fraying and small long crack along the porch. Not happy.
Received a call from Clarendon draft leader on 3/5/16. Clarendon have taken full responsibility for the slab mistake. When drafting the concrete plans the nook in the back of the garage was missed! They have offered to rectify by cutting it out as the original plans however it will slow down the entire construction process as an alternative they have offered creating shelving 'Man Cave' for the nook.
Despite being assured we would receive an email with a sketch right away for the alternative, we received the sketch the following day after I called in the morning to follow it up. It's a sketch without photo's and advised we can't decide or move forward without a photograph. Now it's 10/05/2016 still no photograph!
I spoke to my SS about our concerns with cutting it out Saturday morning 7/5/16. Will it affect the rest of the foundation? My SS explained the process to cut the concrete. They require an engineer to draft the plans, cut it out and re-concrete the area. By the sounds of it not only will it be time consuming it sounds expensive for Clarendon. He also told me to inform him if we still have not received the photo's of the Man Cave by Monday to let him know. Also there had been some miscommunication because the frames started going in today! Told me not to worry as they can just remove the nails if needed.
We visited the site Sunday 8/5/16 Mother's Day and brought bub along. It started to drizzle. That's when we noticed some nailing faults in the family room wall frame, missing the wood and concrete slab chipping, fraying and small long crack along the porch. Not happy.
Friday, 29 April 2016
Week 3 - 29th April 2016
- Underground surface completed
- Frame delivery due mid week
- Carpentry will start soon after that
2nd Progress payment paid 27/04/16
- Frame delivery due mid week
- Carpentry will start soon after that
2nd Progress payment paid 27/04/16
Week 2 - April 22nd 2016
- Slab is poured
- External drains next week
- Frame delivery booked for the 3rd of May
Week 1 - 11th April
- Piering
- External drains next week
- Frame delivery booked for the 3rd of May
Week 1 - 11th April
- Piering
Friday, 22 April 2016
The winner is Clarendon! - Modified Wentworth
We began our search early 2013. Recommenced visits to display homes in Feb 2015 to June 2015. Meetings with builders and tender requests. We had the following designs short listed.
Clarendon - Wentworth : Paid tender $1K or Sheridan
Masterton - Synergy : Free tender
AllWorth - Panoroma Compact or Waterford Luxury Ensuite : Free tender
Wisdom - Aspiration/Inspiration/Washington
30th June 2015
Signed and paid for tender with Clarendon to lock in the May 2015 price list. $1K
Advised it would take 2 to 3 weeks for tender and possible delays because of the high demand.
It was completed 4 weeks later. The earliest appointment available was 14/08/15 for the tender presentation. A total of 6 weeks.Due to the late tender we were hit with a number of price rises for other builders we were considering.
14th August 2015
Made a number of changes and requested a revised tender to include changes.
30th September 2015
Presented with revised tender and answered questions
Paid $5K
31st October 2015
Post variation changes
Paid 5%
19th November 2015
Colour Studio appointment
Kitchen
Colours
Air-Con
Flooring
20th November 2015
Tiles appointment
24th November 2015
Stairs, EHI, Smart Home,
26th November 2015
Electrical
Revised Colour Studio appointment
8th January 2016
CDC Lodgement
Advised it would take 15-20 working days
Completed 22nd March 2016 due to miscommunication of vehicular crossing and second change of Clarendon staff. Our third representative.
6th April 2016
Formal loan approval
7th April 2016
CONSTRUCTION Begins! Excavation
Thursday, 9 July 2015
What we have learned so far:
Step 1. Decide on your budget and stick to it. The elusive turn the key price.
Step 2. Find out 'What size home can you build on your block of land?'
Step 3. Structurally decide what you
- Need
- Must Have
- Want
Step 4. Project builder or custom build?
Step 5. Research and read widely! Forums, blogs and reviews. Speak to people about their personal experiences.
Step 6. When speaking to sales people ask every question under the sun. You don't want to be hit with hidden costs.
Step 7. Don't just look at base price or package prices. Make sure you factor in:
- site costs i.e. try to get fixed site costs in your tender
- basix
- compare all builder inclusions
- landscaping turf, gardens
- letterbox
- driveway and footpaths
- garage remotes
- recycled water and solar power (if required in your area)
- fences
- clothes line
- alfresco
- outdoor fans to alfresco, water and gas to alfresco
- flooring
- flyscreens
- locks on windows
- security doors
- window coverings
- extra fridge space
- sewage/storm water/water/electricity/gas connection fees
- telephone and NBN connection
- light fitting
- dishwasher and connection
- beams for installed ceiling fans
- council requirements (e.g. if you are in a high wind or bush fire area)
If you are happy with the standard fittings and finishes included in your package then you should be able to get an close estimate of cost from your building company. Otherwise be prepared to pay for upgrades!
Step 8. When you find a display home you love, have the sales person walk you through the home so you know what's included and what's an upgrade. Almost all display homes are full of upgrades!
Step 2. Find out 'What size home can you build on your block of land?'
Step 3. Structurally decide what you
- Need
- Must Have
- Want
Step 4. Project builder or custom build?
Step 5. Research and read widely! Forums, blogs and reviews. Speak to people about their personal experiences.
Step 6. When speaking to sales people ask every question under the sun. You don't want to be hit with hidden costs.
Step 7. Don't just look at base price or package prices. Make sure you factor in:
- site costs i.e. try to get fixed site costs in your tender
- basix
- compare all builder inclusions
- landscaping turf, gardens
- letterbox
- driveway and footpaths
- garage remotes
- recycled water and solar power (if required in your area)
- fences
- clothes line
- alfresco
- outdoor fans to alfresco, water and gas to alfresco
- flooring
- flyscreens
- locks on windows
- security doors
- window coverings
- extra fridge space
- sewage/storm water/water/electricity/gas connection fees
- telephone and NBN connection
- light fitting
- dishwasher and connection
- beams for installed ceiling fans
- council requirements (e.g. if you are in a high wind or bush fire area)
If you are happy with the standard fittings and finishes included in your package then you should be able to get an close estimate of cost from your building company. Otherwise be prepared to pay for upgrades!
Step 8. When you find a display home you love, have the sales person walk you through the home so you know what's included and what's an upgrade. Almost all display homes are full of upgrades!
The beginning
In late 2013, we were fortunate to secure a corner block of land in the Mirvac Estate.
Fortunately for us it wasn't until late September 2014 when the land was registered and we finalised our construction loan. At this point we started then stopped our search for our dream home and focused on wedding planning which occuppied all of our time.
It's now 2015 and we began our search again in February. Both having no experience with building a home and its process. In the meantime speaking to family and friends about the process, recommendations, along with research and wide reading.
Late February after a great weekend and seeing one display home after another. Finding it hard to differentiate between builders let alone homes. We finally get a feel of what we are looking for.
Destiny befalls us and we have another dream begin for us but a minor set back to finding our dream home. We hit pause for another 3 months. We begin our search again in June 2015. Hooray!
Fortunately for us it wasn't until late September 2014 when the land was registered and we finalised our construction loan. At this point we started then stopped our search for our dream home and focused on wedding planning which occuppied all of our time.
It's now 2015 and we began our search again in February. Both having no experience with building a home and its process. In the meantime speaking to family and friends about the process, recommendations, along with research and wide reading.
Late February after a great weekend and seeing one display home after another. Finding it hard to differentiate between builders let alone homes. We finally get a feel of what we are looking for.
Destiny befalls us and we have another dream begin for us but a minor set back to finding our dream home. We hit pause for another 3 months. We begin our search again in June 2015. Hooray!
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