Twice as good?

May 30, 2007 - Time for another update! You'd think that now we have made the decision to pull out of the build with Porter Davis, that there would be nothing left to write about. Wrong!

To a certain extent, we believe that if things are meant to be, then they will happen. Obviously the PD project was not meant to be - too many roadblocks.

We are still considering our options, and if you've been reading along you would have seen the custom design we put together. The only problem with all of the designs so far is that we have been looking for single storey - and while we can make them fit, they are not ideal for our land.

Our block of land is large at 1110 square metres. The only thing is that there is an 11 metre by 8 metre garage already on the block. Woo hoo! Every blokes idea of a real shed! Only problem is, a garage that large takes quite a lot of space.

Condsider the picture below - it's our Hamilton 34 sited on the land. Pretty close to the shed huh? Perhaps the cancellation of the Hamilton with Porter Davis isn't such a bad idea.

The next picture is the custom design we put together.


See the problem? Nice problem to have - but we want to have our cake and to eat it too! The home fits, but there's not a lot of room left over.

Last weekend we decided to take a look at some double storey places. Double storey = smaller footprint without a loss in size. Down sides of double storey: more expensive to build, longer time to build, potential hassles with neighbours getting permits, and climbing those damn stairs!

We researched some plans, and decided to take a serious look at two display homes - one from National Builders, and the other from Dennis Family homes.

The National Builders home was large, but nicely set out. It didn't really suit our needs, mainly because there is not purpose built theatre room, and there is a large formal dining room / lounge downstairs, with the main family area upstairs. We tend to live in the family room, so we are looking for a downstairs room.

Link to National Builders Buckinghan 360E

These were not really a problem, as - put a couple of extra walls in, and there is the theatre. Climb upstairs and use the Family room. The study upstairs was huge, and definitely a big plus. Dare I say it - the National Builders Display home wasn't finished all that well. The paint left a lot to be desired, and it just didn't have the quality feel that we would have expected.

Then we looked at the Dennis Family Home Riverton 350. We went through it, and really could imagine ourselves living in it (ironic, if you've seen the TV ads). The finish was excellent, and the layout was better suited to our needs.

Link to Riverton 350

Now check out the siting below. Ahh! The magic of computers. A much better fit for our block.

So - once again we are looking at a project builder. Yep. I know - but it's our place, and we can change our mind if we want! :-)

We have decided not to sign up for anything until we know for sure that the land title is on it's way - one of the issues in the back of our mind with the PD home was that the start was set for July, and that we may not have the land ready by then.

A note regarding Porter Davis: I think that it's worth mentioning that even though we didn't go ahead with PD, they have proven themselves to be professional. Strange as it may seem, I would not try and talk anyone out of dealing with PD - all I would suggest is that you look at the site costs very carefully.

Sorry - I've crapped on enough for today. I'll let you get back to some important stuff!
Cheers!

Even more confusing!

May 24, 2007 - Well, things get more and more confusing every day. Just when you think you have a direction in which to travel, you hit a roadblock.

"What the hell are you talking about!!", I hear you yelling at me.

In the few days since we made the decision to give PD the heave-ho, we decided to try and design our own place. Bernadette did an excellent job of the design, and we made a "virtual reality home" by using "My Virtual Home".

The results are displayed for you below:



So - we came up with our own design, and it looks great! Only problem is that it could cost anywhere from $10k per square upwards to build. This home is 35 squares - out of our budget!

Yikes! That's why we went for a project builder in the first place! Back to square one!

Goodbye Porter Davis

May 22, 2007 - Well folks, we are pulling the pin with Porter Davis. It's become quite obvious that either:

• they don't want our business; or
• their engineers are incompetent; or
• they are not geared up to build anywhere but new estates;

A bit harsh? Maybe, and after what we have been through, I think most people would understand.

The latest: Last Thursday (April 17) I sent a very terse email to the CSR at Porter Davis, demanding to know what was happening, and demanding that I receive a telephone call from someone in a management position to explain the situation before the end of the day.

At about 3:45 pm I was called by a PD Manager, who I had spoken to once before. The situation, as explained, was that the engineers were concerned about the impact of a couple of trees adjacent to our property. The solution was to implement tree root barriers (essentially deep trenches with concrete) - PD would do this at cost price of approx $12K.

Obviously this wasn't on, but I actually could not visualise the trees we were talking about. We spoke about the possibility of removing the trees - not that I could guarantee such a thing, and told the Manager I would call back once I'd looked at the site plan and photos I had.

The trees in question are shown on the picture below. This picture is of our block looking from the back, towards the front: The two Cyprus trees circled are the ones the engineers are concerned about. I had a feeling that my new neighbors may be ok with the idea of having the trees removed (the trees are on their land), so I thought that if we could remove the trees, then the project is still alive.

I called PD back after seeing the photos (at 5:01, and he had left for the day) - so tried again the next day. Finally I got a call back. I asked the specific question: "If we can get those two trees removed, can we continue the project exactly as originally quoted?". The PD Manager said he would talk to the engineers, and call me back the same day.

I did get a call back later that day, and I couldn't take the call, so Mr PD left me a voice mail. Essentially, "On the site survey, there are some natives which are adjacent to the two large trees. The engineers are still concerned about the impact that the natives will have on the new home, and will probably want to put in tree root barriers." I was then invited to call back or send an email with how I would like to proceed.

My reaction: "What the f$%k!!!???" "Why doesn't someone just go and look at the block?".

I then edited the photo you see above to put the red marks on, in preparation for a response, then decided to sit on it for the weekend.

Over that weekend we decided that the only good part about dealing with Porter Davis, is that it was going to feel really good when we stop. So we made the decision. We've had roadblocks - and we've had enough. So on Monday morning I sent the email to the effect that they have successfully killed off a 1/4 million dollar project.

All is not lost however - it's been a terrific learning exercise, and we visited some display homes over the weekend. We are designing our own place, and hopefully can build what we want within budget.

This isn't the end of the story! It's just the beginning!

Thanks to everyone who has provided advice and feedback regarding our dealings with Porter Davis. They have a very good reputation in the market - but I fear we must just be the unlucky ones. We are looking forward to sharing our new design with you all, and continuing the story.

Run around? You decide!

May 16, 2007 - Sorry folks, I've not updated the blog for a couple of weeks, mainly because there is nothing really new.

The situation is as follows - to this point, no one at Porter Davis has been willing to make a decision, and come back to us with any comment on the situation.

I've been in contact with the CSR a few times - mostly when I chase him, and it seems that everyone at PD finds this situation too hard!

To me, if PD know they were in the right and that they believed that they had not stuffed up - then they would come back to us with a firm figure of the additional amount required for screw piles, and expect us to pay for it.

Instead, what's happening is that we are being told nothing - except "we should have an answer for you soon". Either they don't know how much extra the screw piles cost (unlikely), or they are trying to work out a way to prevent us from cancelling the project.

I wonder if it would change their approach is they new everything was being documented for the world to see in a blog?

Funny

May 4, 2007 - Heard nothing so far from PD, in spite of being told "I'll get back to you before the end of the week".

If you've read our previous entry, you'll know that we are mighty pissed off. Being kept in the dark doesn't help.

I thought the following cartoon was appropriate:

When is fixed price, not fixed price?

May 3, 2007 - As you would know (if you've read the blog) we are in the planning stages of building our dream home. We are waiting for land to be be released, and we've done the Tender Appointment, Colour Selection, Electrical Appointment, Tile Appointment. So far so good.

Because of the large trees on our block (all of which are coming down), and the fall of the block, we had a nasty surprise at Tender Appointment time when we were presented with site costs of $24k. More than the $15k we had allowed, but the budget to stretch to it - just.

Previous posts have a copy of the soil test and site layout showing the trees.

Today was supposed to be the day when we had our Contract Appointment, to sign off on everything.

Yesterday (about 4.30pm) I had a call from someone from the building company, who told me that the engineers had had another look at the house, site survey and soil test, and because of the large trees on site it looks as though screw piles may need to be included in our house design - meaning a huge additional cost.

Imagine my reation! I proceeded to share my feelings with the Building Company representative.

Obviously I asked how the costs can increase. I was told that before the Tender Appointment only $600 has been paid which covers soil tests and "initial engineering". After the larger deposit is paid at Tender Appointment is when engineering go through the thing in detail.

I was furious - when I asked "Why is this the first I'm hearing of this?", he didn't have an answer.

Sounds like right load of crap to me, and I'm ropable.

It seems that "in most cases" this doesn't happen because people are building on new blocks in new subdivisions which don't have any trees.

For a building commpany that prides itself on it's excellent customer service - I feel like I'm being screwed (screw piled?) big time!

The way it was left, was that I made sure that the person knew that all the trees were being removed. He promised to call me back before the end of the week after some follow up from the engineers.

What really pisses me off is that customers are led to believe that the Tender Document is a fixed price (it even says "fixed price" on the top).

It seems that now our dream home is dead.

Obviously there are some actions I can take. I'll wait and see what the Building Company comes back with.