1st-timers posted:Exciting Little Garden Space: Ideas?
The length of our block is 30m. A retaining wall (1m high) has been built down the left side. At 27m it takes a turn into the block…
1st-timers posted:This Is Getting Out Of Hand
It actually backfired on us hugely. The builder was not happy when we told him we had dug two holes ourselves but said someone would be up to finish…
1st-timers posted:The Most Valuable Lesson You Have Learnt?
One has been a permanent feature of my handbag for the last 6 months!
1st-timers posted:This Is Getting Out Of Hand
I was able to make it to half the meeting with the builder and he said anyone could dig the holes but they would have to construct the wall. …
1st-timers posted:This Is Getting Out Of Hand
So the retaining wall saga continues. First of all we had a $4440 ps sum for one retaining wall marked on the plans the builder drew up. Then…
1st-timers posted:Do We Have The Right To Refuse To Pay This?
Haha, I wish we did have 30 years to earn more money but we are both on the unforgiving side of 50. We understand there will be variations, and…
1st-timers posted:Do We Have The Right To Refuse To Pay This?
This isn't an independant builder but one of the large 'cookie cutter' home builders who are taking their 20% builders cut (the real reason I suspect they are insisting they…
1st-timers posted:Do We Have The Right To Refuse To Pay This?
I would understand if at the time of the actual build something came up unexpectedly that increased the price. But these guys are professionals who drew up the plans…
1st-timers posted:Do We Have The Right To Refuse To Pay This?
The retaining wall is on the plans and a 'pc' sum was in the quote which was on a par with the independant quotes we had.
They literally made a miscalculation…
1st-timers posted:Do We Have The Right To Refuse To Pay This?
Further to my last post regarding a variation for an extra $2600 for a retaining wall. After a discussion with my husband they admitted they hadn't read their own…
1st-timers posted:They Really Do Have Us Over A Barrel
It has been a long 6 months to get to siteworks stage and finally feeling positive that things are happening. Then we get a call saying there is a…
1st-timers posted:Does Anyone Know What This Means?
Received an update email from our builder late Thursday with this sentence:
'I have had to claim 4 wet weather days from the 14 days that are included in your contract.…
1st-timers posted:Who has used marble/stone for their splashbacks?
We are looking at a travertine splashback. Wasn't something we were intending but saw a feature panel made up at National Tiles and just loved it. We will…
1st-timers posted:Cupboards Or Drawers?
Maybe I'm an oddity but I prefer cupboards over drawers. My husband who used to own his own kitchen manufacturing company is a firm drawer fan. We are…
1st-timers posted:The Most Valuable Lesson You Have Learnt?
Ours has been, don't buy a block of land with slope unless you have a really big budget.
1st-timers posted:SO. MANY. WHITE. PAINTS!!!!!!
We were pushed by our colour consultant as she wanted to pick up her kids before a storm hit. Most of the things we ended up by changing later…
1st-timers posted:Would Any Project Builders Allow You To Do Own Electrical?
I'm assuming they plan to use a licensed electrician. The building firm they are in negotiation with has also said they will allow other outside workers onsite at the…
1st-timers posted:Do Any Banks Pay Lump Sums?
Say you want to borrow $400,000 to build. Do any banks just deposit that sum into your bank account and give you total control or must they pay all…
1st-timers posted:Would Any Project Builders Allow You To Do Own Electrical?
Asking on behalf of someone else. Are there any big project home builders that would actually allow you to do all your own electrical work? I find it…
1st-timers posted:An Anxious Wait Today
Wow. Council have done a complete turn-around and approved our relaxation. Our builder was shocked when the paperwork arrived today as last Friday she received an email from them saying…
1st-timers posted:Can We Ask Our Neighbour For A Share of Our Drop Edge Beam?
Wow. Council have done a complete turn-around and approved our relaxation. Our builder was shocked when the paperwork arrived today as last Friday she received an email from…
1st-timers posted:An Anxious Wait Today
Spoke to the officer in charge of our case at council yesterday and so glad I did. He explained it all to me and makes perfect sense now. …
1st-timers posted:Can We Ask Our Neighbour For A Share of Our Drop Edge Beam?
From my rudimentary understanding of the plans, he has cut down 750mm and we are filling 250mm, but don't quote me on that. Natural groundlevel is about a 2/3rds of…
1st-timers posted:Can We Ask Our Neighbour For A Share of Our Drop Edge Beam?
I'm sure my husband does on his phone but I haven't downloaded the photos off his for awhile so will do that tonight.
1st-timers posted:Can We Ask Our Neighbour For A Share of Our Drop Edge Beam?
He has cut on his side by about a metre, we will be filling by not much at all.
1st-timers posted:Can We Ask Our Neighbour For A Share of Our Drop Edge Beam?
We had hoped to build 590mm from our zero boundary and as our neighbour on that side has cut below the natural and needs a retaining wall as much as…
1st-timers posted:An Anxious Wait Today
I don't think our neighbour would be aware we have applied for the relaxation. He is also yet to build.
From what I can gather, council have suddenly realised they…
1st-timers posted:An Anxious Wait Today
Not good news at all. This subdivision has been a 5 year project, all blocks have been sold and there are only about 10 houses left to be built,…
1st-timers posted:An Anxious Wait Today
Plans were taking longer than expected to be approved by council and heard yesterday that they may not approve our relaxation to be 400mm closer on one boundary. Our…
1st-timers posted:How Long Has Your Process Taken?
We first saw our land in January 2015, we settled the 31st July. Wasted 3 months with one builder getting burnt $3000. Walked into a display home on…
