Building a new house, the good, the bad, the ugly...

[CENTURION]

I am also in your position. Id say stay away from Statesmen, one bloke from there is sending us numerous aggressive emails and when we asked for a design on how it will fit on the block, he send us a hand drawn outline of the house. He has also sent email with just smiley faces in them.
Im going with Stirling, only because the blokes there has been excellent with his customer service and not push.

who are you dealing with at Sterling? Great bunch of blokes.

Hickinbotham

both the same, different consultants, all part of construction services.

[Footy Chick]

todays stupid question.

If I have an opportunity to buy a piece of land at a reduced price as opposed to what a building company is offering the land for, should I purchase separately?

What are the ramifications stamp duty wise?

[heater31]

todays stupid question.

If I have an opportunity to buy a piece of land at a reduced price as opposed to what a building company is offering the land for, should I purchase separately?

What are the ramifications stamp duty wise?

Isn't stamp duty calculated on a % of the purchase price?

[Footy Chick]

buggered if I know - that's why I'm asking

[helicopterking]

todays stupid question.

If I have an opportunity to buy a piece of land at a reduced price as opposed to what a building company is offering the land for, should I purchase separately?

What are the ramifications stamp duty wise?

Isn't stamp duty calculated on a % of the purchase price?

That is correct

[CENTURION]

todays stupid question.

If I have an opportunity to buy a piece of land at a reduced price as opposed to what a building company is offering the land for, should I purchase separately?

What are the ramifications stamp duty wise?

you only pay stamp duty on the value of the land BUT the builder might not let you buy the land without signing with them (which is illegal, by the way). Where is the land & who is the builder?

[mypaddock]

Rivergum was great while they were asking for money. Now we're after some after sales service, they don't have any. I got an abusive email from one of the directors at 11.40pm on a Saturday night. Over 12 months later we're still waiting for stuff to be fixed from our three month inspection.

Use the threat of going to the media- today tonight, Leon Byner etc. Did the trick for me Also track down the CEO's email address and CC him in on any correspondence with the other people you are dealing with.

[CENTURION]

Rivergum was great while they were asking for money. Now we're after some after sales service, they don't have any. I got an abusive email from one of the directors at 11.40pm on a Saturday night. Over 12 months later we're still waiting for stuff to be fixed from our three month inspection.

Use the threat of going to the media- today tonight, Leon Byner etc. Did the trick for me Also track down the CEO's email address and CC him in on any correspondence with the other people you are dealing with.

or just tell me, Victor Said is a friend of mine, I can try to sort it for you.

[Yank Man]

todays stupid question.

If I have an opportunity to buy a piece of land at a reduced price as opposed to what a building company is offering the land for, should I purchase separately?

What are the ramifications stamp duty wise?

Stamp duty is paid on the land when you purchase it FC. There is no stamp duty on the build. Purchase separately is my advice because you can screw both to get the figures you want. If you go land and package the deal is the same, stamp duty on the land but none on the home. Just been through the whole process and believe me, trust none of the pricks.

[The Ash Man]

Rivergum was great while they were asking for money. Now we're after some after sales service, they don't have any. I got an abusive email from one of the directors at 11.40pm on a Saturday night. Over 12 months later we're still waiting for stuff to be fixed from our three month inspection.

Use the threat of going to the media- today tonight, Leon Byner etc. Did the trick for me Also track down the CEO's email address and CC him in on any correspondence with the other people you are dealing with.

Rivergum are big advertisers on 5AA, doubt they would put that at risk

[heater31]

In the modern world of social media all it takes is 1 client to have a bad experience to tarnish the reputation of a building company. Those clients are usually the ones with unrealistic expectations of what the builder has to do to satisfy them.

For every bad one there are several good ones that repeat their business, buy staff gifts in appreciation or even invite them over to their new home for coffee.

[CENTURION]

In the modern world of social media all it takes is 1 client to have a bad experience to tarnish the reputation of a building company. Those clients are usually the ones with unrealistic expectations of what the builder has to do to satisfy them.

For every bad one there are several good ones that repeat their business, buy staff gifts in appreciation or even invite them over to their new home for coffee.

exactly, I've been involved in the building side of real estate for over 14 years now & I have heard bad things about nearly every builder BUT not much praise goes their way when they do an exceptional job! I built with Sterling & I have heard stacks of negative stuff about them over the years but my house was spot on.

[gadj1976]

Rivergum was great while they were asking for money. Now we're after some after sales service, they don't have any. I got an abusive email from one of the directors at 11.40pm on a Saturday night. Over 12 months later we're still waiting for stuff to be fixed from our three month inspection.

Use the threat of going to the media- today tonight, Leon Byner etc. Did the trick for me Also track down the CEO's email address and CC him in on any correspondence with the other people you are dealing with.

or just tell me, Victor Said is a friend of mine, I can try to sort it for you.

you might want to get him to sort his email etiquette out.

BTW, the problem is being sorted out.

They've been VERY good overall. But like I said, the after sales service isn't as good as their actual construction - which is a shame.

BTW, the comments about "negative comments". I actually think that's an issue with the builders not managing clients expectation. For instance, with our extension we were told that by the x of July it would be finished, then on x-1 they came to me and said it would be 3 weeks delay. That sort of thing riles people. If the builder was to say (when they first knew) that it was going to be x + 3 weeks, that's fine, you can make arrangements.

[Jase]

Have been in contact with my man Jeff (from Fairmont).... He hopes that we will have final council approval by the end of next week...

He's a good man who always responds to our queries quickly and efficiently. We've been a bit pissed off with the delays that have occurred in getting this far, however Jeff has always been willing to help and has given advise and information as soon as he has been able to.

Now if we could just get the bloody thing built that would be grand...

[heater31]

Have been in contact with my man Jeff (from Fairmont).... He hopes that we will have final council approval by the end of next week...

He's a good man who always responds to our queries quickly and efficiently. We've been a bit pissed off with the delays that have occurred in getting this far, however Jeff has always been willing to help and has given advise and information as soon as he has been able to.

Now if we could just get the bloody thing built that would be grand...

Wrong time of year to be getting council approval.... we all go on holidays at the end of next month

[whufc]

In the modern world of social media all it takes is 1 client to have a bad experience to tarnish the reputation of a building company. Those clients are usually the ones with unrealistic expectations of what the builder has to do to satisfy them.

For every bad one there are several good ones that repeat their business, buy staff gifts in appreciation or even invite them over to their new home for coffee.

Great Call!!!!!!

Good luck to anyone who thinks they can find a company in any industry that doesn't have single person who has been critical of them.

[whufc]

Have been in contact with my man Jeff (from Fairmont).... He hopes that we will have final council approval by the end of next week...

He's a good man who always responds to our queries quickly and efficiently. We've been a bit pissed off with the delays that have occurred in getting this far, however Jeff has always been willing to help and has given advise and information as soon as he has been able to.

Now if we could just get the bloody thing built that would be grand...

Wrong time of year to be getting council approval.... we all go on holidays at the end of next month

Lol are plans are due to go to council approval in the next 2-3 weeks.

Guess we will be waiting a while

[Jase]

Ours have been at council for about 8 weeks now... bastards however if you are (or know the planner) looking at our plans you are awesome...

[CENTURION]

no matter which council in South Australia, from when you sign a land contract & then a building contract, provided the land is ready to be built on, the whole process takes AT BEST 3 months before the builder is allowed to start construction. and if you are getting a loan, 4 to 5 months.

[whufc]

But I want it nooooooooooooooooow!!!