SA Footy

I am considering buying a block of land, and building has already started on it. Not due for completion for another 6 months, I'm told. The builder is Fairmont Homes. Has anyone dealt with this builder? If so, what have you found them to be like?

There is a long thread on here from a year or so back baout a few of us who built all at the same time, try to dig it up, plenty of info on there for first time builders

I believe they use a lot of cheap imported products in their homes so they can increase their margins - so just be wary of what it is you are paying for.

But then I guess you don't become the largest Project Home Builder in S.A. by being the "Foodland" of housing.

Have sent you a PM Sploosh

Dutchy wrote:There is a long thread on here from a year or so back baout a few of us who built all at the same time, try to dig it up, plenty of info on there for first time builders

Thanks. Yes, I already read the whole thread, lots of good stuff, but I could only find one persont who (briefly) mentioned Fairmont. It seems that opinion I have read about them from other web pages is that they are quite tardy and can't/don't deliver on the timelines they initially say, and that it is very difficult to get any information/communication from them. I was wondering if that is what people on here thought from first-hand experience.

Sploosh wrote:

Dutchy wrote:There is a long thread on here from a year or so back baout a few of us who built all at the same time, try to dig it up, plenty of info on there for first time builders

Thanks. Yes, I already read the whole thread, lots of good stuff, but I could only find one persont who (briefly) mentioned Fairmont. It seems that opinion I have read about them from other web pages is that they are quite tardy and can't/don't deliver on the timelines they initially say, and that it is very difficult to get any information/communication from them. I was wondering if that is what people on here thought from first-hand experience.

The tardiness issue is a fairly common problem with builders in general - not alwats directly their fault either. Problems will always happen when building - its how these issues are handled which makes or breaks a builders reputation, IMO.

My neighbour has built around 15-20 homes with Fairmont - all for investment purposes, but when it came to building one for himself to live in, he went with another builder.

I am also about to start the process of building. Putting our deposit down with AV Jennings in the next few days.

brent-83 wrote:I am also about to start the process of building. Putting our deposit down with AV Jennings in the next few days.

I just recently built a house with them mate (moved in 18 months ago). Happy with the finished product, but had a few hiccups along the way. They were generally pretty good at dealing with problems along the way.

PM me if you have any questions mate, more than happy to help.

Felch wrote:

brent-83 wrote:I am also about to start the process of building. Putting our deposit down with AV Jennings in the next few days.

I just recently built a house with them mate (moved in 18 months ago). Happy with the finished product, but had a few hiccups along the way. They were generally pretty good at dealing with problems along the way.

PM me if you have any questions mate, more than happy to help.

Thanks mate. Will do .

I am just dreading hearing how much the footings will cost. They are estimating an extra 25k whereas we were originally estimated 15k, just have to wait for the report I guess.

Did you manage to get much/anything thrown in for free with them in the bargaining process?

No mate, but they had a special running when we signed up for free flooring to a certain value. We ended up with our whole bottom storey done in timber flooring, free of charge.

We did find that Jennings list of inclusions is pretty good compared with other builders around the same price range.

Ahh thats not bad. Luckily we are good friends with people who do floorboards/carpets so we can get them done quite cheaply.

Their promotion at the moment is a kitchen upgrade which seems pretty decent.

Agree with you on the inclusions compared to others. Although we only really like 1 design of all the houses we've looked at and it happened to be AV Jennings so haven't done a heap of comparison.

What design is it mate ?

Jennings kitchens are done by Alby Turner btw. Whe we signed up they were being done by Novaloc, but they went belly-up before ours was made.

One thing I have learnt through building homes, even though it may cost a bit more, get your internal walls insulated, particularly aroung noisy areas (toilets, bathroom, bedrooms, etc). Sure it's an added cost when building, but it's a lot more expensive if you think about doing it after living there for awhile.

Plus, if you talk nicely to your builder, you might be able to do it yourself before the plasterboard goes up.

All Im gonna say is be careful of hidden costs. Especially when it comes to footings!

Mate of mine had a quote with a builder, was originally good, after he signed the contract
they wanted to slug him an extra 10-15k.

If you speak with ya builder and they are reasonable, cant see why you couldnt do ya own internal wall insulation. Just need to work in with the plasterboarders and make sure you dont hold them up.

Felch wrote:What design is it mate ?

Jennings kitchens are done by Alby Turner btw. Whe we signed up they were being done by Novaloc, but they went belly-up before ours was made.

Pinnacle 190. We've got about 400sq m of land.

As for the internal insulation, we've had that included already and are pretty aware of the footings costs. AV Jennings already told us to expect 20k for footings. We are getting a fixed price contract which comes after the footings report so we won't be signing anything until then.

can anyone answer me why-
concrete slab homes are all the rage?
if it is cheaper to have strip footings, with suspended timber flooring (on joists & bearers)?

Punk Rooster wrote:can anyone answer me why-
concrete slab homes are all the rage?
if it is cheaper to have strip footings, with suspended timber flooring (on joists & bearers)?

One would suggest that over the life of the house (50 + Years ) the overall maintenance cost would be less as the need for comprehensive termite inspections would decrease. Also the peace of mind of not having to fear a termite infestation

You are only suggesting this to keep yourself in a job raking in the $$$$$$

Iron Fist wrote:If you speak with ya builder and they are reasonable, cant see why you couldnt do ya own internal wall insulation. Just need to work in with the plasterboarders and make sure you dont hold them up.

which 95% of people do! So for the builder I work for it is a flat out NO.

heater31 wrote:

Punk Rooster wrote:can anyone answer me why-
concrete slab homes are all the rage?
if it is cheaper to have strip footings, with suspended timber flooring (on joists & bearers)?

One would suggest that over the life of the house (50 + Years ) the overall maintenance cost would be less as the need for comprehensive termite inspections would decrease. Also the peace of mind of not having to fear a termite infestation

You are only suggesting this to keep yourself in a job raking in the $$$$$$

heater- concrete slab homes are probably more prone to termite attack!
Not the concrete flooring mind you, but all that has happened is instead of the flooring being damaged, the stud walls are being damaged instead- it's easier to inspect underneath a floor, than inside a gyprock wall.