TomCat's new digs!

[Pushka]

Thank goodness we don't have those issues in our Estate.

Really hoping the builder pulls their finger out this week, have had enough with the delay. The fact that others in our street have frames up just adds to the insult and I've told them that.

I don’t do waiting well either. Hey, it’s our turn!

 

[blackcat20]

I was happy to wait the amount of time they said it would take. I'm not happy that I've waited three times as long with no result. At least she's finally looking into it rather than continuing to say "it's out of my hands". I'm tired, I've barely slept for days and I just want to know that theyre actually going to build this house some time this century. We're also supposed to pay a penalty if the build doesn't start by February (which is obviously didn't) but theres no way in hell I'm paying for their delay given we were ready months ago.

 

[Denali]

^ This is why I got cold feet last year when hubby said lets KDR now. I needed time to put myself in a head space of lack of control, especially as we both have decades of building experience so we know the BS that goes on.

Have you been catching up with the neighbours? Any movement on their build?

 

[love_the_life]

Thank goodness we don't have those issues in our Estate.

Really hoping the builder pulls their finger out this week, have had enough with the delay. The fact that others in our street have frames up just adds to the insult and I've told them that.

That must be so disheartening. Really hope things get moving for you soon.

 

[blackcat20]

^ This is why I got cold feet last year when hubby said lets KDR now. I needed time to put myself in a head space of lack of control, especially as we both have decades of building experience so we know the BS that goes on.

Have you been catching up with the neighbours? Any movement on their build?

We met the neighbour across the road over the weekend. He has twin girls! But no one on that side has started yet.
There are four houses in the stage before ours (so 6 business days ahead of us) that are already on the way up. Most have frames, one already has a roof.

That must be so disheartening. Really hope things get moving for you soon.

Me too. TV is on it, he'll be chasing them up again today. I've just lost patience completely.

 

[Pushka]

I was happy to wait the amount of time they said it would take. I'm not happy that I've waited three times as long with no result. At least she's finally looking into it rather than continuing to say "it's out of my hands". I'm tired, I've barely slept for days and I just want to know that theyre actually going to build this house some time this century. We're also supposed to pay a penalty if the build doesn't start by February (which is obviously didn't) but theres no way in hell I'm paying for their delay given we were ready months ago.

It will happen blackcat20, it just seems so far out of reach at the moment but it could all change with just one magic notification and then it’s clear sailing. It’s just that you can’t see right now when that will happen so it seems like it won’t. Hang in there.

 

[Denali]

.....There are four houses in the stage before ours (so 6 business days ahead of us) that are already on the way up. Most have frames, one already has a roof.....

This is disheartening, I wonder if there is a bigger reason for the go slow, is it calculated/is the street ready.

 

[blackcat20]

This is disheartening, I wonder if there is a bigger reason for the go slow, is it calculated/is the street ready.

I think its just because they have more builds then their admin team can handle. But there is no reason why the plans shouldnt have been finalised months ago, waiting for settlement seems like shooting yourself in the foot. Other builders are more sensible and close their books when they have too many builds on the go.

 

[Denali]

Grrrr. Choosing builders can be such a cough shoot.

For those that had a good build, there are others that say never again - its a tough decision. I worked with a woman that was very happy with McDonald homes and her daughter was using them but a friend ended up hating them for her build.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Groan. They probably would have lodged an objection if you wanted to cut it down initially.

well that’s why we had told the architect and builder we wanted to save every possible tree, as we knew we would cop objections if we didn’t - can’t win.....mind you one objection claimed the house would frighten off the kangaroos that came down from the reserve into the park, so I think it was a case that they just didn’t want a new house built there.....

 

[Denali]

A house would scare the Kangroos? Did your design resemble a abattoir?

 

[blackcat20]

Grrrr. Choosing builders can be such a cough shoot.

For those that had a good build, there are others that say never again - its a tough decision. I worked with a woman that was very happy with McDonald homes and her daughter was using them but a friend ended up hating them for her build.

Everything I read said that admin was terrible but the builds were good. Just need to move from one to the other.

The house might scare kangaroos? Best thing I've read all morning

On the positive side, they've now marked our deposit as paid.....last October

 

[Flying mermaid]

A house would scare the Kangroos? Did your design resemble a abattoir?

the people behind us didn’t want a bigger house built as they had bought their house based on the fact that the house in front was very small. All the neighbours rallied round to support them and dreamed up all sorts of objections. We just gritted our teeth and worked through them and tried not to let it get to us. 18 years later we are friendly with everyone, including the Kangaroo man. .

 

[blackcat20]

the people behind us didn’t want a bigger house built as they had bought their house based on the fact that the house in front was very small. All the neighbours rallied round to support them and dreamed up all sorts of objections. We just gritted our teeth and worked through them and tried not to let it get to us. 18 years later we are friendly with everyone, including the Kangaroo man. .

Unfortunately for them, you arent legally entitled to a view....

 

[Flying mermaid]

Unfortunately for them, you arent legally entitled to a view....

no views involved, but the land slopes down, so a two storey house meant there was a degree of overlooking. We compromised by digging out a lot more and sinking the house (which was a pain as we hit rock and so costs went up), no windows looked in their direction, so they really didn’t have their privacy impacted (and both houses were on big blocks). We didn’t have to do it, as the plans would have been approved anyway, but we wanted to be good neighbours....

Much easier to build in a green fields area like you, where people didn’t feel they own everything around them.

 

[travelislife]

no views involved, but the land slopes down, so a two storey house meant there was a degree of overlooking. We compromised by digging out a lot more and sinking the house (which was a pain as we hit rock and so costs went up), no windows looked in their direction, so they really didn’t have their privacy impacted (and both houses were on big blocks). We didn’t have to do it, as the plans would have been approved anyway, but we wanted to be good neighbours....

Much easier to build in a green fields area like you, where people didn’t feel they own everything around them.

100%. Small inner city sites invariably end up with extensive walls on boundaries and access actually required through neighbours property to complete your works. It is not a fun game and the demands can be ridiculous.

 

[Denali]

the people behind us didn’t want a bigger house built as they had bought their house based on the fact that the house in front was very small. All the neighbours rallied round to support them and dreamed up all sorts of objections. We just gritted our teeth and worked through them and tried not to let it get to us. 18 years later we are friendly with everyone, including the Kangaroo man. .

One of the things I often shout at the home TV shows is when someone buys because there's a great view from the window on the stairs.

Im usually shouting, It's only a good view until the neighbours builds or reno!

Grand design Australia had one of like this, the revisit had mcmansions surrounding it.

 

[blackcat20]

We've been told April 6 for plans, a full 10 weeks after we settled on the block Throws their claim of an 8-10 week pre-build period out the window, they still need to apply for a permit then hand over to construction and set a start date. At this rate we're looking at end of April, and no chance of being in the house when we hoped to be. Right now Im regretting the whole thing.

 

[Denali]

Im sorry youre feeling this way, Im pretty sure its a normal experience for a lot of people doing a build. Doesnt help but youre not alone in feeling this way.

Breathe, this is a marathon so try to take a mental break from it for a couple of days and after Easter, get back into kicking butts and being a general PITA.

 

[blackcat20]

Im sorry youre feeling this way, Im pretty sure its a normal experience for a lot of people doing a build. Doesnt help but youre not alone in feeling this way.

Breathe, this is a marathon so try to take a mental break from it for a couple of days and after Easter, get back into kicking butts and being a general PITA.

Definitely having one of those weeks where everything feels like cough. Started my skin cancer treatment on Monday and not a peep out of any of my family (except mum who is away) to see how I'm doing. This build thing just keeps dragging on.