TomCat's new digs!

[Flying mermaid]

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.

Just hang in there (on both fronts).

There is nothing nice about the house building process and there will be more frustrations and stresses before you are finished. However 2 months after you are in it will be forgotten (its a bit like childbirth) and you will just love having your own new home with everything the way you chose it, rather than compromising on someone else choices.

Hope the treatment goes well - I am sure everyone here wants to know how you are doing and would like to support you!

 

[blackcat20]

Just hang in there (on both fronts).

There is nothing nice about the house building process and there will be more frustrations and stresses before you are finished. However 2 months after you are in it will be forgotten (its a bit like childbirth) and you will just love having your own new home with everything the way you chose it, rather than compromising on someone else choices.

Hope the treatment goes well - I am sure everyone here wants to know how you are doing and would like to support you!

My biggest issue I think is just that they dont tell you anything. If theyd told me a week or two ago that engineering was delayed, youd deal with it. But suddenly being told its going to take another few weeks with no explanation is painful.

 

[Pushka]

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.

Hang in there. It really will be worth it when you turn your key the first time and realise it’s all yours. (Well, in such circumstances I like to forget any bank involvement)

And share all your venting about medical stuff on that thread. We get it.

 

[Denali]

I think a lot of the problems is staff level, tradies, weather and bureaucracy.

We share a complex with large builder and some of the conversations in the elevator are interesting. Even our own complex manager has been approached to be a site supervisor, because good ones get burnt out or pinched and bad ones are allowed to sub-perform for a while before the collective voices of complainers finally get heard.

Then you have to find the tradies and hope they are good. Too hot, dont work, rain, dont work, other trades on site, dont work, December, dont work.

Lack of honest communication is a big factor. Heres a hint for a teenager with IT talent, create a software program that both the client and the site supervisor can use to communicate. Like Our Family Wizard used in the US, everything has a recorded timeline so you both can access the facts & details and stop the lying or ball passing. You can log on and see where your application process is, instead of having to phone, phone and phone again without response.

From what Im stalking on builder forums, the disinformation is a big part of the frustration.

 

[blackcat20]

Agree, communication is everything! Its amazing how many dont realise that as long as the customer is kept in the loop, theyre generally pretty happy. But when they arent being told whats going on, it gets very frustrating.

 

[love_the_life]

My biggest issue I think is just that they dont tell you anything. If theyd told me a week or two ago that engineering was delayed, youd deal with it. But suddenly being told its going to take another few weeks with no explanation is painful.

So frustrating for you especially when you’ve done everything you should have. Hope the skin cancer treatment works well for you.

 

[cove]

Just keep saving heaps while the delays go on.

 

[blackcat20]

Just keep saving heaps while the delays go on.

You keep saying this, and we keep telling you thats not helpful. We're not saving anything as we're already paying the mortgage! The longer this drags on, the more it costs as as we're only allowed to pay interest at this point. Its more beneficial for the house to be done asap so we can start paying down the actual loan. Besides, we actually have to live somewhere while its being built, and that also costs money.
So no, delays do not help savings.

 

[Pushka]

It’s frustrating getting all the tradies lined up. Our rental apartment in Mel is classic. Leak in wall. Get plumber out. He cuts up wall but sees worrying electrical works. Electrician arranged. Then washing machine gets jammed by owner who wanted to check repairs. Call out washing machine repair people. Plumber can’t tell if repair works because washing machine locked. Then a call from carpet repair people to inspect damaged carpet. Then builder of apartment block wants to inspect as it’s only 3 years old. I got machine working last night by slamming door (YouTube suggestion). Tested and it works and no leaks. Cancel washing repair via Agent. Call up plumber so he knows he has completed job and can invoice. Just for a small leak. Still don’t know what is happening with carpets.

 

[Pushka]

An addendum to my last post which was done on the train. I got back to find the original carpet dry. BUT the carpet is now wetting into the adjacent bedroom. Sigh. Another round of phone calls and video sent to plumber. And PM. I’m just a tenant.

 

[travelislife]

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.

Stick with it. Don't let it get you down. We bought 2+ years ago and I haven't spent one night in the property, everything has taken more time and more money, we doubted ourselves on a lot occasions. This is our first house, a custom build, no Architect, me trying to manage all the details to save some $$! We had our slab poured on Tuesday, an amazing feeling that finally all the 'unknowns' and main risk areas are finally done with. The result is worth it!

 

[travelislife]

My biggest issue I think is just that they dont tell you anything. If theyd told me a week or two ago that engineering was delayed, youd deal with it. But suddenly being told its going to take another few weeks with no explanation is painful.

I work in the industry. I know first hand it is hard for purchasers as it appears nothing is happening. Whilst actually behind the scenes there is a lot happening and usually a lot pressure on people to deliver. There is a lot of moving parts that occur to get that first machine on site, it is very very hard to predict and set fix dates for it. All you need is one contract negotiation (that you aren't privy to) to drag on and it can cause months of delays.

 

[blackcat20]

I work in the industry. I know first hand it is hard for purchasers as it appears nothing is happening. Whilst actually behind the scenes there is a lot happening and usually a lot pressure on people to deliver. There is a lot of moving parts that occur to get that first machine on site, it is very very hard to predict and set fix dates for it. All you need is one contract negotiation (that you aren't privy to) to drag on and it can cause months of delays.

I do understand that there is stuff happening. But if you tell the client two weeks, and its been five, give them an update. If they knew a week ago the engineering was delayed, let us know so we understand we arent just languishing on the bottom of a pile somewhere.
We had a period last year where we didnt hear for months despite repeated emails. Only when we threatened to walk away (no contract at that point) did they bother to tell us they'd made a major stuff up and had been working frantically to fix it, but "didnt want to worry us".

 

[travelislife]

I do understand that there is stuff happening. But if you tell the client two weeks, and its been five, give them an update. If they knew a week ago the engineering was delayed, let us know so we understand we arent just languishing on the bottom of a pile somewhere.
We had a period last year where we didnt hear for months despite repeated emails. Only when we threatened to walk away (no contract at that point) did they bother to tell us they'd made a major stuff up and had been working frantically to fix it, but "didnt want to worry us".

100% agree on the communication front, sounds like it has been pretty poor. What you have said is pretty common, generally (and a big generally!) everyone is busting their gut to get projects moving that they 'forget' there is a purchaser who wants to be kept informed.

The quicker a builder is in there, and the quicker they finish the more money they make as it reduces their overheads. No reputable builder purposely wants to drag out time.

 

[blackcat20]

Still waiting on a call from a manager but now being told next Wednesday for plans. Online portal shows an update for a change (engineering). I think its actually been received now, so just waiting on the drafting team to do their thing.

 

[Pushka]

Still waiting on a call from a manager but now being told next Wednesday for plans. Online portal shows an update for a change (engineering). I think its actually been received now, so just waiting on the drafting team to do their thing.
View attachment 121334

This is progress?

 

[blackcat20]

This is progress?

I really don't know; we were told 6/4 for plans, now 4/4 but not sure if that is truth or a typo. We wanted to talk to a manager to get things pushed through but its one of those "she'll call you, we dont give out phone numbers" sort of things.

 

[rainbowgirl]

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 really frustrating for you. Well done for your patience and all the hard work you've both put into it.

I've always wondered why building sites take so long for things to happen on them. Now I see why.

 

[love_the_life]

Fingers crossed that that is the last thing to be crossed off and building can start.... soon

 

[blackcat20]

Finally received our "final" electrical plans yesterday. They've mucked a few things up that were correct at contract, so just getting those fixed up then that's done. One step closer.