I have been using Houspect at progress stages for my new build. (Slab, Brick Plate Height, Roof Cover, Lockup).
They are prompt & efficient - Report usually e-mailed to me within…

For my build it was definitely the "office/admin" part of things that has held up the build.
It took 2.5 months for initial plans then another 4 months for final plans…

Signed prelim agreement end of Sept 2009 and Sales Rep informed us "about 12 months" build time.
It took 12 months just to get the pad down. Jan 2011 and…

Oddly enough my wife sent an e-mail to Midland Brick last night querying the availability of the brick we selected after Plunkett said it was at least 3 months until…

The Builder's Margin in my contract is also blank, despite me asking for the sum to be included it came back blank.
I have also been advised at this late stage…

Milestone achieved today...!
Pad went down today.
It took some perseverance to get here and sometimes I doubted if I would see it.
Roll on bricks…

Fixed costs for siteworks in WA would be a rarity as there are so many variables. Site surveys, engineers reports, etc and experience give the builder a good idea…

G'day Karratha and thanks for your post.
Strangely enough I wanted to build with ABN Group (Alcock Brown-Neaves) but the reps said that they didn't/couldn't build in my area as it…

Thanks Toby - It's been a while coming!
Cheers,
Wrexy...

Hi AG,
Thanks for your post. If you were thinking about going 3 phase later down the track it can be expensive to upgrade to 3 phase (Upgrade feed in…

My earthworks finally started last week...!
After many months of playing the waiting game, Plunkett also tell me they are ready to get a building licence once my earthworks…

Hi AG,
3 phase power is one of those "nice to have" things that can be done later, but it does cost a lot less to do when building the house…

G'day Alex,
My experience with siteworks in the hills so far is that you need to have deep pockets - or at least factor in the cost of siteworks to the…

Good to read how everyone's builds are coming along - It looks like we are all at a similar stage so watching progress will be interesting...!

Hi Toby,
Not sure if you're in Mandurah or Rockingham Shire, but it may pay to go in and talk to them about going outside the building envelope.
My shire and contract…

Hi Mrslin - I'm hoping there is a building licence in the mail soon too!
I would prefer the timber roof frame over the steel roof frame as I've only ever…

Now onto Final Plans Mk3. Still no sign of a building licence from shire. There are 4 Plunkett builds in my area so I'm sure it will be planned to…

Every retailer from fast food joints, supermarkets, liquor stores, petrol stations and electrical retailers all try to reel the customer in with low prices then tempt you to part with…

Sandhurst in Kalamunda sounds good. It sounds like a popular display for Plunkett.
Having built a few times, the general rule is the basic/bottom end is usually the standard range…

Hi Fulhamfc,
It wasn't too hard - I just asked the question to the pre-start person and it was crossed out there & then for Plunkett not to do the earthworks.
Plunkett…

Hi Toby,
I got my tank through at Malaga. There is scheme water at my block, so the tank isn't needed for the build, but will have lots of roof…

Hi mrslin,
We are building in the hills, where timber and termites will be aplenty!
We have sent back final plans 2 weeks ago, so still playing the waiting game for them…

Hi Mrslin,
No start date from Plunkett yet - I talk to them a couple of times a week at least trying to move things. My docs are with the local…

Hi AG,
From memory the Caufield does have terracotta tiles. Bristile have a small display out at Armadale brickworks plus a few other metro display centres where you can see the…

G'day AG,
I think we were also told by the sales rep that we could select either colourbond or roof tiles (I got the impression that select either meant 'no charge'…

G'day AG,
I think I saw a similar plan on the wall in the Sandhurst display at Baldivis as well as the 5 bedroom version.
I'll be interested to see…

I'm planning to make the Sandhurst lounge room into the home office/study/computer room for yours truly...!
My better half has put dibs…

Hi AubinGrover,
I'm guessing that is the Sandhurst version for standard suburban blocks that has been turned 90 degrees and has the entrance & carport where the ensuite is on the…

Hi AubinGrover,
Also building a Sandhurst with Plunkett. Going for a colour scheme that was used on one of their previous display homes (Toodyay Lodge) including tiles instead of Colourbond.
…

Hi mrslin,
We were about 6-7 weeks from signing prelim agreement to getting draft plans, then another week or so to pre-start. Since then it has been 4 months of to'ing…