Today we signed our contracts.
VERY happy to have signed; thankful to the patience and help from everyone involved.
:)
For the full and uncensored story email us.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Demolition
Demolition has been a smooth process and we had a few quotes and Vic Wide Demolition came in the cheapest and also had a few good reviews online.
We dealt mostly with their administrator Zeina who was very helpful and a star who made sure we were kept in the loop of what has happening with permits and demolition onsite.
There were a few problems with breakage of the electrical pit cover and debris, but Sam was quick to resolve this on a public holiday.
Very please with their service and they communicated with us throughout (both email and phone) which gave us piece of mind.
Full payment is made once all demolition and clearing works are completed, so it is trusted that they will do the job until you are satisfied, which they did.
I would use them again in the future and recommend their service.
We dealt mostly with their administrator Zeina who was very helpful and a star who made sure we were kept in the loop of what has happening with permits and demolition onsite.
There were a few problems with breakage of the electrical pit cover and debris, but Sam was quick to resolve this on a public holiday.
Very please with their service and they communicated with us throughout (both email and phone) which gave us piece of mind.
Full payment is made once all demolition and clearing works are completed, so it is trusted that they will do the job until you are satisfied, which they did.
I would use them again in the future and recommend their service.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
MainVue Homes - Questions
Question time.
After the tender, staring at the floor plans, brouchers and other house magazines to give us inspiration we found that there were other options that we had not considered. Things like:
- Tiling of the entry foyer, to show a separation between entry and the rest of the house.
- Changing the two picture windows in the family room to have a completely open able bi-fold doors.
- Telephone point locations.
- Water tank positions were too narrow, what were the other options.
- Insulation upgrades.
- Soft close drawers and hinges.
- Demolition requirements.
- Temporary fencing requirements
- Additional lighting in the garage plus size, if required.
So a whole bunch of questions like these were sent to our contract administrator, who was very helpful and responded promptly. She also communicated with us well to inform us very early, and organise our points of contact while she was on leave.
While she was able to respond, the answers to the questions were generally that the design were not as flexible as we would have thought. Considering they are part of the Henley Property have have 'millions' of designs. As well as the fact that we have seen similar displays achieved through them. For the bi-fold doors we have even seen some very swish and classy full length glass bi-folding doors, across the majority of a wall/ window area. It would have been nice to have the bi-fold doors/windows across the entire back wall of the living area, and it would create some beautiful natural lighting in that area of the house. I don't think it will be possible though as we have asked several times, with different people so to see if we can get a different answer and response (We asked all our contacts at Henley and MainVue Homes, all just to double/ triple check and try our luck).
We had also previously asked if it was possible to have a high vaulted ceiling in the entry foyer, similar to that in the Amalfi display house. This wasn't possible as it is a double storey house, and there is no space to create this vaulted ceiling - this was understandable, but if it was at all possible it would have added another stunning feature to the home.
Most of the answers to the questions will be clarified and answered in greater detail and with costing at the color and contract appointments
Other things that we needed to get done:
- Abolishment of gas and electricity services
- Sewer capping
- Demolition of the existing property
With some satisfaction and comfort with the questions answers we will proceed.
Next colour selection.
After the tender, staring at the floor plans, brouchers and other house magazines to give us inspiration we found that there were other options that we had not considered. Things like:
- Tiling of the entry foyer, to show a separation between entry and the rest of the house.
- Changing the two picture windows in the family room to have a completely open able bi-fold doors.
- Telephone point locations.
- Water tank positions were too narrow, what were the other options.
- Insulation upgrades.
- Soft close drawers and hinges.
- Demolition requirements.
- Temporary fencing requirements
- Additional lighting in the garage plus size, if required.
So a whole bunch of questions like these were sent to our contract administrator, who was very helpful and responded promptly. She also communicated with us well to inform us very early, and organise our points of contact while she was on leave.
While she was able to respond, the answers to the questions were generally that the design were not as flexible as we would have thought. Considering they are part of the Henley Property have have 'millions' of designs. As well as the fact that we have seen similar displays achieved through them. For the bi-fold doors we have even seen some very swish and classy full length glass bi-folding doors, across the majority of a wall/ window area. It would have been nice to have the bi-fold doors/windows across the entire back wall of the living area, and it would create some beautiful natural lighting in that area of the house. I don't think it will be possible though as we have asked several times, with different people so to see if we can get a different answer and response (We asked all our contacts at Henley and MainVue Homes, all just to double/ triple check and try our luck).
We had also previously asked if it was possible to have a high vaulted ceiling in the entry foyer, similar to that in the Amalfi display house. This wasn't possible as it is a double storey house, and there is no space to create this vaulted ceiling - this was understandable, but if it was at all possible it would have added another stunning feature to the home.
Most of the answers to the questions will be clarified and answered in greater detail and with costing at the color and contract appointments
Other things that we needed to get done:
- Abolishment of gas and electricity services
- Sewer capping
- Demolition of the existing property
With some satisfaction and comfort with the questions answers we will proceed.
Next colour selection.
Monday, 16 January 2012
MainVue Homes - Color Appointment
Our colour appointment was a little while ago back in mid-January.
It was a whole day event, starting at Hynes tiles in Point Cook. Lina from Hynes Tiles was great and very helpful. The whole process of selecting the tiles took about an hour and a half. It also included the selection of floor boards, which was a choice between laminate versus the real thing.
The floor board selection for category 4, one strip real wood floors have an approximate price difference of $10,000 compared to category 2, which is laminate. The laminate does look okay, but you can certainly see an tell the difference. The laminate is supposed to be easier to maintain, and helps for those who wear shoes in their house - less dimples from high heals etc. Laminate doesn't have any real character and there is no natural tones and blemishes which makes looking and touching wooden floor boards interesting.
The flooring for the bathrooms we have gone with an ivory coloured tile throughout. MainVue aren't able to do those large 600mm X 600mm big square tiles. Apparently they require two people to lay which they won't do. So if this is a deal breaker then best to look elsewhere or have a very basic bathroom fitout, or if possible none at all.
We had a break at the Point Cook Town Centre, which was new and busy for a Monday mid morning.
Back at the display home in Point Cook we selected the remaining finishes. Timber colours, aluminum window colours, kitchen and bathroom benches, roof tiles shapes and colours. Cabinetry colours and door finishes and carpets. For all these things it took the rest of the day.
Our sales consultant took us through the entire quote to back sure that our selections for the different types of setups that we chose were correct. There were some changes to the way that we wanted the bathroom to be laid out - and still waiting for confirmation on if drawers can be provided.
Most of the colours that we chose were the same as displayed. We even chose the category 10 bricks which are on display, called Zinc, this costs an additional and is another $10k plus. The standard bricks do no suit the design, IMO, and would deter from the overall look and feel of the house. The other alternative is to do a full render but this would be another $20k plus. One of the things that the colour consultant asked us to do was to view the bricks in the natural sun light and see the difference. This helped to make a decision, but it was still quite tough. All the top four final brick selections came from category 7 of above.
Many of the selections were an upgrade and the luxury that is on display at all the MainVue Homes are an additional cost option. The luxury package that is offered, is really minimal and doesn't really include or contribute to very much at all.
Some good suggestions were made on colour choices in terms of matching cabinet colours between the downstairs powder room and kitchen to have some consistency. It will be interesting to see how a single colour bathroom turns out.
Things that we missed were the outdoor tiles for the balcony, the finishes on the staircase, lighting options.
Again, there is more cost added to the quote. It is now approaching double the base price of the home, which makes you wonder what your actually get for the base price amount. Also, it makes you wonder if this is a bait and switch tactic whether it is legal, as it is a significant difference.
Anyhow, I won't share any photos here. But will post some along the way ... when construction starts.
It was a whole day event, starting at Hynes tiles in Point Cook. Lina from Hynes Tiles was great and very helpful. The whole process of selecting the tiles took about an hour and a half. It also included the selection of floor boards, which was a choice between laminate versus the real thing.
The floor board selection for category 4, one strip real wood floors have an approximate price difference of $10,000 compared to category 2, which is laminate. The laminate does look okay, but you can certainly see an tell the difference. The laminate is supposed to be easier to maintain, and helps for those who wear shoes in their house - less dimples from high heals etc. Laminate doesn't have any real character and there is no natural tones and blemishes which makes looking and touching wooden floor boards interesting.
The flooring for the bathrooms we have gone with an ivory coloured tile throughout. MainVue aren't able to do those large 600mm X 600mm big square tiles. Apparently they require two people to lay which they won't do. So if this is a deal breaker then best to look elsewhere or have a very basic bathroom fitout, or if possible none at all.
We had a break at the Point Cook Town Centre, which was new and busy for a Monday mid morning.
Back at the display home in Point Cook we selected the remaining finishes. Timber colours, aluminum window colours, kitchen and bathroom benches, roof tiles shapes and colours. Cabinetry colours and door finishes and carpets. For all these things it took the rest of the day.
Our sales consultant took us through the entire quote to back sure that our selections for the different types of setups that we chose were correct. There were some changes to the way that we wanted the bathroom to be laid out - and still waiting for confirmation on if drawers can be provided.
Most of the colours that we chose were the same as displayed. We even chose the category 10 bricks which are on display, called Zinc, this costs an additional and is another $10k plus. The standard bricks do no suit the design, IMO, and would deter from the overall look and feel of the house. The other alternative is to do a full render but this would be another $20k plus. One of the things that the colour consultant asked us to do was to view the bricks in the natural sun light and see the difference. This helped to make a decision, but it was still quite tough. All the top four final brick selections came from category 7 of above.
Many of the selections were an upgrade and the luxury that is on display at all the MainVue Homes are an additional cost option. The luxury package that is offered, is really minimal and doesn't really include or contribute to very much at all.
Some good suggestions were made on colour choices in terms of matching cabinet colours between the downstairs powder room and kitchen to have some consistency. It will be interesting to see how a single colour bathroom turns out.
Things that we missed were the outdoor tiles for the balcony, the finishes on the staircase, lighting options.
Again, there is more cost added to the quote. It is now approaching double the base price of the home, which makes you wonder what your actually get for the base price amount. Also, it makes you wonder if this is a bait and switch tactic whether it is legal, as it is a significant difference.
Anyhow, I won't share any photos here. But will post some along the way ... when construction starts.
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