Skip to main content

Decisions, decisions...

We spent weeks looking at display homes, talking to builders, looking at house design options. Since we had been through the process before we knew what we were looking for. We attended the display village at Rochedale estates just about every weekend. We visited builders such as GJ Gardner, Clarendon, Macarthy Homes, Metricon, Plantation Homes. We had built with Metricon last time, so this time the options were either Metricon or Plantation. Little did we know there would be another player coming to the party. They were an independent builder, we thought nothing of them, because we knew they were going to be more expensive, since they always are, but we had them along for the ride just for our curiosity. This builder is Landmark Homes, located out bayside Brisbane. The reason we considered them, was because they could give us an affordable turn-key package which sparked our interest.

After weeks of negotiations, we decided to go with Landmark Homes for several reasons, and it wasn't an easy decision, since we had shortlisted the builders down to Plantation and Landmark. Landmark's prices were all over the place. Some of our requests for design changes were also missed so we couldn't build confidence in them at the time. But their build time was attractive to us. Since we were renting this becomes a factor, since you don't want to be renting longer than you should, and the earlier you can build the better it will be for us.

We spent most of November and December deciding on making this big decision. We were almost committed to Plantation. Luckily during Christmas we had enough time to think it through. We looked at online reviews of all builders. A friend sent me to a website called undercover architect, which coincidentally enough, had a couple that was on a similar journey to us (albeit a couple of years before us) and had built with Landmark too. After reading this it gave us greater confidence in our decision  We were set on a design that we were happy with through Landmark Homes. We signed on the 18th of January 2018. We would be lucky to be moving in by June, but we have reserved the completion date until July, which we think is an achievable date.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saturday work and lots of progress

It looks the builder is pushing for this build to be finished by Christmas. Even the painters were here on a Saturday. Good on you boys. The stairs were also stained. The fascade finally has some colour, once the walls have been painted it will look a lot better. We found out that internally, these jobs have been completed. Robes/shelves fixed to correct design (with double rails). Linen cupboards and wardrobes have sliding doors (one in master should have mirrors) Shower screen are installed, and mirrors in washrooms except two because there are defects in the mirror. Oven is correctly fitted. Lets list the number of things left to do with a countdown on the number of days left to the Christmas break. 13 Days External Paint still to be completed Stair/handrail polish final coats Door stained Outdoor kitchen fix up Rangehood cupboards Tile skirt behind toilet Landscaping Fencing and Gate Clothesline Paint touch ups Blinds installed Tiler silicone Carpet W...

More plants/trees and pavers

Over the weekend we saw humid weather on Friday afternoon and Saturday. The rain was holding off, even though it was forecast for both Friday and Saturday, it would have been good because the plants were becoming droopy. I had to duck off to Bunnings to buy a hose to water the plants. Then the much needed heavy rain on came on Sunday. Which affected the landscaping work on Monday. The landscaper installed pavers, finished the gravel path, planted a few trees, and prepared the ground for turf that is due to arrive tomorrow. 4 Days Paint to front of wall Stair/handrail polish final coats?? Door stained Outdoor kitchen fix up Reconnect BBQ and side burner Rangehood cupboards Landscaping cont' (lay turf) Driveway gate

Landscaping done

Today the ground was wet, but the landscapers got the job done before lunch time. I also noticed the house had a big tidy up and looks nice and shiny. The countdown is on, and the handover inspection has been booked. 3 Days Paint to front of wall Stair/handrail polish final coats?? Door stained Reconnect BBQ and side burner Rangehood cupboards Landscaping cont' (lay turf) Driveway gate