The Elusive Inclusions List

To keep our visits to display homes to a minimum I undertook a good deal of research on the various builder’s websites first. I’d have to say that the standard of the average builder’s website is very good IMHO. There was one exception however. After looking at the plan of a particular house on this site I went in search of the list of standard inclusions. I found a graphic which stated “Click Here To View Inclusions Book”. I did so and was presented with the following Pop-Up inviting me to enter my details. Reluctantly, I did so, expecting to be either sent a list of inclusions by email or forwarded to a page which either presented me with the list of inclusions. Neither of these happened. However, the following day I received a telephone call from a hapless salesman who it turned out, was unable to provide me with a copy of the inclusions list I originally sought.

What is one to conclude from this ? Either the site wasn’t working properly and I should have received a copy of the inclusions or they deliberately set out to mislead in order to obtain my details. If found that I was not particularly inclined to proceed any further with this particular builder.

Negotiating a Display Home

It would seem that Australia’s home builders believe that home building is the preserve of young fit people. The way they present their display homes certainly reinforces this notion. The average display home is effectively an obstacle course for the disabled. First they increase the amount of walking involved by requiring their prospective customers to enter and leave through the sales office.

Often there is a step into the sales office on either side. Then they locate wooden platforms on the path between the office and the display house. These platforms appear to have no practical purpose other than ensure that only able-bodied individuals gain access. It’s particularly bad luck if you wish to view a display home which is not directly located beside the sales office. Not only do you have to walk further but you very probably have to negotiate more than one of these redundant wooden platforms both on the way in and on the way out.

Green Light for Soil Tests

We have been given the green light by the developer to have soil tests performed on our block. The primary purpose of this is to determine the reactivity of the soil – the extent to which it will expand when wet. The degree of soil reactivity in turn determines what type of slab is required for our house. Porter Davis who are building a number of dwellings at Solsbury Field advised us that they assumed an H Class slab when pricing their house and land packages.

Once the soil tests are performed and we know the type of foundations required we will be able to get a fixed price contract from the builder.

Understanding the Market

I think when buying any high cost item it’s important to compare prices to make sure you are getting a good deal. Given the large sums of money involved in building a house it really is essential to get a good understanding of the market. Of course, it’s not just about price, you need to look at the suitability of the house design, the quality of the build, the build time, and the overall experience for you as a customer.

Given this mindset, it was inevitable that we wouldn’t have settled for the PD Livingston 20 without looking at the houses of other builders. However PD’s intransigence over the garage stepdown certainly motivated us to do this sooner rather than later.

How To Pour a Slab

Was searching on the web this morning for the reasons for why some builders incorporate a step down to the garage. One of the things I found was a publication from the Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia. Entitled “Ten Steps to Building a Reinforced Concrete Slab-On-Ground”. It is an excellent summary of the activities required to create a concrete slab. It can be found at : SRIA

The Garage Stepdown

A friend of mine, who also has mobility issues, built a house a house about seven years ago. One of the issues he encountered when talking to prospective builders was ensuring the house was wheelchair friendly. Most project home designs include an integrated garage. Some builders plans also incorporate a stepdown from the house to the garage. As far as I can tell the reason for the stepdown is to prevent flooding via the garage into the house. If you have a driveway which slopes down from the garage to the road the risk of flooding is somewhat reduced. However I have also seen an explanation that suggests that a stepdown assists in the containment of petrol vapour.

The use of garage stepdowns is far from universal even for project builders. For example, Henley, a reasonably large project builder, charges extra if you want a stepdown. Unfortunately. Porter Davis designs do include a stepdown. They told me that they were not prepared to vary this and suggested a ramp as an alternative. But why put up with a ramp when you know it is possible to eliminate it ?

The Alfresco

Many display houses we saw featured an Alfresco. The Livingston 20 was no exception. Indeed Porter Davis has successfully sued a number of its competitors for copying their “Alfresco Quadrant”. The design comprises a kitchen, dining area, rumpus room and family room around an outdoor courtyard under a single roof line.

The Alfresco is a great idea and we were keen to select a house design to accommodate one. PD do not show the Alfresco in the online plans. The cost is therefore on top of the basic house cost. For the Livingston 20 there are 2 Alfresco options : the Standard (an extra $3,500) and Grand Alfresco (an extra $7,000). The picture above features the Grand Alfresco.