Well the decision has been made to leave it as is and hopefully once it is all completed and with time, I will get used to it. Without final costings, the rough estimation to change it was going to be about 4 weeks delay (ouch!), $4000 and all to get a gap of 200mm. The cost in both time and money was not going to get an outcome I was happy with either so it has been decided to move forward. Relief from everyone at Eden Brae, I am sure, though they were happy to do whatever they could to ensure I am pleased with the final outcome.
Whilst checking this all out, I have also discovered that a section of the facade is not listed to be rendered as per the advertised facade either. The area above the stackstone under the cladding on the roof gable is supposed to be rendered. We haven't paid for it to be built like that though we did ask for the Boston facade as per the website. Again, an oversight on the part of the Tender presenter that we also signed off on. This one is much easier to fix - it just involves money. Don't think we will do anything about it.
Both of these oversights highlight the importance of good communication every step of the way and the need to take time to discuss the build with your client. We asked for the Boston facade as per the photo on the website and trusted our builder to either put that into the tender document or explain why it could not be done like that. Saves great disappointment later on. Having said that, if these are the worst headaches we have during the build, we will be doing well. Such first world problems...
About Me
- Kerith
- EDIT - Now a 'work at the local school' mum a few days a week while juggling the job of parenting 3 teenagers! I am a SAHM who does work from home occasionally, dedicated to raising 3 Godly, independent, healthy children. Loving the home building process though it is not without challenges. I have fairly free reign over the creative aspect of the project...just not the financial side!
Hi Kerith, not so good news on the cost of the changes. You are right that these are things that should be flagged at the tender presentation. EBH should at least try to match the original request.
ReplyDeleteFor your average first time home builder making changes, a 1-2hour tender presentation is not enough. We made many changes and the implications were not explained at all. Having said that, this was not really part of our changes. We asked for the Boston facade on our Newport design but no-one explained that it doesn't work quite as pictured....and then they forgot to add in the second bit of rendering.
ReplyDeleteIf we had picked it up prior to construction, they would have made the concrete slab for the porch larger and/or extended bedroom 1 out further (obviously all at greater cost to us)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comment re your doors to the alfresco I asked Eden Brae about our bi-folds and whether they were flush with the floor. We upgraded to the wooden doors to match with the display home and the flush look but they told us that unless we mention we want it flush then it wouldn't be. They are looking into it but like you was surprised they never mentioned it at tender.
ReplyDeleteGlad we have helped someone, Niall!
ReplyDelete