Thursday, September 20, 2012

Everything isn't Perfect

I had someone make a comment today that I have a pretty positive blog about specifically Kurmond Homes. That's because in most cases I'm a pretty positive person. But if anyone thinks building is easy or I've had a smooth and great ride all the time then I need to warn you now. Building with any home builder is tough, it's hard work and you have to be as committed to the outcome as much and more then your builder. All my friends who have built with other companies have had much worse experiences then me, during and after handover. I may be lenient but I had a plan.

Someone posted on a product review website recently that I was being paid to promote Kurmond Homes and I laughed. My house was pegged out in December 2011, my land settled in July 2011 the delay was a factor of many things, but not just the builders, but the banks and insurers. I'm still not in my house. Does that tell you I've had a smooth ride or I'm getting some kick back from Kurmond, no way....I'm just another person building a nice home who happens to be blogging about it. Go back and read the posts where I had all the dramas with LMI, the banks, the initial issues with Kurmond Homes when they were suffering from growing pains.

Then read how the company turned things around by putting in new systems, replacing a heap of people, bringing in more people, and how my job got a huge boost when my supervisor left and I was given one of the 3 new guys who turned everything around. Ben"Happy Days" Dempsey.

Then read how I knew my little one was coming and I stressed to Kurmond I needed to be in my house when he was born. But it didn't happen. My house was originally due at the end of the July but I told Kurmond Homes no matter what, I don't care if the house is late as long as I had it for my family when Pheonix was born, I gave them the 10th of Septemeber as that date, it didn't happen. My wife purposely stayed in Hospital for a week to see if we could get in this week. Today it's the 20th. I was told the house would be ready on the 28th this morning.

But today I put my emotions out there and told Kurmond I can't be Mr positive all the time, I need my house. I'm living at my mums house and the wife and kids are living at hers. She's in tears, our family is apart. The house looks fantastic and because everything is basically done she just wants us back together at nights.

You know what Kurmond did, they said they understood, they didn't really apologize, they just got on with it. I had 2 supervisors on site all day, about 50 phone calls through out the day, the owners of Kurmond Homes emailing and ringing me. They plan to give my house now hopefully Monday or Tuesday if the bank stuff can get sorted. Should they have done this without me contacting them...yeh probably should have, but im 1 of probably 50. Is that acceptable....well depends on what you think. Do you think it was going to be super easy...especially building a 40 square double storey home? (Single Storeys seems to be so much smoother). After reading every blog before starting my own I knew it was going to happen to me, heres my tip, it will most likely happen to you if your building. How do you want to deal with it, be a Nazi customer and complain and rush into your house, or have a bit of control and keep the quality up.

But still ask me would I recommend Kurmond Homes? Hell yes, their people are great, the house has extras that no other builder provides, the qaulity is up there, the price is fantastic, they fix things on the go and will bend over backwards to make sure you get what you asked for. They're local which is a big plus and for weeks and weeks I had people at my house every day including Saturdays and some Sundays.Yeh some of their processes can be a bit slow, their painters aren't that crash hot and you need to get them back, sometimes their customer service can be a bit of a drama when new people are coming and going but overall I'm pretty happy with them. Are the people I dealt with genuine, yes. Are they limited sometimes by their resources...yes. Again would I build with them again, yes.

Some people would say they would be going nuts now, to be honest months ago, but because I've worked with them and built a good relationship with them I know my house quality is up there and I'll be happy when I move in. I'm going nuts though now to some degree,here's a quote to sum it all up.

"How one thing can change everything"

I wont allow one thing to change my views on Kurmond Homes. I wouldn't write all this stuff and then turn around and start bagging them just because they were late again. They jumped on the rifles today and kicked butt in organizing a few of the things. They're still a good builder, but everything is never perfect.

Here's a few new shots, little things are being ticked off daily.

These have been stained again and sealed.


Splash backs are in,



9 comments:

  1. Hear-hear... you could've gone with anyone at the start... it always depends on perspective and what you make of it.

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  2. I share your pain! I too have had a long drawn out process with Kurmond since paying my deposit In April 2011, my house is up to the alarms and electricals stage and ILove it,I too am realistic and patient and have found if you politely nag a little things get done,I too have a deadline as I have family coming from overseas plus a cranky landlord who wants some kind of date of us departing!!!! Bearing in mind we will have the Christmas break delay I intend to gently remind my supervisor to get a wiggle on.you will at least have Christmas in your new home I can only hope for a miracle.But I loooooove the way the house is coming along and have found all the trades polite and friendly it's nearly October so it would take a miracle for us to be in by Christmas but early February it has to be :(((((( .Enjoy your Kurmond home with your new family PS the kitchen looks great!

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  3. Well Said Luke.... We signed in August last year and our roof is being tiled over the next couple of days and bricks starting monday. Our issues were more Council.

    Respect is two way - if you give it you will have it returned. Be an Ass and expect to be... well, not the person others want to go out of their way for.

    I am the same as you Sandgrounder - the tradies we've had have been so nice and I met Todd today (our site manager) for the first time this afternoon and he too is very accommodating.

    Luke, You are nearly there. Enjoy your home and thanks for all the updates on your blog!

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  4. I absolutely agreed Luke.
    We also have gone through massive drama's with our build, I have lost months worth of sleep over it and our costs have blow out to double our original tender (first builder went bankrupt). This is not our builders fault most things are unforseen. I too try to remain positive because if you don't you only make yourself and those around you miserable.
    The day you are handed those keys it WILL all be worth it.

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  5. i am going thru the same thing as others.. my house is now abt to complete by end of this month after a long wait.. only the problem with kurmondhomes is thorugh out the project life cycle, you have to deal with so many people.. in my case, i have to deal with 3 draftees, 3 customer service girl, 2 colour girls and 3 supevisors... due to these transition period, they make lot of mistakes,... you have to keep a track of whats been included and standards.. and you are right Luke, they do not accept the apology or mistake.. I would not recommend KurmondHomes to Anyone !!!

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  7. Kurmond homes is the most dangerous builder to deal with in nsw. They take money from you and then just wouldn't do any work. And they wouldn't give back the money. Go with this group of thugs only if your dad or brother is either a thug or a building disputes lawyer. I have lost 2 years and 50k as a result of choosing these dodgy builder. I don't know why govt still lets them operate.

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  8. Kurmond homes is the most dangerous builder to deal with in nsw. They take money from you and then just wouldn't do any work. And they wouldn't give back the money. Go with this group of thugs only if your dad or brother is either a thug or a building disputes lawyer. I have lost 2 years and 50k as a result of choosing these dodgy builder. I don't know why govt still lets them operate.

    ReplyDelete
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