Flooring issues resolved

I had a lovely long discussion with the Acting General Manager yesterday afternoon, which was an excellent demonstration by senior Allworth mangement to identify customer service problems and focus on moving forward rather than apportioning blame.

It gave me an opportunity to raise a nubmer of issues particularly relating to communication and some poor incidents where the team could have made an effort to be more approachable and resolve matters early. The Acting GM did clearly indicate that he was concerned about word-of-mouth damaging their reputation, for which no one can blame him, and so I greatly appreciate him giving me the time to simply put it to someone who can do something about it, but even if he doesn't I at least felt someone has had the decency to listen to what I have said.

In summary:

• the work by the company is covered by the builders insurance for seven years, if work is completed by the owner before handover this can void the warranty or lead to a dispute about liability, and it is a risk they are not willing to take.
• to change the contract now would involve a variation to contract, which may impact on eligibility for FHOG, and be pointless as it would push out completion needlessly.
• the contractors can not be controlled or policed but they can be asked to refrain from smoking inside and collecting their butts before leaving.
• a schedule is avaliable but not set in stone and the SS should be able to say what is coming up in the near future.
• the company does not have a policy about regular contact between the SS and the client, but SS should be available or return calls and the CM should be prepared to take a message and communicate it to the SS if the client cannot get onto the SS.
• any leftover bricks or damaged bricks do not belong to the client, but the client can negotiate to collect those bricks and put them out of the way as this will also save the company some money on tip fees.
• the build is tracked on a computer system and events are checked off as they are completed, but if an event is not checked off in time a trigger may be activated and generate a notice that does not apply.
• the site should be left clean of rubbish and recently run over by a bobcat - it will not be as perfect as landscaping but should reasonably level out any variation around the site.

He also managed to negotiate a further discount on the floor tiles and carpet with Lockwood, so I appreciate the assistance all round (quote frankly if they've covered part of the bill it wouldn't surprise me but at least either way he has tried to make ammends).

As painting is scheduled to start today a drive out tonight will soothe my frayed nerves, and because the screen doors and blinds guy from Wynstan has a cancellation today he is going to go and see if he can measure up.

See I wasn't being unreasonable at all.

Still waiting on the Commencement Letter 2

I was advised by the Mortgage Broker late last week that the JP who witnessed some documents used a middle initial in his signature, but failed to refer to the middle name in his printed name - WTF! This is apparently holding up the commencement letter from being issued. I mean seriously, refer to the other documents where he has signed and you would be able to compare the signatures and I know that somewhere along the way he did print his complete name. So word to the wise - dot you i's and cross your t's.

The dog has also been very antsy due to the continuous wet weather as she loves to have a good run around and play fetch, but her big paws churn the earth up when it is this wet. So to abate her boredom I took her for a drive out the Spring Farm and had a look at what progress has been made in the last fortnight. Our peach neighbour appears to have internal linings up and her doors are either hung or waiting to be. Two other houses have been started in the street, one either direction and both of these have been framed and windows installed. My friend's ex-husband who is building around the corner has been framed with the windows delivered but waiting to be installed. Today, despite being cold, experienced no rain, so I am guessing more work might happen later in the week, but really I am as jealous as hell and wanting to start.

Also becoming very conscious that it has been a while since we first signed off on contracts and the basis for which the FHOG was issued, so with the 12 month deadline coming closer they really need to start. I think I will call Allworth tomorrow and put them on notice of this fact.

4 more weeks before building commences!!!

How silly of me to get my hopes up, when the fools at Allworth Homes are involved.

I rang just a moment ago and spoke to the CSO to clarify what happens now, next, etc. So here goes.

Council DA was received on 1 April 2010. Good work Australia Post, up to usual standard. Top effort award goes to Allworth who got the Admin Assistant to check the PO Box that day, unlike other times.

The signed off revised tender was received today. Same remarks to Australia Post and Allworth as above.

Now we are waiting on a revised engineering plan. Then it goes to the certifier who gives a construction certificate, then we get you to come in and sign contracts... Hang on! WTF!

The contract, the standard HBA piece of work, initial at the bottom of these next few hundred pages, plus all the bleeding schedules that were attached, they were signed, I paid the bloody solicitor to sit there, it was signed you stupid idiots, it was signed on 29 September 2009, you know when we were scrambling for the FHOG because you morons took so long to get your act in gear in the first place.

So how long will this all take then, I begrudgingly ask...? Well, 2 weeks for the amended engineering plan then about a week for construction certificate.

You can't be serious? 3 more weeks? 3 more weeks! But wait there's more - my Mum who is co-owner is currently on a month long holiday, and guess what - she'll be back 8 May, so what you are saying is 4 weeks until we sign, and then you'll think about... oh I don't know, ordering landmoving equipment, building supplies, bookings trades...?!?!?!

I mean seriously, you bastards want another 2 weeks to get an amended engineering plan done? You've had since January with the same friggin house design to work that shit out, and now you want another 2 weeks. 

And lets just make it absolutely clear, when I asked those morons last week what needed to be signed before we could get things rolling, what did they say? Oh, just the revised tender. So we won't need a Power of Attorney from my mother because she will be away, overseas, out of this country until May? No, no they said, just the revised tender. 

I swear, I'm having conniptions as I type. I've got goose bumps, I can feel the blood draining from my head.

I shit you not I am going to speak to my Solicitor about this. For f*** sake, this is getting beyond a joke.