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Troy R.Metropolitan Adelaide, SA
- Verified customer
Great finishes on a great product
The supervisor was polite and accommodating, all the sales team did what ever they could to meet our needs ( which was a lot) accounts were always fair and reasonable and our trades were efficient and tolerant when we came on site and asked questions they were polite and even gave helpful advice to help us future proof our home.
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Review collected in partnership with Format Homes
Michael PapanicolasMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- Verified customer
Couldn't be happier! We now have a beautiful house to make a home.
My family and I moved into our beautiful house four weeks ago and we are pleased to state that throughout our dealings with Format Homes, everything ran smoothly and to schedule. The quality of work was of first class and our every desire was met promptly, without any additional cost. For those looking to build within the near future, I highly recommend Format Homes.
- Michael Papps
1 comment
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Review collected in partnership with Format Homes
DavoMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- 2 reviews
- Verified customer
My Experience With Format Homes - Progress Report No 1
I am experienced in house building.
I first met Terry at the display centre on Sunday 29th Sept 2022. I sent him a rough house plan on Monday p.m.; received redrawn plan Tuesday a.m. and quote Wednesday a.m.; met again on Saturday 5th October; signed a contract 10th October. I admit I knew what I wanted but the professionalism and efficiency Terry and Format have displayed thus far is exceptional. Watch for more Progress Reports.
1 comment
Format H.Format Homes
Hi Davo,
We appreciate you taking the time to put up your feedback.... Read more
Kind Regards, Format HomesSimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
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Tiger
- 3 reviews
- Verified customer
A Disgrace...
A Disgrace...
I chose Format Homes (Adelaide Builder) based on the positive reviews I read from this website. Unfortunately I could not verify the individual reviewers authenticity. When I first spoke to Format Homes sales representative, he was very aware of Product Review and the success Format Homes had derived from the site. I got the distinct impression it was an important advertising and marketing platform for Format Homes . (This advertising medium comes free of charge. Why wouldn't a company try to exploit it)
These are the Big Questions when reading reviews:
Are they honest?
Are they unbiased?
Are they in fact real?
Do you get a balanced even spread of opinions?...Read more
3 comments
Format H.Format Homes
We're sorry to hear that your experience hasn't matched that of our other clients.
As we are committed to ensuring that our client's are happy with their new homes, we would ask for you to please ma... Read more
ke contact with management at our office so that we can discuss your experience and also follow up any outstanding works.Format H.Format Homes
We would like to point out that we have attempted to make contact with you on several occasions to no response; our offer to discuss your experience and follow up any issues considered outstanding is still open.
Kind Regards,
Format Homes
No attempt has been... Not a phone call. Not a letter. Not an email. If did choose to contact me, there is no way you could rectify nor provide financial compensation for my loses.
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MeiMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- 2 reviews
- Verified customer
The Build is Good, BUT …. The Rest Are “Too Good To Be True”
We did a lot of research, visited a number of builders’ display homes, and finally decided to go for steel frame and chose Format Homes. Having read so many “Excellent” reviews in this website, we embraced a high but reasonable expectation in our new home. Nevertheless, we were so disappointed with the services that Format Homes had given us.
Undeniably, the build itself was good, and the services/ workmanship from most of the traders were good, 4 to 5 star. But bear in mind their inclusions were really “standard” and basic and some even shak...Read more
y, not “above standard” at all as some reviewers said (Well, we understand it’s subject to personal opinion). And the choices were very limited without incurring extra cost. However, their customer services and communication were terrible, we would give only ONE star. (It is daunting to repeat these nightmares here!) – The actual building process took around 26 weeks. That’s on par with their promise. However the process starting from signing contract up to start of building was way beyond our expectations. The amount of time to push forward the project in that stage was beyond imagination - 6 months from finalising all selections to site work commenced. – A few jobs were scheduled on the day of handover, which should have been done earlier: putting power point at our backyard, and numerous other touch up. Lesson learned: do NOT accept any last minute jobs to be scheduled on handover day. This simply gave them a chance to handover a house full of dirt. – Floor tiles (we used porcelain tiles in living areas) were not cleaned up at all after laying. Workers who put power point in our backyard (on the handover day!) walked in and out through the living areas. We were not aware the tiles were not cleaned up and thought we could clean them after their work. When we tried to clean the tiles, we found it was impossible to remove the stains (it was due to epoxy oil marks) no matter what solutions we used (we bought a number of professional tiles cleaning solutions trying to remove the stains, waste of money!) because they were literally not cleaned up at all. After repeated and repeated emails, reminders, phone calls, waiting and waiting they finally sent a contractor to clean up the floor (and we had to move our moveable furniture around to let him clean). It took us more than 5 months of follow up to get this fixed. Extreme nightmare!!!2 comments
Format H.Format Homes
Hi Mei,
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you feel your experience was not up to the standard that we are aim to achieve and are renowned for.... Read more
I would like to invite you to contact Marco in our office to discuss your experience, so that we can resolve any issues you still have outstanding, and also run through your experience so that we can ensure we do what is needed so that others don't feel the same way though their journey. Kind Regards, Format HomesHello Marco,
Glad to receive your response which we haven't expected after almost 2 months of our review. Since we moved in the house in August last year, we had numerous conversation with your liasi... Read more
on officer trying to get the tiles cleaned up (among other issues). However, it was dragged on for months. It was not until December that the tiles in the whole house were properly cleaned up.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
MorganMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- Verified customer
Flexible, accommodating and friendly - We couldn't be happier
We first learned of Format Homes during our search for our next family home. A beautiful house in Grange had been built by Format and we loved everything about it, with the exception of the price tag at auction which went well over out limit at the time. We continued searching for a house for another 12 months, but the idea of what could be achieved by building never left us and so we met with Frank to begin the planning for our new home. Frank was beyond patient in explaining what was possible and how we could achieve the same results with les...Read more
s cost. He really went above and beyond on the number of changes and suggestions and that time was so well spent getting it right up front. Our block needed quite a lot of extra clean fill soil to bring it up to the correct level. Format were again extremely helpful, using their contacts to help us with the extra soil required. There were some delays with getting our planning approved, but once that hurdle was over, the build went very seamlessly. We had an excellent Site Supervisor who poured in a lot of effort to complete our house with as much care and effort as if it was his own. He was always responsive on phone calls, providing updates and estimations, and really turned up the dial close to completion to allow us to move in. From a personal standpoint, I've been very happy with the build quality, and so has been a number of trades people who have come through the house since (and my father in law too). We've been living in the house through a winter and now a full summer. It's survived all the big winds and rains that we had, and it's amazingly cool downstairs in summer, which comes down to the great design and insulation choices we made. Our list of maintenance tasks at 4 months included very minor, superficial items, such as a sticker left on an upstairs window and a squeaky cabinet door which were both resolved very promptly. I think we must have been a fairly difficult customer during the planning and contract negotiations as there were quite a few requests for more information or pricing. Format never showed any signs of frustrations and were always open to new ideas and requests. I'm glad we fixed it all at the beginning, as post contract sign there were was no other items that needed to be discussed or changed. Final cost was the contract cost. I'd like to give a very special thankyou to Frank who helped us built our family home for the next 30 years. The patient, accommodating and friendly care we received from all Format staff comes from great leadership. Thanks again, we're very happy.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
SandySurrey Downs
- Verified customer
Stress Free Building
We had looked at many display homes, but it wasn't until we walked into Format Homes at Lightsview and met with Terry McWilliams that we felt completely comfortable with the whole building process.
We are very happy with our investment home. Paying a little extra for quality fixtures and fittings was definitely value for money. The workmanship was outstanding, with no issues during the build. All the team at Format were available to answer any of my queries.
We recommend them and would build with them again.
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- Verified customer
Our Dream Home Ian & Wendy on 2nd Dec 2018
We decided that our old house was way too small for our growing family and wanted to stay in the area so we chose to knock down and rebuild. Our journey began on looking for a builder that would listen to what we wanted, after months of looking at Display Homes at how most companies finished of there homes we had a couple of builders in mind. We went to Lightsview Display Village and looked around in stepping into a Format Display home we were pleasantly greeted by the Consultant after having a look at the homes on display we asked a few questi...Read more
ons regarding fittings and finishes to the home, Terry the Consultant was so helpful and friendly and explained to us what was standard and what was extras in the Display Home. After discussing this with him we came home and chatted about what we saw we were very impressed with Format Homes we decided the next weekend to go back and see Terry as we had our own home design that we wanted to build sitting down with Terry and disgusting our needs he took a drawing of our plans back to the office. Once complete ew meet Terry at Format Head Office to view our plans it was everything we wanted. We decided that Format were our choice of builder we loved that they built with Supalock and their standard fittings were well above any other builders standard fittings. Format Homes listens to what you want not like other builders that we approached they would not listen to what we really wanted. So our journey for our Dream Home began building commenced and before we new it our New Home was being built. Constuction was well under way and our New Home was starting to take shape and looked fantastic we were very excited and couldn't wait for it to be finished. The site supervisor Levi was very helpful and friendly when we asked questions about our build as this was the first time we had built so we were always asking questions. All the staff that we dealt with at Format were absolutely wonderful and so helpful if you rang the office the girls there were so friendly and would be able to answer your question. Once our home was complete we were so excited on getting our keys walking into our Dream Home and seeing it we were so impressed with the way it looked and the quality of design. All appliances are top quality SMEG, Carrera Kitchens are outstanding everything in the house is outstanding. We say Thank you to FORMAT for building our truly beautiful Dream Home 12 months has passed since we moved in and it still looks as good as it did the day we got keys. We get so many comments on our home and everyone cannot believe that the standard fittings that we have in our home are what Format offers.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Trish and GarryGrange, SA, 5022
- Verified customer
"We Love Our New Home!!"
We love the area we live in and had always intended one day to demolish our existing home, subdivide and build a new home for ourselves & an investment property.
Following a thorough research & meeting with various builders, we were most impressed with Format Homes.
With their assistance, we were able to design our two new homes - they listened to our ideas, were always accommodating and provided helpful advice. We were guided by their experience which was greatly appreciated especially as we were first time builders and have absolutely no re...Read more
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CarmineAdelaide
- Verified customer
Integrity & Quality Best Describes FORMAT
The workmanship and build was outstanding overall, we couldn't be happier with the way FORMAT managed the whole project from start to finish. Every member of the FORMAT team kept us well informed along the journey and whenever there were any problems encountered, they were acted on swiftly and thoroughly. We were particularly impressed with the way everything was well explained and the manner in which FORMAT staff took the time to explore the possibilities, implications, costs, alternatives, safeguards, etc, etc. The attention to detail was ext...Read more
raordinary and very reassuring throughout the whole build. The quality of the overall build was both impressive and very satisfying. From the attention to detail with all the fittings (doors, windows, bathrooms, cupboards, etc) to the final preparation before the handover. (Painting, cleaning, installation of appliances, etc) I absolutely loved the fact that everything was checked and sealed to a high quality prior to us getting the keys. FORMAT employ fantastic tradies, not only are they highly skilled and thorough, they were very accommodating whenever I had occasion to visit the site. You know when you're on to a good builder when the tradies talk about the integrity of the company themselves. Very reassuring! We were also very impressed with our building supervisor who always kept us well informed and involved. It was obvious that he had the respect of the tradies and that he maintained very high standards and expectations of their work. Whenever there were problems and in any build process these are inevitable, they were well handled by the supervisor, with immediate follow up always to a high level of satisfaction. All the staff at FORMAT were courteous, thorough and totally professional. We were particularly impressed by the personal interest and support provided to us by Frank Formato, owner of FORMAT homes. His involvement made us feel very reassured and satisfied that the build was on target to be one of high quality. Thank you to all the staff and tradies connected to FORMAT. You have been responsible for making our dream house become a reality. Now we're living in it we notice the attention to detail in the build every single day and that puts a smile on our faces. Couldn't recommend FORMAT any more highly! Well Done, a builder that deserves to be described as one with the highest integrity and build quality.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
CAGKAdelaide
- Verified customer
Very happy with build experience and quality finish
We have just completed the 3-month maintenance period for our new Format Homes home and couldn’t be happier. The build was on time, on budget (not PC cost increases or surprises), and is built to a standard that leaves similarly priced builders in the shade.
We are a retired couple in our late 60s and we thrilled with the service provided by our sales/design consultant. He guided us through an unfamiliar process, and provided option after option until we were satisfied with the design that best made use of available space.
We are remind...Read more
ed of Format Homes’ best-value point of difference in each room. The Carrera Kitchen has a great layout and fitted with SMEG appliances, internal wall insulation, Littlehampton bricks, high doorways, decorative cornice and skirt – all as standard inclusions. The little things continue to impress – temp controlled gas hot water, bathroom fittings, semi-frameless shower, roof layout structure that supports future solar installation on the northern roof – and we are very happy with our choice of builder. My daughter has recently signed with Format Homes for her build after witnessing the trouble-free build we had. Our last home was damaged by whiteants, and after seeing the damage, a steel frame home made sense and provides some comfort. And it's always pleasing to get compliments from neighbours regarding the finish of our home or tradespeople impressed with the layout!Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
LouisAdelaide
- Verified customer
Excellent House- Great experience building with Format Homes
Format Homes made the process of building a new house very clear and straightforward.
From the beginning, Format Homes were very willing to accommodate our ideas for a new house and draw a personalised house plan that suited our plot and needs for a family home. Their team offered very helpful advice and guided us through the entire building process which took a lot of the stress out of building a new house.
We were kept well informed during the construction phase of the house and remain impressed to this day with the communication and ...Read more
great customer service they provided during construction and after we had received the house. We were very pleased with the home they delivered which was both on time and had a high attention to detail. The exterior of the house was durable and well-finished. On the interior, we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of both the bathrooms and kitchen which far exceeded our expectations. Overall, we were extremely pleased with our experience with Format Homes and would highly recommend them for their expertise and guidance to anyone looking to build a new home.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
ShaneO
- 3 reviews
- Verified customer
An exercise in getting what you pay for.
Overall an excellent experience. From meeting the brilliant Terry McWilliams, asking him to defy the laws of physics with only a vague idea, he hits it out of the park with his FIRST cad drawing. 2 houses later and I’m very happy. He was honest with the quote and his knowledge of councils and soils meant accurate footing quotes. As he said, Format are not the cheapest but there are no surprises later and he was true to his word. Variations were modest and some also in my favour. Integrity is obviously important to their brand.
Marina was exc...Read more
ellent with selections and her knowledge of combining colours and textures meant we made good decisions with the fascia. Format’s selections partners are terrific, especially Carrera kitchens. Bill needs a sample of his DNA extracted to ensure he is cloned for future generations. His knowledge on site prep and absolute transparency in dealings was refreshing. God he knows his crap but doesn't big note despite having every right to do so. My site has so much rock and he’d call to let me know me know they needed to manual digging and what not and approximate variations which were spot on. Both Kieran and Frank were cool as site supervisors - Kieran had a LOT on before Frank joined so communication wasn't always timely but when it came to the non-negotiables, always on point. Format use excellent tradespeople and the quality and timeliness of work is really something. In fact the only frustrations I had was having to deal with builders and tradespeople outside of Format’s remit. Word to the wise - yes you can save some coin by arranging some things yourself such as paths and driveways but in retrospect I would have paid a premium for getting it done without the headaches.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
lmjsrMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- 3 reviews
- 1 like
- Verified customer
When it sounds too good to be true
Our experience in having Format Homes build two on our block has been the opposite of the glowing reports we read in these pages.
Handover on 16.12.16 was 8 1/2 months after the first slab was poured. Despite repeated assurances in the lead up to handover, neither house was ready for occupation as promised. Work continued into the following week - just before Christmas 2016 and now in September 2017, we still have unfinished "repair" work remaining.
Post handover we went overseas and left the houses in the hands of a Rental agent.
Subsequen...Read more
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KWGAdelaide
- Verified customer
Fullarton Houses
The workmanship was very good. This confirmed by another builder.
I had no independent overseer and experienced few problems. However any alteration to plans before finalisation were overlooked and needed repeated reminders. Even then some matters like location of water tanks; plumbing loops; external power points; gas meters etc had to be rectified AFTER installation in wrong places. A cost to Format and delays frustration for me.
I would use FORMAT again but be more demanding about plan updates being recorded and followed on site.
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MichaelLightsview
- Verified customer
Well done Format !
I choice Format to build my new houses, one has been hand over at last month and the other one is still under construction. I have to say Format did a really good job and I love my new house. I also need to thank my sales consultant Steven Riley. He really understands what we need and what we should pay attention on during the whole construction. He is knowledgeable sales consultant because we've got Asian background, he even know some "Feng Shui" theories that help us to design our new house. Well done Steve. If you guys need a quality builder, highly recommend Steve and Format to you guys.
Michael & Pam
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- Verified customer
Beautiful Home
Hi everyone,
First of all, A BIG THANK YOU for the wonderful home you have built for Doug and myself. Even today we are still pinching ourselves having such a beautiful home.
The people who we have had dealings with through Format Homes are:
John Cooper (great sales job mate!!)
Bill Murphy (fantastic information we didn't know about)
All the girls in the office (who kept me sane)
Levi (for his excellent supervision of our site - and must be sick to death of us!!)
...Read more
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HolsterMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- 2 reviews
- 1 like
- Verified customer
Just like Christmas
We have just moved in to our new Format Home. A lot of our friends warned us about building, we heard all sorts of horror stories. Our experience was totally the opposite, we have one tiny outstanding job to be done, everything was just about perfect the day we got the keys. The quality of the work done, the quality of the fittings & fixtures is of a very high standard. We were promised a six month build time & it took five & a half months-even with very wet winter we had this year. We are both very pleased with our new home, we love coming home to our "new baby".
Money well spent, excellent value, excellent tradespeople, excellent office staff.
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ShadiAU
- Verified customer
Owning a brand new house could have not been easier than this!
When I came to Australia, I could never imagine that after a couple of years of arrival I would be living in my new house. To own a house had become a dream and I could have not thought that one day soon I would ever own it. Format Homes made this dream come true in less than one year; far way from what I expected. That was not the only bonus of choosing Format Homes! Now that I am reflecting on the time I spent living at my unit while I was working and studying, I can not remember even one day that I had an issue with the house construction. I...Read more
wonder how these guys built the house in a very quiet mode and left me at peace so I did not need to worry about anything. Every aspect of the house construction was taken care of; I was just enjoying to visit my house while it was being built and took some photos for my personal house project album; which, I tell you, is a huge fun! No one in my family and friend had done that before; all were admiring it. I take the chance to thank Matt who introduced me to Format Homes on the first day when I was seeking for a house builder. Terry, I am so thankful to you. You always gave me hope and energy and your warming words were always comforting me in the hardest time; I can not thank you enough; you are now my life friend. I am so thankful to Kieran my house project manager who was so patient when I was asking lots of questions and he was giving me his best professional responses. I express my thanks and appreciation to all Format Homes personnel, Philip, Rick, Frank, Marco, Joanne, Lisa, and many others who I may forget to name. You constantly supported me, advised me on your best, had very warm and welcoming attitude and customer service. Thank you all for everything you have done for me! Today, I am sitting in my house, drinking my afternoon tea and enjoying my house ownership!Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
MattAU
- Verified customer
Excellent service and quality build
I've dealt with a lot of different Builders around Adelaide both personally and professionally. The level of customer service and professionalism shown by Format Homes is unmatched. Not everything went right (as it rarely does when you build), but they were there to help every step of the way. The quality of the finished product was exceptional and exceeded even our lofty expectations. I cannot thank the whole team at Format Homes enough, and refer all my family, friends, and customers to them.
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Questions & Answers
Dannyasked
Hi we want to build 2, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom houses on our 795 sq mtr block 6km from Adelaide GPO. Flat block about 17 more frontage, could you please give me a quote I know maybe you need more information but ball park figure so I know where to start from. Yes need to knockdown our house we can arrange that.
Regards Danny.I
1 answer
Format H.Format Homes
Hi Danny,
Thanks for your Question.
We are happy to provide some basic ballpark numbers but do need more information before being able to give you even a remotely realistic figure. Contact us at [email protected] and we'll be able to get you what you need.
Thanks,
Format Homes
Art Broasked
Two storey house-price list?
1 answer
Format H.Format Homes
Hi Art Bro,
We are able to give you standard specification prices on our two-storey plans as requested. Please contact us at [email protected] or 08 8443 4555 so we can get you this information.
Kind Regards,
Format Homes
Donnaasked
Do you built at Normanville and do you guarantee your timelines with compensation paid to the client if you do not make it?
5 answers
Format H.Format Homes
Hi Donna,
Yes we do build at Normanville and have done quite a few new homes there in the past.
We shy away from 'guaranteeing' building timelines purely because we take the approach that it is better to do the job properly rather than rush it for the sake of a few weeks. We have a core group of good trades that we use continually as they produce good quality work, and find we get a better result if we give them the time and space to do the job properly. Having said this, over 95% of our new homes are built within the Contractually specified build timeframe.
Thank you for your reply. Looking forward to talking to you when we come down from Qld in May. Cheers Donna
I am currently building with Format. The complete build from contract signature to completion is now expected to be 22-23 months although I still can't get accurate end date. If it was just a matter of a few weeks I wouldn't see an issue but I wouldn't build again without guaranteed timelines with compensation in the contract. I have lost track of the number of times that I have asked for an estimated finish date to be told that they will be able to give one at this milestone. When that milestone arrives and I ask for an accurate time frame and I get given another milestone of when they should know. Most of the estimates have been and gone.
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Format H.Format Homes
Hi Michael,
Thanks very much for your review.... Read more
Kind Regards, Format Homes