McDonald Jones Homes Questions & Answers (page 3 of 7)

Hi Dharma. I recall having a similar conversation with our sales consultant a few years ago and he told me that double-storey houses are built using treated timber frames. I do not know if that is still covered by 50-year structural warranty (I'd assume not). As for anti-termite option, steel would never be eaten but houses structurally supported by treated timber have stood the test of time (and this has evolved over time)

Thank you
I can send you the DA approved plans as a starting point to see if this build fits with McDonald Jones.
Should I address this to anyone
Do you build in the Malabar NSW area

My Daughter has just moved into her new home. Unfortunately went over contract time and carpet was installed before house was completed. House was cleaned weeks before they moved in with trades still finishing off work and walking over new carpet. House was full of dust from sanding and paint left on fittings, basins, staircase and carpet. No one will return their calls to find out when they will be completing items on defects list.

Job number is J603056.

My details are on your file.

yes basics is part of your approval

Hello Jaise.
It would be best for you to direct this question to MacDonald Jones.

Plaster board is 10mm. This was confirmed to me by MDJ only recently

Hello Veronica. Sorry, but can't give you an answer because the house is not completed but guessing about six or seven months.

Hi Veronica, We commenced mid January 2017 and handover was mid October 2017, so 9 months. There were 2 weeks for wet weather days that extended contract completion and they also went 2 weeks past final amended contract date.

We haven’t finished the build yet

Sorry you will have to contact Mjh about that

Hi T L, did you ended up pulling out of your contract?

Hi. Did you end up pulling out? Were there any other charges except for the $3000?

Hi Heather,

Having just built with MJH, I would advise, if you can get out of the contract, do so. I'm not sure what stage of the contract you are up to, so I would suggest you get advice before withdrawing. Or, approach MJH and ask to be released from the contract.

We found them to be very expensive and the quality of our house is average (at best). During the process there was several 'costs' that we hadn't anticipated. For example, the sales consultant estimated we would need $5,000 for electrical - our final electrical cost was over $19,000. Also, the upgrades they offer are extremely expensive. We were told (again by the sales consultant) that to get the kitchen upgrades in the display home would be around $3-4,000 - our upgrades (which didn't get close to the display kitchen) were over $5,000. We listed the additional cabinetry we were after and we were told to budget $3,000 - when we got to the colours, we were told the TV display cabinet alone was over $4,000 (we hadn't even gotten to the cupboards).

If you're concerned about your budget, prepare to have it blow out if you stick with them. I had the foresight of how bad it was going to be, we would've run as fast as we could!!!

Best of luck

Thank you for your detailed reply, Kate.
We have had very accurate estimates for the cost of electicals, kitchen requirements etc and in some cases our costs were below the estimate. Angela, our initial contact, helped us design a home to our specific requirements, and she did an excellent job, with humour and great attention to detail and innovative ideas. She told us she over estimated to avoid shocks and we found this to be true.
The costs we are finding challenging are the rise in the costs because our 18 mth holding contract ran out due to the need for remediation of the soil due to asbestos being found in the estate and delays and stuff ups on the part of council contractors in getting our land in a new estate to registration. Our estate agent from whom we purchased the land anticipated the land would register within 6 months, so we had no hesitation in putting the 18 mth deposit on the house. Daracon, the developer, told my husband developing the land had been a nightmare, the worst in their experience, and getting the land to registration was way over budget and frustrating for the company.
I'm sorry you are not happy with the quality of your new home. That must be very disappointing.

Heather

Hi Heather,

Just wondering what the outcome was with going over the 18month tender and how much extra you ended up paying?

Hi Sulabh
The house we built was not a display home either. But the floor plan was what we were looking for.

We spoke to Mac Jones & were shown an exhibition home with a similar size.

We then made a couple of changes & are very happy with the end result.

We found them to be a great company to deal with

Regards
Jay Dee

Hi Jay Dee,

Thank you for your response, really appreciate it. We have paid our initial deposit to go ahead with Mac Jones.

Would you be able to tell me if the exhibition home was based in Sydney or any other states? I think it would be a great peace of mind if we could have a look similar size to what we are building?

I may have to ask you, did you build Bridgetown?

We have not made any changes as it looks a good floor although i m not ruling out with here and there ideas from friends are family.

Kitchen/living/dinner its a 9.2m in width along the straight line, so i was really wanting to see how spacious it looks with dinning table/chairs, followed by living.

I m glad you are happy with your end result. Hopefully we will have the same end result. :)

Regards,

Sulabh

Best to call fair trading. There is a requirement for termite inspection in all areas regardless.