Building Material

Hi there Boys and Girls,

We are just about to start (May) building a house here in Cadawinonan. The fence is almost finished, but we are in need of a builder / supervisor for the house (not happy at all with the current workers).

Thus a few questions:-

1) Is anyone able tp forward contact name / address / phone number of the builder you had when you built your own house?
2) Are there any preferred builder's suppliers here - both for good service and / or good pricing?
3) Any recommendations for 1) and 2).

Our current builder / crew is mixing cement by hand, cutting steel by hand, digging the footing by hand, etc.
Is this normal procedure - I have the feeling that I am being "taken for a never ending ride" and we just keep paying and paying. Fence is standard concrete coloums 3m apart - footings are 1.2m x 1.2 - walls are HB up to 2m high on 3 sides - front 1m with steel inserts / gates at a later stage. After 5 weeks the footings are dug, steelbars are installed, 1/2 of the fence is up. No concreting of support and coloums as yet.

Or am I just my usual paranoid suspicious mistrusting self?

Thanks, will appreciate your reply ..

Norbert

 

Not at All you are being justified in your Thoughts, However, just at this time there is a lot of Building Renovations going on and if we were to give recommendations, it may well turn out you get shared Workers, not always a good thing. I have linked a page for suppliers that may be of use and you could always ask at the Depot for decent contacts on this issue ( Builders.) I will have a word with my BIL (Civil Engineer) to see what he can come up with.
May is not far off and I just Hope you have not left this a Little late, But lets see what we can Help you with.

Google

There may be some help for Engineers/builders in there also.

JP

 

Thanks for quick response ....

 

It is what we are here for, To help where we can, many of us have built over the last Few years and hopefully we can help using our mistakes as a guide so your problems can be reduced where they can be. Feelers are out for you to find a Good Foreman, get a Good Foreman and the men he uses are usually not too bad.

I mean that is why you pay him what he Asks ( well not always but........)

JP

 

OK nutz, I have found some help for you Subject to you talking to him,
I will send all the contact details in the morning as I am just off out OK?
As usual, best if your Wife/GF is about when you ring him as the English can be sketchy on these things

JP

 

Hi Jack,

Appreciate the thoughts and assistance.

The better half (wife) does all the communications with everyone. Have found that to be more productive, with clear directions for all.
No "i didn't know / understand" situations.

I try to even stay out of all monetary discussions - the "foreigner" aspect seems to multiply all prices :-).

Can't blame anyone for trying to make a living - but not at my expense. Still feel like I get screwed at every deal - but that is just me :-).

Thanks

Norbert

 

All Understood and I am sure that things can be good all round. In Fact Gerry rang me today and asked not to give you the number I have, as he will change his number and he did not want things to get off to a bad Start, his Wife works with mine and they are out on a Jolly just now, but when she gets home I hope to have the new Number so I will let you have it and then you can start your communications OK?

JP

 

foreigners always pay too much, even your lovely half is dealing with the guys.
i recommend you to know how much you pay too much, then you can negotiate for a discount and you will get a good price for sure. that's the way i make my deals here.

 

Just love that Phrase. Seems to be my Wife's parting words before she hands over any money for anything large or Non Food.

JP

 

@Nutz2U2
Norbert, Check you Inbox for the contact Number

JP