My Experience with Kookaburra Homes

Dreams, Design, Develop, Deliver, Disappointment

Home Floor Paint Rust Seals Other


==== Prelude ====


 

 

For me this was to be an exciting project, building the home for my retirement. To be self sufficient, off-grid, and as independent as is practical. It was important to me during the design stages that the building was a sound and an energy efficient structure. I wanted it to last the next 20 years of my life. Not an unreasonable target to aim for.
The build was in an area designated as N3 - high wind area and to build the structure to suit and with a 6 star energy rating on the report. This I thought had been achieved in the planning and was ready to proceed with the build through Kookaburra Home Solutions.

Unfortunately, it seems to me, that what was achievable in the planning was ultimately somewhat different in the final outcome. Hence why;

Dreams, Design, Develop, Deliver, Disappointment.

 
 

==== Overview ====

 

 

I chose Kookaburra Home Solutions for the build as they were a local company and familiar with the area.
During the initial stages of house design, selection of fittings tiles and colour scheme the staff were very helpful and patient with me and my friend. Once the contract was signed the plans were submitted to the various authorities for inspection. One of the reports on the energy efficiency made some suggestions for improvement, so I took the advice of the sales person handling my build, that now would be the time to do it rather than later, and added the green energy papers to the building variations for a modest cost.
The build commenced, and for about the first half of the build things seemed to run quite smoothly. Then things seemed to slow, and as time went on there were changes to the staff at Kookaburra Home Solutions in the office and site supervisors. These new personnel seemed unaware of criteria specfied by me originally.
As a result, I believe there have been oversights and some work not done to my specifications.

The single most significant factor contributing to these issues was COMMUNICATION.

Communication, (or rather lack of), between Kookaburra Home Solutions office staff and site personnel.
If there was any uncertainty, the contractor should have ASKED the site supervisor, or the project manager, or the client, me. Had this process taken place, problems would have been avoided.

I really needed a full year to truly experience the effect of all the seasons upon the build. Wet / dry, hot / cold, windy / calm and every combination in between. So as faults arose during this time, (such as rust, paint peeling, water leaks), contact with Kookaburra Homes regarding them always got the same reply;
"all work has been done to Industry Standard and to Contract".

After around 6 months of this, my queries were just ignored.

To say that I am disappointed is putting it mildly.



NOTE::  "Kookaburra Home Solutions" has been abbreviated and referenced as "Kookaburra Homes" hereinafter.

 
 

===    Post Script  ::   View here ...    ===