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Home > Archive > Architecture > June 2007 > DesignBuild fails to deliver
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| Author |
DesignBuild fails to deliver
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| designbuildsux 2007-06-15, 9:25 am |
| I've recently tried to have some deign work done for my home
renovations through a well known design and build company in
Queensland, Australia.
Design Build (formerly Majik) in Brisbane, affiliated with Adenbrook
Homes and the Avalon Property Group, are supposed to be a professional
outfit with experienced architects that deliver what you want for your
home renos. This has NOT been our experience.
Despite us providing a detailed list of the renovations we wanted and
a strict budget from the very first meeting, these guys designed our
renos at over DOUBLE our budget (from $120k to $250k). The company
even acknowledged to us their mistakes and the broken promises of
their staff - but have refused to give us back our money.
When discussing the original estimate provided, it was revealed to us
that the quote was far underestimated by the salesman, in what can
only be seen as an attempt to get our business through intentional
underestimating.
We have now wasted 12 months on these guys and it's cost us close to
$10,000 for a set of plans we can't use. Our home renos haven't even
started yet, even though they promised to have them completed by May.
If anybody has some advice on how to chase our money or a similar
experience with DesignBuild, please send me an email:
designbuildsux@hotmail.com
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-15, 9:25 am |
| On Jun 15, 8:54 am, designbuildsux <designbuild...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've recently tried to have some deign work done for my home
> renovations through a well known design and build company in
> Queensland, Australia.
>
> Design Build (formerly Majik) in Brisbane, affiliated with Adenbrook
> Homes and the Avalon Property Group, are supposed to be a professional
> outfit with experienced architects that deliver what you want for your
> home renos. This has NOT been our experience.
>
> Despite us providing a detailed list of the renovations we wanted and
> a strict budget from the very first meeting, these guys designed our
> renos at over DOUBLE our budget (from $120k to $250k). The company
> even acknowledged to us their mistakes and the broken promises of
> their staff - but have refused to give us back our money.
>
> When discussing the original estimate provided, it was revealed to us
> that the quote was far underestimated by the salesman, in what can
> only be seen as an attempt to get our business through intentional
> underestimating.
>
> We have now wasted 12 months on these guys and it's cost us close to
> $10,000 for a set of plans we can't use. Our home renos haven't even
> started yet, even though they promised to have them completed by May.
>
> If anybody has some advice on how to chase our money or a similar
> experience with DesignBuild, please send me an email:
>
> designbuild...@hotmail.com
Whinging on Usenet won't help. Contact a lawyer.
R
| |
| Michael Bulatovich 2007-06-15, 9:25 am |
|
"RicodJour" <ricodjour@worldemail.com> wrote in message
news:1181912579.209157.248260@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> Whinging on Usenet won't help.
Whining might, though ; }
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-15, 9:25 am |
| On Jun 15, 9:25 am, "Michael Bulatovich" <Ple...@dont.try> wrote:
> "RicodJour" <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1181912579.209157.248260@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
>
> Whining might, though ; }
Same thing. Whinge is English/Australian vernacular for whine. I was
trying to speak his language.
R
| |
| Michael Bulatovich 2007-06-15, 9:25 am |
|
"RicodJour" <ricodjour@worldemail.com> wrote in message
news:1181915730.909832.256970@n2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 15, 9:25 am, "Michael Bulatovich" <Ple...@dont.try> wrote:
>
> Same thing. Whinge is English/Australian vernacular for whine. I was
> trying to speak his language.
You're making that up!
| |
|
| "designbuildsux"> wrote
> Design Build in Brisbane are supposed to be a
> professional outfit with experienced architects that
> deliver what you want for your home renos.
How did you determine that?
| |
|
| "Michael Bulatovich" <Please@dont.try> wrote in message
news:f4u5vk018o3@news3.newsguy.com...
>
> "RicodJour" <ricodjour@worldemail.com> wrote in message
> news:1181915730.909832.256970@n2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
> You're making that up!
>
No it's true, I often see people use that form of the word whine. I thought
it was odd till I realized they were from other parts of the world.
--
Edgar
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
| |
| Michael Bulatovich 2007-06-15, 1:25 pm |
|
"Edgar" <ecamacho4_nospam@nospam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:46729bda$0$32552$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
> "Michael Bulatovich" <Please@dont.try> wrote in message
> news:f4u5vk018o3@news3.newsguy.com...
>
> No it's true, I often see people use that form of the word whine. I
> thought it was odd till I realized they were from other parts of the
> world.
I was kidding. I've seen it written....I wonder if you pronounce the 'g'
like in "singe"
| |
|
| "Michael Bulatovich" <Please@dont.try> wrote in message
news:f4ub7l01tnd@news3.newsguy.com...
>
> "Edgar" <ecamacho4_nospam@nospam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:46729bda$0$32552$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
>
> I was kidding. I've seen it written....I wonder if you pronounce the 'g'
> like in "singe"
>
When I see it I I tend to pronounce it so it rhymes with singe. It's
probably worng but that's the way it looks to me.
--
Edgar
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-15, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 15, 11:59 am, "Edgar" <ecamacho4_nospam@nospam_hotmail.com>
wrote:
> "Michael Bulatovich" <Ple...@dont.try> wrote in message
>
> news:f4ub7l01tnd@news3.newsguy.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
as[color=darkred]
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>
g'[color=darkred]
>
> When I see it I I tend to pronounce it so it rhymes with singe. It's
> probably worng but that's the way it looks to me.
You're wrong about being wrong. Two wrongs do make a right.
whinge Pronunciation [hwinj, winj]
-verb (used without object), whinged, whing=B7ing. British and
Australian Informal.
to complain; whine.
R
| |
|
| "RicodJour" <ricodjour@worldemail.com> wrote in message
news:1181924441.095117.249860@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 15, 11:59 am, "Edgar" <ecamacho4_nospam@nospam_hotmail.com>
wrote:
> "Michael Bulatovich" <Ple...@dont.try> wrote in message
>
> news:f4ub7l01tnd@news3.newsguy.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> When I see it I I tend to pronounce it so it rhymes with singe. It's
> probably worng but that's the way it looks to me.
You're wrong about being wrong. Two wrongs do make a right.
whinge Pronunciation [hwinj, winj]
-verb (used without object), whinged, whing·ing. British and
Australian Informal.
to complain; whine.
R
Live and learn. LOL I like how they use whine to define whinge.
--
Edgar
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
| |
|
| designbuildsux wrote:
>I've recently tried to have some deign work done for my home
>renovations through a well known design and build company in
>Queensland, Australia.
>
>Design Build (formerly Majik) in Brisbane, affiliated with Adenbrook
>Homes and the Avalon Property Group, are supposed to be a professional
>outfit with experienced architects that deliver what you want for your
>home renos. This has NOT been our experience.
>
>Despite us providing a detailed list of the renovations we wanted and
>a strict budget from the very first meeting, these guys designed our
>renos at over DOUBLE our budget (from $120k to $250k). The company
>even acknowledged to us their mistakes and the broken promises of
>their staff - but have refused to give us back our money.
>
>When discussing the original estimate provided, it was revealed to us
>that the quote was far underestimated by the salesman, in what can
>only be seen as an attempt to get our business through intentional
>underestimating.
>
>We have now wasted 12 months on these guys and it's cost us close to
>$10,000 for a set of plans we can't use. Our home renos haven't even
>started yet, even though they promised to have them completed by May.
>
>If anybody has some advice on how to chase our money or a similar
>experience with DesignBuild, please send me an email:
>
>designbuildsux@hotmail.com
>
>
>
>
I'd contact the local Architectural Registration Board. Here are the
Australian standards:
http://www.aaca.org.au/JCOC2003.pdf
| |
| Michael Bulatovich 2007-06-15, 1:25 pm |
|
"++" <spasi@erols.com> wrote in message
news:Xqadnfk8M8T8Ue_bnZ2dnUVZ_u-unZ2d@rcn.net...
> designbuildsux wrote:
>
>
> I'd contact the local Architectural Registration Board. Here are the
> Australian standards:
>
> http://www.aaca.org.au/JCOC2003.pdf
Careful. The term 'architect' may be used loosely here. According to
http://www.archsoc.com/kcas/RegulatingArchitects.html
Oz lets anyone design anything, so it's unlikely that the offending designer
has the "architect" designation, which is restricted. Everybody's "an
architect" in conversation when they're pedaling services, but then many
turn out not to be on paper when things go wrong. I've never seen it work
the other way around.
--
MichaelB
www.michaelbulatovich.ca
| |
|
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| Ken S. Tucker 2007-06-15, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 15, 5:54 am, designbuildsux <designbuild...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've recently tried to have some deign work done for my home
> renovations through a well known design and build company in
> Queensland, Australia.
>
> Design Build (formerly Majik) in Brisbane, affiliated with Adenbrook
> Homes and the Avalon Property Group, are supposed to be a professional
> outfit with experienced architects that deliver what you want for your
> home renos. This has NOT been our experience.
>
> Despite us providing a detailed list of the renovations we wanted and
> a strict budget from the very first meeting, these guys designed our
> renos at over DOUBLE our budget (from $120k to $250k). The company
> even acknowledged to us their mistakes and the broken promises of
> their staff - but have refused to give us back our money.
>
> When discussing the original estimate provided, it was revealed to us
> that the quote was far underestimated by the salesman, in what can
> only be seen as an attempt to get our business through intentional
> underestimating.
>
> We have now wasted 12 months on these guys and it's cost us close to
> $10,000 for a set of plans we can't use. Our home renos haven't even
> started yet, even though they promised to have them completed by May.
>
> If anybody has some advice on how to chase our money or a similar
> experience with DesignBuild, please send me an email:
>
> designbuild...@hotmail.com
You have either a written or verbal agreement.
Sometimes notes taken in a meeting are
admissable, especially if the're initialled by the
party's, but not necessarily.
$10K is pretty much pocket money, you might
get a break in small claims court, or better for
both try again, if you figure they're honest.
Material prices have been esculating, harshly.
Ken
| |
|
| I suspect the operative point in this thread is that that OP is not
likely to return.
| |
| Michael Bulatovich 2007-06-16, 5:25 pm |
|
"gruhn" <gruhn@rararchitects.com> wrote in message
news:1182026682.872774.28030@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>I suspect the operative point in this thread is that that OP is not
> likely to return.
Now if you could work Oscar Peterson into the mix you'd have 3 OP's
| |
| designbuildsux 2007-06-19, 8:25 pm |
| On Jun 16, 4:13 am, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
> On Jun 15, 5:54 am, designbuildsux <designbuild...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> You have either a written or verbal agreement.
> Sometimes notes taken in a meeting are
> admissable, especially if the're initialled by the
> party's, but not necessarily.
> $10K is pretty much pocket money, you might
> get a break in small claims court, or better for
> both try again, if you figure they're honest.
> Material prices have been esculating, harshly.
> Ken- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Thanks Ken, I've written to the General Manager of the company now and
the directors, so I hope it will initiate a favourable response. I
also have the notes from the meetings, and fortunately have kept the
emails back and forth. We're also investigating a claim through the
courts, but will await their response.
| |
|
| On Jun 19, 8:21 pm, designbuildsux <designbuild...@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hey, look at that. I was wrong.
Good luck!
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 1:01 am, gruhn <g...@rararchitects.com> wrote:
> On Jun 19, 8:21 pm, designbuildsux <designbuild...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hey, look at that. I was wrong.
>
> Good luck!
Not only that, but you successfully quoted the attribution! Go team!
To the OP:
Your whining on Usenet is unseemly. All we have is your one side of
the story. Trying to shame someone or some company into making a
concession based on...on what, I have no idea...is a piss poor way of
handling the situation.
If the company did in fact make mistakes, they do make compensation,
and all is forgiven, you've still left a permanent black mark on their
record. All based on something that no one else can verify. You're
making a Nifong of yourself. Stop it.
R
| |
|
|
"RicodJour" <ricodjour@worldemail.com> wrote in message
news:1182340015.408416.131370@u2g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 20, 1:01 am, gruhn <g...@rararchitects.com> wrote:
>
> Not only that, but you successfully quoted the attribution! Go team!
>
> To the OP:
>
> Your whining on Usenet is unseemly. All we have is your one side of
> the story. Trying to shame someone or some company into making a
> concession based on...on what, I have no idea...is a piss poor way of
> handling the situation.
>
> If the company did in fact make mistakes, they do make compensation,
> and all is forgiven, you've still left a permanent black mark on their
> record. All based on something that no one else can verify. You're
> making a Nifong of yourself. Stop it.
>
> R
LOL go git em Rico!
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 4:46 am, RicodJour <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 20, 1:01 am, gruhn <g...@rararchitects.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Not only that, but you successfully quoted the attribution! Go team!
>
> To the OP:
>
> Your whining on Usenet is unseemly. All we have is your one side of
> the story. Trying to shame someone or some company into making a
> concession based on...on what, I have no idea...is a piss poor way of
> handling the situation.
>
> If the company did in fact make mistakes, they do make compensation,
> and all is forgiven, you've still left a permanent black mark on their
> record. All based on something that no one else can verify. You're
> making a Nifong of yourself. Stop it.
> R
The OP is the customer and deserves the benefit of the
doubt. There's a lesson in here, the architects work for
the reno firm not the customer, so they may have a
conflict of interest. Wouldn't it be better to go to an
experienced architect (unaffiliated) and have him shoot
for a reno within budget? Anyway that's in the past.
Anyway, I think pro-architects should give respect to
the OP's predicament.
Ken
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 11:51 am, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
>
> The OP is the customer and deserves the benefit of the
> doubt. There's a lesson in here, the architects work for
> the reno firm not the customer, so they may have a
> conflict of interest. Wouldn't it be better to go to an
> experienced architect (unaffiliated) and have him shoot
> for a reno within budget? Anyway that's in the past.
>
> Anyway, I think pro-architects should give respect to
> the OP's predicament.
I do not give respect to whining. Not from kids, and certainly not
from adults.
There are effective, adult ways to handle such situations. This is
not one of them.
R
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 9:26 am, RicodJour <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 20, 11:51 am, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> I do not give respect to whining. Not from kids, and certainly not
> from adults.
> There are effective, adult ways to handle such situations. This is
> not one of them.
> R
The OP presented his concerns clearly, and asked
for an opinion, that's fair enough. The owness is on
the professional's he paid to be forth-right and clear.
A 100% cost over-run sounds like he's contracted
to a US defence contractor, who sometimes nifong.
IMO it's best to seek advice, than to hit the courts.
Nifongly yours
Ken
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 12:54 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
> On Jun 20, 9:26 am, RicodJour <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The OP presented his concerns clearly, and asked
> for an opinion, that's fair enough. The owness is on
> the professional's he paid to be forth-right and clear.
> A 100% cost over-run sounds like he's contracted
> to a US defence contractor, who sometimes nifong.
> IMO it's best to seek advice, than to hit the courts.
> Nifongly yours
Just on a wild hunch, I'd imagine there's another side to the story -
and we're not hearing it.
The OP wrote:
"Design Build (formerly Majik) in Brisbane, affiliated with Adenbrook
Homes and the Avalon Property Group, are supposed to be a professional
outfit with experienced architects that deliver what you want for your
home renos."
You don't find that odd? Why mention who they're affiliated with?
"Supposed to be professional" - is a nifong, taint-the-jury comment.
Why mention the company name at all unless he's trying to smear them?
He's whining. I do not approve. Let the OP find another sandbox to
play in.
R
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 12:54 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
>
> The OP presented his concerns clearly, and asked
> for an opinion, that's fair enough. The owness is on
> the professional's he paid to be forth-right and clear.
BTW, does creating a screen name of "designbuildsux" seem like an
attempt at being honest and fair? Adult?
Didn't think so.
R
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 10:25 am, RicodJour <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 20, 12:54 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
>
>
> BTW, does creating a screen name of "designbuildsux" seem like an
> attempt at being honest and fair? Adult?
> Didn't think so.
> R
A fella I admire is Ralph Nader, who advocated
consumer (customer) respect. The docturine is
to have consumers come forth and air their views
of their experiences. Certainly "designbuildsux"
could be a competitor hoax, but I doubt it, could
even be a troll having fun.
It's more the principles I'm concerned with.
Ken
| |
| RicodJour 2007-06-20, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 20, 1:36 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
> On Jun 20, 10:25 am, RicodJour <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> A fella I admire is Ralph Nader, who advocated
> consumer (customer) respect. The docturine is
> to have consumers come forth and air their views
> of their experiences. Certainly "designbuildsux"
> could be a competitor hoax, but I doubt it, could
> even be a troll having fun.
> It's more the principles I'm concerned with.
I don't feed into whining, whether form child, adult, wronged-party or
troll.
It's all just whining. Whinging, actually, considering where the OP
is from. ;)
R
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