- Sign in
- Write a review
Reviewer Photos & Videos
- 3 reviews
- 1 like
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!
Our construction experience with Rivergum has been absolutely awful. We should have seen the red flags when they 'lost our file' when going to construction in April 2021 (yes, over a YEAR ago) and delayed our slab by four months!!
Since then, we've had a building inspector check each stage (with multiple issues identified every time) and they try to ignore and brush aside every issue in these reports - and demand you pay the invoice, while refusing to agree to fix the issues. Every stage has been an arm wrestle...
No communication return, build process was really difficult and the customer service was appalling. gets worse after the house is finished and has been handed over. Leaking plumbing and still months and months later the house is left in a bad state. parts of the wall missing, plumbing still leaking badly, cabinets badly damaged. I jave been trying to get this fixed for 5 months and no communication back.The photos attached are current and have been like that for three months, the issues in the laundry have been 6 months. That is the state of my downstairs laundry, toilet, hallway. Disgusting quality and service. This home was only handed over 10 months ago.
Terrible service. Do not respond to emails or messages. Promise to fix issues and have not. Still waiting 6 months later. Toilet doesn’t flush properly and makes noises , painting is appalling, ceilings have dents in them. walk in shelf falling, vanity doors do not close properly, carpet bunching, vanity was not screwed to wall and fell off damaging toilet sink and tiles. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS BUILDER.
We are sorry to hear that this has been your experience and we completely understand your frustration, in what is a challenging time for all in the construction industry. We value your feedback, and w...
Read moree will use this a training opportunity so that we can continue to improve our service. We have been advised our Site Supervisor has since been attending to your concerns since communications began. However, If you have any additional concerns, please contact us at maintenance@rivergumhomes.com.au. Again, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.Home was well managed and built beautifully. Everything we wanted during the selections process was applied and we had very good advice all throughout. Every corner of the home is built well with no issues. Our site manager was easy to speak to and did a good job on the build. The company was very accommodating with our questions and requests. We are very pleased with the final result.
Hi Catherine,
Thank you for taking the time to provide a review, we are humbled to hear your kind words and positive experience.
It sounds like our site manager really supported your building journe...
Find out how Rivergum Homes compares to other Project Home Builders
Know better, choose better.
A big thank you to everyone we have had dealings with during the planning, contract and selections processes. First home building is a daunting experience, so many decisions to make. Throughout the process we have been supported by our wonderful Customer Care Co-ordinator Marley Maine-Evans, who very patiently, politely and promptly answered all our queries, even if some were puzzling. Selections day was a breeze with the help of the very knowledgeable, organised and personable Jess Prowse. Not forgetting Russell Slater who helped start the process. Now for the build
Hi Vicki and Paul, Thank you so much for taking the time to celebrate our team. I have personally reached out to our management team and shared your kind words on your building journey. Thank you again. All the best GE
The customer care with Rivergum homes has been excellent, Marley has kept us informed at every point.
We had difficulties with approvals from Council, change of use etc environmental issues, Rivergum helped us navigate what was quite stressful. The Selections process was very well done, nothing was too much trouble.
If I was going to build again it would be with Rivergum.
I cannot say enough how wonderful the customer care have been
Hi Barb, I can not thank you enough for your kind words and celebration of our team. I have shared your review with our management team and personally caught up with Marley to share the amazing suppo...
Read morert she has given you through your building journey. Thanks again for reaching out. Kind regards GE
- SA
- Verified
Over 19 months of difficulties, stress, and abject disappointment. I wonder why I ever signed with this company.
Like others have stated, this has been an extremely horrific experience with Rivergum, a nightmare from start to well it’s still going. The build quality is totally substandard. Only being able to see the exterior as the site manager treats me with blatant disregard, stating he will be on site and will text to meet him and then never follows through. Certain exterior faults have not been remedied despite Rivergum being notified of these months ago. External faults include; broken and chipped bricks; holes from a nail gun that was just painte...
Read mored over; overspray from spray gun onto bricks that was then painted over in grey paint; incorrect light fitted above missing panel lift door; the painting was done at night with a lights on resulting in bugs stuck in the paint; inconsistent installation of cornice so it flips and does not match; warped boards in alfresco, quad not mitred on one side so just butted against the mitre side; Massive gaps between majority of any join in the externals works. Rivergum has not been upfront in their communication, and the site manager has been aggressive, dismissive, and condescending in his communications with me, stating only two weeks ago that the majority of the time the customer is always wrong. I have felt his attitude to be misogynistic to the point where I am taking further advice on this matter. There was no empathy when I finally spoke to someone, being the construction manager, and I was promised that I wouldn’t have to deal with the site manager but now the construction manager refuses to return my calls. This has been a common theme as many calls were not replied to or emails, as promised. My house went 3 months with no work being done at all. It had a flurry of activity then had another two months without work being completed. I have reached out to the Department of Consumer and Business affairs. I have been promised numerous completion dates, and still, as of today, a further delay as the site manager cannot make the practical completion walk through. Surely, a company with so many employees could have a person to replace someone who is ill? The original completion date was supposed to be October 2021. Now Rivergum Homes have attempted to prevent entry to my independent building inspector to do final inspection. I read the Managing Director's accolades for his participation in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2021. Because of his company's abysmal performance, quality of workmanship and atrocious customer service, my family and I will be homeless within days, as our last house has been sold, which has been communicate to both the site manager and the construction in the months of December, January, February and now March and our 'dream home, which was to be completed over 6 months ago is still incomplete. Take my advice anyone reading this, who has not yet been duped into building with this company and look elsewhere.
Very disappointing, promised the work I have been so unhappy with would be fixed by the date I needed to have hand over which was the 13th of April, no work completed since I posted this review (Sorry...
Read more they washed the bricks down which were finished in December). All I get is an organisation not willing to take any accountability for their lack of action, pushing the blame onto other agencies such as the bank evaluators when they are unable to inspect the property as the house still isn't complete. Was told the site manager would be going to inspect as soon as he was out of iso, a week and a half later still hasn't been to site. So disappointing, really consider other options before going with this company.Related Articles
Ready to build your dream home? For the best outcome, a lot of planning prior to building is recommended, so here are some tips to help you with choosing a home builder.
A quick guide to getting the most out of ProductReview.com.au when researching home builders. If you're feeling overwhelmed by information, we're here to help you cut through the noise and easily pinpoint the most useful reviews for your situation.
ProductReview.com.au has an extremely active community reviewing home builders all over Australia. We've harnessed their collective knowledge to deliver a comprehensive list of the top builders in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA, and an overall #1 winner for the country.
I have recently conducted my final handover appointment with Rivergum and the results were fantastic. My site manager Eugene was brilliant throughout the whole build process. He was professional and had great communication skills to ensure the process ran smoothly despite the challenges of COVID-19. I would certainly recommend both Rivergum and Eugene.
Hi, My apologies for the late reply. Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your amazing experience building your home. I have reached out to our management team to celebrate the wonderful...
Read more work of Eugene. We wish you all the best in your new home. Kind regards GE
- 2 reviews
Our journey to get our house to the build stage was hampered by setbacks with our bank and local council, but Gavin and the team at Rivergum had our backs and gave us so much support. We can't thank them enough. Our experience with Rivergum so far has been terrific.
Hi Kellie, Thank you so much for your kind words. I have passed this on to our teams that have been a part of your building journey. Kind regards GE
Find out how Rivergum Homes compares to other Project Home Builders
Know better, choose better.
Really horrible experience with Rivergum, a nightmare from start to finish. Substandard build quality. At handover none of the issues i highlighted at practical completion inspection had been fixed, so i moved into a home that wasn't finished. Shower and bath completely unsealed, air con not connected, intercom not working, big hole in the wall, lots of cracked tiles, scratched sliding wardrobe doors that weren't level and moved around, cheap down lights that all had to be replaced, no door stops for some doors then others too close to door so ...
Read moreit doesn't open properly, unfinished painting. Too much rushed, careless work. Many neighbors had similar or worse issues. The defects in my apartment and throughout the complex took years to remedy, due to Rivergum's terrible service and lack of care for clients. Lots of staff turnover made it feel impossible to follow up issues, countless headaches going in circles dealing with Rivergum's useless maintenance department. No empathy when you finally speak to someone, never returned calls or replied to emails as promised. As 15 months had past and i felt so ignored I went to Rivergum's office with printed pictures of defects and 10 ignored emails i had sent, i was told someone would be in touch asap but i still followed up daily for 16 days after this before a maintenance job was booked! Insane! Now the issues are fixed the home is OK but it was such an unsatisfactory experience, more draining/tiring/stressful than i could've imagined. Property is in Plympton SAHi Steve, I have been unable to locate a build with the details we have. I have sent you a direct message through here. I would really like to chat with you to and act as your advocate to resolve thes...
Read moree matters. If you could give me a call when you can on the number i have just sent. Thank you for reaching out, Kind regards GE
My building journey with Rivergum has been most disappointing.
When I signed with them at the end of December 2020, they promised easy and efficient communication together with the build deadline dates. After 13 months of difficulties, I am now wondering why I ever signed with this company.
They have on occasions lied about the progress of the job, have changed things without my consent, failed to allow noted defects to be inspected and have attempted to prevent entry to my independent building inspector to check on progress.
Last year they s...
Read moreent me an email saying that the building had progressed significantly but when I drove past the site I realised that according to the emailed list of completions, many had not been done at all. I asked my building inspector to follow up on this. He was initially refused entry by the project coordinator but was reluctantly allowed to undertake an inspection and confirmed that the work was not as advanced as they had stated even though I had paid all the progress claims on time. When he questioned this with Rivergum he was met with a verbal tirade from the site manager for accessing the site without prior permission (even though the site manager had granted him access). The site manager then met me on site and suggested that I dismiss my independent building inspector since he wasn't providing me value for money and was not reflecting the true progress of the home. He then promised me that my home would be completed by the end of January 2022 at the latest, noting that my contract had the home completion date as end of November 2021, but he was allowing for delays. I have just received another email today (3 February 2022) telling me that handover is at least another 6-8 weeks away. I am at a loss as to where to go from here, but I am sure the ombudsman and my building inspector can give me some advice with regards to the next steps I must take. Whilst I have been most understanding and can completely understand the issues in the building industry because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivergum has not been upfront in their communication about any possible issues and keep fobbing me off with promised return calls and updates that I don’t receive. If you are a young woman like me looking to build a home without too many headaches, then I suggest you keep right away from Rivergum Homes.Hi Tayla, I located your build and today left you a message with my direct number. If you could give me a call when you can. I would like to advocate for you and get these matters resolved.
Thank you for reaching out.
Kind regards
GE
Hi Tayla, I have again today 10/02/2022 left a voicemail for you. My direct number has been left for you. If you could return my when you are able to. Kind regards GE
Hi Tayla, thanks for taking the time to speak with me regarding your build. Anything else you need you have my direct number. Kind regards GE
- 3 reviews
- 12 likes
Ive built homes before in SA with other builders and had not 1 issue. With River gums homes it would take me hours to list the many many issues that I had. The lies, workmanship, false promises and two faced approach to their work is beyond anything I have ever experienced. The amount of staff they burn through and lack of communication is beyond words. My build took at least twice as long as it should have.
To list a few - They missed at the start that they were putting in my retaining and fencing, even though this was an item they had qu...
Good morning Moggy, thank you for reaching out. I will have one of our senior managers make contact with you this morning, Kind regards
Wow, if only your responses were as quick during the build!!
Find out how Rivergum Homes compares to other Project Home Builders
Know better, choose better.
- 2 reviews
We are building our home (pre-construction) and are conducting a real-life experiment to build a climate-resilient eco-home with a volume builder (e.g. reasonable cost and hassle) as a humble statement that sustainability is achievable and can be beautifully normal. With a few tweaks to an off-the-shelf plan, we received our NatHERS rating of 7.7, less than half the energy load of an average new home and top 1% of new builds.
Thank you, Daniel Gauci, Monique Van Pelt and Russell Slater (now onto the build, crossing fingers build quality will ...
Read morebe as good as service, we will update the review upon completion:). The design, specification and selections process has all been conducted with precision and transparency, we are getting what we asked for (on paper anyway;). Our basic principles: -northern orientation main living areas and located/sized windows and sliding doors, with standard eaves -cross-ventilation, efficient heating and cooling (fans) -double glazing, max insulation, roof blanket -exposing dark thermal mass (tiles), white roof and bricks -solar hot water, electric cooking (no gas)Hi WIlliam, thank you for your review. Thank you for choosing our business to build your dream home. We are excited to work with you on this project. I have shared this review with our management so w...
Read moree can celebrate those that have been a part of your journey so far. Again thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Kind regards GE
Thanks, ended up a 7.8 star rating:)
That is a sensational rating, thanks for letting us know
Having a weird shape block, currently living in the NT then throw in COVID restrictions, it was never going to be easy!
We made an enquiry online with Rivergum and the New Home Sale Consultant, Steven rang the next day!
Steven has worked with us, helping from a far, with a smile (you can tell on the phone) to put a house together within our budget and wish list.
Steven has been wonderful to work with, extremely helpful and responsive to all questions asked and modifications sought.
Highly recommend Rivergum's New Home Sales Consultant, Steven to start your new home build with!
Hi Paula and Peter, Thank you for taking the time to provide a review on your experience. I will be sure to pass this on to our management team so we can celebrate the great customer experience Steven...
Read more has provided you. It sound like you have worked with him to design your dream home. Again thank you for your kind words. Kind regards GE
Design process with our consultant was excellent using our own plan, Russell's suggestions re sizing and getting "the look" we were after. Worked within our budget and design with reasonable flexibility for specific materials we wanted to use. Selection process was also great. Supervisor was on the ball. V happy
Hi Natalie, Thank you for taking the time to do a review for us. I will be sure to pass this on to our teams. Kind regards GE
Questions & Answers
Whats the price for a small one bedroom granny flat in mannum sa
Hi Ken J, could you send your contact details through to onlinereviews@rivergumhomes.com.au and I will get one of the team to give you a call back about this. Have a great day. Kind Regards GE
Is it standard that insulation is installed throughout a new build?
Hi Marie, it is standard for Rivergum Homes, but not all builders include insulation in their base price and those that do usually allow a level of insulation that is more often than not inadequate to...
Read more achieve the required 6 star rating (the additional cost to upgrade will typically be passed on as a variation after contract signing). Rivergum Homes include R2.5 batts to all external walls, sisalation to all lightweight cladding and R4.0 or R6.0 to the ceiling (depending on the product type) as standard in their base pricing. The intent is for the vast majority of their homes to achieve 6 star compliance as standard with no hidden extra costs.
Why are your sales staff so blunt and undermine customers? I made an inquiry and the sales person send me a PDF link to complete For an estimate. That crap document does not work, tried windows And then Mac , still doesn’t work. Seeing the reviews the way customers are ignored I am not suprised, but this is sales inquiry. Will keep away. Imagine what happpens if I do sign up, hope it’s not race trigger.
Hi K.Jay,
We are sorry to hear you have had this experience and will pass on this feedback to our Sales Manager. If you would like further assistance please email customercare@rivergumhomes.com.au.
Kind Regards
Customer Care
Get an answer from our members and Rivergum Homes representatives
Details
 Rivergum Homes SA4.1(265) | Rivergum Homes QLD1.0(2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Project Home Builders | Project Home Builders |
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
Hi Wayne,
We are disappointed to read about your experience. We have escalated this with the team and have been advised they have reached out to arrange a suitable time to start repairs and work towa...
Read morerds a resolution. We thank you for being open to this and hope to hear from you soon.