Rivergum Homes Questions & Answers

Hi ABG, I would stay clear of any of the modern and stylish cladding materials, they add almost nothing to the insulation. We have fibre cement cladding upstairs in our new home, with upgraded insulation and windows (double-glazing to the bedrooms). To feel comfortable, we require more heating and cooling at night and during the day, as compared to our previous place which was a double-storey with Hebel material all around.

Thanks Markus!

We moved in on May 13. The issue with the hot water service was the plumber failing to tighten the 2 connecting nuts. We haven't installed an air conditioner so I am sorry that I am unable to help, particularly if it is past warranty.
Richard

I haven't had any experience with their transportables, but I believe they are now gearing up to do more.
Richard

Hi Renae. Have you tried speaking with your construction supervisor direct?

Have you managed to gain any sort of compensation for all your issues from them? I also have had the worst experience with them and have been in my house almost a year now and still experiencing roof leaks leading to repainting etc and can't believe they have not offered any sort of compensation for all of the growing list of issues.

i am still waiting for a response from RG on my home and been told i may need to engage a engineer and legal team

hi, we are at this moment building with Rivergum..you can read our review. ask any builder who supply kitchen, bathroom etc...go and have a look in there shop and compare what u see in selection rooms...you can always update, push any of them to present paperwork to council, check each and every pc of paper 2x before you sign. now we have 3/4 of the house ready and are happy with speed /building start 23/12/2015/ and quality up to now. We have had toss between Sarah and Rivergum...visit many friends who build with both of them...Rivergum was for us. Always keep in mind that the price of the house + 30-60 thousand.....with all selections or kitchen update, bathroom update etc. Take some good friend with a good taste to help you choosing interior design...you can move inside walls to your requirement in Rivergum for free.

hi, we are at this moment building with Rivergum..you can read our review. ask any builder who supply kitchen, bathroom etc...go and have a look in there shop and compare what u see in selection rooms...you can always update, push any of them to present paperwork to council, check each and every pc of paper 2x before you sign. now we have 3/4 of the house ready and are happy with speed /building start 23/12/2015/ and quality up to now. We have had toss between Sarah and Rivergum...visit many friends who build with both of them...Rivergum was for us. Always keep in mind that the price of the house + 30-60 thousand.....with all selections or kitchen update, bathroom update etc. Take some good friend with a good taste to help you choosing interior design...you can move inside walls to your requirement in Rivergum for free.
Most important..some people say Rivergum, Sarah are budget homes...up to you what u select...we don't have that feeling...knowing people who build so call upmarket...it is cost of the land pushing the price up, it is your selection how to build kitchen and bathroom...and until now there is no problem at all, house looking million dollars to us. Good luck

Like the person above said DONT BUILD WITH RIVERGUM! We signed with them and it took nearly a year before they did anything even though we came in with planning approval, plans, engineering reports etc. when they did get started they nearly stuffed up the integrity of the slab. It was only because we employed our own building inspector to try to keep them honest that this was picked up and rectified. An electrical issue that was planned for and paid for in which it had to be put under and through the slab was not done at all and we have been lied to constantly and had to chase them on every detail. They simply don't care. This process has been frustrating, with no adequate, if any, communication from Rivergum. They pay no attention to detail or timing and treat their customers like rubbish. We are living in dread of what will go wrong next. Save yourself a lot of grief and find a builder who demonstrates some integrity and quality in their builds. Rivergum are a disgraceful nightmare from our experience!

Hi,
Great question. We got caught out not looking into 'extra' expenses.
First up, the display home you see, is not the home you get for the advertised price. The actual house you get for the advertised price is very, very basic with dated and plain fittings, not many windows and limited power points too. For us to upgrade to 9 ft ceilings, upgrade basins, sinks, tapwear, bench tops, appliances etc., it cost us aprox 30K more. And we were far from top of the range. To have your home look like a display home, I would estimate allow 40K or more (in my opinion).
Site works can be an extra too which could cost well into the thousands.
Plus landscaping, shed, water tank (if needed), driveway.... Allow an extra 20 - 50K there.
You may also have to do your own stormwater which is another couple of K's, plus may have to pave a designated area around your house too which is more $$ again...
In my opinion and from my experience, I suggest to have an extra 60 - 80K to allow for all the extras that aren't mentioned in the 'advertised price'.

Ask your builder lots of questions and a very clear price before you sign any paperwork. What may seem like a small change could be quite costly. For example, we had 6 meters in length of outdoor timber uprgraded in width by 50mm, and it cost us an extra $1,200!

Hi Scott,
Honestly I would have no idea if they'd offer any sort of discount for multiple houses. There is no harm in asking. I would be very careful about building with this company based on our experience. If you do however, make sure you go over things like drawings with a fine tooth comb, every revision you sign should be compared too with the previous one as they have a habit of changing things for you without your knowledge. Also, familiarise yourself with absolutely every item on your selections list and triple check that they are provided. Pay close attention to things like driveway crossovers and ensure they are provided. If you are told you need storm water collection tanks at the back of your property, ask to see an exact picture of what you will be provided with and make them sign it. Ask upfront for completion and handover dates and make the construction manager sign them.
Last but not least, do not be pressured to provide final progress payments until you are 100% happy the work has been completed.
Good luck with your houses!

Measure everything yourself..demand to review and oversea everystep of construction..participate...they tell you to keep away during the build becausr of OHS...put up security as soon as kitchen and bathrooms go in..builders secret ..lots of thieving and people get broken into as you start covering windows..

Make sure you view every step after lockup and get your property fenced and locked up before they finish..well known in the building industry new homes things go missing around the time you get your keys....check every item as it is finished..take lots of photos..it will annoy them but you are investing in a lot of money ..