Hey there – just thought I’d add my two cents worth – totally agree with what...

Just checked New Build. How much responsibility do they take? Some of their preferred builders seem to feature quite prominently and negatively on the site which for me is a concern.

Hi Sarah, can you please provide me with more info why i should not trust Platinum. I have just asked then to provide me with an estimate new house build using my concept designs. Please advise me!

Hey Colin – sorry I only just saw this. New Build take quite a lot of responsibility. They make the builders change the contracts so that instead of the usual 5/6 progress payments in standard building contracts there are about 27 payments instead. This is because at each stage of the build they go out and inspect the work and it has to have actually been done before they will make that payment. That way if a builder goes tits up you have only paid for work which has actually been done already. I have used them twice and been very pleased both times.

Hey Neville, I used Platinum to build a property and at the time they were OK (not great, not terrible but OK). One thing they did to me at the time was to make us pay for variations up front rather than at the end which is standard – was as if they didn’t trust that we had the money! Very offensive. The actual build was pretty good but the reason I mention them in the comment above is that I understand from all the other comments on here that they have since changed hands and that they are now very bad – I would have a look through here at all the other Platinum comments which seem to be about the company as it now stands rather than when I built with them. Which region are you in? I have seen on this site that the Canterbury and Wellington franchises are bad but I am not sure on other ones. If you are in the Canterbury Region let me know and I can recommend a couple of builders 🙂

I also build with Platinum Home Wellington (Mass Construction) and it wasn’t a nice experience. Bad communication, not delivered with in considerable amount of time period, etc.

Hi, Has anyone here have recently built with GJ in Takanini to whom i can talk to about any issues and what we need to be aware of? Any information is much appreciated. We are at the early stages and would really appreciate it. Thanks

Hi Sarah. Thank you for the information. I live in Auckland i have made contact with Platinium Homes, South Auckland Branch. This is my first new build…very nervous, anxious and excited. I have a limited budget and i cannot afford to be ripped off. I have had 2 quotes to date, Landmark and Genian Homes….very expensive. Really need someone that is reliable, but not overpriced. Thank you Neville

Hi Neville, What you wrote makes me nervous for you. I’m not saying Platinum are always a bad bet, as some parts of the franchise may be better than others. But if you check through this blog they have certainly had a lot of negative comments. Don’t just hope for the best. On a more general point, I have worked on (and supervised) a lot of large construction contracts here and overseas. And I can tell you that the building industry has many uncertainties. Even on major government contracts, which have massive, very detailed, contracts, and gangs of professional staff supervising them, it is normal to allow for at least 10% ‘contingencies’. Meaning an amount on top of the contract price, for the unexpected. So in my view anyone who enters into the often poorly written and poorly supervised house building contracts so typical in NZ, without access to at least that amount above whatever the builder tells them it will cost, is just asking for trouble at the end. Unless you have a very tightly written ‘fixed price’ contract (and in fact most builders sneak in some inflation clauses somewhere), never alter a single thing during the build, and have a builder who can actually stick to a programme etc etc there will be extra costs.

Hi Neville Just a note – you say “…someone who is reliable, but not overpriced.” If Jennian and Landmark come in at a price that you think is expensive, and there’s one that is much cheaper, logic would indicate that the cheaper one is the outlier. Bear in mind, building is not a cheap exercise, and if it is, then there is often something missed in the quote, or they’re doing something wrong, or using products that may not be up to spec. I’m not saying this is the case here, but be wary. And above all, remember, in building you usually get what you pay for. Is ‘cheap’ what you want?

This may be a little late, but check plans thoroughly. We found dimensions changed by architect which were not initially apparent. This caused a number of problems, sleepless nights and the stress has been all too much. Please make sure door and window sizes are correct. If not it can cause issues with aesthetics and function, something we have learned the hard way.

Cara, how has your build gone with GJ in Takanini? We are considering building with them and would love to here your experience.

Hi Chris. Thank you for your comments. The whole process is very stressful. Do you know of any reliable, honest building companies in South Auckland? Cheers

Hi Mark. I just think that a quote for $3900 per/sq meter is a bit too much for a standard spec build.

Hi Robyn, I personally wouldn’t recommend them. However, they have tried to rectify mostly everything. Our whole process didnt go as we expected. If you do end up going with them be prepared to micro manage them. Dont believe thier ‘your whole experience will be prefect’ because it wont be. Also, have every single detail outlined in your contract. Take your time to sign and specify everything, be as picky as you can be. Provide reference pictures especially for brick work. All the houses around there have poor brick laying, we had to put up a fight to get ours to be fixed. Also, put in clauses to the effect that if it is going to be really delayed then they need to compensate you. We were told 5 months to complete the house but it took 8 months. In saying that, their director is quite a genuine guy. Its the operational guys who mess up. Like i said, be prepared to micro manage them like crazy throughout the process. Good luck

Hi Neville, Can’t really help you with any personal recommendation on builders on S Auckland. But I’ve noticed that Maddren (I think based in Kumeu) seem to have a lot of positive comments, and no negative ones. But maybe all written by their friends and relatives!! Good luck.

I hear you, but it all depends on the spec and if both Jennian and Landmark are in the same price vicinity, but Platinum are way lower, it still suggests Platinum may not have priced properly. Too many people go for the cheaper price, then get bitten later when variations come in, or it’s realised that things were left off the quote. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but I am suggesting you be careful and maybe even get an independent QS to check the quotes.

I would like to endorse what Cara says. Though we live in a different part of the country, we have experienced the same. It is the contractors that let the whole thing down, but I must say, the local office has bent over backwards to rectify things. Please double check drawings and make sure measurements are correct. Because most houses are built from a master plan, any changes you may make in the in the initial stages can be undone when they go the the architect. You may not be informed of these changes and the salesman will probably push you to sign there and then without looking over the plans. This was our experience anyway. Some of these changes can affect the functionality of the dwelling. We have also had some trouble with our brickwork and have informed the office in writing. Hopefully this will be sorted soon, but I would stress in any build, please keep a good paper trail and photos.

Cara thank you for your response. Were you happy with the cost side of things (anything unexpected)? Is there another company you wish you had used? Thanks again!

Hi Chris. Did get in contact with Maddren Homes. They do not build in South Auckland.