Thursday, March 15, 2012
In the woods....with no handover
Hi, we went to handover yesterday but we did not settle. Everything was ok besides one major issue which I wont discuss here until it is resolved......Very disappointing. I am so glad we didn't give notice on our rental property as it may be months before it is resolved. Now I just need to cancel blind installation, furniture delivery etc etc......
Monday, March 5, 2012
In the woods with....Footpath and crossover restoration
Just a quick word of advice for those doing a KDR.
Check with your council to see if footpath, gutter, kerb and crossover restoration is your responsibility.
It is something we didnt really budget for. When the tradies are on site, they do not care about about avoiding damage to these areas. Telstra, gas, electricity providers needed access, so the front path was dug up. A large waste bin was dropped on the footpath creating large cracks, and finally our old driveway was moved and a new crossover had to be created.
the building company quoted this job at $11.5k, the landscaper came in at around $7.9k, finally we got a quote from the council and it is just over $7k. Pays to shop around : ).
Once resorted, council should refund two bonds we paid directly > a demolition bond and a build bond.
All I can say if you are building, make sure you have a contingency budget that pays for incidentals like this. We have well and truly spent our 10% contingency plus more with incidentals like this that have popped up during the build!!!
Check with your council to see if footpath, gutter, kerb and crossover restoration is your responsibility.
It is something we didnt really budget for. When the tradies are on site, they do not care about about avoiding damage to these areas. Telstra, gas, electricity providers needed access, so the front path was dug up. A large waste bin was dropped on the footpath creating large cracks, and finally our old driveway was moved and a new crossover had to be created.
the building company quoted this job at $11.5k, the landscaper came in at around $7.9k, finally we got a quote from the council and it is just over $7k. Pays to shop around : ).
Once resorted, council should refund two bonds we paid directly > a demolition bond and a build bond.
All I can say if you are building, make sure you have a contingency budget that pays for incidentals like this. We have well and truly spent our 10% contingency plus more with incidentals like this that have popped up during the build!!!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
In the woods with....did someone say Handover date?
Yes that's right, we finally have PCI date of the 15 March. We have come along way since work commenced 30 May last year. It has been a little painful at times, but we have been blessed to have a great SS for the past 2 months who has really got things moving.
There were quite a few issues that needed rectifying and the SS needed two weeks to get things done. Let's hope everything is fixed and we can pick up the keys on the 16 March.
There were quite a few issues that needed rectifying and the SS needed two weeks to get things done. Let's hope everything is fixed and we can pick up the keys on the 16 March.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
In the woods...with an update
Well, the house was completed on 10 February. We had Howard Ryan inspect the property last Friday for defects and we were supposed to get a Handover date then too. We are still waiting despite calls to our SS and Construction Manager. Waiting waiting waiting......
Here are some pics, I will post a little later about logistics and the inspection report
Here are some pics, I will post a little later about logistics and the inspection report
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| Completed kids bathroom. The post it notes indicate defects |
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| Upstairs hall |
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| Stairs |
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| Outdoor table we purchased |
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| Outdoor seats |
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| facade entry |
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| Facade |
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| Alfresco and backyard |
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| Driveway done |
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
In the woods.....with picfest
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| Leisure looking out |
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| Stairs |
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| Alfresco looking in |
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| Kitchen looking out to backyard |
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| kitchen bench/ sink |
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| Kitchen sink |
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| Butlers Pantry shelving. The opposite wall is being fitted with white poly cabinetry incorporating pot draws, cupboards, overhead cupboards , sink, oven, fridge |
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| Dune front door and garage with Austral Blackstone bricks |
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| Kitchen - the cabinetry next to the fridge space will be replaced with a flush cabinet |
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| Looking back from rumpus to kitchen |
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| Kids bathroom (mirror still needs installing) |
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| Kids bathroom with shower shot |
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| Powder room |
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| Ensuite |
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| Toilets |
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| Ensuite bath - grouting needs to be changed to dark |
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| Ensuite with shower "room" on left |
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| Ensuite shower with rainwater roof ceiling mounted shower |
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| Kitchen - shark edge |
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| Rumpus looking towards Alfresco |
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| Upstairs verandah |
Sunday, February 12, 2012
In the woods.......with excitement
yesterday the tilers were finishing off the kids bathroom and kitchen. We used the opportunity to have a look at the progress made this week.
We were surprised to see that everything has been completed except for-
- Glass splash back
- Power point covers
- Bath, mirror and cabinet installation in kids bathroom.
Painters were there on Friday which is dissappointing as my SS went to great lengths of telling me they could not paint in the rain/ humidity due to potential for paint peeling. Yet, they were painting externally in the deluge of rain we had. Maybe my SS wasnt aware they were painting.
So in addition to the above the driveway and external painting needs to be completed.
I thought I would be really disappointed with the shelving in the butlers pantry. There is plenty of it and the quality is fantastic.
I still need to get the walk in robes measured for cabinetry. I am getting Mighty Kitchens - the company who is fitting out the Butlers pantry, to do soft close draws for our WIR.
Yesterday I ordered the plantation shutters from Quality Blinds an Shutters in Petersham. They have a 6 week production time.
Still loads to do, and plenty to buy. It is a little overwhelming. I have accepted that there is no way I can possibly buy everything before we move in. There isn't enough time. Little by little, bit by bit..
my iMac is fixed and I will pick it up tomorrow. Check back tomorrow night as I may have down/ uploaded a stack of photos for you.
We were surprised to see that everything has been completed except for-
- Glass splash back
- Power point covers
- Bath, mirror and cabinet installation in kids bathroom.
Painters were there on Friday which is dissappointing as my SS went to great lengths of telling me they could not paint in the rain/ humidity due to potential for paint peeling. Yet, they were painting externally in the deluge of rain we had. Maybe my SS wasnt aware they were painting.
So in addition to the above the driveway and external painting needs to be completed.
I thought I would be really disappointed with the shelving in the butlers pantry. There is plenty of it and the quality is fantastic.
I still need to get the walk in robes measured for cabinetry. I am getting Mighty Kitchens - the company who is fitting out the Butlers pantry, to do soft close draws for our WIR.
Yesterday I ordered the plantation shutters from Quality Blinds an Shutters in Petersham. They have a 6 week production time.
Still loads to do, and plenty to buy. It is a little overwhelming. I have accepted that there is no way I can possibly buy everything before we move in. There isn't enough time. Little by little, bit by bit..
my iMac is fixed and I will pick it up tomorrow. Check back tomorrow night as I may have down/ uploaded a stack of photos for you.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
In the woods with.......broken iMac
Hey, I haven't posted for a while as my iMac blew up last weekend. It is at the iMac hospital as we speak and I may have it back on Monday. I have taken photos' problem is they can't be downloaded until I get the iMac. . I just tried uploading photos from my iPad and it doesn't seem to work damn it! Sorry no photos this week.
The good news is that inside is almost complete. This week has seen
- alfresco area grouting completed
- door furniture and bathroom towell racks and toilet racks installed.
- white poly cabinetry in ensuite replaced with nocturne oak cabinetry. Tiling also completed in this bathroom
- replacement of barback in white poly kitchen due to a join which was not indicated on the kitchen plans (another error for the list )
- wardrobe and butlers pantry shelving installed
- plumbers were there today probably installing taps, baths and connecting plumbing.
- railing on front porch. This was partly installed last week however there was an issue with the order and the main piece did not get produced. (just another one to add to the list)
So, what is remaining
- glass splash back in kitchen
- 1 row of tiling to be completed around kitchen barback where it was replaced
- we are waiting for feature tiles from overseas for the kids bathroom. They were supposed to be delivered yesterday. Here is a tip for anyone selecting tiles - ask if they have the tiles in stock. If they don't choose something else. We made the mistake of buying overseas tiles that were not in stock and this is holding things up. They had to import some tiles for the porch, powder room and kids bathroom. You think selecting tiles in August would leave enough time for importation and customs clearance.
- carpet
- drain in front of driveway
- driveway
To my neighbors behind.......sorry I haven't responded to your email. I thought you guys had moved out. Hopefully you have settled into your rental. Great news that demolition is starting on Monday. Not long now until your build starts. Samuel will be in his element with your house being built and our side neighbors! Maybe we can meet at the park sometime over the weekend? I should preface that with if i have recovered from my food poisoning!
To Paul, sorry I haven't replied to your email either. Enjoy the update :)
Next time we meet I will tell you a bit about our landscaping meeting
The good news is that inside is almost complete. This week has seen
- alfresco area grouting completed
- door furniture and bathroom towell racks and toilet racks installed.
- white poly cabinetry in ensuite replaced with nocturne oak cabinetry. Tiling also completed in this bathroom
- replacement of barback in white poly kitchen due to a join which was not indicated on the kitchen plans (another error for the list )
- wardrobe and butlers pantry shelving installed
- plumbers were there today probably installing taps, baths and connecting plumbing.
- railing on front porch. This was partly installed last week however there was an issue with the order and the main piece did not get produced. (just another one to add to the list)
So, what is remaining
- glass splash back in kitchen
- 1 row of tiling to be completed around kitchen barback where it was replaced
- we are waiting for feature tiles from overseas for the kids bathroom. They were supposed to be delivered yesterday. Here is a tip for anyone selecting tiles - ask if they have the tiles in stock. If they don't choose something else. We made the mistake of buying overseas tiles that were not in stock and this is holding things up. They had to import some tiles for the porch, powder room and kids bathroom. You think selecting tiles in August would leave enough time for importation and customs clearance.
- carpet
- drain in front of driveway
- driveway
To my neighbors behind.......sorry I haven't responded to your email. I thought you guys had moved out. Hopefully you have settled into your rental. Great news that demolition is starting on Monday. Not long now until your build starts. Samuel will be in his element with your house being built and our side neighbors! Maybe we can meet at the park sometime over the weekend? I should preface that with if i have recovered from my food poisoning!
To Paul, sorry I haven't replied to your email either. Enjoy the update :)
Next time we meet I will tell you a bit about our landscaping meeting
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