Merry Christmas



(17 Dec - 12 Jan 2013)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Latest update from site supervisor, frame will be completed after the holidays:)

All the tradies break up for Christmas next tuesday and don't return till the 11th Jan. So I guess it will be a bit quiet on our block till then.

More updates in 2013. To all my blog readers, I wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! See you in 2013. Have a great holiday and travel safe!

        



Week 03 - Frames Delivered

(10 Dec - 15 Dec 2012)

Wednesday 12 Dec 2012: Frames Delivered

And even more surprises on my drive by today. I spent my drive up half hoping that the frame would be delivered, whilst my other side was trying to calm me down. After all the bank still hasn't paid for the slab. Nothing could be delivered just yet. And my excitement builds as I see what has been delivered today - Our frame!!!. There it is, sitting neatly out the front of our block all ready to be built.

I wasn't expecting this. Quick check with our site supervisor, he said he will try to get the frame by Christmas!!! Its only another 10 working days to Christmas. And he reckon that this can be done! Let's see...






Week 02 - We have a Slab

(03 Dec - 08 Dec 2012)

Monday, 03 Dec 2012: Nothing Happening................

Over the last couple of days since the last post it has been raining off & on, so didn't expect much to happen at the block. Was going past last night anyway so went & had a look by the off chance there's been activity....

Tuesday 04 Dec 2012: We have a slab!!!!!!!!!!

Can you imagine we have a slab now? Well apparently a lot! Our entire slab has been poured! It looks like the majority of troubles are behind us now with the slab down and (weather permitting) it should be all smooth sailing from here. It's so great to see this much progress. We are there!!! We are finally able to see how our house will place on our land. The slab looks great, very smooth and all of our plumbing has come through. So I am guessing that the concrete will be allowed to cure and harden for the next week or so before they start work o the frame.

Very happy with the progress so far, am hoping that the rest of the construction process moves along at the same pace.

Tradies at Work

 

Alfresco

Tradies at the Entrance

Wednesday, 05 Dec 2012: Nothing Happening

Nothing had happened after the slab? So I gave up thinking about frames for sometime, so for the time being its just the slab photos.

Electricity Commenced on 06 Dec 2012. We noticed that the external plumbing had been installed.

We were also thrilled to notice that electrical conduit had been installed outside the garage.



After 3 days we were connected to the electricity grid.


Slimline Rainwater Tank

Week 01 - Site Start

(26 Nov - 01 Dec 2012)

This is what happened on the first week.

Monday 26 Nov 2012: Nothing Happening................

Well decided to take a trip out to see if anything has been going on out at the block...nothing new, last time I went to the block there were some pegs (about 3-4 weeks back) that I had no idea about and I was told by my friend that the pegs are put in place for the tradies to measure of for the cut and fill and then the peiring and slab pour.

Wednesday 28 Nov 2012 : Cut and Fill 

Got the call from my site supervisor today who introduced himself and to my surprise told me that they have begun excavation and will be laying the slab in the next few days!!! WOW that is quick.

A big Tonka truck spotted on our land and we are just about ready for our slab now.

Thursday 29 Nov 2012: Marking and Piers

There are slight progresses. Now we have piers and some markings on the site where the house will be placed. You can see the big upslope in our yard - hopefully we can flatten this later.

Friday 30 Nov 2012: Fenced and Plumbing work on

Sorry for the delay for all the post. Has been quite busy lately with work. Anyway, it has been taking quite a bit of time since the site was scraped. We were waiting, but seems nothing much happened. We were informed that there was a delay due to the weather. It took around 9 days to have the fence

Today the pipes have been placed on the block, it looks like the pipes are there for the internal piping as well as the down pipes, it also looks like they have placed our gas connection in ready to be connected to the natural gas when we reach lockup. They have also put our power box in place, everything is starting to come together for our slab pour next week

There are more activities spoted this week. Looks like we might be getting a slab very soon.


Saturday, 1st Dec 2012: Getting ready for the slab!!!!!!!!

The waffle pods are officially here and well placed. Beams are also all done. I guess this will be the last time we will see them...

As you can see the builders, once again have suprised us with more additions. In the last 2 days the framework for the slab has gone down & ready for the concrete to be poured. Going by todays weather they might hold off until tomorrow. Will have to check again tonight to make sure.

Now this is going to be tricky... The fall from the slab base to the fence is roughly 3 - 4 ft over a 4 meter distance. Maybe we can level it out with the retaining wall below the level of the slab?? (if at all possible). Will worry about it when I have to.

Any suggestions will be appreciated...

It was pretty cool seeing how the house would fit on our Land.

Final Contract Signed..No start date yet!!!

We signed the final contract on the 9th November 2012 but still there was heaps of variations pending. Our house was due to start on 15th November 2012.

I called the CSC to find out about the start date and I was told that she is waiting for the commencement letter from the bank. I called the bank immediately to find out about the letter and I was told that, the Public Liability Insurance Certificate which was given by the builder to the bank expires in a week and to reissue a new certificate which lasts for atleast six months, so that they can issue the commencement letter.

The builder issued a new certificate which lasted for a month and the bank would not accept it and this merry go round went on till the 22nd November 2012 and the commencement letter was issued by the bank and our file was signed off for construction on the 23rd November 2012 and CSC told us, we would have a slab down in 3-4 weeks depending on the weather.

We are so excited, finally we are getting there! The construction is going to take 36 weeks. Let's see if it goes accordingly.

CDC for Approval

Off to CDC for Approval:

The reports were completed and our plans were  submitted to local group for CDC assessment on the 10th September 2012 to rubber stamp of approval. A major step close though a long road still ahead.

CDC Approval

Yay!!! our plans were approved but with conditions on the 21st September 2012.

1. Reduce a 600mm width x 8740 long of home due to CDC's floor area requirements which means we will have a reduction to width of ground floor through the portico and entry and 600mm wide x 8740 long reduction to width of first floor through Balcony and Bed 1.

Bush Fire Report and Road Opening Approval

Bush Fire Report

We had a call from CS to do a Bush Fire Report as the Block of our land is officially in the Bushfire Buffer Zone. Basically the report will say we don't have to do anything to the house but $420 down the drain...

The report was completed and the result was certified as BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) which means no extra construction standards or restriction for bushfire safety compliance.

This report also stated that the proposed development will be setback from the eastern boundary (frontage to Street) of the subject property by 7m which means our backyard will be reduced.

Road Opening Approval from the Council

We were also asked to get the approval from Council for Road Opening which is another $135 from the pocket.

Landscape Plan

Need to get moving on our Landscape Plans, so with the help of my friend, who is a very in Landscaping, roughed something on a paper.

The reports were completed and our plans were sent to the Private Certifier for approvals.

External/Internal Colours and Electricals

Internal/External Selections 

I forgot to write a post about our Colour and Electrical appointment . Better late than never. We had our appointment on 29th August 2012 straight after our Tender appointment. So we started with our colour consultant. She was very helpful. We had to firstly pick the colours to the exterior of our home. I will write about the Electrical selections on a separate post.

We agreed on our colour scheme as below;

External Colours:

Roof Tile - Bristle (Colour: Classic Coal) 
Face Brick - Austral (Everyday Life Freedom)
Mortar - Ironed (Colour: Off White)
Window Frames - Alumimium Hamersley Brown
Entrance Door: Hume Savoy XS26/6 Horizontal Glass Panels (Colour: Intergrain Stain Merbau, Translucent Glazing)
Gutter - (Colour: Monument, Profile: Quad)
Rainwater Tank - (Colour:Monument)
External Hinged Doors (External Face) - Dulux (Colour: Colorbond Paperbark)
Verandah & Alfresco Beam/Timber Posts: Dulux (Colour: Colorbond Paperbark)
Fascia - (Colour: Paperbark)
Downpipes: PVC Round
Garage Door - (Colour: Caoba - Darker Woodgrain)
Eaves/Portico/Balcony Lining/Alfresco - Dulux (Colour: Hog Bristle Half)
Weatherboards/Cladding: Dulux (Colour: Dulux Log Cabin)
Render(Feature) to 3 pillars: Dulux (Colour: Beige Royal)

Bristle Classic Coal

Austral Everyday Life Freedom

Alumimium Hamersley Brown

Hume Savoy XS26

Colorbond Monument

Dulux Hog Bristle Half

PVC Round Downpipes

Colorbond Paperbark

Dulux Log Cabin

Internal Colours:

We had our Internal and Electrical appointment on the 03 September 2012 from 0900am to 1600pm all day. We spend half of the day for the electricals and the other half for the internal colours and Kitchens. We left everything to what we got in Metricon's Best Promotion Package. 

Here is what we finally came up with.

Internal Wall: Dulux Beige Royal

Ceiling and Cornice: Dulux Beige Royal Half

Doors, Architraves & Skirtings: Dulux Beige Royal Half

Internal Doors - Flush Panel (Standard) 2340mm

Entry Door Handle: Gainsborough 9248PHBB750 SS Back to Back Horizon Pull 750mm
Internal Door Handles - Gainsborough- Elena (700 Series) - Satin Chrome
External Garage - Gainsborough 550 Deadbolt Satin Chrome Finish
Cavity Sliding Doors/Ensuite Door - Gainsborough Circular Lock 395
Storage Door (Coats & Linen) - Gainsborough T Pull 6613
Door Stops - Sylon 75mm White

Staircase: 

Balustrade: Stainless Steel Black Powder Coat
Stringer: Dulux Beige Royal
Posts & Handrails: Intergrain Stain Merbau
Treads & Risers - Raw MDF
Zig Zag Timber Capping - Intergain Stain Merbau

Raw MDF Staircase (similar to this)

Beige Royal

Beige Royal Half

Merbau

Flush Panel Doors

Manufacturer: GAINSBOROUGH
Model: 9248PHBB750SS HORIZON PULL HANDLE (750mm)
with EURO ESCUTCHEON to both faces
including 775SC60 Series roller bolt mortice lock 

Internal Door Handles - Gainsborough- Elena (700 Series) - Satin Chrome

Internal Access Door/Pedestrian/Laundry Door

External Garage - Gainsborough 550 Deadbolt Satin Chrome Finish

Cavity Sliding Doors/Ensuite Door - Gainsborough Circular Lock 395

Storage Door (Coats & Linen) - Gainsborough T Pull 6613

Door Stops - Sylon 75mm White

Architraves/Skirtings Pencil Round 67x12

Cornice - 75mm SCOTIA (Standard)

This is how it's going to look like

Bathroom Selections: 
Ensuite/Main Bath/Powder Room:

We sticked with the standard in bathrooms as far as cabinet, benchtop and accessories are concerned and not many upgrades. 

Cupboards: Laminex Nocturne Oak Natural Finish
Benchtop: Caesarstone  20mm Atlantic Salt Edge Profile: Pencil Round
Edge Profile: Pencil Round 
Kicker: Tiled
Cupboard Door Handles: Parbury 10.03.0121 Horizontal
Mixers: Alto Basin Mixer 81090
Mixer to Bath/Shower: Alto Wall mixer 81390
Spout: Metza Rect Hob 250mm 00406(Bath)
Shower: 98710 AQ ECO Double Rail ABS Rain Rectangular head & hand held HS150 (upgraded)
Alto Toilet Ring 81904
Alto Single Towel Rail 750mm 81900
Alto Soap Holder 81912
Mizu Lift up chrome waste to Basin (Upgraded)
Floor Waste: Designer Floor Waste (Upgraded)
Ensuite Bath/Spa: Laurel Grande Luxury Spa with Chrome Jets
Main Bath: Newbury Bath 1675mm
WC: Stylus Venecia Link Toilet
Basin: Caroma Liano Inset Basin
Shower Screen Frame: 6mm Semi Frameless Clear Polished Silver
Mirror: Silver backed with polished edges 1872mm wide x 1000mm high
Ensuite/Main Bath Tiles: 2550mm High Wall Tiles (Floor to Ceiling)
Powder Room Tiles: 2700mm High Wall Tiles (Floor to Ceiling)
Doors: sliding Rectangular Flush pull with rounded end 96FP 120
Lock: 395 Circular sliding cavity Privacy Set and 396 for double sliding doors (upgraded) 

Laundry Selections:

As part of the promotion we have two cupboars and the broom cupboard as standard, but we added two more overhead cupboards so that we have more storage space. Metricon provides standard laundry tub but we upgraded the sink to 48 Litre. Upgraded kicker to tiles (Metricon gives standard laminated kicker).

Overhead Cabinet: Laminex Nocturne Oak Natural Finish
Base Cabinet: Laminex Mushroom Linea Natural Finish
Benchtop: Laminex Cocoa Nougat Natural Finish

Trough/Sink: Clark Flat line 8420 stainless steel 48 Litre (upgraded) single bowl
Kicker: Tiled (Same as the floor tiles)

Flickmixer/Tapware: Milano Sink Mixer 84190
Broom section to Laundry Cupboard
Door Cupboard Handles: Parbury 10.03.0121 - Horizontal
Broom Cupboard Handle: Parbury 10.03.123 - Vertical

Atlantic Salt

Nocturne Oak

8420 stainless steel 48 Litre

Cocoa Nougat

Milano Flickmixer 84190

Alto Wall Mixer 81390

Alto Basin Mixer 81090

Metza Rect Hob 250mm 00406

Rectangular 98710 AQ ECO Double Rail Shower &  head & Hand held HS150

Alto Toilet Ring 81904

Alto Single ail 750mm 81900

Mizu Lift up Chrome Waste to Basin

Designer Floor Waste

Laurel Grande Luxury Spa with Chrome Jets

Alto Soap Holder 81912

Newbury Bath 1675mm

Stylus Venecia Link Toilet

Caroma Liano Inset Basin

Semi Frameless Clear polisher silver shower

Flush Pull rounded end 96FP120

Kitchen Selections:
Kitchen and Butlers Pantry:

Benchtop: Caesarstone Walnut 20mm Pencil Round Edge Profile
Overhead Cabinet: Laminex Nocturne Oak Natural Finish
Island Cabinet: Laminex Mushroom Linea Natural Finish
Microwave Tower: Laminex Nocturne Oak Natural Finish
Kitchen Kicker: Formica Laminated New Stainless Steel
Cupboard Door Handles: Parbury 10.03.0121 Position: Horizontal
Tapware: Alto Mixer Rectangular Spout 81295
Sink: Clark Quatro Double End Bowl Sink with Drainer (Upgraded)

Caesarstone Walnut

Formica New Stainless Steel

Alto Mixer Rectangular Spout 81295

Clark Quatro Double End Bowl Sink with Drainer

Parbury 10.03.0121 Handles

Kitchen Appliances:

Cooktop: Baumatic BHG930SS 900mm Gas Cook Top
Range Hood: Baumatic GUH75 - 750mm Under Mount Rangehood
Oven: Baumatic BAO9038-P 900mm Multifunction Oven
Waterfilter: EP WFA 6 Water Filter
Splashback: Tiled (will be selected during tiles appointment)

Baumatic BAO9038P 900mm Multifunction Oven

Baumatic BHG930SS 900mm Gas Cook Top

Baumatic GUH75 750mm under mount Rangehood

EP WFA Water Filter

Butlers Pantry Selections:

Benchtop: Caesarstone Walnut 20mm Pencil Round Edge Profile
Overhead Cabinet: Laminex Nocturne Oak Natural Finish 
Base Cabinet: Laminex Mushroom Linea Natural Finish
Pantry Kicker: Formica Laminated New Stainless Steel
Cupboard Door Handles: Parbury 10.03.0121 Position: Horizontal
Tapware: Alto Mixer Rectangular Spout 81295
Sink: Clark Cellini Round ERT Inset 
Splashback: Tiles (will be selected during tiles appointment)
Cooker: Baumatic BHG930SS 900mm Gas Cook Top

Range Hood: Baumatic GUH75 - 750mm Under Mount Rangehood
Oven: Baumatic BAO9038-P 900mm Multifunction Oven

Clark Cellini Round 48L ERT Inset

Refrigerator moved to Butlers Pantry

As mentioned in my contract variations, we are having additonal Gas Cooktop, Oven and ducted rangehood and additional Fridge space similar to the one in Whittaker 41 (as in the picture above) in the Butlers Pantry.