A busy couple of months

We had a deadline for much of the finishing off work. It was our Christmas in July party. It had to be put off to the first weekend in August. So here are the things that have been completed just in time.
I purchased an alarm system from www.cheapalarmparts.com.au about 12 months ago. The install instructions were great and the price good as well. After many trips up into the roof and a lot of checking and double checking connections, all seems  to be working.
I also purchased a video intercom system from EBay about 12 months ago. A simple system that has two monitors (one in the house and the other in the garage at the rear of the block) and a camera/doorbell at the front door. Another simple to install device but just a little bit fiddly.
My final purchase from EBay was a network/phone and video hub. From this our coax, LAN and phone lines are split and sent across the house and up to the 'mancave' at the rear of the block. A bit of a crash course in wiring :)

Outside we have completed a gabion wall through www.gabion1.com.au .

A mistake with rock size has resulted in some 'leakage' but we will perservere. Boral were good enough to supply another load of rock in a more suitable size. A little late once most of cages were filled though.

We have laid Sapphire soft leaf Buffalo in front of the gabion and in the front 'courtyard'. It has taken really well considering the chilly weather. We purchased through www.eturf.com.au who were really good to work with.

Drainage has been an issue but most of the problem spots have been alleviated with rubble trenches, slotted pipe and surface drains that lead directly to the street. The rubble trenches have been a pleasant surprise. A trench filled with aggregate and covered in geotextile fabric. Stormwater flows quite freely through the aggregate.
We have had a slab verandah laid across the width of the house at the rear and a simple pergola installed above. Ornamental grapes have been planted near a few of the pergola posts. They will hopefully be trained up and over the pergola to provide shade in Summer and allow warmth in Winter when the leaves have dropped.

Last week the pool was was dropped into place with plumbing and electrical work continuing this week. Concrete will be laid around the pool to join up to the existing rear slab verandah.

What a busy month......
Internet and phone back on last week. Around 23 days without a home phone. Apparently much of the technical resources of Telstra have been redeployed to Queensland after severe storms recently.
We have had retaining walls done, most of the drainage done and most of the electrical work done (mainly light fittings and a few extra power points).
Under the guidance of the electrician I have installed the security system and distributed phone, data and TV system around the house. Very fiddly but rewarding to  see it all work in the end.
Retaining walls were done by Mat at Bay and Beyond Landscapes, and he will also complete the concreting around the back in the next week or so.
We have had a fight with council over the final occupation certificate. They won't issue one until we have completed a 'driveway application' form at a cost of over $100. I don't think it is fair that others around us have been issued a final certificate without the driveway application. I had to pay for an interim certificate for our garbage bins to be issued - though that request was also held up and took over a week for garbages to be delivered.
I still await any confirmation that the interim occupation certificate has been issued.
The pool DA also had some hiccups having only been submitted to council on the 15th May.

Most of the issues with the house have now been rectified. We have been offered an independent inspection of some of the brickwork to clarify the robustness of the mortar. Some of it appears and feels very soft - you can rub it away with your finger.
Work has started on the outside, although we got caught short with some wet weather over the last few days. Unfortunately the clay will probably take a few days to dry out to a point where excavators can start working again.

I had the final inspection with the site supervisor yesterday. I found a few things that needed adjusting/repairing. One cupboard door needed adjusting. A damged heated towel rail needs to be replaced. Overall, pretty happy; site supervisor happy to explain things. The MDJ quality assurance inspection had been done the day prior and I noticed many blue tags that had identified areas in need of rectification - again mainly paintwork.
I also had a private building inspector go through at about the same time. His summary was a little disturbing - 'the worst he had ever seen'.
I was quite shocked. He pointed out a few of issues (which to the untrained eye, would be missed) but I will need to wait until tomorrow for the final report.
Anyway, some photos.

pantry

kitchen

We are now free to start earthworks, but handover of keys will probably be next week.
Today I have marked out the run for stormwater lines so I can order pipes and drains for a Saturday installation. The excavator is now onsite ready to start moving soil and shaping the site.

The final clean has been booked in for April 10th. Things completed over the last week include HW system installed, door furniture, appliances, light fittings and the water tank has been connected.

Halogen wall light in the hall - these will be converted to LED after handover

kitchen almost complete

main bathroom shower screen installed

We have also contacted a private building inspector who will do a report for us on the build prior to handover. Considering little things we missed last time, we thought it was a good idea.
We have had final quotes for the excavator to come in and shape the block after final inspection. Total price $8000 which includes a few hundred tonnes of fill being carted and a 50m gravel driveway installed and rolled.
Pool colour has been chosen and ordered. Carpet and bamboo flooring has been ordered and a date has been pencilled in.
We have mesured the windows for blinds. We will probably go with blockout roller blinds from www.blindsonthenet.com.au  We have used these people before and were very pleased with the product and followup service.
I have had the electrician in for his thoughts on connecting my shed and pool to the house and any last minute details about the light fittings that need to be installed in the house after handover.
I think it's coming together now....

Getting closer to the finish line

We had a meeting on site with the site supervisor today - mainly just to meet him but also to get a walkthrough as the house has been locked up now for a few weeks.
Tiling and kitchen looks great and house has had a coat of spray undercoat.
He has given us the timeline for the rest of the build.

• Painters til 25th March
• Electricians (and other trades) til 1st April
• Final walkthrough and inspection week beginning 15th April
• Handover week beginning 22nd April

We have also had a meeting on site with landscapers who hopefully will begin on the week of 15th April along with other earthworks outside.
Jobs for us still to do -

• organise removalists
• book in day of flooring install
• book in electrician to fit lights and other bits and pieces.
• get on site to measure for measure for blinds
• place final order for door screens.
• book install date of pool 

Must be getting close now

The tilers finished off today. Painters started on the internal walls today. The damaged kitchen cupboard has been replaced and the remaning wall hung cupboards have been installed along with the benchtop and tile splashback.
Bathroom vanitys have been installed during the tiling.
We have our first face to face meeting with the site supervisor on Monday afternoon. I do wish there was a little more flexibility in time when they can come out to meet. Anything after 4pm is pretty much out and so is anything before 8am. It follows along with colour selection appointments only being available on weekdays. The only thing you can do on weekends with MDJ is sign over the deposit at a display centre! I think some thought needs to be given to the process as the majority of customers will be working harder to pay off this new home and be more stressed as there are probably living in temporary accomodation. The last thing customers want to do is take time off work to have a 30min meeting with the site supervisor to have  a walkthrough of the house. Perhaps allow just a few appointments between 4pm and 6pm!
Anyway, maybe it is just me :)

Either way, we are very happy with the progress of the house.

We have had the final measurement for flooring done (Choices - Taylors Beach), finalised and pencilled in the pool (Coastline Pools - Raymond Terrace), and meeting with the landscaper (Bay and Beyond Landscapes) tomorrow to discuss options. Most of the light fittings have been taken out of layby (Beacon Lighting - Kotara), with just the ceiling fans (Eurolight - Kotara) left to get. We will measure for blinds (Blinds on the Net) when we visit Monday afternoon.

On the inside

Finally gained access to the inside today, meeting with the tilers before the bathroom floors are laid. We were given the opportunity to double check tile selections and any patterning required. All was good.
Painters were also on site. They were beginning to complete the outside bagging, eaves, down pipes and door jambs.
Whilst inside I took a couple of photos.

stone bench has been installed

the beginning of facade bagging - Ashen Mist

Cabinetry Installed

Most of the cabinetry has been installed today. They look really good considering it took a while to choose the colour, door style and handle combinations.

ensuite cabinetry - in Master Bedroom at the moment

desk in children's activity room

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Today saw the arrival of the kitchen, laundry and bathroom cabinetry. Architraves installation continues. Unfortunately the house is now all locked up so no more photos for a little while.

Today saw waterproofing start in wet areas - house stinks! Garage door installed and downpipes connected - not to the tank yet, semms all water will be diverted to the street.

The block as also had a clean up of rubbish and leftover rubble. Unfortunately we didn't realise that the clean up would happen so soon, so didn't quite get all the bricks we needed for future retaining walls etc.

A few more deliveries today

The gyprocker has been working steadily each day over the last week or so, including Saturday and Sunday. He applied 95% of the cornice today. Result looks great!
Other additions today include the delivery of water tank, manhole surround, all internal doors and frames, and skirting boards.

Water proofers booked in for tomorrow or Thursday.
We have settled on a carpet retailer, and they will contact site supervisor to complete a thorough measurement once skirtings are installed. Going for Arc Bamboo (champagne) and a Solution Dyed Nylon carpet in charcoal colour.
Our work on the block has continued, moving leftover bricks by wheelbarrow for use behind retaining walls. Probably a couple more weekends should knock over what is left.
We have decided to construct a gabian wall as part of the retaining wall system at the rear of the house. The leftover bricks shouls come in handy for this as well.

Now it feels like a house!

Today marks the end of a week where walls were gyprocked (with cornices left to do), brickwork cleaned (except for front facade which is to be bagged), water connected from street to house (including some broken stormwater pipe) and exterior door trims added. A heap of photos today :)

Brickwork cleaned - black really stands out now

rear living space taken nr laundry door

looking in kids activity area

kids activity area into two bedrooms and walk in storage

study

main bathroom

looking to kitchen from rear living space

kitchen with opening to theatre

looking towards rear living space from hall just outside kids activity area

Gyprock almost complete

About half of the gyprocking was done today including the 'soundshield' of the theatre, bedroom and childrens activity. The only difference appears to be colour - must be more dense or a little thicker.

The floor covering saga continues - almost impossible to compare apples with apples when carpet retailers hold same brand but different 'models' of carpet. We are getting closer :)