(Tue 08/11)
Trees got cut down at front yesterday to make way for the driveway on Thursday.
Ended up getting 2 trees cut down at front and 1 big and1 small at the rear. Looks denuded at the back though. Not sure I like it! It will grow on me, pardon the pun.
All the big things were moved in yesterday and today. Our big mother of a fridge took 2 hours to setup. Dad I I hired a Budget truck and did it all by ourselves. We had 3 pickup places to get all our furniture and belongings from. One as far as South Gippsland!
Got a quote from EziClean for their product to coat the glass shower screens and tiles in the showers, spa and all basins. Not cheap, but it is an amazing product and I know it works as we have it where we are now.
I am so tired. I will take more photos once the place is tidied up somewhat. Boxes everywhere and furniture not quite placed yet.
Heating commissioning put off until Friday now, due to bad weather. Apparently they may have to go onto roof, so they won't come if it is raining. New one to me.
Day 7 - Still moving in slowly
(Fri 04/11)
Photos are finally here! See below...but read on first for updates.
We have been pretty busy slowly moving in. Most of our boxes are in but I have hired a truck on Monday/Tuesday next week to get the big, heavy stuff sorted with my Dad. The truck has an electric tailgate, so should be easier at least.
I have found a few things which weren't right after handover, and since there was no power at handover, there was no way of checking. The heating system doesn't work at all downstairs. I looked into this and the contractor said it hadn't even been commissioned! That would be the reason. Nice of the builder to tell me that before handover. They are booked in next week to commission it.
The alarm system was faulty, or so I thought. Once again, it hadn't been commissioned! They came out and sorted this for me on Wednesday. The guy was really helpful and showed me everything about it and set up some extra features for me.
I had the gutter guard installed on Wednesday also. A must in this area - trees everywhere.
The kids bedroom electric roller shutters were measured up this week also. They will be about 2 weeks away. Blinds are still 3-4 weeks away! Wife has put up some plastic/foam sheets for now.
The kids love the new house, although the trampoline is yet to be picked up from storage.
We chose the driveway/path colour from Mentone Premix on Sunday. Nice. See photo.
Photos as promised below, all 24 of them! Still missing some rooms, will get onto that quicksmart!
Drive/path colour
Photos are finally here! See below...but read on first for updates.
We have been pretty busy slowly moving in. Most of our boxes are in but I have hired a truck on Monday/Tuesday next week to get the big, heavy stuff sorted with my Dad. The truck has an electric tailgate, so should be easier at least.
I have found a few things which weren't right after handover, and since there was no power at handover, there was no way of checking. The heating system doesn't work at all downstairs. I looked into this and the contractor said it hadn't even been commissioned! That would be the reason. Nice of the builder to tell me that before handover. They are booked in next week to commission it.
The alarm system was faulty, or so I thought. Once again, it hadn't been commissioned! They came out and sorted this for me on Wednesday. The guy was really helpful and showed me everything about it and set up some extra features for me.
I had the gutter guard installed on Wednesday also. A must in this area - trees everywhere.
The kids bedroom electric roller shutters were measured up this week also. They will be about 2 weeks away. Blinds are still 3-4 weeks away! Wife has put up some plastic/foam sheets for now.
The kids love the new house, although the trampoline is yet to be picked up from storage.
We chose the driveway/path colour from Mentone Premix on Sunday. Nice. See photo.
Photos as promised below, all 24 of them! Still missing some rooms, will get onto that quicksmart!
Drive/path colour
Gutter guard
Kitchen/Walk in pantry/storage
Kitchen bench. Sorry about the mess!
Family/Loungeroom
Stairwell. Like my LED wall lights?
Outside kids bathroom (cabinetry) and Bed 2 behind
Master WIR
My Wall plate handy work
Master Ensuite Shower/toilet
Master Ensuite
Master Gentlemans Wardrobe
Master Windows looking West
Bed 2 Looking North
Bed 3 Looking North
Library/Study Looking NE
Family room upstairs
Family room upstairs - looking South
Family room storage & Wall lights
Kids Bathroom
Kids bathrooom bath spa & spout
Kids Bathroom shower
Day 366 - WE GOT THERE FINALLY
(Fri 28/10)
HANDOVER AT LAST.
There was no communication with the builder from Wed afternoon until i received a return text on Thursday evening to confirm handover at 3pm Today.
I got a call from him today just before lunchtime saying that the power had been cut to the property by the power company. Since he had organised a final meter read for the property on Wed and no one had called up to say the property was settled, they cut it off!
I spent about 3 hours on the phone at work and got three different stories, so did my wife and the builder. Anyway, the outcome is that there would be no power until Cup Day! Later changed to Monday 31st, then later changed to Friday night/Sat morning.
In any case we agreed to handover, pending checks on the heating, cooling, alarm, spa and other builder supplied appliances later.
Handover went smoothly, apart from no power. Only a few things weren't done but agreed that they were to go onto the 3 month list.
We were really happy to get in there I can tell you.
Blog will continue post handover, and yes, I have taken photos but I can't get them off my new iPhone to the iPad for uploading to the blog. Bloody apple.
HANDOVER AT LAST.
There was no communication with the builder from Wed afternoon until i received a return text on Thursday evening to confirm handover at 3pm Today.
I got a call from him today just before lunchtime saying that the power had been cut to the property by the power company. Since he had organised a final meter read for the property on Wed and no one had called up to say the property was settled, they cut it off!
I spent about 3 hours on the phone at work and got three different stories, so did my wife and the builder. Anyway, the outcome is that there would be no power until Cup Day! Later changed to Monday 31st, then later changed to Friday night/Sat morning.
In any case we agreed to handover, pending checks on the heating, cooling, alarm, spa and other builder supplied appliances later.
Handover went smoothly, apart from no power. Only a few things weren't done but agreed that they were to go onto the 3 month list.
We were really happy to get in there I can tell you.
Blog will continue post handover, and yes, I have taken photos but I can't get them off my new iPhone to the iPad for uploading to the blog. Bloody apple.
Day 364 - Handover rescheduled
(Wed 26/10)
Handover was scheduled for today at 230pm. Builder said I could come early to have a look but then reneged and stuck to 230pm. I was met by his wife out front who stressed to me that he had to be home by 4pm to go out that evening to an important event. Doesnt give us much time for handover were my immediate thoughts. Didn't have a good feeling for the start. A few things weren't rectified from my list of defects which I got a little pissed off about, and let it be known. He got upset and then I started questioning sparkys reliability and ability. My wife added that we were already 11 weeks over contract date and that was it. He walked out and refused to settle, despite my appeal for calm.
There were faults on both sides but I never once lost my cool, I think this would have annoyed him somewhat.
Handover rescheduled for Thursday or Friday......maybe.
Handover was scheduled for today at 230pm. Builder said I could come early to have a look but then reneged and stuck to 230pm. I was met by his wife out front who stressed to me that he had to be home by 4pm to go out that evening to an important event. Doesnt give us much time for handover were my immediate thoughts. Didn't have a good feeling for the start. A few things weren't rectified from my list of defects which I got a little pissed off about, and let it be known. He got upset and then I started questioning sparkys reliability and ability. My wife added that we were already 11 weeks over contract date and that was it. He walked out and refused to settle, despite my appeal for calm.
There were faults on both sides but I never once lost my cool, I think this would have annoyed him somewhat.
Handover rescheduled for Thursday or Friday......maybe.
Day 359 - 'pre-final' inspection day
(Fri 21/10)
Had a 'pre-final' inspection this arvo. All but a few of my long defect list have been rectified. The defects still outstanding will be attended to on Monday and Tuesday next week. Final Inspection and Handover will definitely happen Wed and Thursday next week, that is of course if bloody Origin Energy fit the gas meter.
They have tried twice to date and the sooks complained that the gate was locked. Get real, it's a temp fence, that is temporary, which is insecure anyway. I think they are being a little precious.
Oven and rangehood looks great and so does the rest of the place. Sparkys have still forgotten some minor things which were on contract bit will fix Monday.
The main thing is that WE WILL BE IN THE HOUSE NEXT WEEK :)
Plenty of photos and a YouTube walk through are planned soon after.
Cheers all and thanks for following my blog. It wll continue after we move in as we all know that there are still so many things to do after handover.
Day 348 - Update, I guess
(Mon 10/10)
I'm back again! I guess I've lost interest as I have not much much interest in the place as things keep stuffing up and the project is so close, yet so far.
It took another blow last weekend when my Dad and I moved some lights, under the supervision of my A Grade sparky brother in law of course. We discovered that the fridge cavity is 20mm too short! After I gave them all the specs, this is the 2nd stuff up on this one. When this will be fixed, will be anyone's guess.
Apart from moving the wall lights, I've started fitting off my network/tv/speaker wall plates, which I'm told must be finished before handover. Not sure why but it will be done.
Builder has done the following since last post:
- fitted front door electronic lock
- fitted all internal door handles/flush pulls and doors stops (I provided these)
Would you believe that after 4 weeks from the Stegbar installers fitting the shower screens, they finished, only last Friday! They left a huge hole on one wall and door, due to their carelessness. I was furious at their lack of respect and justly informed the builder.
I have had Telstra out to connect up to the pit out front. It is a work in progress as they are to bore under the road to connect up to the line across the street. Pretty happy that they have recently capped all cabling work to $299, as this previously would have cost me well over $1000.
Concreting quotes are in and have decided to go with the Council approved contractor for the driveway crossover, even though he is slightly dearer at $3300.
The driveway & path, I think I'll go with the local bloke, who has come in at at $7935 compared with $9440 and $10450. The tree removal quote is yet to come as the tree is above LV power lines and a special block is to come to check this out today.
Have organised external roller shutters to be fitted to the kids bedrooms at the rear, including the electric motor and remote. These look ghastly (i know) but the practicality outweighs looks, especially when they are on the back of the house anyway. Good for noise/heat and of course light.
On way home from work, Telstra guy called me and I went to meet him to discuss where he would be connecting me up and boring under road. I found that the Sealant people
were there doing the brickwork AC joints and I am assuming the internal caulking.
Things still nowhere near where I would expect them to be now, especially when we were supposed to be in by now!
Tonight I will be writing an email to the builder informing him that I expect to be in at the latest by the last week of October. We have numerous social engagements which were planned at our house which we have already put off. I will not put up with any more bullshit stories, I just want to be in. I can see 1 weeks work at the most left. Why the holdups!
I'm back again! I guess I've lost interest as I have not much much interest in the place as things keep stuffing up and the project is so close, yet so far.
It took another blow last weekend when my Dad and I moved some lights, under the supervision of my A Grade sparky brother in law of course. We discovered that the fridge cavity is 20mm too short! After I gave them all the specs, this is the 2nd stuff up on this one. When this will be fixed, will be anyone's guess.
Apart from moving the wall lights, I've started fitting off my network/tv/speaker wall plates, which I'm told must be finished before handover. Not sure why but it will be done.
Builder has done the following since last post:
- fitted front door electronic lock
- fitted all internal door handles/flush pulls and doors stops (I provided these)
Would you believe that after 4 weeks from the Stegbar installers fitting the shower screens, they finished, only last Friday! They left a huge hole on one wall and door, due to their carelessness. I was furious at their lack of respect and justly informed the builder.
I have had Telstra out to connect up to the pit out front. It is a work in progress as they are to bore under the road to connect up to the line across the street. Pretty happy that they have recently capped all cabling work to $299, as this previously would have cost me well over $1000.
Concreting quotes are in and have decided to go with the Council approved contractor for the driveway crossover, even though he is slightly dearer at $3300.
The driveway & path, I think I'll go with the local bloke, who has come in at at $7935 compared with $9440 and $10450. The tree removal quote is yet to come as the tree is above LV power lines and a special block is to come to check this out today.
Have organised external roller shutters to be fitted to the kids bedrooms at the rear, including the electric motor and remote. These look ghastly (i know) but the practicality outweighs looks, especially when they are on the back of the house anyway. Good for noise/heat and of course light.
On way home from work, Telstra guy called me and I went to meet him to discuss where he would be connecting me up and boring under road. I found that the Sealant people
were there doing the brickwork AC joints and I am assuming the internal caulking.
Things still nowhere near where I would expect them to be now, especially when we were supposed to be in by now!
Tonight I will be writing an email to the builder informing him that I expect to be in at the latest by the last week of October. We have numerous social engagements which were planned at our house which we have already put off. I will not put up with any more bullshit stories, I just want to be in. I can see 1 weeks work at the most left. Why the holdups!
Day 336 - 3 weeks to go, yeah right?
(Wed 28/09)
I really don't think that any builder should even mention a times until they are absolutely sure of when handover is going to be. 10 days ago he told us 3 weeks. I reckon there's at least another 2 weeks left, given the excruciatingly slow pace of late. I am sure he has been let down by his trades in this case.
From what I can see, all that has been done in 10 days is to repaint under eaves (brick cleaning left a brown mould like residue on them) and do a little electrical work, cut out ready for the glass splashback and rangehood install and do a bit of tiling. Maybe there's more done but I am not allowed onsite anymore, so I can't see.
Builder has asked me to meet him on Fri afternoon and install and move some lights and do a walk around. Will I be getting a credit back for the work i perform, as I have paid sparky for this, over $2000 in variations! I also pickup the replacement downllights they broke today and I will be getting back a credit for these as well.
Meter box looks very unprofessional. Instead of all MCBs clearly labelled, they have all been scribbled above/below in felt tip pen! What happened to labels which came with meter box and MCBs?
You can see how pissed off I am. So close, yet so far. Maybe we will be in for Cup Long Weekend!
Some good news. Council have pre-approved the widening/relocation of the street crossover. So far have 1 quote to concrete this, another on the way. $2895 for first quote.
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