Handover tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day, we have handover booked in for 12:30 (assuing everything has been fixed that we indentified at inspection).

We are really excited to be getting the keys and to be moving on the weekend.

The whole process from tender has been 19 months so a long time coming. At least we know that after this there won't be another move for a long time.

There will be lots to do around the house I'm sure but it will be well worth it.

Getting Close now

Hubby followed up with our SS today and they are only waiting on a replacement toilet seat now to complete all the fixes from our list of issues from our inspection.

We are booked in to check the fixes and if all okay will handover on Friday at lunchtime.

I know I'm jumping the gun but I have got the cheque from the bank and have decided to book in the removalists for this saturday (no chance if we wait til Friday afternoon). I feel okay doing this as our main issues were external or visable from outside so only a few minor things to check inside.

Checking my to do list, things are looking good
TO DO:

Interim OC - DONE, received
Electricity Connection - DONE
GAS Connection - DONE
Water Connection - DONE
Book removalists - DONE
Home & Contents Insurance
Delivery of Bins from Council - DONE
Get Boundary fence installed - being done this week
Quotes for Blinds
Installation of TV Antenea - Booked in for next Monday
Delivery & Installation of Diswasher - Booked in for next Monday
Mail re-direction from Australia Post

A great day!!

Today we had our 18-20 week morphology scan. I am pleased to say it went well only thing to watch is that I have a low lying placenta so will have to have another scan later in the pregnancy to see if it has corrected itself. We also found out bub's gender, a boy! Hubby is very happy although all was good as long as it is healthy.

On the house front we also received our interim occupancy certificate so I can have peace in knowing when we hand over we can move right in. Tomorrow I wil ring our SS to check we are still on track for next week.

To Do list

Since move-in day is fast approaching, I thought I better create a "to do" list to make sure nothing is forgotton. So far I have:

TO DO:
Interim OC
Electricity Connection
GAS Connection
Water Connection (notify Sydney water so to get a water meter)
Book removalists
Home & Contents Insurance
Delivery of Bins from Council
Get Boundary fence installed
Quotes for Blinds
Installation of TV Antenea
Delivery & Installation of Diswasher
Mail re-direction from Australia Post

I think that's all but that should keep me busy for a while!

PCI completed, 2 weeks max until handover

The sun came out and made it much easier to complete our inspection today. It took 2 hours. Would have taken longer but we were all over the external already.

We have 9 items that need attention before we will take possession:

1) glass window scratched & and architrave needs painting in front bedroom
2) toilet lid scratched in w/c
3) glass window scratched in study
4) ceiling in back bedroom needs smoothing and then reprinting
5) reclean sliding doors tracks and handles and bricks
6) kitchen tap not working, back tap leaking
7) ceiling insulation needs spreading out on not floors
8) front right window scratched and needs paint on external side
9) driveway needs resealing

They have two weeks to complete it all so doesn't look like an Easter move unfortunately but the end is near so very happy.

PCI tomorrow!!!

Well am rather excited at the thought of PCI tomorrow and then only max 2weeks til handover.

Got my check list and ready to go testing every window, every door, every tap, every light and every power point. You get my drift. We know of 3 issues for the externals:
Leaking tap
Bricks, alfresco & porch need cleaning again due to mortar
Driveway needs sealing in a section

As for the inside, we haven't been inside for well over a month so will be lots more careful checking required.

Also the fly screens got installed today so reinspection for certifier tomorrow too.

Final Invoice received and PCI Booked

We have now received our final invoice (no surprises fortunately) and PCI is booked in for this Thursday. We are pretty sure that we won't be handing over the bank cheque on the day. There just seems too much to still be done betweeen now and then especially since nothing was done all week last week! However we are hoping it can all be done before easter (they will have til 12th though).

Still to be completed

Cleaning inside
Cleaning outside windows
CLeaning outside brickwork (including treatment of acid burn and removal of paint and excess mortar)
Paining and touch-ups of Moroko bagging
Removal of rusting drill-bit from air-con unit
Fixing patchy driveway

There could be more to do inside but we haven't been in since Feb so I guess there will be things found at inspection.

On another note, we had our first mail to the house today...our electricity bill! I guess it's good that it has come direct as this way we aren't going to be charged by the builder (with their mark-up). I will have to check what gas company they have been using, would be great if this was the same also!

not long now but some issue to fix

I spoke to my SS on Friday and was pleased to find out he has booked our handover inspection for 29th March so less than two weeks away. They then have 10 days to fix any defects before handover.

Today we went around to have a good look at the ouside as we thought better to point out anything in these next two weeks before we even get to the inspection as more time to fix things. Unfortunately we found a few issues...

The ceiling in the alfresco is not level in one section:

A drill-bit has been dropped into our outside air-con unit and is rusting:

Something has happened to the mortar in the bricks - only on one section of the house on two rows of bricks but does not look good. Not sure what has happened though:

And our beautiful new driveway has gone patchy. Actually we think that the driveway may have splashed with paint and tried to clean but has removed the sealant (he was there only two days after the driveway was done) and now looks yuck.

I will contact the SS tomorrow to raise these issues, hopefully they are all easy to fix.

Moving along again :-)

Today the carpenters were back installing the last of the bulkhead and cornice work in the kitchen. Hopefully that means the painters will be back in a few days to get to all the bits and pieces yet to be painted.

Also on a positive note, we have reached a compromise with our neighbour on our fencing so now I'm ringing back the fencing contractor and hoping they are not booked out and can do our boundary fence ASAP. That will give us some privacy and security. After handover hubby will commence work on the landscaping and get or the levels and ag pipes for drainage down and then we'll get final side gates and fencing installed.

The driveway is completed

Today we were lucky and the rain stayed away after a glorious weekend and the concreters came.

The result a brand new driveway....YAAYYYY!!!

Still to be completed
Bulkhead and cornice in the kitchen
Painting of pergola
Paining of water pipes
Lots of touch-up paint
Installation of fly screen windows and doors
Cleaning

We are hoping to be in by Easter so we have the break to really settle in but will just have to wait and see what happens from now on in.

Just frustrated with the wait

The build
After a pefectly clear sky on Monday (and no one on site) we finally got confirmation that the concreters would be on site to commence on Tuesday. Much to our luck the rain stayed away and they dug the driveway and completed the site clear. All this was complete by around lunchtime so we were thinking all was looking good for the concreting. Alas today no one on site. I rang my SS to let him know cause this was the 3rd time now for a now show from the concreters. Unfortuantely I was met with the news that they had met yesteday and decided not to book in the concreting for today as the weather forecast was predicting heavy rains. Well the day is over now and guess what no rain all day and was perfect conditions (not too hot, not too cold etc). All I got was the reassurance that they would be there on the next good day, my issue with that is if they are basing that of future weather forecast rather than the day itself that could be anytime!

Don't get me wrong I do understand that they don't want to lay the concrete for it to be ruined and have to be redone, that would be pointless. My issue is if they had turned up on the other times when it was all okay they wouldn't have had to make the judgement call about today (which was the wrong call).

Fencing
Still trying to sort out fencing with my neighbour also. He called two weeks ago to discuss which we considered the options and I emailed back the very next day and since I have heard nothing, I sent a follow up at the start of the week but no response. We may have to follow that up with a phone call (although really want anything agreed to in writing). It's just not looking promising that it will be an easy task. At least we have done the right things...got quotes, sent formal notification to the neighbour etc.

Missing kitchen cabinetry installed

Today the missing kitchen cabinetry got installed. They just need to put in the bulkhead and cornice above it and they can finish all internals (really only painting and touch-ups).

Unforuantely the driveway guys are no show again today (before you say anything about weather - there has been no rain where we live today so they could have been on site all day).

the waiting continues

Unfortunately the concreters were a no show on site today. Am frustrated as that was about the last of the good weather too so who knows how long til another decent dry patch.

Anyway I rang my SS to let him know. Apparently the concreters men didn't show so he didn't have enough guys to do the work.

What I didn't know at the time I spoke to my SS though was that the temp fencing came down today. I wish I had as I would have also commented on all the sand and rubble at the fencing edges that wasn't cleared yesteday. Oh well, still time to bring that up. Also am concerned at how long we won't have fencing for now and the house is exposed. I would have thought that they would have at least waited til a few days before handover to bring it down.

I guess its still their responsibility at the moment.

Damn contractors

Today people were on site clearing the rubbish and what can only be described as half-arsed clearing around the house (left anything near perimeter fencing). Well what they did smooth out in terms of the ground works, instead of taking it away the added it to another pile of dirt that someone else had left on our neighbours block. It's so obvious it's come from our block (track marks and all) tha now it looks like the whole pile is ours. SS will be getting a call tomorrow to inform him and to now tell him to remove the lot as there will be no telling what was there before.

Why do people take dodgy short cuts with their work!?!!

Just waiting

No progress at all on site, we are still waiting for the kitchen piece installed and the driveway to be laid. We are booked in for the drive way Tuesday and Wednesday of this week but the weather forecast is not looking good. Fingers crossed its wrong and we can go ahead.

On the fencing, we got two quotes and sent off for approval to our neighbour. We got a call but no actual agreement so far, it's not good timing for them $$ wise as they are at the start of the process but the same thing happened with us for our other two sides & we went ahead as it was the right thing to do with our other two neighbours. Anyway he also offered to do the job himself, we have said we are ok with this if it can still be done in the time frame & if not we have permission to go with our quotes, we havent heard back so not good so far!

Air-con installed and starting to get fencing quotes

Yesterday our air conditioning got installed which is great another step closer. However today went I went to the site I have to say I'm a bit peeved, they have throwned our spare carpet outside onto the dirt so is now ruined. I'm not happy because:
1) it wasn't their place to do that (and it certainly wasn't impeding their work) and
2) the SS had said he's keep it for us incase we wanted to use as mats etc.

On another note I have started the process of getting fencing quotes. We only have to get one boundary done and some side fencing and gate which is good. I met one company today and have an appointment for another on Monday. I have also sent email and formal mail to my neighbour notifing him of our wish to fence in approx a month and the request to split the bill 50:50 (like we are suppose to). No word as yet but hopefully he will cough up for his fair share.

Our house for 2 will become a house for 3

We are building a 4 bedroom house so there was always room for more than just hubby and I but the addition will be happening this year! As of today I am 12 weeks pregnant! It is a big combination of excitement and joy as well as anxiety and nervousness.

A very happy time but with risks and tests it's also a time for nervousness while you wait to hear if things are normal and progressing well. I am waiting for the results of my Nuchal translucency scan so hoping the Dr can go through them tomorrow.

Anyway, we have decided on a room for the baby and should be in the house for approx 5 months before bub is born so should have plenty of time to set up and prepare.

2012 is a big year!!!

A stressful site meeting

This Thursday I called SS for an update as well as to request a walk through as we hadn't heard from our SS since before Xmas.

I got the update but SS wanted to wait for handover for inspection.

On the way home I drove by the site as I usually Do and the side gate was open so I went and looked at everything and closed the gate! The scary thing was looking through the window it looked as though the wrong carpet was laid. OMG!

As the SS had said he was meeting with the concreter the next day so I called first thing to see if I could meet him on site to check it out. To cut a long story short after a few calls and messages I was finally able to meet on site at lunchtime. I was still unsure about the carpet so got a sample so we could properly check it out on the weekend.

During the visit I also took the opportunity to look over the work that has been done before Christmas, ask some questions and point out a few issues we have. Unfortunately the SS didn't think some of our issues were issues but I have documented them all down and sent through to my CSR. Will see what happens next time we are able to inspect.

The next thing that occurred was later that day we got an email from our CSR to say that as of Monday we would have a new CSR, what a bugger so close to handover. Luckily I have kept all my email correspondence so if something is missing from our file I will still have documentation.

Carpet being installed

I am so happy that things are moving along.

Thursday the insides were cleaned (may need to be recleaned though given some of the work still to do).

Friday the rangehood was installed.

Today, I got the revised plans for the kitchen amendment and the carpet is being laid.

I can't wait to get in for an inspection and also take some new pictures.

Some answers and some action

After not hearing back from our covering SS or the office all last week i took action and called this Monday.

My CSR was sick last week but she managed to get an answer on the kitchen, which was good news. Our plans were wrong and we should have got cabniets in the fridge cavity so the building manager has signed off on the variation and they will order with the supplier this week (this could delay us a bit but better to wait and get it than not have it at all)

Luckily at the time I called the SS he was in our estate and near our place so we went over to our place. I explained that we had no contact since before Christmas and just wanted an update as to where things were at and also wanted to arrange a walk through. He looked at what still needed to be done (a lot more that he was under the impression of) and said he'd arrange the tradies so things would start moving again. He also said that my SS would be back next week so could the walk through wait to be arranged til then.

Anyway speed ahead to today, I drove by the house on the way to work (I do most days) and YAY there were people in the there. I couldn't help myself, I had to go inside and have a look. I finally got to inspect the floor tiles and thankfully they are not too bad (not excellent but not terrible). I also found that the toilets, bath, shower screens and mirrors had been installed so bathrooms pretty much complete and in the kitchen the glass and stainless steel splash has been installed.

From what I can see, the following still needs to be done:
*Kitchen cabinetry (above the fridge that's just been approved)
*Airconditioning
*Carpet
*Lots of touch-up paint
*gutter guards (where they have missed some)
*Fly screens
*Driveway

We may be delayed due to this terrible weather with the driveway but given the extension for the Xmas shut down period, they still have until mid-end March before the contract period is up and the penalties will apply

A long break but small movement again

We are a bit perplexed at what is going on with our build of late, we spoke to our SS before Xmas regarding the close and when work would start again on site (to make sure we knew what was going on and so to keep an eye on site). We were told that they would be back at work and also on site on the 16th.

This week rolls around and still no-one on site so we call our SS for an update only to get a voice message to say that he's on annual leave (no inidication of when he's back either). We then called his boss and were told that he is on holidays til sometime in Feb and another guy is looking after our site (thanks for the heads up! - not). We explained that nothing has happened on site and were given the new SS contact details. Amazingly workers are now back on site but still no call back from the new SS.

We are also waiting for our CSR in the office to get back to us on another issue also.

The lack of communication and having to chase to speak to anyone is getting quite frustrating and is concerning especially at this end of the build.

Main Floor Tiles

Hubby is still on holidays so yesterday he drove past the site (have been keeping a check on it while no work is going on) and he discovered lots of activity on site! He said that there was a team of approx 8 people laying our poreclain tiles to the main floor area (YIPPEE).

He went back later to check the progress and WOW, they had finished in one day! I just hope that they have taken enough time and layed them smoothly as they rectified edge will be a problem if there are corners poking out.

I can't wait for our next visit to check them out properly (and get some photos).

Not sure what is next or when that will be (SS had told us no one on site til the 16th) and I also know the tilers caught the SS off guard with how quick they were with the wet areas.

The house is getting closer now.

Kitchen Cabinetry - error in plans, not sure what to do

We went back out to the display home (a bit of a distance from us so can't do regular trips) just before christmas to look at styling and to take some measurements to help us with the post-xmas sales. When we were there we noticed that our Kitchen is not "as per displayed" which is what we asked for and what is on our contract tender. We then checked our plans and have realised that our plans were not completely drawn to "as per displayed". We are not sure what our recourse is now. Are we stuck with as per the plans or as per the contract tender (both form part of our signed work order)???

Okay what is the main issue - the fridge space. This should have some cabinetry shelving and bulkhead of which we have none. At the very least the bulk head is drawn on the plans (but still not worded on the plans).

Here are some pics:
Displayed Kitchen

Plans

the kitchen to date

Bulkhead has now been installed above cabinetry but still missing for fridge recess.