Searching for Building Blogs

One of the reasons I decided to do this blog was because we have gained so much insight into building by reading other blogs as well as the enjoyment of seeing others' experiences. I find searching for blog really difficult so I'm calling all bloggers that have a current building blogs to please leave a comment with you blog address so we (and others!) can follow your journey. The most valuable blogs I have found have already finished so it would be great to have current ones to follow. Particularly interested in other Carlisle Homes builds but certainly not restricted to that. 

Weekly Review

James our SS phoned us with an update of progress. Today the site was event free. We drove past and saw a truck unloading some steel piping. I suspected it may have been something to do with the kitchen etc, but James informed us that the scaffolding was going up today. It was nice to hear what was scheduled ahead! Obviously weather dependent;

• Today - scaffolding to first floor
• Tomorrow (Saturday) - First floor framing to begin (surprised that framing would occur on a weekend)
• Monday/Tuesday - Framing to continue
• Tuesday/Wednesday - Roof trusses to be installed (framing should be complete next week - absurd!)
• Tuesday 10th June (after long weekend) - Gutters and fascia
• Thursday 12th June - Roof!!

 Scaffolding

We snuck into the site tonight (as if everyone doesn't do that when building!) and had a brief look around. Again, the light was fading so it was just a quick peek. The bulk head framing throughout seemed to have been completed yesterday also. We noticed an error in the bulkhead above our fireplace so have let our SS know. Originally the plans had the bulkhead at 1290mm from the roof in the living room. We raised this to 900mm as we felt fitting a TV there might be a push (especially at the rate TV sizes are growing) and we didn't want to limit the way the space would be used in the future. In our contract drawings, one of the drawings had the original (larger measurements), so it was included as a post contract variation to clarify the 900mm. However, it seems the original measurements were used. We will need to double check other changes we made over the weekend as we would rather catch them early to alleviate problems later. A minor detail that will hopefully be changed with minimal fuss. 

Incorrect Drawings in Contracts (not our fault) - Window should be fixed and drawing to the right showing a longer bulkhead

Correct Window and Bulkhead in Final Drawings

Temporary Fencing

It was the second big day of framing yesterday and again there was no disappointment. We arrived at the block to find builders on the roof (the second story floor!!). Our girls were going crazy seeing people up there!! Work on the garage, alfresco and portico appeared to be the main hives of activity. The boarding on the first floor also seemed to be mostly complete. It won't be long and the frame will be going up on the first floor!

While we watched the action, the temporary fencing also appeared! Really happy to see this go up. A touch late maybe?! It was like watching a little security blanket being wrapped around our baby!! Took all of about 10 minutes to do the 3 sides. Enveloped with Carlisle's advertising!!

Up go the fences (finally!) with builders as onlookers

10 Minutes later and it's complete

 The Fortress (with accompanying advertising!) 

The Frame

The action started early today. As I headed off to work there were cars aplenty at the block and returning after 5pm it was no different! Turning the corner and seeing the timber standing tall is something to remember. I cannot believe how much has been completed in one day. Unbelievable! It was great to watch about 7 builders working like ants to construct our home. Thank you to those unknown individuals for building our dream home. A small wave and a nod as we drive by doesn't really sum up our gratitude for what is being constructed. Loving the build process!!

Busy Little Builders!

 From the Front - Master Windows to the Left and Front Doors

From the Backyard - Looking at Lounge 

Back view of Lounge and Meals 

Side View! - Left to Right - Lounge, Theatre, Ensuite and Master 

Front View Looking through the Front Door

Garage yet to be constructed on Right 

The next phase of photos are shocking photography as we hung around till dark when the builders slipped away and then snuck in for a closer look, apologies.

Kitchen Splashback Window (excited!!!) 

Kitchen and Butlers (cheeky ratbag!) 

Master Bedroom 

Lounge Doors with Handsome! 

Theatre Windows (capturing the sunset) 

In the Hallway! 

Slab Fun!

The girls and I had a little fun late last week when the slab was finished!

Doing the Laundry!

Brushing Our Teeth in the Ensuite! 

Cooking Dinner! 

Eating at the Dinner Table! 

Working in the Study! 

Keeping Warm by the Fire! 

Parking in the Garage! 

All in a day's work!!!

                                  

Frame Game!

Just getting over the realisation that the slab is there and today the frame has started!! A rather large timber delivery occurred yesterday and this evening, after work, the slab looked like a giant game of Tetris! All the ground floor has been cut out to room size (with two pieces stacked high) and laid on the slab. The smell of fresh timber and wood is unbelievable!! As soon as I got out of the car I could smell it. Wish you could bottle it up- fresh, clean, cut timber. I only had a split second to look around and investigate but it was great to see the sizes of the rooms mapped out on the ground. People always say that rooms look really small once the frame goes up and you wonder how you fill fit a bed, desk or couch in there! Some appeared smaller, while others looked larger! Getting jitters thinking about the development of a 3D frame! 

Just a Small Pile of Timber Delivered Yesterday!

A Little Bit More!

Today's Materpiece (Maser Bedroom)

Middle of the House (Study on Right and Powderoom)

 Looking Down the Hall from the Entry

Tetris!

 Just a Little More Timber to Go!

From the Yard (Kitchen and Meals Back Left and Lounge on Right)

Ensuite Toilet,  Master WIR and Theatre Beyond

(The WIR looks almost as big as the theatre!) 

We'll definitely head to the block tomorrow evening with a measuring tape! Isn't that what everyone does when they don't know what they are doing, to look important and for people to perceive that they know what they are doing, when they don't! That will be us!!!!! 

Let's face it, honestly, everyone out there that has built has measured aimlessly!!

Final Drawings.

We thought that the wall of paperwork was over when we signed our contract tender. All the decisions we had made were locked in and the build would begin. Little did we know there are also final drawings!! Our CLE emailed and phoned last week with an update and briefly mentioned the final drawings. We weren't exactly sure what 'final drawings' were but waited in anticipation! On Thursday (now know as slab day!) we received them. The final drawings, believe it or not, included the final drawings!! Another rather large document to trawl through, double check, triple check and sign every page. The changes that were raised as a variation at contract were now included in the drawings so it was important to be thorough as it clearly stated - that these would be used for building and a reference from this point on. Everything looked great and all but a few details were correct We had two lights not connected to a switch, a couple of typo errors and one part of the drawing that was missing part of the render. This has all been promptly fixed and we were even able to move one of our exterior taps and add a hot/cold tap and waste for a future BBQ! Go Carlisle! Final drawings have been sent off (with a variation to sign in the coming days) and the paperwork should be behind us.

We also spoke to our SS late last week. James will be in charge of our build and we should meet him in the coming days. He's on top of the temporary fences too, so we should see them by the end of the week.

First Comment!!!!

I have to pause and celebrate for a moment as I have just received the very first comment on my blog!!!!! Just under 1500 views and 1 comment! A moment in history 26/5/2014 at 8.12pm. I have been trying to coax my husband into a comment but he declined the offer. However, a best friend will do (minus the coaxing)! 

Loving the viewers; appreciating the comments! Comment away people!!

The Slab!!!!!

Today was the day; SLAB DAY! Although I could probably almost down a slab in celebration it was the concrete variety that occurred!! My husband passed the trucks at about 6.20am this morning and they were still there working away at 5.30pm. Big day! Therefore my photos are limited till tomorrow. I took the girls back at 7ish to have a snoop with our touches but it was too dark for my camera to cope. 

Watching all the preparation work and the concrete going down has been extremely exciting but it also makes you wonder, "Is that supposed to look like that?" We are really confident in choosing Carlisle Homes, if we weren't we never would have chosen them. However, I think it's really hard not to think critically about aspects when you see them. I think it's a fairly natural feeling when you have invested your ideas, heart and money into a project that you have no true building knowledge about. How do we know if the slab has been laid correctly or if all the materials that should have been used, have been? I think that this is going to be the hardest part of the build. Trusting our SS (site supervisor) is a huge part of this and trusting in the build process. We've got a few builder friends, outside of Carlisle Homes, who will (hopefully) check in on our build process etc. as the journey goes along; if for no other reason than to ease my mind!!! By the way, the slab looks amazing!

In all this thinking I thought I would try and educate myself on slabs! Here is some information I found that I thought was helpful. 

Due to our soil testing, we had to upgrade our slab to a H1 class. That's great, but what does that actually mean, besides more money??! I found this table that I found really helpful - I cannot confirm it's accuracy though. 

Different classes of soil

• Class A - This denotes very 'stable' ground - mostly sand and rock, not affected                     by moisture
• Class S - Slightly reactive soil, slight movement due to moisture
• Class M - Moderately reactive soil, moderate movement due to moisture
• Class H - Highly reactive soil, a high amount of movement due to moisture
• Class E - Extremely reactive soil, extreme movement due to moisture
• Class P - 'Problem' soil, which experiences land slip, mine subsidence and so forth.                  If you are building on Class P site you will typically need to consult an                      engineer.

I also found this information on a waffle slab. We have all heard of them but other than been cost effective what are they!!

Waffle raft slab (also known as a waffle pod slab) - These slabs are constructed entirely above the ground by pouring concrete over a grid of polystyrene blocks known as 'void forms'. Waffle raft slabs are generally suitable for sites with less reactive soil, use about 30% less concrete and 20% less steel than a stiffened raft slab, and are generally cheaper and easier to install than other types (even in bad weather). These types of slab are only suitable for very flat ground. On sloping ground or with more complex designs, a stiffened raft slab is normally the better option. Waffle raft slabs are well suited to reactive clay sites in particular, because they're not embedded in the ground like stiffened raft slabs. Waffle raft slabs are best suited for Class A, Class S, Class M, Class H and Class E soils (although you may wish to consult an engineer about the suitability of the slab for very reactive soils).

The part I enjoyed most about this was the fact that they are, 'well suited to reactive clay sites,' which sums up our block perfectly. You only have to dig down 20cm to hit hard clay which is going to make landscaping a joy.........!!!

Advantages Extremely durable and hardy base for a floor Typically well insulated, because the underside of the floor is not exposed No maintenance once the concrete has cured

Disadvantages Impossible to access piping once the slab has cured Cracks can cause major structural damage, and may be irreparable Can increase unwanted noise

The Action From Afar

The Concrete Being Poured

Still Working - But Looking Close to Finished

The Portio is Lower and the Front and the Garage to the Right

Closer Look (best I could get from the car while they were still working!)

Information on slab and soil obtained from:
http://www.build.com.au/ground-level-concrete-slab-subfloor

A Whole Lot of Waffle

I think tomorrow is going to be a BIG day in history! Yes, I think our slab will be laid tomorrow! I know, ground breaking news!!!! Lots of preparation work has been done today. When we visited the block tonight, it has given us the clearest indication so far of the footprint of the house, it really is outrageous. Really, really happy though. The height of the upcoming slab, in comparison to the cut is looking great as is the remainder of our land. We have a busy day tomorrow but will definitely be popping past as often as we can. My car is going to become the dreaded annoyance to the builders!!

Starting to See the Changes

Front View - With Dropped Down Portico 

Back View - Alfresco Area Dropped 

 At the Back

A Strange Trench at the front, next to the portico. Unsure if this whole area will be filled with concrete as part of the slab?  

More From the Back 

Fun! The girls could have climbed, slid and played all day. Building sites are so much fun when you're a kid!!

Pipe Dream!

More action today! I don't think my excitement at seeing people there in the morning will ever waiver! All the pipes and drainage were laid today. 31 pipes! No idea what half of them are for!  The crushed rock to protect the driveway area was also there tonight. Predicting there will be some slab preparation work done this week. We should meet our Site Supervisor at the end of the week/early next week too once our final drawings are finalised. Still had lots of contact from our CLE Steph though, keeping us up to date with everything.

City of Pipes

Crushed Rock in the Foreground

Really Looking Forward to Seeing the Temporary Fencing Now.... 

 Up Close and Personal!