One More Day to Go!!

I've been offline this week as we moved last Thursday out of our rental property.... We had gone with the information we were receiving from our SS regarding a predicted finish date and then over- estimated this time for any unforeseen issues (by nearly 8 weeks mind you!!). However, we still missed the date by over two weeks... So we have been living in a caravan in the caravan park since last Thursday! We love camping, but I am completely over it!! Camping is very different when you still have to get up for work and get the kids to kinder etc. Anyway, we have handover tomorrow! I'm a little disappointed to say I'm not doing a heap of fist pumps or happy dances yet as there is still quite  bit of uncompleted work. Our SS has assured us, that other than the windows, everything else will be done by tomorrow. He has ordered all our double glazed windows that need to be replaced (there are a lot of them) but they will not be completed for handover. This makes me incredibly nervous, but apparently it is signed by approx 100 people to say it will all be done by a set date. We have our flooring booked for Monday and if this wasn't the case then there is no way I would be going through with handover. We have had to change and delay the flooring so many times due to delays that we cannot do it again - our company has been so flexible but I doubt we will have flooring by Christmas if there were to be any more changes. So we will need to sign off, but I will be making sure that the documents are black and white as to what is going to be done and when!!  I know we will be really excited tomorrow when that time comes, but it's slightly tarnished that it's not all done. Although, I don't feel like it will ever really feel and look complete until the flooring is laid (obviously). Spending the next week in the caravan while the flooring is done is also a little of a dampener!!

Home, Sweet, Home..... For the time being!

Facade Tiles!!!! Eco Alabster Grigio Lappato Porcelain

I have definitely been in love with a lot of things in this build but this one has really got my heart racing. You know how a cat (I'm not a cat person at all, in-fact I kind of detest them...!! sorry cat lovers) anyway, you know how a cat rubs up against something and it's tail lifts up and it gets all warm and fuzzy, well that is how I feel when I see our facade tile!! I just want to run up to them and touch them and purr!!! I'm so happy with our facade and our colour choices. When you choose your colour selections, it's so hard to envisage it all. We didn't want anything over the top or something that would date. We decided that warm neutral colours would be the best. We feel like the render colours have come up really well. They are light but with enough contrast and variation and I love that the tiles almost match the Hog Bristle Half render colour. They don't stand out but because of their colour variation and look/feel are a sutble feature without being in your face! That is what we were hoping for anyway - everyone obviously has a different taste, but we are super happy with it all!

Facade - Hardwick
Render - Dulux Hog Bristle Half (sandy)
 - Dulux BedBox (brown)
Tiles - Eco Alabaster Grigio Lappato Porcelain
Grout - Travertine
Front Doors - Corinthian Win21 - stained in Rich Walnut
Garage Door - Decowood Bush Cherry
Roof/fascia/downpipes - Colourbond Woodland Grey

Tile Beginning!

Slowly Growing

Loving the Tile Variation

The tiler has done a great job at making sure the tiles are layed with the greatest of variation. We opened a box of tiles to see what they looked like and a lot looked to have a similar pattern, but on the pier they all look so varied and different. LOVE THEM!

Finished Tiles!

Up Close and Personal

Tiles also have metal trim

Oh so Close

Window Infills

I was a little snowed under last week so this is an update that actually occurred last Thursday, the day before our PCI. I was really happy to drive past and see two A & L Window trucks there working away at the windows and doors. They put all (3 missing) infills in, which have been a fairly big part of our journey and I'm so happy to say that I love them!! Of course, I would prefer they weren't there but they actually suit the boutique windows and really finish it all off. We were able to insulate these so we hope this maximises the double glazing. There were also other parts of the windows and doors that were cleaned and replaced, including foot plates, brushes to doors and cleaning out (most) of the mud and dirt from the tracks. 

Here they are;

Window Infills 

Above Dining Room Doors

Above Laundry Door - this is probably the largest

Study Window

Fixed Lounge Window

Overview of PCI

Sorry for the delayed post from our PCI, we move out of our rental house this week and we've been busy moving and packing - fun times!!

We had our PCI - New Home Inspection- on Friday. I was so nervous about it to be honest. We are just hoping that we picked up all the important things and haven't missed something non-cosmetic. Noting and marking up paint touch ups was one of the biggest aspects. I think our SS almost used a whole roll of tape! There were blue marks covering effectively all walls. 'We really don't need that footprint on the roof cornice, or that spray of mud on that wall!'. Our SS was great at marking out these - they are obviously easy to fix up as well. He was a little more reserved on others and we could definitely feel his tension at times - some things that may have an impact or reflection on his work and possibly his 'bonus' if there is such a thing.

Our next walk through and handover/settlement is booked (tentatively) for October 30th - 2 weeks from now!!!! He thinks this date should be enough time to get everything done. 

There was some unfinished work (due to weather - outside tiles - and other things yet to be finished) so we will need to check over those as-well, but here is our list of the Completion of Works Certificate (the 1001 internal paint work is not included in this!)

• seal spa bath
• adjust centre draw in ensuite (stiff and tight)
• adjust WIR drawers (all stiff - one didn't close)
• scuff marks to ensuite tile (praying these come out of the porcelain)
• re-coat to front of stairs (going to be very particualar with these as the paint is very scrappy)
• dint in laminate in laundry (they replaced the side panel - not the top...)
• paint the chipboard under the island bench white (this is red and when the sun comes in makes the back look pinkish)
• handle to overhead cupboard in kitchen
• refit beading to kitchen window
• check colour and shelf height to pantry in butlers
• chip to balcony tile
• caulk to balcony edge
• light switch in power room
• door handle to WIR bed 4
• trim and seal to bathroom shower/bath
• Hog Bristle Half render to side of porch (wrong colour)
• rubber to ensuite window
• infill to side of bathroom window
• dent to theatre window
• compression flashing to roof x3
• woodland grey to bathroom window infill
• re-coat alfresco beam
• re-coat garage door
• flashing to alfresco pier
• seal to garage door
• infill to bedroom 3
• infill to bedroom 4 highlight
• steam clean carpets
• seals to front door
• add door jam to linen
• paint and add privacy lock to upstairs powder
• caulking underside of island bench
• There are way too many scratches to the window frames and glass to list. This has always been a big thing for us and the way the doors were initially treated. There are scratches to almost all frames and panels. This is where our site supervisors attitude seemed to become more subdued. He couldn't believe how damaged they were, even though we have made this clear from the get go. The scratches on the glass were also a really big one. They are everywhere and the more we looked, the more we all found. He basically said that all windows will be thoroughly checked over and either repaired, buffed out or replaced. This has to affect his budget. For example 4 (out of 6) panels of the large double glazed were seriously scratched. It's been heartbreaking for us now I thinks it's heartbreaking for him too. They will all be fixed though

We were really happy with how everything went! The majority of things picked up were things our SS told us about or have always been on the list to do. The countdown is now well and truly on now!!! Another exciting thing is that handover will happen at the house and we won't have to drive over 2 hours to collect the keys from Carlisle's Head office in Mulgrave!! 

A  Few Pictures

Powder Room Light Needs Tightening 

Incorrect Render Colour - The part setback next to the garage should be Hog Bristle Half - not BedBox

A Few Paint Touch-ups!

A Few More!!

Our SS wasn't overly happy with this one. There are two issues here for us

1) the bottom shelf that was recently added (had been left off the first time but is on drawings) is clearly a different colour. He told us black and blue that he thought it was the same colour as the other shelves....

2) It has been built way too high and has made the bottom shelf really small

I know it's not a huge issue but to me it just all looks wrong. He said he will have to check on this one..

Keep you updated!

Quad has been added to roof line (still to be painted)

A little gutted to see scratch marks to the newly installed fire place trim (the photo doesn't really show it). Our SS told us there was a note left on the fire from the installers to say that they have ordered a new one as it was delivered with these scratches. Phew!

Missing Handle for Overhead Kitchen Cupboard

 Trim to Shower

Jestmaster SL550TRSI Gas Fireplace

We weren't sure if the fireplace was counted as an appliance but our SS recently informed us that the fireplace was going in soon (so it obviously isn't). In our previous home, we had a Coonara wood fireplace and it was amazing. It basically burned every night throughout winter and was the only source of heating we ever needed. When it came to choosing the heating for this home we debated for a while whether to do a wood fire or gas. In the end a gas log fire won! Although it won't have exactly the same ambiance (it does a good look alike though!!) or have that ability to burn throughout the night it's going to be great to flick it on in seconds, without filling the house with smoke and the crazy amounts of dust a wood fire accumulates. We have opted for an outdoor fire pit to get out fix of freshly burning wood!!

The First Glimpse that Something had Been Done!

The External Vent/Flue

Jetmaster Fireplace in the Lounge

Not sure if this is the best place for the paperwork!!

When we received the paperwork for our 'New Home Inspection,' it informed us that once we have settled and have the keys that we need to contact both companies that installed the fireplace and the central heating to they can run us through the systems (assuming this is the paperwork for this).

Unfortunately we made an error with the location of our powerpoints etc in the lounge next to the fireplace - on the electrical plan we didn't visualise the fireplace being there. They clearly need to be moved to the left and we will have to do this post handover. We are also going to paint the wall around the fire - the middle section - still deciding on a colour! Dulux Stepney is winning at the moment!

  

New Home Presentation Booked (PCI)

At the end of last week our SS called us to book in our 'New Home Presentation'. We think in building terms this is often called the PCI - or Post Construction Inspection or Practical Completion Inspection. None of these things are in our contract but are always thrown about on forums etc. (I actually had to google it!). It's all booked for this Friday (17th October). We had some big discussions prior to this date being booked with our SS, as well as in the phone call to book it in, as we wanted to make it crystal clear that we wanted all the jobs done that we have previously bought up as well as other major works still yet to be done before we did the inspection. We emailed him a list and basically said that if it wasn't all done then we weren't interested in meeting. He has assured us that it will all be done by Friday and the trades have all been booked for it. We are still a little skeptical! One of the major things that still needs to be finished is the render and the tiles to the facade pier. The weather is horrid all week and we are finding it very difficult to see it being done. Our SS said the tiler will be finished by Tuesday (tomorrow). He must be a miracle worker as he hasn't started on it yet...... Anyway, the minute we agreed to Friday, we had emails and letters of confirmation of the 'New Home Presentation! (as well as the next bill!!)'. I know this is a walk-through is to pick out all the things that we want to pick up on, but I don't see a point doing it till everything is done, otherwise it all has to be done again anyway - checking over the things previously not done. So we have our fingers crossed that everything from our end is done in the next 4 days.....

We haven't had our own inspections 'officially' done throughout the build but we have had friends who have been 'helping' us along the way!! They are builders and have been able to give us invaluable advice. We have also come across the inspections notices throughout the build - some emailed, some found on benches/in drawers! So we asked our friends if they could help us through the final leg and go through things with a fine tooth comb over the weekend. Everything is looking great and most things are cosmetic but it's nice to feel like we have a handle of all the things we want to talk about on Friday. 

Here are some of the things we want to see done by Friday and others that will no doubt be bought up as in-completed works or defects (if they not done by Friday);

Outside

• Missing quad around top of gable inside and out - as well as under eaves of facade plus over garage 
• Infills to windows
• Compression flashing on roof x3
• Chip on tile balcony 
• ?underpinning garage (slab)
• Painted infill woodland - bathroom window
• Infill bedroom 4-side small gap ?
• Gap under facade window 
• Front door not shutting properly 
• Missing hinge on front door x2 
• Inside door jamb stain 
• Stain on glass doors
• Outside alfresco beam - paint again
• Very crooked quad to alfresco poles 
• Brick gaps (alfresco)
• Brush strip reversed on meals alfresco - doors 
• Dripping outside tap 
• Loose laundry door frame
• Second coat Hog Bristle - door and weatherboards 
• Garage door pulled back higher when opened
• Ensuite window seal - damage
• Window scratches - some small and some large
• Frame scratches (this is HUGE) - basically on all frames and most are massive scratches or gouges 

Inside
Master

• Hinge on bedroom door (master)- missing 
• Missing all door catch plates 
• Behind doors on master - cracks - power points 
• Skirt on master hob 
• 1st tower drawer - bottom drawer not shutting 
• Paint on doors messy 

Stairs 

• Crooked stair light 
• Crooked banister 
• Paint - messy 

Laundry 

• Chip on bench 
• Walk in linen - door jamb missing

Powder

• Lift off hinges to powder door

Kitchen

• Kitchen top drawer - not shutting properly 
• Paint red chipboard under bench (reflecting under island bench)
• Sealer on splash back 
• Stain on right of island (the painters had the stair railing drying on it - help me!!!)
• Rubber seal - window 
• Gaps down sides of Island - under bench
• Lift up cupboards - paint/fix gap 
• Pantry bottom shelf colour 
• Tap pressure in kitchen

Other

• Adjust door handles (some)
• Stair expansion join - 2 x bumps 
• Silicon around bath and tiles 
• Chipped arc in activity 
• Chip on garage internal door 
• Roof clean ? 
• Privacy locks - double check
• Paint left for skirts 
• Check near all power points 
• Skirt to garage wall x 1
• Tile step garage 

This list makes us look a little crazy! It actually doesn't include quite a few large things that just should be obvious that we will talk about - e.g. finished render etc. We are pretty particular with things but we are not over the top. We just want it done right and we expect to get what we pay for. We are really happy with Carlisle and have no doubt it will all get there... eventually..!!

E.g. having the door like this on the upstairs powder-room just isn't acceptable......

Yes, this door is shut completely..... Slight issue of privacy!!

How the door installers, plumbers and painters and anyone else who has entered this room has not seen this by now is beyond me!

Blind Date Glass Splashback

I was lucky enough to go past yesterday when the men were installing the glass splashbacks. This has been another big(ish) item that we have been waiting to have done. I had a friend with me too so it was great to be able to show her around! The men installed the splashback in the butlers and then left. Our SS phoned later in the afternoon with his weekly update and said that it had been installed in the butlers but the kitchen splashback (in part) had been the wrong size....... Should go in next week...
Really happy with the colour - in my mind I kept thinking it had a brownish tinge, because this is what the display has (it's hard to not think of this when visualising ours!). So far the colour looks great! We chose not to do starfire glass and we are glad we didn't spend the extra money on it - this would have been an extra $1500. Unless it's white and you don't want a greenish tinge (that's the only difference) it would be hard to justify the price. 

Glass Splashback - (colour)Blind Date Clear 

Blind Date Sample at Colour Selection

Another 'interesting' thing that has happened with our kitchen that has actually been an error but has worked in our favour has been the layout of the caesarstone and the window. In our drawing the kitchen window seemed to be positioned higher (our windows originally were placed higher). Our SS was always had a clear picture in his mind that the caearstone sat directly under the window sill. This may have been the complication with our bricks (all sorted now though). As it turns out we love the bench layout. Any splash from the cooktop will now not get in all the grooves of the window. The only difference is, is that the glass splashback has a small section under the cupboards. Happy days!

As Displayed at Mernda (our drawing also look like this - we think!!)

Our Benchtop - Sitting Directly Under the Window

 

Carpet Work Begins - Takarra Ridge Wool Blend

No idea what has happened to the renderers. The weather forecast was for potential rain, so we should be happy that they haven't been yet. The rest of the week isn't looking flash either so it might be a while till we see the finished product! However, the carpet layers were there all day today so work inside moves forward. Underlay for upstairs was laid and the carpet has been rolled out and cut in most rooms. All rooms upstairs are carpeted (except bathroom and powder room!). Downstairs, the underlay is also down and the carpet has been rolled out - is some parts to flatten and decrease (master bedroom, study and theatre). In our previous home we had a light colour wool carpet and we were really happy with how it stood up in wear and tear and in durability. In 11 years it was only just starting to look like it needed replacing and it had been there for a few years prior to that. We chose a wool blend for this home in the hope that it would also be easy to clean (especially having kids) and have found that lighter carpets are actually easier to keep clean than darker too! It's not a plush carpet but it does have a soft feel and it hopefully ties in with our coastal location. 

Underlay - Super Premium Foam (Cat 3)
Carpet - Takarra Ridge - Wool Blend Loop 520 (Cat 3)

Underlay

Underlay in Master Bedroom

Upstairs Bedroom

Rolled Out Upstairs

Rolled out Carpet Ready to go

Theatre Room

Carpet Close Up

Upstairs (few dirty boot footprints - eek!)

 

Takarra Ridge - Wool Blend 520 (Cat 3) - Colour Selection

Shower Screen, Taps Changed, Movement with the Fire.

Went past the house over the weekend as my sister has just moved back from WA. We were going to peek through the windows and have a look but we were lucky enough to turn up when the shower screen was being installed in the ensuite; so we ducked in for a quick peek around! A few more jobs ticked off the list!

Ensuite Shower Screen Installed

The Correct Bath/Spa Tap - Vito Bertoni Taya

Upstairs Bath Installed

The Correct Bath Tap - Vito Bertoni Taya

Top Edge of the Tiles Painted...

It's not finished yet, but the top edge of the tiles has been painted. I thought it was a bit odd at first but the more I thought about it the more it grew on me! The tiles at the house we are renting at the moment catch the dust really harshly as they are not smooth - painting may eliminate this. We looked at the display images as we had never noticed it before and sure enough they are painted - it's funny the things you never notice!

The Lock on Master Bedroom Double Door

Our ceilings are 2740mm high and little ol' me cannot reach this lock!!! Think I might need to buy a step ladder!!

Colourbond Capping on the External Fireplace Brickwork

Work on the fireplace has started!!