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!

  

Lights, Camera, Action - Electrical Light Up!!

Photo overload today!! Yesterday when we went past we were lucky enough to get inside as one of the doors had been left unlocked. We made the most of the opportunity! As well as taking lots of photos and having the freedom to have a careful look around, the main reason I wanted to get inside this week was to give the floors a good clean. The carpet will be close to going down and the floors are sooooooo dusty and dirty. You would assume that the floors would be vacuumed cleaned beforehand but I honestly don't trust they would be. The painters had swept the dirt away from the bottom of the staircase but it all sat 30cm away and would surely end up all through the house again. I actually took our old vacuum and started upstairs. It was quite a scene. Within 3 minutes of vacuuming the dust was pouring out the end of the vacuum and the room was thick of dust - I opened every window in a mad panic as it looked like smoke and the last thing I needed was the fire brigade turning up to a dust storm!! So instead, I attacked it all with a broom, brush and shovel. It was much cleaner (took a lot longer) and I opened the back and front doors which limited any dust. It's spotless now! By the time I finished sweeping, darkness had crept in. So I tested out all the lights! It was definitely a goose-bump moment!! It looks like a real house, like a house you would really live in!!! We were really surprised with the brightness of the downlights too. We had excepted that we may need to change most of the globes over to brighter ones once we moved in but they are great!! The photos don't really show the true effect of them - in real life is even better!  

Looking Through the Front Doors

Down the Hall (forgot to turn the bulkhead lights on)

(Dust Free Floors!!)

Stair Lights (with hall lights on)

Stair Lights Only - LOVE THESE!

Study - this room is super bright

Theatre Room

Downstairs Powder Room

Ensuite

Looking the Other Way Down the Hall

Kitchen - only had these ones on for a split second as even the dangling ones were working!

Clean Floors!!

Lounge Room

Laundry

Upstairs Activity Room

Upstairs Bathroom 

Upstairs Powder Room

Ticking off the List

It was really kind of the workers to leave the windows and doors open last night....... One positive was that we got to see what had been happening over the past few days! Unfortunately I only had my phone on me which is clearly in desperate need of an update due to the poor photo quality! 

My Legs Feel Feeble Looking at this Bad Boy!

It's a GREAT standard feature of Carlisle (Affinity) Homes

Glass of Wine, Trashy Magazine and a Spa - what more could a woman want!! 

Plastering Around the Window Fixed (from when the window was dropped)

More Electrical Work Finished

Double fluorescence to garage and more lights completed (still more to be done)

Door Handles On - Internal Doors = Elena Lever (Cat 1) - Bright Chrome

Elena Lever with Privacy Adaptor (upgrade)

Angular Trilock - Bright Chrome (upgrade)

Water Proofing Around Basins and Bottom Ledge of Tiles (still more to go - some tiles to still grout)

Some Down-Pipes Added 

(not connected to drainage and facade not done due to rendering) 

Termite Protection

More work done either today or yesterday was termite protection. This was one of those hidden costs that you don't see in the price of the house but compulsory all the same. Money well spent on a lot of levels,, some would argue. We're not really sure what it all means so I did a little internet research and found some basic information. Termguard Protection. The piping stops approx three quarters around the house and is not on the eastern side. Not sure if there is more to go down next week or if this is the finished result. Yet another question for our SS!

More electrical work spotted today too. The 20 amp isolator switch for split systems 

Not sure what this box on the left is for. At a guess something to do with the NBN. We are in a stage in our estate that has access to the NBN. Mind you another hidden cost - we had to pay into the thousands for it! To be honest, what on earth is the box on the right for???!!! More to come!

Electrical Work!!

The electricians have been hard at work this week. They have spent the past 3 days at the house and will still need to come back when some of the products they need arrive. Doing a happy dance for nearly all of the work but a couple of small disappointments. These have come through being first time builders; aka novices (always bound to make mistakes - tough realisation for perfectionists!!). Our mistakes are things we overlooked unfortunately. Small things but grrrrrrrrrrrr!! Focus on the positives!!

Electrical Work Completed:

Down-lights installed - still some to go;

Exhausts to showers and toilets;

Stair lights;

Batten points for lighting and ceiling fans after handover;

Power-points and light switches installed - some changed to be made;

TV and Foxtel points installed

Outdoor powerpoints and junction boxes

20amp isolator switches for reverse cycle air conditioners (installed after handover)

Central heating installed; and

Kitchen range started.

Downlights in entry bulkhead

Master Bedroom Batten Points

Centre point for ceiling fan and left and right for pendant lights (to be installed post handover)

These are our master bedroom pendants. They are timber, with chain and rope. 

Bergen Wood Pendants - Schots Home Emorium

Slimline Light Switches and Master Bedroom Powerpoints

Stair Lights

(The electrician told me they had trouble placing these as the timber from the stairs had obstructed their position)

Spotted these lights on 'The Block Glasshouse' last night!

Electrocution anyone??!!

Lounge Lights - we thought we would try and start a new fad - downlight pendants!!

(I am joking!)

Dining Downlights and Batten Points for Kitchen Island Pendants

(Don't you love the shades!)

Kitchen Island Pendants (to be installed post handover)

Egg Black and Copper Pendant 

Dimmer for Lounge 

(electricians said this is the incorrect plate and will replace next week

 - not sure why)

Yes, please do!

Really disappointing to see the placement of the air vent for the central heating. It's in the hallway towards the theatre room. We made specific note of the location of this in the display. It was tucked around the corner IN the theatre. We thought this was great as it's not the prettiest of things. Assumed this was it's standard placement... As they say in building (or in fact anything in life), never assume....... So we are taking a positive from a negative and are thinking it terms of noise it probably is a better place. Still slightly peeved though! We need to check our unit too as we upgraded to a more powerful one to include zoning - added to the 'checking' list.

Square Vents Downstairs

Round Upstairs!

Bit of Paint Patching to do

Preparation for garage door and batten points are for 2 x double fluorescent lights which will be put in next week 

This was another small disappointment. I took this photo for the downlights and then wondered why on earth the powerpoints were so high. I checked the plans and yes, they are at 1350mm..... The electrician said he doesn't know why Carlisle put them at that height. We obviously had a choice though and didn't pick up on it. 1100mm people - check your plans. Anyway the electrician told another story of this one. This whole is to be re-plastered. He had to put the powerpoint in the cupboard as it's too close to the bath. Happy with that! I asked if he could lower one on the left (not in photo). He was great, he pulled it off and checked there was enough wire and there was - he could line it up with the bottom of the tiles. I said I would ring our SS and ask. I did. I returned later in the day as the electrician wanted some information on the 20amp isolator switches for future air conditioners (don't worry, I don't always harass the tradies!!) and he was told by the SS not to move them.... He must have been in a bad mood! It will be interesting to see what he says in the next few days about it! 

The electricians were hoping to have the house powered up by the end of today. But still needed to return for another day when the materials they need arrive.