This Blog is Not Finished!!!

I'm here and alive and well! So is the house!! We moved in, then we moved out again while the floor was being sanded and polished and we moved back in again this week!! This is a very short update of the things that have been happening so far. Over the weekend, I plan to go crazy with the camera and update properly with photos and more information. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO WHEN YOU GET THE KEYS!!!! We have barely been able to draw breath let alone sit down and type a post!!

Exciting things that have happened since we got the keys!

• Our amazing Queensland Spotted Gum hardwood floors were laid (they remained unsanded/polished for 2 weeks to adjust to humidity levels etc.)
• Floors were sanded and polished!!!!
• We built all our retaining walls (this had to be done before our boundary fences could be put up) and when I say we built, I actually mean my husband and his band of 'brothers'!!
• Boundary fences are finished (just finished yesterday)
• I've sealed the grout on the porcelain tiles (has an impressive 15 year protection from stains etc). I wouldn't actually call this exciting more painful!!
• We painted all our ground floor skirting boards (whilst we were camping.....) and these have all now been put on. They were left off due to flooring being done post-handover
• Half of the double roller blinds have been installed (upstairs) - we had to wait till the floor was finished for downstairs, these are being done today - including our black fabric pelmets
• Victory came yesterday and installed sheer curtains to master and study and plantation shutters to both bathrooms and theatre. These are absolutely stunning! LOVE, love, love them!
• NBN is connected
• Half of our scratched doors and frames have been replaced - yes half, see below......
• Appliances were installed (eeek see below) 
• We had the Theatre painted - Dulux Raku, feature wall in bedroom - Dulux Stepney and the fire hob and bulkhead - Dulux Raku
• Drive way and other areas in the backyard were excavated yesterday ready for concrete! Good bye muddy mess! When I left today they were not there so not sure when it is being poured. The weather has not been very kind again
• Our side wing fence is up - looks great and after spending over a month at friends, our beautiful dog can finally come home (finished yesterday)
• Holes have been dug ready for the decking to begin in the backyard - sometime this century!
• Our reverse-cycle air conditioners were installed - post-handover (not through Carlisle Homes)
• It's been all about deliveries, deliveries, deliveries and workman everywhere!! Glad the blinds are on now!!
• Front door tinting is happening in the coming days (light tint from Tint Master) 

Frustrations and ongoing dilemmas!

• Telephone is not working - going round in circles with Telstra, NBN and Argus Technologies - should get a better answer by the end of today... Should....
• Half of our windows and doors were replaced. Absolute incompetence by our SS. This has been a big issue through the build and it somewhat escalated last week when A & L showed up with half of the works - they were completely unaware of the other half - even though it was on our completion of works list to be done post-handover our SS only fulfilled some of it. A lot of angry calls were made as well as emails, discussions with managers of all.. It will all be done and has been ordered but now our floors are done we are not happy with it!! Lots more detail to come about this.....
• Of the 6 appliances we had installed (fire place, ovens x2, cooktop, range, hot water service) only 2 were correct, not damaged, not defective..... The ovens were perfect. More to come on this - most of this has been rectified but still some issues!
• 2 areas of the kitchen vinyl wrap was damaged by the installers of the range and the window people post-handover - this is going to be fixed
• Still waiting for our one and only timber infill to be painted the correct colour. It was painted white, instead of Woodland Grey as it should have been. Such a minor thing in the scheme of things now but frustrating all the same
• When we collected our keys our SS put wrong door handles in two rooms (doors and WIR) - still waiting for this to be done

Looking forward to doing some major updating of things in detail in the coming days. First to come has to be the floors - stay tuned!

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!