MacBrookvale 41

Progress Has Been Slow!!!

2010-03-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

Front garden begins

Hedging along either side of driveway

Blinds - Bonded Roller

Bonded rollers again, sunscreen also on narrow window

Meals area with bonded and sunscreen rollers

Posts in, ready for deck to be done

Different angle of posts/deck area

Long time, no post!!!

I thought I'd wait until more progress had been made before I did another post but now realise I may never do another post if that is the case.

We have accomplished some things so, this will have to be it for now.

Window coverings are done.

Found these at "Blinds Online". The idea was to cut costs by measuring and installing ourselves. This worked with only one thing I would do differently next time. Unfortunately, the width of my blinds fell short by several mm's due to a misunderstanding of width measurements. Most probably wouldn't notice but I do because I know. Not to worry now, it's done and I am very happy with the finished results overall. I have an idea to fix the problem for some of the blinds, but that will be in the future.

Posts for decking have been done.

Unfortunately or fortunately, we have a carpenter friend who is going to help but he has been fully booked since before christmas and doesn't look to be free anytime soon. He assures us it will happen in the next month or so. If we are lucky it will be ready for next summer!

The garden has begun!!! Finally. This is my passion but was put on hold because of summer. Last week we had fill delivered, hired a mini bobcat on the weekend and began to form the groundwork for what will be the landscape. More fill is needed and this I hope will arrive soon. Now, I'm just waiting for rain so everything can settle and I can begin to plant and start what is going to be a very big job.

Happening very soon will be a new shed and path for the dead side of the house.

Also, to be done is retaining walls and fences completed, but that is a whole other post.

Handover and Almost In !

2009-08-19T03:54:00.000-07:00

Bamboo flooring begins in the meals area.

Bamboo floor in meals area completed.
Underlay for carpet to the right of photo.

Driveway formwork and base in preparation
for concrete pour.

Kitchen with bamboo floor. We love it,
it has come up really well.

Carpet in study. Not a great photo for
true colour. 'Eureka' is a purple/brown colour or
aubergine. We love this also. So far we have been
so pleased with how our flooring choices have come
together.

Driveway up close, exposed aggregate.

An almost full view of the driveway.

It is very new and still has a bit of finishing

off to go.

A shot of the bamboo floor, looking towards

the front door.

What a beautiful blue sky! The driveway again,

the next day.

A shot from the top of the stairs, with

carpet and bamboo floor in view.

Looking down stairs from the top.

Looking up the stairs from the bottom,

just in case you couldn't work that out.

Well there it is! Handover went very well.

Most of the post handover stuff has been completed. Not bad considering we only had handover on the 10th of August.

Last week was full on!

Handover Monday, bamboo floor Tuesday, Wednesday, Carpet Thursday, Friday and then finished Tuesday just gone. Concreting was also done on Thursday and finished Tuesday.

Now all we need to do is move! This should happen in the very near future. Not looking forward to packing/unpacking but can't wait to get into the garden.

I am hoping to keep posting on any progress but this may take a while, things will probably move a bit slower now.

Relle.

Handover Postponed

2009-08-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

Today was to be the handover for our home but our SS called earlier in the week to let us know there was still a few things to be finished. Handover is now set for Monday 10th August.
That was okay by us as we would rather things be finished properly than be rushed for handover.
It has buggered up post handover stuff a bit, as we had arranged for bamboo flooring to be delivered this afternoon and installation for Friday and Saturday.
We are now hoping that the bamboo floors can be done on Tuesday, Wednesday because we've got carpet organised for Thursday, Friday. If all goes well it'll all be happening next week. If not, we'll just have to set things back a few days.
Fingers crossed for all things to fall into place!!

One week to PCI and Counting

2009-07-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Front balcony, balustrading done

View of kitchen splashback through a window

and with the sunlight. Colour is green!!!

Kitchen splasback again, different angle

Store/Linen shelving, didn't expect this

to be shelved so we were wrapped when

we saw it

Walk in robe[hers] shelving

Left side of walk in robe

Pantry shelving - right side

Pantry shelving left side

Just a quick update with only one week to PCI. As you can see from the photos more finishing touches have been added. In recent times we have been locked out so it's hard to see what else has been done or still needs to be finished. The main things that I can see that still have to be done are, the water tank, lots of paint touch ups and the garage door. I've noticed that many of the issues we may raise at PCI have already been noted and rectified. There has been a site clean, inside and out, fly screens have been fitted to all opening windows and it really is starting to look almost complete. Fingers crossed for a fairly non- eventful Practical Completion Inspection!!!

I Don't Know What's More Exciting...

2009-07-09T04:01:00.000-07:00

Pantry with sink and tap, could I
be any further away?

Front balcony tiling, balcony
railing still to be done

Mirror and shower screen installed
in upstairs bathroom

Laundry taps fitted, from afar again

Powder room mirror and tap

Powder room toilet, same as

master ensuite toilet

Kitchen sink with vegie sprayer

Bath in walk in robe

Final coat of render done

Garage roof done

Render to facade done, lights fitted

Ensuite shower installed

Ensuite basins and mirror installed

As you can tell by the title and by the pictures, I managed to get in and get some shots.

It really is true, I don't know what I get more excited by. The fact that I get to see the progress that's been made or the fact that I can get inside the house.

Things have continued to move along and it looks as if many of the issues we may pick up at PCI have already been addressed.

Electricians have been in, plumbers have begun, rendering has been completed and whoever puts in mirrors has done their job. As each thing is checked off our list, it seems to become more and more real.

Three weeks to PCI and counting.

Tiling, PCI and Handover

2009-07-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

Ensuite shower tiled, grouting had not been done as yet.
Upstairs toilet

Upstairs bathroom

Upstairs shower

Powder room

Powder room floor tiles

Ensuite shower again

Ensuite vanity and floor tiles

Tiling has been completed although the above pictures do not show tiling with grout. I will take more photos next time I get a chance to go inside.

Had a call from our CSC advising us of the PCI [Practical Completion Inspection] and Handover dates. Exciting but scary to think it isn't that far away. Our PCI will be on the 30th July, then handover on the 6th of August, if all goes well.

Called past the house on Tuesday and could see the electricians were there along with some other tradies. Didn't have time to go in so, will try another day.

Still in the process of organising flooring and concreting, the pressure is on now!!!

Kitchen bench, New SS and Tiling begins.

2009-06-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

QQ Bench top - Colour is 'Royal Base'

Close up of bench, hard to judge from photo

Bamboo display at Home Innovation Centre

A view of all bench tops

Tiles delivered and ready to be layed

Hi everybody, not much has been happening so there's not a great deal to report.

The kitchen bench was installed some time last week. The colour [royal base] has come up well and is a good match to the cupboards.

Met our new SS on Monday, he seems to have caught up on the whole build and is continuing to oversee the slow but steady progress.

The tiler starts on Thursday and it shouldn't be too long after that PD can give us some definite timelines for PCI and handover.

We've recently started to look into flooring options and I have organised some concretors to come out and do quotes this week.

Should we be worried?

2009-06-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

Our CSC called yesterday to check where our building variation for the ensuite basins was and to give us a few updates. Unfortunately, I did not get either the call to home or to my mobile. Upon listening to the message I thought, should we be worried?

She said, "our SS had moved on from the company and that we now have a new SS. He was currently getting up to speed with all the jobs and will contact us when he has done so".

I said "Oh sh*@ we are nearing the final stage of our build, what impact is this going to have on us"?

From reading other blogs it seems not uncommon to have at least one change of SS. The positive thing is, that it can often be a change for the better. We hadn't met our SS but he kept in fairly regular contact and seemed to be very much on top of things. Our CSC assures us that our new SS is experienced and very good but, isn't that what they say about all of them?

I guess we are about to find out. We had requested an inspection with the last SS, so now it will have to be with the new guy. I feel for him in a way because he comes in not really knowing or understanding the history of the build.
Oh well, time will tell, fingers crossed it will all turn out for the good.

PAINTING and The Garage Roof

2009-06-07T04:08:00.000-07:00

Master ensuite painted

Stairs being painted/stained

Laundry.

Paint colour is Turkish Bread 1/2 strength

Powder room.

Sorry left side is a bit dark

Wall colours - Turkish bread 1/2 strength.

Ceiling is Wattyl supercover white, doors,

architraves, skirts colour is oriental white

Kitchen in a better light

Dining/Meals doors - Dark Oak

Master bedroom in poor light

Study

Garage roof trusses on

Stain colour is Dark Oak

Exterior paint colour is Colorbond 'Dune'

Garage roof from the front

Another view of the garage roof

As you can see the painting has almost been completed, no wonder when the painters work all day Sunday on a long weekend.

C [husband] doesn't really like the exterior colour 'dune', which is a worry because the garage and render colour is that colour too. Good thing that he does like the interior colour especially because he chose it.

I like the dune, only wish the windows were more a stone colour than beige. The colour of the windows is 'stone beige'. As for the interior, I like the colour but I would have rathered a cooler brown more so than the warm brown of 'turkish bread half strength'.

Overall, I think it's all coming together pretty well. The next big thing to see will be the splashback, hope it goes with all our other colour choices.

Basin Update

2009-06-04T05:01:00.000-07:00

Front facade no scaffold
Front facade with finial and arch bar.

Front facade with scaffold.

Yet another angle of front facade.

Scaffolding packed up and ready to go.

Living area getting its first lick of paint.

Got a call from our CSC to let us know of the cost for replacing the ensuite basins. She said we had been given the ok by management to change the basins and the cost to do this would be $299. Not sure how they come up with that figure, as the difference between the basins we have at the moment and the ones we chose is about $114.

We had thought we were going to have to pay the full cost of replacing the basins which was about $800. So, I suppose the $299 figure isn't too bad. It's just a shame that the contract didn't have the detailed description and that we missed on picking that up in the contract.

On a better note, the painting has begun, the garage roof is being done and brick cleaning has been completed. Pictures of these things will come.

For now the above pictures are a few of the facade with no scaffold, the finial and arch bar- sorry about the sun glare.

Basins and Cabinets

2009-05-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

kids bathroom vanity

Powder room

Laundry

Love the extended bench

Pantry

Kitchen

En suite vanity/Wrong basins

These basins are not the ones we chose at Hopetoun.

We are still waiting to hear the outcome, how much it will

cost us to replace the basins we didn't choose.

Cabinets and a Problem

2009-05-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

C [husband] dropped around to the house on Wednesday to see what progress had been made. What he saw through a skinny, dirty en suite window was two basins which looked nothing like we'd chosen at our colour app.
That night we checked the contract and colour selection document to see what was written and found the following description; ' Vanity Basins - White [Chipperfield], Ideal Standard Vessel [Square] Counter Top Basin [Square] White.'
What was in the en suite was, two white square counter top basins, but it was not what we had chosen. We chose a basin that had a lower profile than the one we had been given. We know what we like and what we don't and we were both adamant that we did not like the higher profile square basin.
Before singing the contract including colour selection document, we were sure we had checked it and everything seemed correct.
The description of the basin did sound like the one we'd picked. With no sample or code or photo to check it, what else did we have?
Obviously, this was a big mistake on our behalf because now we have basins that we don't like or want.
If only the description mentioned the profile of the basin!
On the Thursday, I dropped around to the house to see the basins and was able to get in, thanks to Mr Skirting and Architraves. It only confirmed our dilema, they were definately not what we chose! I called our CSC and explained we had a problem. She checked the colour doc and said we can only go by what's written. The problem was, that it's what isn't written ['high profile'] that was the problem.
We had to concede that we obviously didn't check it enough before signing but still feel that the description is not detailed enough. As a result our SS said he would change it if ok but it would be at our expense [of course]. I have since been on the Reece sight and picked a basin we want, our SS will check with the building manager to see if it can be done and SS will raise a variation. He will also let us know of the cost.
We're not happy about it but what can we do? We will have to wait and see what SS comes back with.
Anyway, luckily I took my camera and got some shots. I'm actually going to put them into the next post because I can never do a post where the text comes first.

STAIRS, LOCKED UP AND LOCKED OUT.

2009-05-19T04:36:00.000-07:00

Bifold door from the inside.
Looking towards kitchen. Spots must be raindrops.

Standard staircase. So much better than that ladder.

What to do with that space?

Looking down from the top.

Internal doors waiting to be hung.

Our new internal garage door.

A "bugger, I'm locked out", photo of the kitchen cabinets.

More dirty glass to take a photo through.

The study door.

Things have continued to move along, the stairs are in, cornice is done, internal doors have been hung and the cabinets have begun to be fitted. Only problem for us is that we are locked out and cannot get a good look at everything. Hopefully, someone will forget to lock a door and we can again sneak a peak.

Bifold, Cornice and the camera battery ran out.

2009-05-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

Render to portico and side - finished colour will be colourbond 'Dune'
Another render shot.
Sorry for the very dark view of the bifold door.

Upstairs bedroom 2 - door goes out to small front balcony.

Plaster has been finished, ready for cornice.

Bifold door from outside, dining/meals door open.

The bifold is in and it looks so good! The cornice has been done, the rendering has been started and we no longer have to go up a ladder to the upper floor. Unfortunately, my camera battery ran out as I went to take inside photos.

The above photos were taken a few days earlier.

So, the next post will have cornice, stairs and anything else that happens between now and the next time I get around to adding to the blog.

It's getting so exciting to see how the inside is starting to take shape.

I will call in after school pickup today and hopefully get some more shots.

Plaster and Brick Cleaning

2009-05-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

Left: Looking towards front entrance.

Below: Back of garage/lounge bricks cleaned.

Laundry

Powder room

Living room downstairs

Stair void

Master bedroom

Looking towards the kitchen.

Meals area

Back of house bricks cleaned to the right,
not yet cleaned to the left.

Top bricks cleaned,
bottom not yet cleaned.

As you can see from these pictures, the plaster has been hung and most of the brick work has been cleaned. Next week plastering will be finished and the cabinets will begin to be fitted.
Sorry the pictures don't match up to the labels. When I look at the preview they look fine then when I actually post they don't match up.
I'm having trouble arranging them, I'm obviously doing something wrong I just can't work it out! How does everyone else upload their photos with comments?

TOP BRICKWORK

2009-04-26T05:28:00.000-07:00

The brickwork is finished! I'm no expert but it looks very good. Now that they are done I'm looking forward to seeing them washed.

Inside work has started, the insulation has been put in so I guess plaster is next.

Have been to the block the last couple of days but unfortunately nothing more has been done. Did notice a few wet areas, as well as wet timber and cornice as well as a few massive puddles around the building perimeter. The rain has been great but has it caused any damage or held up the building progress?

Bricks and more...

2009-04-22T03:15:00.000-07:00

Front of house brickwork

Dining/meals door-out to alfresco

Internal garage door

Front and south side of house

Sorry, accidently put this on twice, cant delete it without deleting the post.

North side of house brickwork

West or back side of house brickwork

Plaster and insulation has been delivered

South side of house brickwork

Front of house with scaffold ready to do top floor brickwork.

The brickies have been at our house and have been working very hard!

We have also had plaster and insulation delivered, heating and cooling roughed in, most external [except the bifold] doors fitted and the electrician has been.

To see more photos of our build from beginning to now click on the following link; http://picasaweb.google.com/narelle33/Brookvale41

Brick work should be finished in the next couple of days so I will update blog in hopefully, the not too distant future.

Some Brick Pics.

2009-04-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

Friday 3rd April

Earlier that week

Bricks are Austral Harvest -'Malt'.

Progress has been good as has the weather! I will add to these once more has been done. We are very happy with how they look and hope all continues to go well.

Which bricks is it?

2009-03-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

Had a call on Thursday from our SS, he told us that our first choice bricks were ready a week early and they were a perfect match to what we had originally picked. I asked how long before our second choice bricks were ready and he said they now wouldn't be ready until the 15th of April, another 3 weeks away.

I thought for sure that we were going with the second choice bricks but yet another delay has helped make the decision for us.

We are going with our original bricks, they have been delivered to the block and they look good. I'm sure the others would have been just as good, but to wait again was just not worth it.

The brickies are starting the week beginning the 30th March, finally we will see some progress!

Still Waiting

2009-03-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

Nothing is happening so it's hard to get enthusiastic about adding to the blog.

A letter telling of my frustration and disappointment was sent to PD and a response several days later was received. In short there was an apology, an excuse that the delay was beyond their control and news of more delays.

It turns out that a new batch of both our 1st and 2nd choice bricks will not be ready until the 1st of April. We will be able to choose between the two, but we have hopefully already made our decision.

A trip last weekend to see homes built with the two bricks we're looking at, has helped in deciding which one we'll definitely go with. Just hope the quality is there so it won't muck things up again.

We're hanging out for April, it's been a long wait!

Bricks at Last, Or NOT!!!

2009-03-04T02:01:00.000-08:00

Finally we've had council approval to change from one brown brick to another and PD have ordered the bricks as of Tuesday 2nd March.

Well so we thought anyway. Instead, we have been told today by the site supervisor that the bricks we had reselected are no longer in stock and a new batch will not be ready until the 24th March. He also added that our first choice bricks would be ready on the 1st of April, so if we wanted we could wait and choose between the two bricks.

I could not believe it!!! How long have we waited already? By the 1st of April it will be more than 2 months. I was not happy and have sent an email to PD telling of my disappointment and frustration.
I will wait for a response next week but know it will not make anything happen any faster. Will update in the coming week.

Brick Re-Selection

2009-02-23T04:34:00.000-08:00

On Thursday 19th Feb we went to see the bricks offered as alternatives to the one we had originally picked. It was so much easier when looking at the actual brick rather than a computer image. We narrowed it down to the two we most liked.
From there we went to see those two bricks on actual homes. That helped in deciding which brick to choose. I've included an image of our original choice and the brick we have re-selected.

Malt / Chocolate

We notified PD of our decision on Friday, to which they informed us that a change would require us going back to town planning for an amendment to our colour scheme. It also meant a variation to our contract with PD.
Considering how long it took our plans to be approved in the first place [13 weeks] and the fact that a variation was to be made, we wondered if we wouldn't be better off just waiting to mid March when the next batch of our first choice brick would be ready. There was no guarantee the batch wouldn't have the pink tinge again so in the end we decided to go with the chocolate brick.
We have requested an amendment from council. May the wait not be too long so progress can happen soon!!

Still on Hold - The Brick Saga

2009-02-17T04:02:00.000-08:00

Well, we were meant to be back in business on Monday 16th Feb but unfortunately we have a problem!
An email came through on Friday to notify us that the 'malt' bricks we had been waiting for were ready and could be delivered on Monday.
However, an email showing a picture of those bricks next to the sample board of the 'malt' bricks made it clear that there was a considerable variation. They had an obvious pink tinge and our original choice was more brown in colour.
On Monday we called to say that we did not want the bricks.
The reply came back;
- we had the option of changing to one of three other bricks that were similar to the type we had chosen.
We had already rejected the offer of a different brick when the supplier ran out of the bricks we picked, in the first place.
Again, we explained we did not want to change.
It's now Wednesday and today we were given the option of again changing to a different brick [ different again from what has already been offered ] or to wait for the 'malt' bricks which were expected to be ready mid March!
That's the dilema, what to do?
Tomorrow I will go to see those bricks that have been offered as an alternative. It's way too hard to decide based on a computer image.
We've been "on hold" for a month already do we want to wait another month or do we settle for a different brick?

The Journey so far...

2009-02-07T21:23:00.001-08:00

View Album

Get your own

Our block ( 1635sqm )

2009-02-05T03:14:00.000-08:00

Our block - March 06

Hard to put it into perspective

when there's nothing else around.

Another satisfied PD Customer? Time will tell !

2009-02-04T04:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog!

I have been hooked by the many other blogs I have been following and have decided to do my own. It's great to see people in similar situations and learn from or, just enjoy the stories that they tell.

We too are building our first home with PD, the Brookvale 41. Currently we have been "put on hold" as there has been a delay with the bricks.

I hope I will be able to catch everyone up with all that has happened so far and I hope you enjoy our journey as much as I have been enjoying everybody elses.