Building Our First House

Complete

2010-06-14T08:56:00.001+10:00

Complete

2010-06-14T08:50:00.003+10:00

Complete

2010-06-14T08:48:00.001+10:00

Complete

2010-06-14T08:40:00.000+10:00

Btw...

2010-02-24T12:29:00.003+11:00

We are in!

Just thought I'd quickly blog, as we don't have internet yet (should be in the next few days) blogs and forums have become last priority.

But I'll get some photos up soon with pics of our furniture in.. coming to terms with the fact it will be another year or so until the right furniture is in the right spot... but its all exciting

Dragging On...

2010-02-10T09:58:00.002+11:00

We are awaiting contact from our bank to confirm that the payment has been made, as soon as the payment has gone through we can conduct the handover.

Last night during the thunderstorm out here we decided it would be good to check on the progress of the house. The property has had a lot of work, including finishing of tiles, repainting of the front door and our cornices have been fixed (we think - couldnt be sure through the window).

So...

...we are waiting....

..again

No Cheque?

2010-02-06T22:56:00.002+11:00

As we are in country Victoria we do not have a local branch to pick up our cheque!

So the option is that we have it paid directly from the bank to Metricon, it does take away our power to say that we do not want to pay until certain works have been completed. But its our only choice.

We have organised for our wooden shutters between our rumpus and main living room to be installed, along with our en-suite, toilet and bathroom blinds. This should be done by Tuesday morning of this coming week.

Bank inspection of property was booked in for yesterday (Friday) at 9:15PM? Possibly a PM to AM glitch there. But as far as we know, its been completed.

Hence, our bank payment should start on Monday and hopefully completed by Tuesday/Wednesday, leaving us for a Wednesday/Thursday handover!!!!!

We have organised for time off work, leaving current rental on the 17th February 2010 and have friends and family more than graciously offering their time and hands...

..we are on the cusp of home/morgage ownership here people!

I Walked Through...

2010-02-01T21:25:00.007+11:00

We've completed our walkthough, marked our issues; mainly asthetic.

Certificate of occupancy should be done tomorrow.

But still we've been advised, 'next week'.

We now have to wait on the banks payment which can take up to 10 days!

When we walked through we were given a blue tape that we placed on the fittings, paint, walls, etc that we found issues with. This is to point out to contractors the issues that we want fixed before handover.

Mainly, cornices and small bumps in paint work, dots on the skirting boards from carpet laying, finishing of the kitchen splashback (due to extra tiles being ordered), letter box to be installed...

No photos, but obviously we will get them up as soon as we do handover, and there may be, possibly, some happy faces that creep into those shots...

Profile Shots

2010-01-22T12:56:00.004+11:00

1// Profile Shot 1 (Waiting For Walkthrough - Wednesday 27th January 2010)

2// Profile Shot 2

3// Profile Shot 3

4// Profile Shot 4

We Have Mail? Oh And Tanks!

2010-01-22T12:53:00.003+11:00

1// Grey Water System (concerned about the powercord being stretched, are they leaving it like this?)

2// 2x1,000litre Grey Water Tanks

3// We Have Mail?

Some Pics From Last Week

2010-01-22T12:41:00.003+11:00

1// Kitchen & Pendants

2// Bathroom

3// Feature Pendants In Kitchen

4// Kitchen Tiles Need Replacing (my question, will they remove the current tiles and relay or will they just slap tiles in?)

Oh Fencive

2010-01-14T15:42:00.003+11:00

Fences have started going up on the property to our left, we are still organising out back fence. Unfortunatley there will be a wait on the right hand side fence as the owner has his fence money locked into his loan. Yes, thats crap and he should be able to organise to make the payment, but. Somehow we will need to contain our dogs until that time.

1// Nice width for a Basketball court and second driveway

2// Inbetween back two fence posts, trying to get an idea of space

Pendant Lights Installed

2010-01-14T15:37:00.001+11:00

We have contacted the SS today, he is letting us through tonight, so I will take better photos than these ones through the windows. But, our pendants have been installed, and.. I think I like it.

1// Pendants!

2// Pendants!! (2)

Purchases

2010-01-14T14:53:00.002+11:00

During our waiting period over the holidays we have been looking at purchasing a few things for the house, the supplied washing line is galvanised and not very attractive. And we had vouchers for our dishwasher from our wedding (thanks family and friends!?!)

1// Our Preferred Clothesline (the galvanised version offered as part of our package isn't to our asthetic liking)

2// This is the LG Dishwasher that we were barganing for @ Good Guys (Note the final offer tag)

3// We paid approximately $725 for the same model @ Harvey Normans

New Look For Final Stages In 2010

2009-12-31T14:38:00.002+11:00

You'll notice that I've changed the colour palette slightly, still set out the same way. Hope its not too bland for you all. Happy new year anyway.

So 2009 Ends

2009-12-31T13:43:00.002+11:00

Just thought I'd pop out and have a look (knowing nothing would be done due to the holiday period). Funny how you just want to see it again. Been thinking about being in the house more and more over the past few days. Wifey has said that its the limbo period which we've experienced numerous times now from travelling and moving a few times. It still amazes me that we will have such a sweet home.

Always In For A 'Chaise'

2009-12-30T16:10:00.003+11:00

This is the chaise we've got, it links in with the three seater which it will be opposite too and our two seater which will go into the sitting (game) room.

Notice the 'RED' theme will continue in the living room, we haven't bought the ottomans yet but probably will be a couple much the same as the one in the photo or something like that.

Tick .. Tock .. Tick .. Tock ...

2009-12-30T14:47:00.002+11:00

Just thought I'd put a photo of one of the finished Santorini display homes on my blog...

To show how I'm just sitting here, looking at the photos of our journey to where we are now and thinking about the two to three weeks until we will be decorating our own living room.

We purchased a 5 seater chaise which we will put in the living room to bring the seating around to look a little more squarely at the TV, hopefully it will not block the room in because we love the open feeling of the kitchen to living room to dining.. *sigh*.. not too much longer..

Xmas Eve Update

2009-12-23T15:01:00.004+11:00

We went out and peeked through the windows last night..

What we found done (with/without ongoing issues):
+Gas and Cool have been through and installed the heating vents and most of the cooling vents.
+Roof tiles have been water proofed, but there is patches of the original mortar sprinkled over the tiles so it doesnt look finished
+Cleaners have also come through and cleaned up the floor tiles and walls tiles, but the outdoor room still has plaster marks
+Painters have put the final coats on, but the front door is still white on the inside instead of red both sides. But I dont know if they are done as the faceplates to power points and lights have not been put back on
+Bath tiles have been fixed
+HWS is installed and water tanks have arrived

So the place is looking almost done! It is really looking so much tighter now the roof has been waterproofed.

What we found yet to be done:
+But its a little disapointing that they havent cleaned the tiles up of the original mortar, I'm sure they just need to finish up.
+The rangehood needs to be installed along with the retiling of the kitchen splash backs
+Galvanised yard arm isnt going to be installed (we will get our own and sell the one supplied)
+Letterbox colour is going to be changed to black

Other than the issues we've raised before about skirting boards and dining room floor tiles there is nothing that seems to be outstanding from the issues that we've worried about.

Basins, Faucets and Troughs

2009-12-19T08:19:00.001+11:00

The back sliding door was open, I'm guessing from the SS leaving it that way for us to come through? To anycase we ended up closing a few windows that had been left open on our way out anyway.

1// Laundry Trough
2// Kitchen (bit blurry I know, iphone photos)
3// Ensuite Basin
4// Bathroom Basin

Finishing Coats... (2/2)

2009-12-18T16:03:00.003+11:00

6// Garage Sliding Door

7// Beautiful Red Door (this is meant to be both sides, but they have the ceiling colour on the inside, will need to remind them that its red BOTH sides)

8// Electrical Box

9//Ensuite and Bathroom Windows

10// Rumpus Room

Finishing Coats ... (1/2)

2009-12-18T15:57:00.003+11:00

1// Outdoor Room

2// Hot Water Service

3// Garage Door

4// Outdoor Room

5// Bedroom 2, Toilet, Bathroom and Laundry Windows

Peeking Through The Windie.. I see..

2009-12-17T18:19:00.003+11:00

Well its just started to rain here after a couple of days of pure heat... So they have laid the cement as you can see from the last post, and looking through the windows, they have started to do the plumbing, so faucets in the kitchen and bathroom so far! As I pulled up the new kitchen overhead cupboards were being brought in. The SS has advised us that the current ones were too big, hence, the rangehood would be shorter than the cupboards, which is a no go. Meanining, they are pulling out the cupboards and the tiles and its a complete redo, I hope it comes together as well as it did first time (but obviously the correct heights)... P.S The bathroom and kitchen faucets look AWESOME!?!

1// Issues with the roof tiles.. the back righthand side looks perfect compared to the rest.. Waiting on the waterproofing to be satisfied... 2// Peeking through the outdoor room door you can see the cupboards that have just been delivered and on the bench is our oval kitchen faucet... sweeet! 3// If you look through the mud on the window you can see our 'mod' bathroom faucet..

Wet Cement!

2009-12-17T18:18:00.003+11:00

Snuck out to have a look and look whats been done! CEEEMENT HAS BEEN LAID!! ... in the rain?

1// Driveway

2// Basic Pathway to Entrance
3// Beautiful facade, cant wait to see the updowns showing off at night

4// Cement for Water tanks for toilet system (note pizza box to prevent water damage from downpipe)

5// Laundry Pathway (we have been advised that the yard arm they supply is grey, if this is correct we will keep it and sell it and buy on of those ones that go against your fence and pop up in the interest of space saving)

Walkthrough (7/7)

2009-12-16T13:08:00.003+11:00

31// Bedroom 3 Standard Size Robes

32// Laundry

33// More Std Door Furniture

34// Bedroom 3 - our carpet choice has come up spectacular I think

Walkthrough (6/7)

2009-12-16T13:07:00.002+11:00

26// Bathroom Shower

27// Bath Tiling

28// Bathroom Tiles (very happy with how the colours have come together)
29// Bathroom Basin

30// Standard Toilet

Walkthrough (5/7)

2009-12-16T13:06:00.003+11:00

21// Family Room

22// Passageway to Bedroom 3 and Laundry

23// Rumpus

24// Standard Light Cover

25// Bedroom 2 Std Size Robes

Walkthrough (4/7)

2009-12-16T13:05:00.009+11:00

16// Inside Colours of Kitchen Bench

17// Stove and Tiles of Kitchen Bench

18// New Fridge Space has been installed at a price (although this doesnt matter as all the tiles will need to be taken off and re layed when the cupboards are resized)

19// Kitchen Colours (will look so much better when the rangehood and faucets are installed due to silver being the connecting colour)

20// Walk in pantry

Walkthrough (3/7)

2009-12-16T13:05:00.008+11:00

11/ Entrance From Carport

12// Main tile and Kitchen Bench outside colour

13// Standard Door stop and standard door handle

14// Our issue with the skirting boards needs to be raised as yet
15// Kitchen Pantry

Walkthrough (2/7)

2009-12-16T13:03:00.002+11:00

6// Sitting Room

7// Master Bedroom

8// Entrance

9// Recessed Powerpoint and TV connection for Master Bedroom TV

10// Walk in robe

Walkthrough (1/7)

2009-12-16T13:01:00.001+11:00

Okay, we had our walkthrough, a few things still standing out that are not done yet:

Plumbing to toilets/basins/kitchen/laundry
Aircondition and Heating vents
Cement (driveway, laundry and watertanks)
Kitchen cupboards need to be replaced as they are the wrong size, hence rangehood not installed
Final paint
1 or 2 downlights
Room tiles need water proofing
Raised tile or two in dining room

But enough of what has not been done, check out what HAS been done!

1// Our Bathroom/Ensuite Benchtop - you can 'just' see the checkers

2// Sweet modern square recessed basins in bathroom and ensuite

3// Ensuite Shower with red pinstripe to make it go faster

3// Ensuite

4// Floor tile and cupboard kicker combo

I like shower frames, mirrors & stoves

2009-12-10T10:09:00.002+11:00

Just a quick blog for now, wifey and I went through last night and saw that alot had been done.

The soil from the cutting in has been evened out along the sides and in our outdoor room and the dunny had been moved due to an 'issue' i belive. So the front has been evened out too.

Roof tiles appear to have been remortared, but still appear terrible.

Bathroom fittings have been installed including toilets, mirror and shower frames.

98.7% of the electrical work has been done, just a few downlights left, maybe a plug cover, rangehood was about to be installed.

However, there is no air conditioner vents or heating vents been cutt in at this stage.. not sure why that hasnt been completed?

Stove is in, and looking sexy, makes the kitchen come together now with the colours, much the same as the bathroom as the bath has been placed back in and you can see the colours coming together.

Okay, enough blabber, I'll be putting the photos of all of the above on tonight....

Progress Report

2009-12-09T09:00:00.003+11:00

Was going to organise to meet SS out on block on Wednesday as we had started to get a regular meeting time happening.

However, he has advised that he believes his contractors will have carpet, basins, taps and showers completed on Thursday.

In the interest of not having built up hopes being dashed we have organised to meet him on the following Monday.

It seems that we he means Thursday, it doesn't mean Thursday, it means in the next week. So this will give them a little more time.

Wife and I are a little concerned about a few issues:

- Roof tiles have been installed with a grey mortar and seem to be being painted over, it appears harsh and unattractive (...so far)
- A number of floor tiles in the dining room appear to be raised
- Skirting boards seem to be excessively bowed
- Wrong letter box colour arrived (part of the package)
- Wrong yard arm has arrived (part of the package)
- Fridge cupboard which we had added after initial meeting with SS and not installed when benches and cupboards were installed have not been adjusted and fitted

SS still believes he has a chance for pre xmas, I can't believe that that would be possible in the current unpresentable state that it is in. I guess we will have a better idea on Monday 14th December 2009 (8 working days from xmas).

He also stated that they only stop working for the 4 days of xmas but we have since been advised by the office that he is away until the 11th January 2010. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that he is taking time off for xmas, OR that we want our house NOW. I'm angry that we are being sold 'pork pies' instead of holesome truthful shephards pie.,,

Electrical & Garage Door (2/2)

2009-12-04T10:01:00.002+11:00

1// Our Dining Feature Chanderlier (minus glass) and 2x Battons for where our Kitchen features will sit
2// Cement path for the yard arm coming from the laundry door
3// Current Facial Facade

Electrical & Garage Door (1/2)

2009-12-04T09:56:00.002+11:00

1// Garage Roller Door
2// Laundy Side Floods
3// Second drive and basketball court floods
4// One of our 3 front facade up/down lights which should look awesome at night

5// The other 2 up/down lights evenly spaced across the facade

Dining Room Pendant

2009-11-30T16:35:00.002+11:00

Just had a call from the electrician wanting to meet us onsite tomorrow with our large pendant (as pictured below) and our features for over the kitchen bench.

Running to bunnings tonight to grab an outside spotlight...

1// Illusion 2 Tier Chandalier

Win! Go To The Top Of The Tile! (3/3)

2009-11-29T19:31:00.003+11:00

Okay, last set of tiles photos.

Now, our SS has advised that all fittings should be arriving this week, which includes the basins, faucets, shower cavities, oven, rangehood, etc. He said he is expecting these to be installed by the end of the week so that the plumbers will go in next week, followed by finishing the paint works, electrical works and we should have our first inspection completed.

We should know by the 11th of December 2009 if we will be in before xmas!!

1// Bathroom I
2// Bathroom Shower
3// Bathroom II
4// Bathroom III

Win! Go To The Top Of The Tile! (2/3)

2009-11-29T19:29:00.002+11:00

1// Pantry
2// Kitchen Splash
3// Dining Room (sorry about the darkness of the shot, better ones later)
4// Laundry (once again sorry about darkness)
5// Toilet Suite

Win! Go To The Top Of The Tile! (1/3)

2009-11-29T19:26:00.004+11:00

Well, I'm hoping it was okay for us to go through the property on Friday..

Here are the iphone photo's we took, tiles are down, and looking pretty dang good..

Whats everyone's point of view on our choices?

1// Entrance Tiles
2// Ensuite Floor Tiles
3// Ensuite Shower
4// Entrance From Garage
5// Living Room

Tile Me Down!

2009-11-24T16:44:00.003+11:00

I poked my head in and noticed that theyve started laying tiles! Woohoo!

Rang up the SS and organised to meet him out there tomorrow to have a meeting and see where we're at!

Cement Ya! - An' Throw Ya In The River!

2009-11-24T16:40:00.003+11:00

1// Driveway

2// Front Portico

3// Entrance Pathway

4// Laundry To Clothes Line (Note that we've had to have a 'jut out' where the hot water service sits)

5// Toilet Water Storage

Bathroom, Ensuite and Laundry

2009-11-24T16:36:00.003+11:00

I'll need to take some actual photos of these cabinets because you cant see the texture of the bench tops which we REALLY love. The only other thing is that obviously they are dusty and what not so they dont appear as 'sexy' as they should just yet.

1// Laundry Bench (yes, thats all we've put in - its just 1 1/2 cupboard space)

2// Bathroom Cabinet

3// Ensuite Cabinet

Kitchen Installed

2009-11-24T16:30:00.002+11:00

Hey Everyone!

Been too long between drinks I know, but here is a splash of Iphone photos from different periods during the 'blackspot' between blogs.

These photos were taken straight after their installation.
1// Inside Floating Bench Colours

2// Fridge Space (There has been a mix up, we had added a fridge space but they haven't installed it. There is now a dispute about the over hang of the bench and the fridge space)

3// Inside Large Drawers (we are planning on buying dividers from IKEA that will make use of these drawers for pots, pans and dishes)

4// Outside Floating Bench Overview

More photos coming, we're meeting with the SS tomorrow afternoon so we will have 'actual' photos shots rather than the murky iphone shots so you can see some more detail in the colours etc.

Finishing Corners

2009-11-10T10:50:00.002+11:00

A few pic's I took with the Iphone probably about 2 weeks ago now, time does get away. We haven't been out to the block for a little due to illness and what not.

So in these pics, the cornices are done and roof and plaster is pretty much completed, I'll be uploading some more photos in the next couple of days of the doors that have been installed including our front door.

Also this week we will be going through to look at the kitchen cupboards, laundry, bathroom and ensuite basins and cupboards and to have a catch up with the SS. So hopefully more info then.

We have been advised that we will be pushing for a pre-xmas completion date.

1// Rumpus (cannot WAIT to see those beautiful shutters in there)

2// Kitchen

3// Passage to bedroom, laundry, etc

4// Bedroom 2

5// Bathroom

Higher Res Plaster (5/5)

2009-10-26T08:20:00.007+11:00

1// Current Frontage

2// Finished Brick

3// Bedroom 2 Robe

4// Plasterers Finishing Up

5// Down Pipes Are In

So, this week is a short one in Bendigo due to the local Bendigo Cup on Wednesday.

However, we've been advised that the kitchen and cupboards throughout the property will start going in this week along with the architraves which has been delivered and doors.

I guess this will get it ready for a paint.

Then I'm guessing tiles, fittings then carpet. Bang! We're In!

Higher Res Plaster (4/5)

2009-10-26T08:19:00.003+11:00

1// Bath

2// Laundry

3// Bedroom 2

4// Bathroom Shower Base

5// Toilet

Higher Res Plaster (3/5)

2009-10-26T08:18:00.009+11:00

1// Rumpus

2// Kitchen & Living Room (I Attempted To Join Photos)

3// Bedroom 3

4// Bedroom 3 Robes

5// Passage

Higher Res Plaster (2/5)

2009-10-26T08:18:00.007+11:00

1// Sitting Room

2// Walk Through From Garage (with Walk In Linen)

3// Walk In Linen

4// Entrance & Passage

5// Kitchen

Higher Res Plaster (1/5)

2009-10-26T08:13:00.006+11:00

As promised, photos of the plastered works in a higher res from an actual camera, the plasterers must have gone through on Friday and completed most of the jointing.

1// Walk In Robe

2// Master Bedroom

3// Sitting Room

4// Ensuite

5// Master Bedroom Again

We Got Plastered This Week (4/4)

2009-10-23T08:43:00.003+11:00

Right, so thats the photos for now. We've been advised that the plasterers will be done today and the carpenters will go in at the start of the next week, kitchen will go in next week (expecting it to be done by half way through the week after). From then, I guess laundry and bathrooms. Then tiles? Painting?
1// Carport Entrance

2// Carport

3// Finished Brick

We Got Plastered This Week (3/4)

2009-10-23T08:42:00.005+11:00

1// Master Bedroom (its hard to show the space in here...)

2// Shutter space leading to the laundry bathroom, toilet and bedrooms 2 & 3

3// Toilet

4// Bathroom

5// Shutter space between the living room and rumpus (.. I cant wait to see the shutters, so sweet)

We Got Plastered This Week (2/4)

2009-10-23T08:42:00.004+11:00

Apologies, I think I've mixed the photos up, and because I'll have new ones on the weekend I'm not going to sort them. And thats that.

1// Pantry

2// Kitchen Cavity

3// Dining Room

4// Sitting Room

5// Ensuite Bathroom

We Got Plastered This Week (1/4)

2009-10-23T08:40:00.003+11:00

I did my usual Thursday excursion and forgot the camera again, so we're going to have to put up with iphone photos until the weekend comes along.

1// Ensuite and Walk In Robe

2// Passage To Living Room

3// Living Room

4// Walk In Robe

5// Phone Connection

Master Bedroom

2009-10-19T11:02:00.004+11:00

Kicking around idea's for the master bedroom, we aren't wanting to spend much on a new bed package as we'll obviously upgrade later. As per everything I guess when it comes to it, but we're being cheap about the package anyway, but will spend a little on the mattress.

Below are three packages and an idea for storage for under the wall mounted TV.
1// Wall Mounted Dropdown Cupboard (really sleek when you see them on the wall, perfect for holding the DVD's and a bit of bedroom fandangle)

2// Bedroom Set 1 (I think this is MY favourite because of the head piece, wife isnt so sold as its so low and has the shelf all the way around)

3// Bedroom Set 2 (I'm not really sold on the frosted white glass tops, but the wife likes it)

4// Bedroom Set 3 (I 'like' it but don't know about my feelings towards the leather head piece)

Entrance & Passage

2009-10-19T10:06:00.003+11:00

When we we're checking out the display homes, you really realise how much an extrance either grabs you by the short and hairy bits and just gives you a biff with a soggy wet trout. Your opinion of the house/home is 70% decided within moments.

So I'm sold on the entrance way having a sideboard with accoutrements such as large vase, mobiles stand and a bowl for your keys. Everyone should have a bowl for your keys, otherwise how do you know where your keys are??

Now we're thinking in time we would put a funky wall paper on the entrance wall or maybe a feature wall on the left handside as you walk in, the entrance way has our bedroom double door on the right and the open games room on the right.

1// Sideboard One (small drawer space and not really sold on the legs)

2// Sideboard Two (we would be able to use it as an actual sideboard with attractive glassware and kitchen pieces)

3// Sideboard Three (maybe a little plain and short?)

4// Large Wide Entrance Mirror (no entrance is complete without a huge mirror to 'check yo self' on the way out or in)

Hobby Room Ideas

2009-10-19T09:49:00.011+11:00

In Bedroom 3, we're planning on setting up a hobby room for my wife, she makes bags of all sizes and has now started getting into plush toys and a little bit of clothes.

So here is a few idea's we picked up for setting her up in there. All of the furniture pieces come in same range of colours (glossy white, black or red) and are interchangeable.

1// Desk Idea 1/2 (the advantage here is more table top space)

2// Desk Idea 2/2 (the advantage here is extra drawer space)

3// Bookcase (also comes in 3 and 4 rows and different amounts of columns)

4// Cupboard Inset (this is where it get ingenious, you can add these to any the open spaces)

5// Drawer Inset (the insets come in the aforementioned glossy white, red and black)

With this in mind we'd probably setup a basic white table for her to be able setup her works, and leave the desk area for her laptop and other bits and pieces. This would mean the room would have a desk possibly two or our click clack futon couch and a bookcase. We'd possibly would setup a pinboard, white board for her to plan out what she is making and make that the feature wall.

1st Brick Wash (3/3)

2009-10-18T08:51:00.007+11:00

This week we've been advised that the plaster work will be completed by the Friday (ish, I'd suggest) and that painters would then go in to paint. The insets would be first I'd guess, so over the windows, the portico, the outdoor room and the carport in monument colour the same as the gutters.

From then the carpenters are due in to complete the kitchen by the end of the month and then I guess on to the ensuite, bathroom and laundry.

From there, I don't know? Maybe tiling...?

1// Front (note there is some patches that still appear white at this stage)

2// Finished Brick Appearance

3// Frontage (Sitting Room Windows)

1st Brick Wash (2/3)

2009-10-18T08:48:00.002+11:00

So all the bricking has been completed and inset have been installed in the windows..

1// Excess soil, backyard looks tiny while this mound is there, we need to ask our SS to spread this down either side of the property rather than in the outdoor room as we will be cementing immediately after handover

2// Our neighbours have gone SO close to the fence line, the actual line is about 5 inches on the otherside of the drainage ditch.

2// Living Room and Master Ensuite windows

3// Frontage (Master Bedroom Windows)

4// Carport

1st Brick Wash (1/3)

2009-10-18T08:45:00.003+11:00

The bricks had also been cleaned, it appeared that they may have been there only minutes before we arrived, in some sections the mortar seems to be still white. Possibly this is from the wash and will have changed by the time we look again.

The mortar has come up darker than expected, however it was still wet. So we'll see next week when we get out there again.
1// Bedroom 2, Toilet, Bathroom and Laundry windows

2, 3, 4// Bedroom 3 and Rumpus Windows including Outdoor Room

5// This will be the second driveway and basketball court (appears small but is 5m wide to the fence line)

Insulation Installation (2/2)

2009-10-18T08:40:00.002+11:00

As you are no doubt noticing, I've finally taken photos with an actual camera, so they are much bigger, though some are under exposed.
1// Master Bedroom

2// Walk in Robe with more insulation

3// Sitting Room

Insulation Installation (1/2)

2009-10-18T08:34:00.003+11:00

We popped into the block just on the off chance that 'something' may have been done, and, to our suprise once again some more has been done.

Insulation has been installed on the outter walls, and strangely enough the rooms that we had concerns of being smaller than we expected appear to be the size we expected now that the insulation is in. As if you eyes can better see the space, strange hey.

1// Kitchen looking through to Bedroom 2

2// Passage way look through to Bathroom

3// Bedroom 3

4// Living Room

5// Rumpus

A Chamois To Far

2009-10-14T13:31:00.002+11:00

We've been advised that it would take us an extra month at least to get our desired 'Chamois' colour for the lower cupboard doors in the kitchen.

These are the offered 'closest too' colours, I think I'd be happy with the 'Paper Bark'. I mean they are as close to the finger nail as one could get. So I won't be fazed. See what the 'misses' thinks...

Locked Out

2009-10-14T09:06:00.002+11:00

We've been bricked, which means the follow for the end of the month:

Infills go in today (14/10)
Plaster starts thursday (15/10)
Bricks get washed monday (19/10)
Kitchen should be completed by (30/10)
Painting starting at the begining of November

Belated Bricking Photo's

2009-10-12T08:53:00.002+11:00

Here is just three quick photo's taken late on Thursday night, I've since been out with one of our actual camera's and taken some shots.

All the bricking appears to be done except the top right hand corner of the facade and the pillars and maybe some carport bricking. Other than that the bricks are bricked!

Going through over the weekend they've prepared the frame and walls for plaster work so that should start this week along with the shower bases have been installed.

Heading Out There Tonight!?!

2009-10-08T11:23:00.003+11:00

We headed out late last night and it was too dark for photos, so we'll be heading out there tonight to take some photos and go inside for possibly the last time.

Temp doors are on but they were open last night, hopefully they wont lock them tonight.

Bath had been installed too and the shower bases looked like they were next, starting to really feel the size of the rooms now.

Next door has got their weather wrapping up and it feels a little tighter down our second driveway where I am planning on putting down a tar basketball court setup for my basketball ring. Concerned that there won't be enough room, so hoping it was just that it was dark.

Also, the tree's at the back of the property have been felled by developers so really feeling like everything is closing in on our little oasis.

To anycase, photo's will abound tomorrow.

Brick Mortar

2009-10-07T12:23:00.004+11:00

Well...

Ends out that the mortar has been done in rolled and not raked.

Had a conversation with our SS who is getting back to us with some idea's of something they can do in lieu of the tiny hiccup. He was really really good about it and I must admit I feel bad for causing a huff. But as my wife has noted, its not like buying a $30 cake, its a $300,000 home.

So I guess some things are worth fighting for?

To anycase, I think the brickies are well on their way to being done and our SS advised that plaster would start going up on Friday/Monday and we'd be locked out next week sometime.

I have to say that the work they are doing is fantastic, they're going like a bull at a gate and are being very understanding and professional I can't say enough for them.

Raked n Rolled

2009-10-05T11:43:00.007+11:00

We have had our first little slip up, for some reason after our Studio M consulation it was put down that we wanted our brick mortar to be 'Rolled'. Noticing this when we met out SS, we changed it to 'Raked'.

As the Brickies have been onsite for half a week now, the bricks unfortunately have been 'Rolled'.

Its a mess up, but I think we'll just let it ride, theres no cost difference and we don't want to muck them about on such a small issue.

1// With Raking the mortar is racked out deeper, showing off the brick more

2// As you can see, the mortar is rounded before the brick is placed, squashing the mortar out

3// Our bricks are 'Homestead Tan' from the Austral standard range

4// As you can see they are blasting their way through! We've been advised the bricks should be done by the end of the week and we may be locked out

Hey, Get Bricked!

2009-10-01T19:05:00.003+10:00

We went out and had a look see at the bricks, I think this much work has taken 2 days, so should be finished by say Thursday next week at this rate?

There is a small concern that the mortar is not what we planned, we wanted 'Racked' and it appears to be 'Rolled'. Not that we are brickies at all! We'll give the SS a call tomorrow arvo to check it up.

1// The Usual Front Shot

2// Right Hand Side (BR1, Toilet, Bathroom, Laundry)

3// Carport

4// Ensuite Bath and Shower Bases

5// Heating Unit

Photos Of The Wrap 3/3

2009-09-23T19:37:00.003+10:00

Since taking these shots the roof tiles have gone up and the sparky has been all the way through and setup for the power points etc. So next step will be plaster works, I guess. Oh and soon as the rain and wind stops roaming around the bricks will be done.

1// Extra Tile Supplies

2// Hole in the roof

3// Rear shot of the house

4// New addition to the family 'Coco' (left) taking 'Jax' (right) for a walk

5// Solar hot water panels (there is now an antenna installed since the sparky has been)

Photo Of The Wrap 2/3

2009-09-23T19:35:00.002+10:00

1// Kitchen with (front left to right) Bedroom 3, Laundry, Bathroom, Toilet, Bedroom 2

3// Unfortunately ALOT of the tiles came broken, for the weekend there was a large gap

4// One of the piles of broken tiles

5// Second pile of broken tiles

5// Third pile of broken tiles

Photo of the Wrap 1/3

2009-09-23T19:29:00.003+10:00

Thought I'd give you all a few photos of our wrapped house, obviously youve seen the framed rooms before so I've tried to keep it quick.

1// Front Entrance

2// Sitting Room

3// Master Bedroom

4// Ensuite, Walk In Robe and Family Room Behind

5// Rumpus

Its In The Bag Baby!

2009-09-21T11:55:00.003+10:00

SS has advised us that now the house is bagged they will start the electrical and plasterwork inside and they have organised a bricky team to start sometime this week!

So expecting the place to be pretty much bricked by the end of this week, start of next!

....More photos to come of the roof, we had ALOT of broken tiles so there has been a gap in our roof for the weekend, solar panels are up and plumbing is done except for the A/C unit being installed.

Light Fittings

2009-09-21T11:45:00.004+10:00

We've just had a consultation with our electrician, working out if we need to change anything, we've actually added a handful of things (of which I hope we can afford). I guess that spending the money now will save us in the long run.

Here is a few of the pendants and feature lights we are thinking about putting up, all depends on what we find on our trip to Melbourne this weekend, seeing if we can find a bargin or three. Also wanting some up and down external lights.

1// Dinning Table Chandelier

2// Kitchen Floating Bench Top (maybe this or pic 4?)

3// Master Bedroom or Entrance Way

4// Kitchen Floating Bench Top

...With A Roof Over Our Head

2009-09-16T16:33:00.000+10:00

As you can see, as we were told, the roof tiles would be on by the end of this week!

There they is!

Bricks are the only things left on the site to go on, so I'm guessing bricking will start late this week, start of next week and plaster and bagging at the same time? Or bagging first? I don't know?

...might give the SS a quick bell this Friday... very exciting!

Gutters Are Up!

2009-09-10T19:23:00.004+10:00

I know I only posted earlier today, but wifey went out and saw that not only are the windows and roof trussess done, but the guttering is up! So I guess the roof tiles are due up tomorrow or Monday.

1// Front Door

2// Passage to Bedrooms

3// Kitchen

4// Rumpus through to Living Room

I must admit I'm a little funny about the ceiling height, we didnt raise them, and I'm feeling remorse. But.. we just didnt budget for it and I know I'm over reacting, I mean the plaster isnt even up.

To anycase, its going up so FAST!

I Trussess, The Windows and Porch Are Complete?

2009-09-10T08:47:00.004+10:00

On the way home from getting my black cracked (having pretty bad back troubles atm) I drove by the block and took two photo's.

I'll post more when I head out there again with the Miss' for a proper look.

Maybe by then there might be some roof tiles?

Keeping An Eye On Our Surrounds

2009-09-06T10:58:00.003+10:00

1// View From Our Back Mound

We've started to keep an eye on the development happening around the block, there is a huge amount of working being done in the area we're in.

I can see the amount of houses around us double, triple, etc within the next 6 - 12 months. Its going to turn into a thriving suburban hell. Lol.

So What Happens Now..

2009-09-06T10:55:00.005+10:00

Okay, so the frame has been finished, bricks have since arrived and roof tiles are on their way this week. Windows are there and trusses are ready and raring. This week should be huge!

It will be amazing to see what happens by this time next week!

5// Outdoor room is really spacious

4// Rumpus Room Windows

3// View From Foothpath 2

2// Entry Way

1// View From Front Footpath

We've Been Framed I Tells Ya! (5/5)

2009-09-06T10:54:00.005+10:00

3// Bedroom 2 Robe

2// Bedroom 2

1// Toilet Suite

We've Been Framed I Tells Ya! (4/5)

2009-09-06T10:52:00.003+10:00

4// Bathroom

3// Laundry with sliding door

2// Bedroom 3 Robe

1// View From Bedroom 3

We've Been Framed I Tells Ya! (3/5)

2009-09-06T10:51:00.003+10:00

4// Bedroom 3 continued...

3// Bedroom 3 (hard to take a photo that presents the size, but this feels huge)

2// Outdoor Room we will be cementing this area and go out on both side about 2.5 metres with outdoor tiling

1// Rumpus Room with massive window spaces

We've Been Framed I Tells Ya! (2/5)

2009-09-06T10:49:00.003+10:00

Remember, start at the bottom and go up..

4// Dining Space - Once again, dwalf wall has now been installed

3// Rumpus - The dwalf walls have been finished since taking this photo

2// Lounge Room with two large windows

1// Kitchen - Pipes are the drainage from the kitchen bench floating there with the oven and stove on the wall behind

We've Been Framed I Tells Ya! (1/5)

2009-09-06T10:26:00.005+10:00

As promised, we've taken some photos of the frame that has been put up, our carpenter had a week off due to personal troubles. Hence the week of radio silence. So all good.

Anyway, you'll note the photos will start from the bottom and go upwards, so keep that in mind as the photos do flow from room to room through the house.

4// Ensuite on the left, Walk in robe on the right

3// Master Bedroom

2// Sitting Room

1// Entry Passage from Carport to Entry Way

Promises..

2009-09-02T08:45:00.000+10:00

Heading out this Thursday and will hopefully return with some news.

Everything has gone quiet huh.

Windows Without A Frame

2009-08-31T09:50:00.002+10:00

At the moment we seem to have hit a snag, and I'm not sure it comes down to the weather or contractors.

The only movement on the block for the past two weeks has been the soil being pushed back up against the slab to prevent any earth or slab movement and the arrival of the before posted frame wood and now our glass and window frames have arrived.

I'm a touch concerned that they have been left out in the open for the weekend with the potential hail weather being predicted.

We will wait until Wednesday to give the SS a call if we haven't seen anything by Tuesday.

..hoping its just a hickup with weather or another site running OT

Check Up!

2009-08-27T11:19:00.002+10:00

Nothing to report as yet, as we haven't been out to the block.

So... I think tonight might be the night, we might 'mosey' on out there and have a 'geezer' and see what progress there is.

..Hopefully lots!?!

Plantation Shutter Plans

2009-08-24T14:34:00.005+10:00

1 // This is probably the colour we're looking at, but not remote controlled obviously

2 // This is probably the length of each set. We've got two (one connects the rumpus and lounge rooms and one connecting the dining and passage to the bedrooms)

3 // Just another shot showing what they look like in larger portions.

The display homes showed off the idea of plantation shutters so much that it was one of the reasons we chose the plan we did. We really like how you can make a feature out of them and they seem to bring another dimension to the house.

I think its mainly because we are really into entertaining, the idea of being able to open them out so the rooms feel bigger, yet if we're watching a movie in the rumpus we can close it up and seperate the rooms as if they room normal walls.

Semi Recessed Basin's

2009-08-24T14:22:00.004+10:00

We've decided on 'Semi Recessed' square bathroom basins, they will be placed like these photos on a double door cupboard with mocha doors and a mesh style bench top (refer to colours).

My questions are,

1. Will there be enough room for my wifes mountains of bathroom 'stuff'?
2. Its been noted by some more 'experienced' cleaners that there maybe an issue with cleaning them because they are square?
3. How awesome do they look?!

Frame Plans

2009-08-23T20:01:00.003+10:00

Had a call from our SS, who said everything is coming along nicely.

Carpenter is scheduled to start on Monday, so should see some movement this week.

Appreciated the contact though, M3tricon have been more than helpful and focused so far.

Impressed.

Should have some photos this week then..

Bedroom Colours

2009-08-20T11:55:00.004+10:00

1// We've looked at a wallpaper that is a lot like the art work on the wall, I love the depth of colour splashed with silvery grey tones with a hint gold and texture

2// The more I look at the colours here the more I love it, the green fuzed with the purple bounces off the dark furniture. Seems calming and wise, but youthful and aware of itself.

3// Same tones that seem to be flowing through the house... maybe a little too the same

All these photos are just colour pallettes and thoughts.

Living Area Colours

2009-08-20T11:14:00.005+10:00

1// Thinking that this might be a colour pallette I'd be interested in getting in our sitting room, the room is probably only a 3rd of this room. But with roman blinds, we have black couches currently so I think with my gaming fandangle we might be able put something along these lines together.

2// This room is probably the size of the sitting room as per pic 1. But I'm thinking a deeper, warmer green might go nicely in our Rumpus room. Due to the size of the windows we've decided on a greyish dark designed roman blind which would go nice with some earthy green.

3// Another idea towards the rumpus room, bit deeper, the only difference will the colour of our wood shutters will be a darker stain, almost black even.

4// Loving the lights and wood shutters, the shutters are probably what we are aiming at.

Its Raining...

2009-08-20T10:36:00.005+10:00

Went out to the plot on Wednesday for some reason, couldn't really help myself, obviously nothing more has been done but its turned into some sort of obsession.

Like when you were a kid and you got something in the mail and the excitement of seeing what it was...

So no photos or anything to show, the wifey has decided that she is being left out so she wants to check it out tonight but I doubt there will be any developments due to the weather today.

Watching For A Frame

2009-08-19T08:57:00.002+10:00

After gym I just couldn't help myself last night, I just had to go and have a look if anything else had changed, and true to our SS's word. More work has been done, prep has been done to the slab readying it for the frame and some of the frame has been delivered.

Fantastic work, I'm impressed with the proactive work by these boys so far. Very nice.

Alittle scarey how exciting its become, hopefully be able to reign in a bit and leave it go for a week or so and come back and be blown away. See how we go.

Colour Selections

2009-08-19T08:51:00.004+10:00

Some of the textures samples don't show, but it gives you an idea of our selections. I cropped our kitchen bench top sample so you can see atleast a little bit of the wood finish.

Lay of the Slab

2009-08-17T16:21:00.004+10:00

1// Entertaining area just needs a seat and an esky full of beers!

2// Welcome to the 'Casa De Monkey'

3// You can see the step down to the carport..

So there it is, step one, the bottle neck is completed, and now we can have multiple contractors doing their thing all at the same time. We're expecting the frame to be up in the next week or so and bricks to be on their way up by the end of August.

Just as a side note, these photo's that I'm blogging are from my phone, hence the quality. Hopefully later I'll put some of the camera photo's up, especially when we start getting to the lock up stage.

The Santorini 26

2009-08-17T16:10:00.002+10:00

This isn't our actual plan, we've changed maybe only a sliding door in the pantry and thats about it.

Everyone loves a waffle .. pad

2009-08-17T16:05:00.004+10:00

Waffle pads are set and ready for cementing, finally starting to settle in and realise that this is all really about to happen.

We had only started this journey in April and its currently August... our building supervisor has advised us that we should be in before xmas.. Imagine that.. our big christmas tree in our big home.

The Cut of the Land

2009-08-17T16:01:00.003+10:00

After some 'trouble' with the banks, waiting almost 2 months for a confirmed commitment from the bank. Nothing against the banks as they were extremely helpful, our broker was fantastic and was always in touch. Even the real estate agent was terrific, keeping in touch with us as well as the broker.

So now our land was cut ready for a slab.

Removal Of Stumps

2009-08-17T15:55:00.003+10:00

With some extraordinary help of friends and family we were able to chop the tree's down to stumps, I do have some more photo's of us actually do the work but I think this is enough to tell the story.

After we go it down to stumps we were able to get the stumps removed and the land cleaned up ready for the cut.

Entering the Home Building Experience

2009-08-17T15:24:00.005+10:00

1// Us looking at our plot, about to lop the 13 tree's

2// You can see the slight trench that runs around our 860m2 lot, gives you an idea of the amount tree we needed to get rid of.

Well, where do you start? It was strange, my wife and I were just sitting down having tea and she'd been off with friends talking about houses and building.

We knew that after travelling we would need to get into jobs as soon as we could, get some money saved and started building as soon as possible. But it's strange how it just all seemed to come like a waterfall.

We just talked about it for 5 minutes at our kitchen table and it felt like, 'pop', appeared a broker who took 5 minutes to explain the in's and out's of what we would need to do.

Then, 'pop', the broker turned into our real estate agent who gave us a 5 minute run down of what we would be looking at. Meeting him on some land I think it took us maybe 15 minutes to decide on the plot.

A bit of a 5 minutes montage of advertising and display homes, maybe a few decisions on what not and we were signing on the design of home with the sales rep for Metricon.

So the decision process to build a home that possibly would be our 'families life home' took us approximately 35minutes.