We had our final inspection with the builder tonight. We had been looking through the place as things went on so if we saw something major - which I don't think we ever did - we were able to mention in. The builder was very concious of the "little things" and had very high standards so we hardly ever had to say anything to him. We were mainly reminding him about things we had chosen. Tonight we just picked out a few areas of painting that needed to be touched up. The builder said he had noticed those himself and had asked the painter to redo some of the problems. They weren't really problems, the work just was at 80% and we wanted 100%.
The only problem we had was the gas company, who, after 4 months, haven't been able to organise the installation of our gas!! They are FINALLY coming tomorrow so the gas guy can finish the hotplate and gas meter. The little bits will be fixed tomorrow.
One last giggle... the driveway came in at $2000 over budget!!! They needed more concrete than expected, and we had the colouring added to make it a dark grey. Expensive, but worth it I think.
We officially take over on Wednesday 26th November, however, we don't have a big mover until this Friday as we had trouble getting someone. So, we'll put in the smaller boxes of bits and pieces, kitchen items, clothes and unpack a lot of boxes then do the big stuff on Friday.
So, for now... it's all finished.... well, maybe not... the pool is supposed to be starting this week!!!
I'll post some pics of the house with our furniture.....
I hope you enjoyed our blog..... we enjoy looking back at the transition....
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
99% done... part 2....
The driveway. The garage doors are in Dune.
The 2nd built in robe has shelving.....
Master walk in robe has double short hanging space and long hanging space.
The heated towel rail will be delicious in winter!
The vanity is a Yarra with a monaco grande top. I liked a single sink so there is lots of bench space. The mirrored cupboard built over head has tons of storage so things can stand up instead of rolling around in a drawer. The shower screen is fully frameless.
The windows of the main bathroom with new carpet!
The front door and master bedroom doors
Another one of the kitchen. The splashback is glass.. which we are disappointed in. It does look boring! Boring cost us about $700 or $800! (boo)
More alfresco doors!
The corinthian door handle. Love it.
The hallway the joins the minor bedrooms, laundry and toilet.
Love the greys of the laundry. It would of looked great in the kitchen, but we were "scared" of a colour too dark in case it didn't look good. But it did!
The 2nd built in robe has shelving.....
Master walk in robe has double short hanging space and long hanging space.
The heated towel rail will be delicious in winter!
The vanity is a Yarra with a monaco grande top. I liked a single sink so there is lots of bench space. The mirrored cupboard built over head has tons of storage so things can stand up instead of rolling around in a drawer. The shower screen is fully frameless.
The windows of the main bathroom with new carpet!
The front door and master bedroom doors
Another one of the kitchen. The splashback is glass.. which we are disappointed in. It does look boring! Boring cost us about $700 or $800! (boo)
More alfresco doors!
The corinthian door handle. Love it.
The hallway the joins the minor bedrooms, laundry and toilet.
Love the greys of the laundry. It would of looked great in the kitchen, but we were "scared" of a colour too dark in case it didn't look good. But it did!
99% done!!!
All the hard work has been done... it is just the cleaning now as you can see in some of our pictures.......
This is the main bathroom. The mirror is a bevelled edge one... I thought they looked nicer than a plain one. The bath is about 1600 or 1700 - I can't remember. I did "test drive" it at the plumbing store to see what it was like!!
The vanity is a Marquis in coco....... The tapware Scala....
The toilet is a Porcher...... all porcelain... can't remember the model.
This is the view of the kitchen as you come out of the minor bedroom hallway.
The view to the casual dining area. In front of the alfresco cedar doors is the family room.
I swore I would never have a house where you could see through to the back from the front door and this is what I have got!
The kitchen... in Mountain Pepper, with Qantum Quartz.
The view from the rumpus room at the back. The decking will be extended out when we have the pool finished so we can get the size of the deck right. The window looks straight through to the casual eating area opposite the kitchen.
The view from the back rumpus room to the kitchen.
The view from the left side of the kitchen through to the family room and lastly the rumpus room. (Why do they call it a rumpus room anyhow?!)
The kitchen with the Blanco 750 oven... the cook top has not been put in yet.... I did say 99% finished. The sink is Oliveri and the tapware, Scala.
The coloured concrete looks great..
The windows on the right are the master bedroom windows
This is the main bathroom. The mirror is a bevelled edge one... I thought they looked nicer than a plain one. The bath is about 1600 or 1700 - I can't remember. I did "test drive" it at the plumbing store to see what it was like!!
The vanity is a Marquis in coco....... The tapware Scala....
The toilet is a Porcher...... all porcelain... can't remember the model.
This is the view of the kitchen as you come out of the minor bedroom hallway.
The view to the casual dining area. In front of the alfresco cedar doors is the family room.
I swore I would never have a house where you could see through to the back from the front door and this is what I have got!
The kitchen... in Mountain Pepper, with Qantum Quartz.
The view from the rumpus room at the back. The decking will be extended out when we have the pool finished so we can get the size of the deck right. The window looks straight through to the casual eating area opposite the kitchen.
The view from the back rumpus room to the kitchen.
The view from the left side of the kitchen through to the family room and lastly the rumpus room. (Why do they call it a rumpus room anyhow?!)
The kitchen with the Blanco 750 oven... the cook top has not been put in yet.... I did say 99% finished. The sink is Oliveri and the tapware, Scala.
The coloured concrete looks great..
The windows on the right are the master bedroom windows
Sunday, November 16, 2008
1 toilet is in!
The walk in robes shelving and pantry shelving have been installed. The laundry shelving is done too, as well as the two large sliding doors.
The plumber has taken off the doors to the vanity - he's obviously ready to install the plumbing.
The driveway has been resealed to get rid of the "white patches".
We virtually just have the shower screens, the other toilet, carpet, appliances and powerpoints/light switches.
The plumber has taken off the doors to the vanity - he's obviously ready to install the plumbing.
The driveway has been resealed to get rid of the "white patches".
We virtually just have the shower screens, the other toilet, carpet, appliances and powerpoints/light switches.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Painting is nearly done
Only about 2 to 3 weeks to go now before handover.
The painter is still madly painting and should be ready this week. The electrician will be back this week to put in the downlights, batten lights, light switches and power points. The airconditioning/heating man should be back to install the ducts.
We saw the builder the other night and said we felt the ensuite vanity was too close to the wall as the drawers slightly scraped across the wall. The builder was very concillatory and agreed that it wasn't perfect so he will change it.
All that appears to need doing is the timber decking in the alfresco, eletrical fitout, installation of toilets and shower screens. The laundry doors for the cuboard have not been installed. All the doors are swing doors, except in the laundry where they are sliding. I have a "thing" against sliding doors but conceeded in the laundry due to lack of space.
The builder is concerned with the driveway because some areas appear to have "hazy white bits" on them. He said it is caused by the "non slip" agent they have added and he's not happy with it, so he's working to recoat it so it looks a solid grey.
Can't wait to move in.... !
The painter is still madly painting and should be ready this week. The electrician will be back this week to put in the downlights, batten lights, light switches and power points. The airconditioning/heating man should be back to install the ducts.
We saw the builder the other night and said we felt the ensuite vanity was too close to the wall as the drawers slightly scraped across the wall. The builder was very concillatory and agreed that it wasn't perfect so he will change it.
All that appears to need doing is the timber decking in the alfresco, eletrical fitout, installation of toilets and shower screens. The laundry doors for the cuboard have not been installed. All the doors are swing doors, except in the laundry where they are sliding. I have a "thing" against sliding doors but conceeded in the laundry due to lack of space.
The builder is concerned with the driveway because some areas appear to have "hazy white bits" on them. He said it is caused by the "non slip" agent they have added and he's not happy with it, so he's working to recoat it so it looks a solid grey.
Can't wait to move in.... !
Thursday, November 6, 2008
More pics... finally.. we have portico tiles!
Sliding doors that slide right across. Looks kinda small from this camera angle. The first doors they sent us were 10 cm too low so you had to duck your head to get through.
Grey front tiles.... I think they are awaiting more grout....
So the driveway isnt a big chunk of concrete, we'll have a small garden on either side of the portico, in front of the posts.
The driveway tapers when it reaches the road so it doesn't look like a huge square chunk of concrete.
These pics are about a week old... I posted them but it didn't work and I was frustrated so didnt post them again.
Grey front tiles.... I think they are awaiting more grout....
So the driveway isnt a big chunk of concrete, we'll have a small garden on either side of the portico, in front of the posts.
The driveway tapers when it reaches the road so it doesn't look like a huge square chunk of concrete.
These pics are about a week old... I posted them but it didn't work and I was frustrated so didnt post them again.
The painting is continuing..... it is nearly done.
The kitchen quantum quartz benchtop has been installed. The handles are on... it is just waiting for the glass splashback and the appliances.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Inside Painting has started.....& no kitchen tile!
Quick update...
The ceiling has had 2 coats of paint.... the internal walls, 1 coat.
The painter was at the house tonight at 6.30 pm - he's starting to fill all the nail holes made when the carpenter nailed the skirting boards etc. on.
The security fence around the outside has been taken down.. it looks so different.
Did I tell you the big folding doors at the back were wrong. The manufacturer made them about 10 to 15 cm too small, so if you're 6 foot and visit my house, you can't get to the alfresco area without ducking your head as you go out the door! The builder said he wasn't trying to influence us, but he could probably get us a discount if we kept the doors. We all agreed that they were too small and so the company will have to make a new set PRONTO!
The tiler is coming tomorrow to do the front portico in a dark grey tile. We cannot find a tile for the kitchen, so am considering doing a glass splashback.
The stone benchtop should be put on this week. We needed the kitchen splashback tiling done after this, but we are stuck trying to work out what to choose.
We were going to have plantation shutters at the front of the house, however, the curtain man told us that our last quote isn't valid and the shutters have gone up 30% That's a HUGE increase, so we said we don't think we want to do that. However, he measured again and gave us another quote which was only slightly up. We saw a fabulous roman timber blind we loved for all the back rooms, at a very reasonable price, however, they only are made up to 180 cm... wide, we need 210 cm. So we are at a loss of what to do now.
The yard has been levelled and cleared. The driveway has been prepared and the concrete will be laid any day now.
We really are on the home straight now!
The ceiling has had 2 coats of paint.... the internal walls, 1 coat.
The painter was at the house tonight at 6.30 pm - he's starting to fill all the nail holes made when the carpenter nailed the skirting boards etc. on.
The security fence around the outside has been taken down.. it looks so different.
Did I tell you the big folding doors at the back were wrong. The manufacturer made them about 10 to 15 cm too small, so if you're 6 foot and visit my house, you can't get to the alfresco area without ducking your head as you go out the door! The builder said he wasn't trying to influence us, but he could probably get us a discount if we kept the doors. We all agreed that they were too small and so the company will have to make a new set PRONTO!
The tiler is coming tomorrow to do the front portico in a dark grey tile. We cannot find a tile for the kitchen, so am considering doing a glass splashback.
The stone benchtop should be put on this week. We needed the kitchen splashback tiling done after this, but we are stuck trying to work out what to choose.
We were going to have plantation shutters at the front of the house, however, the curtain man told us that our last quote isn't valid and the shutters have gone up 30% That's a HUGE increase, so we said we don't think we want to do that. However, he measured again and gave us another quote which was only slightly up. We saw a fabulous roman timber blind we loved for all the back rooms, at a very reasonable price, however, they only are made up to 180 cm... wide, we need 210 cm. So we are at a loss of what to do now.
The yard has been levelled and cleared. The driveway has been prepared and the concrete will be laid any day now.
We really are on the home straight now!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Here is the front of the house!!!
Looks fabulous I think....
On the portico (porch) we are having a dark grey tile.
On the portico (porch) we are having a dark grey tile.
The concreter will also put in a path up to the front door.
Inside the roomy 3 car garage. We are currently deciding where to place everything... the 2 cars, the "man's workshop stuff" and all the other stuff. Lucky the manhole (or personhole) in the roof is quite wide and roomy in the roof so there is plenty of roof. We put a light in there for the purpose of storage. "good thinking McGyver"!
It is a little hard to see the colour of the cupboards in the laundry. It is a darkish grey.
The bench top is in pale grey. The spashback, I think if we are having one, will be in the same tiles as the floor, the creamy gloss porcelain. And, look at my clothes hamper! My man just piped up..."I'm not having the same tiles as the floor"... I replied "you get what you are told"! Fight averted... he thought I was talking about the kitchen... he thought it would be too predictable if we had the same tile there... however, in the laundry as the colour is quite strong, a plain splashback will be ok! (ah... domesticity!)
More laundry
And another laundry... I have gone overboard on the laundry pics... oh well!!
Inside the roomy 3 car garage. We are currently deciding where to place everything... the 2 cars, the "man's workshop stuff" and all the other stuff. Lucky the manhole (or personhole) in the roof is quite wide and roomy in the roof so there is plenty of roof. We put a light in there for the purpose of storage. "good thinking McGyver"!
It is a little hard to see the colour of the cupboards in the laundry. It is a darkish grey.
The bench top is in pale grey. The spashback, I think if we are having one, will be in the same tiles as the floor, the creamy gloss porcelain. And, look at my clothes hamper! My man just piped up..."I'm not having the same tiles as the floor"... I replied "you get what you are told"! Fight averted... he thought I was talking about the kitchen... he thought it would be too predictable if we had the same tile there... however, in the laundry as the colour is quite strong, a plain splashback will be ok! (ah... domesticity!)
More laundry
And another laundry... I have gone overboard on the laundry pics... oh well!!
The bathroom, although the bath is still in it's "protective wrap"
Bathroom vanity in "coco"
Here's a close up... the vanities in cocoa.... excuse the builders dust!!!
Here is the ensuite where the overhead mirrored cabinet.
More wall mounted vanity shots
The large front door with high ceilings...
The doors to the master bedroom... they are yet to be painted..
Bathroom vanity in "coco"
Here's a close up... the vanities in cocoa.... excuse the builders dust!!!
Here is the ensuite where the overhead mirrored cabinet.
More wall mounted vanity shots
The large front door with high ceilings...
The doors to the master bedroom... they are yet to be painted..
The master bedroom windows
The front door
The door from the garage into the hallway.....
The door from the garage into the hallway.....
Hope you like.....
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