Issues! Issues!

Visited the site last Saturday to meet with the Electrical contractor only to be disappointed with what I saw - what they said that should have been fixed is still the same as a 1.5months ago.  

But what's worse is that the contractor forgot about the sarking we have included in one of the amendments to our plans.  It is part of the Basix report and we had added it despite of the cost for its additional benefit.  I still don't know what will happen next but we really want those sarking installed. 

I called the builder today and the customer service personnel is checking on it with the site supervisor.  Even before this happened, I already requested that I inspect the property but I have not heard from them a schedule.

Rush Time

This week is both exciting and stressful as we had to finalize the electrical and the A/C location and stuff. 

We finalized the upgrades to the electrical...

1. Downlights to the common areas - wiring and getting it ready with the installation of downlights.
2. Two sets of powerpoints per room
3. Data cabling
4. External lightings
5. Aerial antenna to get the HD channels.

Hopefully we covered everything

The Aircon location was also reviewed and had to made quick decisions since the blokes were already installing it. 

We got the quotes for the landscapes.. and we gotta look for alternatives... and see if the quotes are reasonable. :)

Bricks and Roof Tiles

Last week was a good week for progress. 

The bricks were completed, then on Thursday we saw the roof tiles delivered around 9am. 

I thought that probably middle of this week it will be completed.  Then when we visited the site last Saturday this is what we saw - a red roof!  

It looks like it is completed since most of the Finally I get to see how the brick and roof tile combo would look like and I couldn't be happier with what we chose.  We wanted to be a little different with our neighbors and yet a bit conservative in colour. 

Frames Up!

Yesterday I went to the site to visit the progress and was happy to see all of the wall frames has been set up. Then today, I got a progress update from the Customer Service of the builder that the roof trusses has been completed yesterday afternoon. That excited me since it is nicer to see physical progress rather than exchanges in plans and emails.  Now here comes the 2nd progress payment.

Things ticked off the list:
1. Finalized with the tiler the changes we wanted to do. Paid them and the invoice has been received.
2. Finalized the A/C to be installed in the house - Actron ESP+, supposedly more energy efficient since you are able to control the temperature and fan speed. Hopefully the slight investment is worth the extra cost we spent.
3. Received the FHOG and now the balance has been deposited on the MISA account.
4. Received an invoice from the builder that the water connection has been completed.

Things needed to work on:
1. Finalize tiles / flooring - November
2. Finalize the supplier for the downlights - early October
3. Finalize the electrical upgrades - early October
4. Finalize the landscape cost - retaining walls, driveways, etc.. - November

Quiet Time

The last two weeks has been quiet time with the builder.  Two weeks ago, they poured the  slab and it takes about 1week to really cure and another week waiting for the delivery of the frames. 

It has been a bit busy on the finance side as we were taking care of the 1st progress payment but found some roadblock with the bank.   Hopefully it does not lead to further delays.


We filed for an extension on the FHOG.  We submitted 2 letters for the extension - one from us, and another from the builder.  Still praying that we get the full amount.  I will be sad if we miss it.

We also met with the landscape supplier now we are able to visualize the requirement and what can be done to minimize the cost.  We plan to have a deck but still not finalized.

On the electrical contractor - we more or less agree on the A/C to get... the Actron ESP+.  On the lighting... we have not finalized it yet but when I visited Beacon Lighting... it did help talking to someone to understand the different downlights.

Invoice Received

I just got from the mail the invoice from the builder for the slab being complete  It is nice to here that after 1.5 months, the first stage is complete.  

I passed by the project site yesterday and I saw the workers working on the site.  Probably removing the other stuff they used when they poured the slab last week.


Now where did I put that form from the bank?  :)

Concreting of the Slab - Scheduled today

I asked my wife to visit the site to see if workers are there. True enough a mixer was on standby. She didn't go down to check further but seeing people working on site is already good news for us since any
rainfall does affect the schedule.

Then this afternoon, I emailed the customer service rep of the builder and she confirmed that today is the day. I asked Joanna to pass by after picking up the kids. Hopefully a few snaps. If not I will be there on-site tomorrow.

Still a lot of things to finalise:
1. Kitchen plans still not finalised with the builder with minor difference of what was discussed with the contractor and what is reflected on the plan.
2. Electrical - still working at finalising the details of the lighting and upgrades we want. Hopefully finalise it within the next week so we can get a new quotation. So far, the pricing for the AC is slightly
better than expected.
3. FHOG application details
4. Landscapes and driveways.