Some things done & some not

Last week I made a list of the things I had to do and what the builder had to do & we both have ticked some items off the list.

The tiling is complete and I must say I am happy about it; I am not so sure Mrs B is. You see she wanted our tiles in the kitchen to be laid in a “Brick” style but I wanted the traditional one on to of the other style and after the tiler said the brick style would look odd with such a large rectangular tile I was on a winner and in the end I got my way.

The decorative tiles in the shower look good and the floor tiles are understated as we wanted. I don’t have photos as I didn’t have the camera on me when I snuck in, but I will sort something out in the next couple of weeks.

The AirCon condenser has been installed and the toilet window replaced and that’s about it. I still don’t have the quote for the driveway and the sparkie has not started his fit off.

It looks like twice weekly phone calls and emails are on the cards yet again as I feel a more “active” approach from myself is necessary, especially if we are to make the PCI date of April 19.

I on the other hand have been busy and I have purchased my home entertainment “kit” and I have organised Telstra & Foxtel. I was right and I only have one choice of ISP and its Telstra Wireless, at least they have dropped their prices a bit.

The whole program relies on hand over occurring no later than April 30 as I have organised the removalist, the bed delivery, the blinds to be installed and my home entertainment “kit” & unit to be delivered all on Saturday the 1st of May. I will try and get the antenna guy also but I won’t be too fussed if this doesn’t happen.

The dishwasher and microwave will arrive on Monday the 3rd as does the Telstra technician and brining up the rear on Tuesday the 4th is the Foxtel man.

All I need now is the keys

Whats left to do

Now that we are so close to handover, well after signing building contracts on July 4 2009, April 30 is not far away, I thought I would make a list of things that have to happen both on the building front and what we have to do.

Builders List

• Tiles in the bathroom, ensuite, laundry, toilet and kitchen (done)


• Plumbing fit off (taps, connect the sinks, toilets, gas hot plates etc)


• Install the Hot Water Unit


• Electrical fit out (power points inside & out, battens, downlights & oven)


• Air Con Condenser (done)


• Driveway & path


• Concrete the veranda & alfresco


• Fix the painting stuff ups


• Garage roller doors, both of them


• Install the last AirCon/Heater vent


• Commission the AirCon/Heater


• Mount the doors and attach the door handles


• Install the sliding security doors


• Lay the carpet


• Install the bamboo floorboards


• Install the shower shelves, towel ladders, toilet roll holders & rails in the wardrobes


• Clean the house


• Clear the block (hopefully the weeds also)

I think that’s it

My List

• Organise the removalist to deliver our stuff from storage (done)


• Organise our leather couch delivery (done)


• Organise our new bed delivery (done)


• Organise the purchase & install of our Holland blinds (done)


• Fit off the ceiling speakers, wall plates and data points


• Organise gates


• Organise delivery of our entertainment unit (done)


• Go and purchase dishwasher, microwave, toaster & kettle (still not sure why we need a new kettle & toaster but I am assured we do)


• Go purchase my new home entertainment setup (done)


• Organise an TV antenna


• Organise Foxtel (done)


• Kitchen rubbish bin


• Get a letterbox


• Organise telephone connection (done)


• Organise internet (I only had the massive choice of 1, Telstra wireless D’oH but its done)

I think that’s it

It does sound like quite a lot to do but really its just coordination and pre-planning, which as I do that sort of thing for a living its pretty straight forward and easy.

I just cant wait to move in

Painting complete, well sort of

Well the painting is done, well sort of as they made a couple of mistakes, like painting our front door and side light 2 different colours when we said we want the whole lot Manor Red, inside & out.

The also stuffed up the main beam on the veranda and got a little paint on our ensuite vanity unit but overall they look to have done a decent job.

We have a water tank and all the AirCon / Heater vents are in except one and the return air and control units are on the wall.

We met the tiler on Saturday and they should be finished off tomorrow. The sparkie is due back this week and I assume the plumber won’t be too far behind.

With all this progress you would think we would get in early but alas upon speaking with our Construction Manager we have decided that April 30 it is. He said it maybe a week or two early but definitely April 30 with an PCI on or about April 20.

I have decided on certainty then I can organise the removalists, furniture delivery, foxtel and the bed all to come within a coupe of days of handover. We plan to stay with my in-laws for a few days because we can un-pack and sort everything out, install gates etc without the kiddies under our feet and then by Wednesday after 4 days hard yakka it should all be done, well nearly all done.

We had a second “Blind” guy come a do a measure & quote which I am waiting on but we have decided not to worry about the outside blinds until spring, we will know which windows will need it by then and we simply can’t afford it now. The last guy quoted $3250 for 6 outside blinds last week and that money can be better spent right now. He did quote $5000 for the inside blinds that consisted of 10 double rollers and 3 single roller blinds of various sizes.

I have posted photos of the front door and the water tank as well as a few other items, I am sure you will work it out.

There is one outstanding item and that’s the driveway, more specifically the cross-over, it needs to be moved and we are awaiting the quote for that one, I have a bad feeling it will hurt and we have no choice if we want a functional driveway.

Let Me Paint A Picture

Well it took Michelangelo about 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel but in just over a week our place will be painted in all its "hogs bristle" glory.

We went out on Saturday and the painters were almost finished and should be done tomorrow. I am told the tiling will be done this week and the sparkie might just start the electrical fit off also, I won’t hold my breath on that one.

So overall we are getting there and while the builder said an Easter handover is not going to happen he is very confident that he will make the April 30 contract end date. I say so he bloody should, there is bugger all left to do & if he takes another 7 weeks I think I will have a tantrum, I know how they work I have a 2 & half yo for inspiration.

Anyway there are a couple of pictures below our the painters work site to give you an idea of how its looking.

On a side note I didn’t see my neighbours car in my garage, so maybe he has stopped doing it, I told my builder anyway so in the end I will demand a perfect garage and if he has an issue he can take it up with my neighbour.

We will be heading out again on Saturday for our second measure & quote on blinds, I hope it’s a bit cheaper than the first one!!

Not much to report

Well we managed to dodge most of the very bad weather over in the outer east but it still bucketed down so we planned a very quick visit and just as well.

When we arrived we noticed all the windows had plastic all over them, a bit like Dexter had prepared his “work area”.

I did find one window with no plastic and it was obvious the painters had started but not quite finished. What I could see was good and I think we have done ok with our colour choice but next weekend will be good as we get in while we have a measure & quote done on our blinds.

The only other quirky thing today was our over the road neighbour had decided to park his ute in our garage. Now I guess I shouldn’t mind but I did notice some tyre marks on the fresh concrete floor, so they had better be gone or words will be spoken. Also I presume it was a once off to avoid the expected hail and if that is the case no worries, but if I see it again next week, then words will be spoken!!

Anyway no pictures this week and there was nothing to see, but next week should yield and good deal of new shots.

Fixing Is Complete

Well a genuine pattern is forming with good progress each week. Fixing is now complete and I have cut out for my speakers and according to our Construction Manager the painting started today.

So what remains to be done?

Now lets see; the painting, tiling of the kitchen (wall only), bathrooms, toilet & laundry. The laying of the carpet and floorboards, the electrical fit off and plumbing fit off. The installation of the air con condenser, the solar gas boosted hot water service and the water tank and let’s not forget the concrete veranda, alfresco, driveway & path.

Other than that we are done, oh and an oven and gas cook top, but then we are done!!

Below are some pictures including my speaker cut out.

We have arranged for the blinds to be measured in the 13th of March and I plan to ask once again, when is handover? If they tell me April 30 again I will scream aaaghhhh