Handover Day!!!

Exactly 4 months 2 weeks and 4 days since our site start last 13 April 2012, we got the keys to our new house this afternoon- 31st August!!! Our PCI went well last 16th August. There were 36 items that our independent inspector picked up, while around 19 for other minor cosmetic items that we picked during inspection with our SS. We are very pleased to engage an independent inspector who was able to find major issues such as sagging ceiling, bowed walls, defective render, etc. All but 2 items in that report were accepted by Carlisle Homes for rectification which are acceptable to us.

We rebooked New Home Inspections for re-inspection just so that there is consistency in the perspective of acceptable quality. Something that we the house owners won't be able to tell and basically we did that for our own peace of mind. Our handover inspection was held today and we're glad that we got the inspector again as he was able to pick up another item - scratches on one of the glazed sliding door. Our inspector was happy with the rectification works and there were just 3 pending items for fixing. Those items were noted in the Letter of Undertaking on Settlement Items. Those items were:

- Rectify render blemishes to front of Garage and LHS entry pier at bottom
- Rectify mortar colour difference to RHS of front entry door
- Reglaze one panel on sliding door to Alfresco (the new item picked up by our inspector)

With those items agreed to be fixed by 14 September, we went ahead with the collection of the keys. We went to the Carlisle Homes head office and met our CLE for the first time.

So during our settlement at the Carlisle Homes main office, we got the items below and we handed our final payment in bank cheque.

Items we collected during settlement:
1. Signed Letter of Undertaking
2. Owner's Information Sheet for Waffle Slab
3. Entry door keys
4. A&L Handover Kit including window and sliding door keys
5. garage door keys
6. Occupancy Permit
7. Certificate of Installation of Termite Barrier (for Stages 1 & 2)
8. Plumbing Compliance Certificates for (a) Roof Plumbing, (b) Drainage - below ground sewer and stormwater, (c) Sanitary Plumbing, (d) Cold Water Plumbing, (e) Hot Water Plumbing, and (f) Gasfitting - natural gas type
9. Certificate of Electrical Safety for (a) 3-phase power, (b) exhaust fans, (c) smoke detectors, (d) wall oven, (e) rangehood
10. Installation certificate for Wet Seal (i.e. waterproofing)
11. Bradford Product & Installation Warranty
12. General maintenance tips for all timber and laminate floors information from Major Carpets
13. Caesarstone 10 Year Limited Warranty
14. HILLS Series LED Code Pad User Manual
15. Silicone Lubricant Spray
16. Carlisle Homes VIP card
17. $371 bank cheque for the flydoor credit
18. Myers Gift Card (a house-warming gift from Carlisle worth $100AUD.. thanks!)

After we got our keys, we head back to our house. We had our very first installation appointment in the house by 4pm. That is for the installation of TV antenna. We also had noted one defect which is the trilock of the entry door not working. So far, only the basic lock mechanism can be engaged. I immediately informed our CLE about it. Tomorrow, we will have the window blinds installation (shutters in 2-3 weeks time) and continuation of antenna installation (TV guy was able to successfully install for only 1 out of 3 TV points). Next week target is the driveway and backyard concreting.

There is just one thing that we are not really happy about at the end of the day. During the final inspection, our SS told us that the paint touch up works in the theatre room are still obvious because they are still wet and that they will become better once dried. We bought that and noticed later after we returned to the house the poor patch work and even see an area with a red sticker on that was not rectified. Anyway, we look forward to them fixing the paint along with the undertaking items.

PCI Booked!

Our PCI is now booked to August 16th at 8am, again with New Home Inspections. The mounds of soil has already been distributed and leveled around the house. Carpet flooring are also done. We already paid our downpayment for shutters and blinds. Looking now for concreter for our driveway and backyard!

Render painted and fence removed!

I passed by the house this afternoon and the facade was already painted! Happy with the colors. The temporary fencing and the portable toilet are also already removed.

PCI on the way!!!

We had the blinds guy to our house last 31st July for measurements and color selections. We have combination of window coverings including plantation shutters (lounge, masters, family, meals), roller blinds (alfresco, Beds 2,34, ensuite, common bath), roman blinds (rumpus/theater), and venetian (study). We're quite happy with our selections!

It was an opportunity for us to see the inside of the house. Laminate flooring was done last Friday, 3rd August, and there are heaps of soil on the driveway. Probably that's for additional soil to be added around the house.

Tentative PCI according to our site supervisor is on 17th August! And I still have no updated pictures on our site! :)

Garage door and alarm

Passed by the house today and our garage door is installed! This morning I saw some guy in the balcony and from the ad in his van I can make out that he is installing the alarm. I have an appointment tomorrow to meet someone to get a quote for driveway and backyard concreting.

Getting closer...

A lot of things have been done on the house lately on its completion stage. Internal paints, electricals, floor tiles, plumbing, kitchen splashback, balcony railings, external drain pipes. Can't wait to see how it is going inside the house but we don't have access. 

We are busy now on arranging for our window coverings. Hopefully we'll settle this soon and get the measurements done.

Lock Up and Fix Invoices Received!

Just as I expected, the lock up and fix invoices were sent together! Our CLE sent it yesterday. I dropped by the house and the render on the upper storey was done. My SS updated me this morning. He said that the render was just the base coat and render completion with our preferred color will be done soon. To follow will be internal painting, electricals, installation of heating and cooling and tiling. I also set up an appointment to have a visit inside the house on Monday! Excited to see how it looks inside!

Lock up and Fixing in Progress!

I asked for an update last week from our site supervisor about the progress of our build asking when the lock up stage will be completed. I was surprised to know that lockup stage and fixing stage are happening in parallel! I was even more surprised to know that fixing will be completed last Friday ahead of lock up. That's actually a good surprise because it means our build is moving along fast. Well, the reason that lockup is not done yet is because they are yet to install the rendered board in the first storey (still in progress as of this writing). According to our SS, even if fixing stage is completed ahead of lockup, they cannot send the invoice yet until lockup is done. So the downside to this is that we will receive both the fixing and lockup invoices at the same time. But nevertheless, this is good news. At the rate how it is going, our SS says that walkthrough should take place mid August and we should have the keys early September! More than the speed we are really after the quality, so hopefully they will do a good job. We also decided to forego of the Paint Stage Inspection, but we'll go for Pre-Handover Inspection. Yesterday, we also bought sofas for the lounge and family! That's just the first item we are able to accomplish for the new house. Still a lot more to go.. On top of the list are curtains and driveway...

Bricks done!

It's Day 69 of our build and our blog's build photos are outdated by more than half of what are already posted! I hope I'll be able to catch up on that soon. I passed by our site today and it seems all the bricks are done. No workers are on site anymore but the scaffolding materials are delivered. I believe they will be used to install the foam boards in the  upper floor. I also received today via post the formal acceptance in writing of our builder indicating that all the issues found during Pre Plaster inspection will be fixed.

Second Site Inspection Done!

We had our Pre Plaster Inspection done last Tuesday - 5th June 2012 - again by New Home Inspections. Our inspector picked up again some issues which our builder agreed to fix. I went to our 2nd site inspection last June 7 where our SS showed me the rectified and pending items... Glad to know that the pending items will not stop the plaster works from proceeding and they will be addressed soon anyway.

We passed by the site this afternoon and some bricks are up! Plaster inside are done too. Will need to post new pics soon... last ones are quite outdated.

First Site Inspection Done!

I had my first formal site inspection today with our site supervisor. Great to see the progress up close, not just on ground floor but also up stairs where I went to the first floor using a temporary ladder! Anyways, the agenda for this inspection is to see the rectification works done as a result of Frames Inspection conducted last week.

We booked New Homes Inspection for Frames Inspection and the inspector assigned to us did a great job in picking up issues. The inspection was done last 16 May. None of the items were major but were still glad those are raised and fixed. Only 2 slab-related issues are outstanding, pending advise from engineering department but our site supervisor will let us know when they are fixed which is targeted before brick layering starts.

Today, our heating and cooling equipments also came and will be scheduled for installation. Plumbing was done yesterday and the tap on the front of the house is very close to the driveway! According to SS it is the water company that decides where to place that. So we will just get that relocated later. We're very pleased with the progress so far...

Day 33 (15.05.2012) - Frame Stage Completed!

The Frame Stage of our build was completed today! Gutter and fascia were also installed. Received too the Frame Invoice from our CLE. 

Day 27-32 (9-14.05.2012) - Frame Stage In Progress

Here are the different photos of our build before the frame stage was completed...

Day 27 (09.05.2012) - Framing of the First Storey commenced

Day 28 (10.05.2012) - Framing of Roof 

Day 28 (10.05.2012) - View of our build from the back street

Day 31 (13.05.2012) - Taken on a Sunday so this is actually the work done on Day 29.

Day 32 (14.05.2012) - Garage framing in progress, framing nearing completion. Glass windows and roof tiles delivered.

Day 32 (14.05.2012) - Our Monier Traditional Barramundi roof tiles

Day 25 (07.05.2012) - More on Frames!

More frame works on Day 25.. ground floor frames (minus garage) nearing completion.

 

Day 22 (04.05.2012) - Ground Floor Frames Up!

Our ground floor frames are now up!

Day 20 (02.05.2012) - All Set for Frames

Materials are in for frame stage works...

Day 19 (01.05.2012) - Concrete slab done!

We missed to visit our site on Day 18, which is the day when the slab was poured.. so we missed an important shot.. so here it is on Day 19, the completed concrete slab.

Day 17 (29.04.2012) - Slab prep

Site was outlined and cut according to plans as part of slab preparations...

Day 14 (26.04.2012) - Site updates

It's been raining these past days in Melbourne... I saw some site activity last Monday..  but none last Tuesday due to heavy rains and last Wednesday being Anzac Day. So at the end of day yesterday (after 2 days of work this week so far), our site looks as shown below. I guess the pile of soil in front is the crushed rock. There are also some protruding pipes on the ground. By the way, our next door neighbor already moved in.. saw some guys installing their TV antennae.

Day 8 (20.04.2012) - Temporary Fencing Up

Temporary fencing is up. Our Austral Access Fawn bricks are delivered as well. Corrected construction drawings received and posted back to builder.

Day 6 and 7 (18-19.04.2012) - Site Updates

Construction manager gave me a call on Day 6. No site supervisor yet.
By Day 7, we got the temporary timber crossover and sediment control barrier to the front of site. The electrical connection that was relocated to the side of garage is also ready.

Day 5 (17.04.2012) - The day after site scrape

Construction drawings arrived on Day 5. There were two drawing corrections noted and communicated to CLE. I believe there was no site activity on this day but I still took more photos which are basically result of the site scrape.

Day 4 (16.04.2012) - Site scrape

Site scrape works started this day. Saw a large truck and some equipment on site early in the morning. The last photo was taken in the afternoon after the site works was completed.

Site scrape pics

Day 1 (13.04.2012) - Site scrape postponed

Some updates this week. We were assigned with a new CLE as our previous one left CH. Furthermore, a reestablishment survey for our land was done. Our CLE said it is needed to establish the boundaries. We will be billed for that job and it costs $800++ for less than an hour's work! I happen to see the guy who did it as he prepares to do his work last Thursday and I asked him if he will take long to complete it. He said he will probably be done in half an hour! Anyway, now the pegs are there and boundaries are set.

Another setback was the rubbish found on our lot. We were surprised to see a pile of rubbish that was dumped by the next door neighbor. Luckily we saw some documents in their name and address in the pile so we are able to chase them to get those rubbish cleared. It caused us one day delay though for the site scrape which is usually done on the site start date. I requested for the site scrape to be postponed to Monday to ensure that the rubbish are cleared. So last Friday, which was officially our site start date, only the toilet was set up.

Here's the picture of our lot taken today. To the left of our lot is a built house, to the right is under construction probably in lock-up stage and the lots in front of us are all already built with houses.

Our lot before site scrape

Site start date set!

It's been a roller coaster level of stress this past month.... and I thought after contract signing we will just sit back and wait for the next stage.. I was wrong! It didn't went well, with our mortgage broker informing us about low valuation of our land (VERY huge amount below its price, hello?!?) and us forking out 6-digits to go ahead with the build with big LMI! We almost gave in to 95% LVR. I had to go directly to our bank to get another opinion (different bank from what the mortgage broker recommended) and requested for valuation... I got some vital info from the bank which I was surprised our mortgage broker did not inform us about. To make the long story short, we dropped the mortgage broker and dealt directly with our bank.. We are very pleased that the valuation returned on our favor with our land and house valuated at the same price as they are! We were given a loan amount that is manageable for us to proceed with the build... In this process, we almost changed house and end the contract! Perhaps it is meant after all for us to build Baltimore 40. Our unconditional approval from the bank was given last week and we're just waiting for some documents for signing. We are also waiting for the construction drawings from Carlisle Homes. Our CLE also informed us that our site start date is set on 13 April 2012! Excited much!

Contract signed!

This is a big day for us! The day that we commit ourselves to a life of debt! :D
Today we signed our contract with Carlisle Homes. Finally, I can start this blog!
I've been hesitant to start this blog before today because there could still be a lot of changes. We've been through several house design changes - from Atlantique 36 to Baltimore 35 to Albany 40, finally Baltimore 40. Even today, before we signed our contract, we've had a few changes which are logged as Post Contract Variations. At least the most complicated type of change was avoided - changing builder - which I admit briefly crossed our minds. So here it is! We come to this stage and we are excited and looking forward to this house building journey. We hope to get the build started in 3-4 weeks time after some paper works to be done by the builder and our mortgage broker. Our contract appointment lasted for 3 hours. We arrived 11:15am for our 10:30am appointment (due to rain and traffic jam) and concluded it at 2:15pm.