Schedule update

Just received an update from the SS as I was wondering what else was happening before the xmas break.

• Carpenter starts on Friday (13/12)
• All doors, skirting etc and Waterproof to wet areas on Monday (16/12)
• Kitchen vanities on Tuesday (17/12)
• Tiler starts end of next week

 All I can say is "oh my gosh! If they can get through all these before the break then we are looking at an early handover :-) SS still hasn't told us handover date, I think he is planning to surprise us.... 

Insulation and Gyprock!

Visited the site today and found that our insulation and gyprock is now in! SS is really man of his word and these two items were completed this week as per schedule. It is now really looking like a house :-)
Also noticed that the downpipes have now also been installed.
The cornices were delivered and sitting in the garage. Guess what they will work on next?

Wrong email address!

I figured out in the last few days that I've been communicating with the SS much better over SMS than I was over email. I felt that it must be really strange that I'm not getting a reply to my emails. Well I sent off a confirmation SMS to SS and also emailed our CSA regarding the issue. And what do you know? CSA tells me that it is not the correct email address for my SS!!
Doh! No wonder I was getting no replies! Anyway she apologised and provided the correct email address. Same with SS, I spoke with him and he clarified.

So I was able to send the H&K Ryan inspection report to SS in time before the internal linings were done. He confirmed that they were fixed which is great. So yes, I thought I'd include a special seperate post for this problem as I feel that it is quite a major mistake. I'm really happy with the communication working now but I feel that things really could have been worse if I didn't ask CSA about it. I will most definately be providing this feedback to EBH towards the completion of our home.

Independent Inspection Reports (Tyrells & H&K Ryan)

Below is a summary of the outcomes of each independent inspection report at lockup stage. Confirmation received by SS that interior items from both reports have been completed prior to internal linings installation.

H&K RYAN:

EXTERIOR:

1. Some work is incomplete to external section of house, including downpipe installation, these will be reinspected at time of final inspection
2. Improve joins and mitres to eave quad moulds around house prior to painting
3. Mortar re-pointing is required in areas
4. Efflorescent staining is evident to lower sections of brickwork to right elevation of house
5. Copper pipes are to be separated away from galvanised hot water recess box 

INTERIOR:

1. Straighten and secure cavity sliding door unit to Bed 1 ensuite
2. Wall cavities require cleaning out in areas
3. It is a recommendation only that where all the galvanised wall frame braces pass over each other that they be separated with an insulation material to prevent interior wall cavity knocking in the future
4. Extra stud is yet to be installed at location of additional wall ties beneath kitchen window, as stud and ties are to be installed within 300mm of expansion joints
5. Metal cross strap bracing is incomplete in areas and not completely nailed to all studs
6. Truss speed brace tails are yet to be nailed to the underside of top plates appropriately 

Interior Room by Room:

GARAGE:

• Slab surface is to be kept clean and protected at all times to prevent damage to slab,
• Remove temporary blocking from frame in areas,

ENTRY/HALLWAY:

• OK

LOUNGE:

• OK

1st BEDROOM/ROBE:

• Straighten and secure cavity sliding door unit to ensuite,

ENSUITE:

• WC Cistern’s wall blocking yet to be fitted, (these blocks are only required if the WC suite specified is to be a wall mounted unit and not a pan mounted unit,)

LIVING:

• Speed brace tail is to be wrapped around and nailed to underside of top plate,

KITCHEN/FAMILY/DINING:

• Extra timber stud is to be installed at location of veneer wall ties next to expansion joint beneath kitchen window. Stud and ties are to be installed within 300mm of expansion joints

REAR HALLWAY:

• OK

WC:

• WC Cistern’s wall blocking yet to be fitted, (these blocks are only required if the WC suite specified is to be a wall mounted unit and not a pan mounted unit,)

BATHROOM:

• OK

LAUNDRY:

• Wall mounted dryer blocks should be fitted at 2.1 to 2.3 centres, if required by the homeowner, (a variation may apply if this blocking is required)

 2nd BEDROOM/ROBE:

• Metal cross strap bracing is not completely nailed to all studs, incomplete,

3rd BEDROOM/ROBE:

• OK
  

TYRELLS:

CRITICAL ITEMS (Fix before linings):

INTERIOR:

1.1 Slab (level, surface finish, stepdown alignment)
1.1.1 Extend slab edge, garage southeast to provide sufficient frame support
1.2 Frames, trusses/structural steel (straight, square, corners fixed, tie downs)
1.2.1 Install packers to roof truss step down, entry south, to accommodate plasterboard linings
1.2.2 Secure bottom plate to floor slab, bedroom 3 entry, south
1.2.3 Secure bottom plate to floor slab, bedroom 3 robe entry, west
1.2.4 Secure bottom plate to floor slab, bedroom 2 entry, north
1.2.5 Secure bottom plates to floor slab, bedroom 2 robe entry east and west
1.2.6 Align wall framing, garage south
1.2.7 Align wall framing, dining/family room north
1.2.8 Align wall framing, bedroom 3 south
1.2.9 Align wall framing, bedroom 2 west
1.2.10 Secure bottom plates to floor slab, bedroom 1 ensuite east, either side of vanity wastepipe
1.3 Windows and doors (damage, flashings, installation)
1.3.1 Turn up subsill flashings, external doors generally

Site walkthrough with SS

We finally met our SS for the first time face to face today. Really nice guy. He walked us through the house and even gave us a tip with the recycled water. Also the really good news is that he again confirmed that the alfresco door can be flipped over so that it opens the other way. The only thing he mentioned is that there may be a few extra holes in the stacker frame due to the switch but they will fill those up with paddy. So not a huge deal. The stacker door will be flipped when the Stegbar guys come install our flyscreens.

On another note the H&K Ryan guy came for an inspection in the morning at 6am. This one is for the first inspection for 'lockup' phase. We received the report this afternoon and please to see that there were no major things that needed fixing. Most of them were parts of the frame that needed to be secured to slab, alignment and straightening of cavity door frames, adding mortar to bricks after clean etc. I'll provide a summary of the finding of both Tyrells and H&K Ryan reports in a seperate post.

All in all quite happy with how the lockup stage has been achieved. Now we are starting a new phase which will involve all the fine details like internal linings, paintwork, finishings etc. We asked SS when he thought we would be settled but he said that he needs to check the schedule and get back to us. It all depends on who is available after the xmas break. He may need to shuffle things depending on who is available.

Clean bricks

Our bricks have been fully completed and cleaned now. All we could say was 'wow!' what a difference the clean has made. We are really satisfied with the outcome once the bricks have been treated. The colour differences are hardly visible now and the outside of the house just looks fantastic :)

Progress

Visited the site today and pleased to see some progress. Last two weeks has been mostly rainy except for the last few days which has allowed the bricklayer to finish most of the brickwork. 

Had a good look around and doesn't look like there are any major issues. Maybe a few bricks with scratches etc but very minor. 

The other good news is that the electricals seem to be completed. Most importantly the CAT6 cables are there :) noggins have been placed for the wall mount tv's, plumbing is there for the fridge etc. Took fair few photos...

Brickwork starts

Visited the site today and was happy to see roof finished and brickwork has started.

We noticed there are some inconsistencies with brick colour. Some bricks are quite light in colour. We chose Gravel colour bricks. Will be letting the SS know to see what he says.

Roof over our head

Visited the site last weekend and as mentioned by SS the roof was in fact pretty much complete! Really impressed with progress and the pace of works. I think it will save us some rent money if we can complete early. 

Bricks were also delivered. SS had said that they would be delivered on Friday. And yes they were infact delivered :) 

Two things we noticed and had some questions about:

1. Alfresco stacker door direction

2. Universal colour bricks

First one is quite major and something that we missed. The 3 stacker door at the back slides from left to right. This means we get 

a) less space to put L shaped lounge (probably wouldn't fit)

b) hardly any view from Alfresco to TV in living room.

Wife really wanted that changed even if it costs us extra. So I called SS and he said it is still doable since bricklayer starts Tuesday. He will organise to get it done and have a variation raised. 

Also asked about the universal colour bricks and SS confirmed that they are for the front facade feature (maroka finish). 

Frames are up!

Visited the site on Monday morning. Frames were up as well as windows/sliding doors and plumbing which all seemed to be completed. 

Bricks were supposed to be delivered on Friday but found out that roof will be done this week instead of bricks. Brick delivery scheduled for this Friday 1/11.

Some pics:

Frame Delivery

Some pics from frame delivery

First invoice

SS called and left a voicemail yesterday...

Apparently plumbing / drainage guys will be completing their work today. Frames are due to be started on Wed/Thu this week.

In the meantime first invoice for the slab came through via email last Friday and in the mail today. Amazing how quick they come through! I Will be faxing the authority form to the Bank today. Hopeful the drawdown doesn't take long so that it doesn't delay any work...

The nice weather continues, hopefully it stays this way :)

Slabbed :)

Visited the site today since SS had advised that the slab would be poured on Wed/Thu. Got to my site around 6ish in the evening since I was allowed to knock off work a little early. It was an extremely hot day today...39 degrees! :)

I found the base of our new home starting to cure...here are some pics.