Loved it!!!

What a great feeling to finally see our grand staircase. We absolutely loved it. Can't believe this, only 3 month into the build. Finally no more climbing up the ladder to go upstairs.

Although partially done it is exactly what we had in mind especially the landing step which we customised to be extended till the front wall. As we were quite conscious of our private area upstairs, we had many discussions with PD about different staircase designs and positions to make the staircase view not so obvious looking in from the front door. All these ideas were knocked back until we figured out to put a wall in front of the staircase. Problem solved, PD accepted that concept and it was a compromise to us as it "hid" the staircase. In doing so we had to extend the landing step of the staircase so it has a natural look. Obviously customising that landing step costed us a fair bit of $$$. It turned out well worth the money spent and I believe it will even look better after the stain.



Customised extended landing step



Another view of staircase from entrance



Black ballustrates with the design

Nursery rhyme... it's raining, it's pouring

At least some work been done today.

Two workers were onsite to install the downpipes to the gutters. The downpipes are the same colour as the gutter and I believe it offer a good contrast to the brick colour. With the rainy season arriving soon, I'm glad to see the downpipes secured in place, no more gushing of rain water through the gutter hole.



Downpipe at the front of house



Side view



Progress trickled down

Having seen the buzzing of trades people on site last few weeks it was surprising to see the site fairly empty this week, not much progress has been made. Not sure whether this was due to a shorter week or tradesmen were busy elsewhere.

The bricks were cleaned this week, this has dramatically changed the look of the house making it look brighter from outside. I'm glad we chose the homestead red bricks as the mortar is slowing blending in well.

The house is officially locked up now and we have to find a way to get in during the day when someone is onsite.



Front view looking into the Alfreso area



Garage view

Day 82 update

Today the site was cleaned, removal of excess bricks and other rubbish from the cage.

There has also been a delivery for the frame of the garage roof.

Site cleaned

Cleaned backyard

Site cleaned view from garage

Garage roof trusts

Working on a Saturday

What a surprise to see 2 guys working onsite on a Saturday. I thought of coming in and checked the site to myself. Both guys are busy fixing the cornice and they have to finish in on that day. I left them doing their job and decided to walk around.

Progress has been steady, with the internal walls now done, it's also making the inside look brighter.

Kitchen area

Looking inside from the entry door

Day 77 Plaster complete

Plaster completed, fixed all joints between plaster sheets, put some sort of a metal bracket on corners so it can be straight and 90 deg,



Door frame



Living area and part of kitchen



Master bedroom


At the same time the scaffolds have been dismantled and put in a pile ready to be taken away. There goes my ladder to get up to the floor.



Removal of scaffolds



Pile of scaffolds



And here's the front of the house without scaffold. It's looking exciting and hopefully after the acid wash will look brighter. SS said the mortar colour will lighten over the next few weeks which will blend in with the brick colour.



Front of the house



Site meeting with SS

Met SS on site today bright and early for a walk through and discuss latest issues. We have been lucky that we had a great SS, he has made time to be available, great to talk to and although he is extremely busy managing 13 builds concurrently still come onsite every day or 2nd day to check on progress.

Today's issues discussed were:

• Fixing of defects identified by PD QA and independant inspector report, going through the defects and ensuring they are fixed
• Roof valley to be fixed (tradies left the valley hanging on top of roof tiles)
• Only 1 solar panel was installed rather than 2
• Clarification of some electrical lights, 3 phase power location and bracket for projector
• Clarification of rangehood to be provided
• Clarification of garage remote control, wanted a wall mounted switch to operate the door, unfortunately this is not possible
• Render not smooth. It was only 1st coat. Will have another coat done when scaffolds aer removed

All going well according to the SS and everything still on track, which is a reassuring statement and hopefully handover will happen on schedule.

Day 76 Plaster progress

Plaster work has continued efficiently, ceiling and walls almost completed.

The ensuites and wet areas have different coloured plaster, blue. I would assume it's different type made for wet areas.

Bedroom view, WIR and bathroom



Master Ensuite, niche how showing



Theatre plaster

For the corners there is a type of metal being nailed, I believe this is to give the 90 degrees shape to all corners.


Corner plaster



Day 75..... Plaster start

Finally plastering has started today. Quite exciting to see the progress, according to the tradies, the job would be completed within few days.

 As we walk around we are now getting a real feel for space and the room now seem to be "big".



Plaster on wall



Looking from the entrance



Upstairs wall from hallway and rumpus

Where is my 2nd Solar Panel?

Went on site for one last check before plastering start next week. Appointment made with SS to be onsite on Tuesday morning to discuss fixing the defects identified earlier.

While the scaffolding was still there I made the climb up the ladder to inspect the roof. Looks like the tradesmen had come back to finish the roof tiles as they are now positioned and cemented properly. However noticed that they didn't cut the valley cleanly with the bit of metal sticking out. Will mention to SS to get it fixed.



Roof valley to be trimmed properly

On the other side of the roof, the solar panel has been installed. But there's only 1? Floor plan mention 2 panels to be installed. Onother note to mention to SS.



Only 1 solar panel

Insulation done

Drop by the site today and noticed that part of the bricks have been cleaned. With the scaffold still in place, it was easier to clean the bricks for upstairs. As well the bricks at the Alfresco has been cleaned. It does look much better now, we do really like the brick colour too.

Cleaned bricks at Alresco

Another view from sliding door at Alfresco

Inside, there were deliveries of insulation for the walls and ceiling.




Bags of insulation materials

While we were on site, the tradie was still busy installing to the insulation materials to the walls that are outside facing. He mentioned that for the ceiling, he will leave the materials on the roof, after installatin of the ceiling plaster, they will come back to finish off the installation.

Insulation in living room

Close up of the insulation

 

 

Renderrrrrr

It has been non stop activities on site.

The front porch has been rendered, bringing a different dimention to the look of the house already.

Front porch rendered

View from the top of the render portion of front porch

As we looked up we noticed that the eaves have been completed. On closer look it does look neat, carpenter has done a great job.

Inside, the carpenter has also started to fix some of the defects. In addition the frame for the bathtub in the master ensuite has been built.

Eaves to front of the house

 

Closer look of the eaves

 

Bricks 100% completed

Finally all brick work has been completed. From our observation it does look great, I hope after the acid wash it will be even brighter. Can't wait to see it.

With the scaffolding around it has been difficult to navigate around the house and take good pictures.

Front of house

Garage view

 

 

I have also received the inspection report from the independant inspector and forwarded to our SS for action.  SS promised he will get them fixed prior to plastering next week. I also want confirmation from SS that the identified defects from PD QA will also be fixed.

 

 

Inspection time........

Got a call from SS that plastering will be starting the following week and to get my independent inspection done asap so that he has time to fix any defects.

Met the inspector from New Home Inspections and gone through the first report (frame) to ensure what was highlighed as defects have been fixed.

Of the 6 items listed, only 1 has not been done and the inspector said he will mention it in the next report.

As we walked through the house, I noticed numerous red paint across some frames, some has been identified others not. These red paint was marked by PD QA people to identify defects. The inspector then explained to me what they meant. My inspector is not allowed to mark anything on the frame otherwise it may be confusing to whoever is going to fix them. From what I noticed, the defects were:

• Bowed frames
• Frames not plumb
• Missing nogging
• Frames not level
• Frames not nailed in properly

I was a bit disappointed to see these red paints as it meant the framing guys didn't pay close attention to their jobs. I suppose framing guys think there will be inspection anyway which they have to come back to fix the defects.

Bowed frame

Another not plumb frame

As we walked upstairs we noticed 4 X's on the floor and as we walked over them it was obvious that the floor was not level. It was raised a fair bit and will require some work to level it.

Raised floor

Something to do with plumbing

Missing sarking and nogging

Inspection report when received will be passed on to the SS for urgent action before plastering.

A nice present

While the brick layers continued on their work for the upstairs,  other tradies have been inside and completed the shower bases to the ensuites.

We were surprised when looking at the shower bases that they have installed the latest design of drainage compared to the traditional round drain in the centre. When we initially enquired about this design we were told these were considered an upgrade. To keep cost down, we decided to stick with the traditional hole in the middle, so what we have now is a big bonus :-) Thanks PD!!!

Shower base to master ensuite

Shower base to one of the ensuite

Heating and cooling has also been completed. The pipes are sticking down and I had to check that each one is done at the right position.

The Brivis unit has been installed in the roof above the master bedroom, I hope it will not be noisy when in use.

Heating & cooling duct

Ducts in the roof

 

After Easter holidays

It's Easter holidays and the brick layers are enjoying a few days rest.

We visited the site on Tuesday and noticed that some external doors have been delivered. A temporary front door has been installed as shown below.

Temporary front doors

Walking inside the house, I noticed that the laundry door has been installed, the real one... we chose a clear glazed door to reduce cost, will put a stick on frosting if required.

Laundry door

There were also sliding doors delivered, the theatre one has been setup as well as the study/guest ensuite. The carpenter didn't fit upstairs yet.....

Sliding door to Theatre