UPGRADES & VARIATIONS

I thought i might go through some of our selections in more detail, including our Variations. There is so much to track - again a spreadsheet to record all these is crucial because when it comes to the Final End Panel stage (where all your upgrades and additional costings are consolidated into one document), you need to make sure the amounts all add up!

I will try and be a little candid with my costs where i can as i know that transparency is a huge thing, especially when building for the first time! 😉

CHANGES TO ELECTRICALS

Another Post Contract Variation. When our land settled, it forced me to re-visit our Electrical Plans, Selections and Variations. In order to eliminate potential delays, i thought it would be best i bring up any niggling issues before we reach the End Panel stage. Making the changes now would mean little changes to End Panel and in turn, keep the paperwork to a minimum (less likely to have human error!).

REECE SELECTIONS - KITCHEN / BATHROOM / ENSUITE

I thought i would show our Reece selections mainly because by the time we are are at the Internals stage in our build, i might have forgotten them by then! Wisdom Homes Inclusions Package is fantastic. They use quality suppliers such as Caroma, Posh and Kado. The reason why i chose to "upgrade" was because we wanted black matte finishes to all our fixtures, in keeping to the theme of the home. As mentioned in a previous post, if you wish to choose your own fixtures and range, you will need to source them online and provide your Consultant with the codes. I am so glad i read a blog that mentioned this, otherwise i would not have known that there was an option like this - perfect example of how research is key!

FINAL QUOTES

A few weeks after our Selection Appointments, our quotes started pouring in. In an ideal world, you would receive them, sign off on them straight away and that would be the end of it. That wasn't the case for us. I made changes to every single one of them. Most were due to me just changing my mind on the smallest of things!

With every Quote received, i went over it with a fine tooth comb. I didn't want to miss anything and i also didn't want to regret the choices down the track so it was vital i get it right.

SELECTIONS

I spent many hours researching, reading blogs and educating myself on everything build related. I feel like i still have a long way to go - it's hard to get your head around all the build jargon, especially if it's your first time to build! I am so thankful for stumbling on the homeone forum because i have learnt so much from reading posts and most of all, asking questions! The people on the forum have a wealth of knowledge and it's great to know there is a platform out there where you can ask the most silliest questions and get an honest answer and non judgmental opinion!

GETTING TO KNOW MY PALETTE

Not long after we paid the Tender Acceptance Fee and remainder of the deposit, we received an email from the “W Gallery” Team to welcome us to the Selections Stage. This is probably the most exciting email I have received thus far!

We arranged the dates with our CSR – two full days. Eldric and I had to organise Annual Leave for these two exciting days. The appointments were scheduled 1.5 months later – which gave me plenty of time to re-visit display homes and stalk Instagram and Pinterest!