UPPER BRICKS CLEANED, EAVES & CLADDING

ROOF COMPLETED

The fascia, gutter, whirlybird ventilator and roof was completed this week - just as our SS promised. On our weekend visit, we were greeted with a beautiful sight - our Bristile Prestige flat profile roof tiles! It's hard to see from the pics, but the roof has a flat profile and really looks sleek and modern. 

FIRST FLOOR BRICKS COMPLETED

I don't want to jinx it, but we're pretty happy with the timeline so far. Everything seems to be running smoothly as far as expected timeframes go. 

GROUND FLOOR BRICKS & SCAFFOLDING

During Summer, we were able to visit the land at least once during the week, usually midweek (Wednesdays). But now that it's Autumn, the sun is setting earlier which means by the time we would have got to site, it would be way too dark to see anything. So when the weekend comes around, we have had a week of excitement leading up to Saturday morning when we make our way down!

BRICKS DELIVERED & GRANITGARD INSTALLED

You may have seen from my last post that our bricks were delayed by about 2 weeks. Our SS has been great with the weekly updates. You can’t really get annoyed as firstly, it’s beyond his or Wisdom’s control. If there were any more further delays, than I may have to start letting out some steam. But I think we are pretty relaxed - for now!

DELAY IN BRICKS

We received a phone call and email from our SS on the 2^nd April advising us that Austral is unable to supply the bricks until the 16^th. Eldric was surprised that I took it well despite the fact that we now face delays. The truth is, I have actually started second guessing our brick choice – long before we were told of this brick issue! You see, a few weeks ago, we drove around the estate and many of the houses have used Austral bricks in Blackbutt or PGH Bricks in Espresso (equivalent of each other). It made me think that all the houses in the estate are going to look very similar! It was actually The estate’s requirement to have dark face bricks, hence many have chosen the two I have just mentioned. Blackbutt was unavailable due to supplier demand – which just proves how popular this brick is!

ENIVROSEAL PROCTORWRAP INSTALLED

Bradford's Enviroseal ProctorWrap was installed last week. Enviroseal™ Wall Wraps are additional layers of protection that shield your home from water-related weather damage, mould or rot, and minimise hot & cold droughts blowing through the home. Wall wraps can also provide an extra level of comfort to your home by keeping it warmer in winter or cooler in summer, and prevent wall stains and decay from moisture build up.

The installation of this wrap was actually a BASIX requirement. Reading up on the advantages on Bradford's website (https://www.bradfordinsulation.com.au/home-insulation/wall-wraps/enviroseal-proctorwrap-wall-wrap), definitely worth the cost to do this!

FIRST FLOOR FRAMES & WINDOWS INSTALLED

It's only been a few days since my last post and in just five days, our ground floor and first floor frames are up and windows have been installed. SS said in his weekly update call last Friday that next week's tasks will be internal plumbing, termite guard installation and also bricks will be delivered next week or the week after. Really happy with his communication so far! Hopefully the weather clears because our site is due for a cleanup, as per our SS. It has been extremely muddy onsite this week due to the heavy rains!

GROUND FLOOR FRAMES

Last week's weekly update call from our Site Supervisor indicated that our framework will get started on this week. Our neighbor one lot down messaged me via Instagram and gave us a heads up - our frames were up! 

SLAB POURED

We received an email from Wisdom in the morning which was a generic email saying that they have completed the slab stage. I wasn't 100% certain it would be done today as our SS has not mentioned it to us. That same afternoon, we received the Invoice for the 2nd Progress Payment - Slab. We made the trip to site that afternoon to check slab was all done so that we can make the payment.

We are also contributing some of our own funds for the Slab payment so the following morning after we made the transfer, i sent the bank the Invoice so they can pay the remainder.

WAFFLEPODS LAID

A quick visit to our land after work today proved to be worthwhile! We were greeted with wafflepods. I expected them to be laid today since our Site Manager sent us photos of them yesterday so we knew they were already delivered. Eldric and I stood from the backyard and imagined where the rooms would be! Pretty stoked that our little humble abode is becoming a reality!

PIERING COMPLETED

Our Site Supervisor called on Monday for an introduction and gave me a low down of what's to come. He has booked work for the next 7 weeks and said our Piering will happen  on Wednesday - give or take!

SITE SCRAPE

Site scrape, cut and fill involves leveling and compacting of the soil to ensure a flat working area, where the slab will be laid. You will notice from the pic above that it has been filled at the front to raise the level slightly due to the slope on our land, Even though the slope is minimal, i like the idea of being higher than street level. Let's just make sure the teen doesn't get her future car "lowered" 😆

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

5 February 2019 - Fence and Portaloo delivered

8 February 2019 - Land levelled / Cut and Fill

20 February 2019 - Piering & Formwork completed

21 February 2019 - Internal drainage installed and wafflepods delivered

FENCED IN!

The fence & portaloo was delivered yesterday! When driving up to our street, we saw the fence and were pleasantly surprised! Can't believe we are finally at this stage now. Seems so surreal! After a dramatic start to the year, all we felt like doing was the happy dance! Hoping and praying that we have a smooth as can be build and with minimal disruptions and issues as possible! I think it's absolutely essential to be realistic as well as flexible during the build journey and I can only wish for Eldric and myself to exercise due diligence and patience! We also have to be vigilant and I really want to be involved in the process where I can and not just "go with the flow". Absolutely thrilled to be in this phase!

PRODUCTION ESTIMATING

Ordered a custom design 2019 Build Diary from "Papier" (above) to record important
build dates and construction notes

On the 31st January 2019, we received the most anticipated email this year from Wisdom Homes - we were officially out of Admin stage and finally in Production Estimating stage. This stage is a major milestone, and we are glad to have made it, with a few cuts and bruises!!

FINAL LEG OF ADMIN!

It has been awhile (so it seems!) since my last build update. So much has happened since then...
Warning: long post ahead!

MY MOOD BOARDS

Copyright of ASJ©

I enjoy doing mood boards when there's nothing good on TV... lol! Sort of a way to release some creative energy when I get the urge! I guess that's why they call it a mood board! Here are a few I whipped up tonight..

It's funny how I've started doing mood boards early this year and when i look back, i notice my tastes and likes have changed. One thing stays consistent though, my love for minimalism and the whole minimalist concept.

Below are some of my mood boards 😊

AMENDED SUBMISSION PLANS

We received our amended Pre-Council Submission Plans yesterday. All looks to be in order! Only one correction to be made - which i have made our CSR aware of. I wasn't too worried about this one because it's in our Tender so the correction can be made when the Drafting Team draw up the Final Construction Plans. I gave her the go ahead to proceed with preparing the Submission Pack for Council. I am glad it is all sorted now... It delayed us a few weeks, but it also means, when we receive Final Plans, there should be no more errors! It evens out right?

PRE COUNCIL SUBMISSION

It has been awhile since my last post! A couple of things have happened since our Land has registered! Bore Hole Report and Contour Surveys have been conducted on our land. These reports were ordered by Wisdom and will determine what our Additional Site Costs will be. Our CSR has also lodged Plans for Developer Approval which came back approved within two weeks (Good on you, Newpark!) I actually thought it would take awhile as i imagined there would have been many submissions following land registration!

THE NITTY GRITTY - LAND REGISTRATION & FINANCE

So a few things have happened since my last post! Thought it was time for an update!

We received a letter from our Solicitor in late July advising that Land Registration was ahead of schedule and anticipated to be in August/September. That is about 3 months earlier than expected! Initially, when we had our first meeting with our Wisdom Homes Sales Consultant last year, we were told to expect Registration in November/December of 2018. It's quite unheard of for new estate developments to register on time let alone early! In fact, we were told by many to expect at least a 3 month delay. So here we are just cruising along and not expecting to lift a finger by at least November! And when i say lift a finger i am talking about paperwork!

INSPIRATION

Here are some pictures that i have gathered over the last few months via Pinterest and Instagram that inspired me with my Selections. Truly a wonderful tool to do your research! Once you have created your Pinterest Boards, look back and you will notice a theme transpire. In my case, i gravitated to the monochrome palette. It's not to say i am not attracted to other styles and themes, it just means my eye was on the black/greys/whites. In the last few weeks, i have been falling in love with Tan! Can't wait to introduce tan leather in and around the house! I chose this palette because you can dress it up and dress it down by adding splashes of colour in the form of vases, throws and pillows - anything you like really! I am doing a workshop next month at the International School of Colour and Design with a dear friend of mine who shares the same passion for interior styling as i - excitement is an understatement!

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! 😉

ADMIN TIMELINE

2017 MILESTONES:

15 August - House on the market

19 August - 1st Open House

21 August - Offer received for sale of house

28 August - Offer accepted (house officially SOLD)

3 September - Holding Deposit paid to Wisdom Homes

WINDOW DRESSINGS

Thanks to Pinterest, Instagram and good old Display Home stalking, i have a fair idea of how i would like to dress our windows. Simple and easy on the eyes is what's important to me. Our house will be very monochrome, with tan leather and a little bit of timber to soften the look, so sheers is the way to go! I would like to go with a local business who can custom make them so they sit nice and neat against the wall. I think sheers that go across the whole wall would look amazing. We have high ceilings so the floor to ceiling/wall to wall will accentuate the height and space even more.  Sheers also provide privacy without losing natural light.

I love how sheers provide the light and airy feel. I would love to find one where you can see out but can't see in. I have seen this in the Washington Display Home in Elara - feels so luxe with added privacy.

Over the last few months, i have collected some photos via Instagram from a designer whose style i envy. How classy does her rooms look?

Photo Credit: Aimee Tarulli - www.instagram.com/aimeestylist

www.instagram.com/aimeestylist

LIGHTING

We still have a few months until we need to buy lighting, furniture and appliances. A really good tip i read from a build blog was to note the month a shop goes on Sale. For example, Beacon Lighting have massive sales during April and May. I have noticed that August is also a great month for sales! And of course the End of Financial Year Sales in June/July.

You may have read from my last post that i have deleted some of our chosen pendant lights from our Electrical Quote. It's proof that in just 5 months, your design taste and palette can change or shift! I still find the minimalist, clean look very appealing and i doubt that will change much.

Here are some lighting designs i have in mind:

The Surface Ledlux Dimmable Downlights in Black, three to go above the kitchen island

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!