[list=][/list]Ok - first attempt didn't work, so starting this build thread again! I have already started a blog elsewhere, but since the build is taking so long, there is nothing to update the blog with so I thought I would start a thread on here as well (having been an avid and grateful reader of so many others' build threads).

The story so far....

Land completion 2nd Feb 2010.
We bought a battleaxe block with nothing on it. There is a massive rock outcrop at the top of the plot (plot slopes downwards) which the house will sit on. Previous owner of the land had already gained DA approval for a house to be built. He had done a lot of work to find a builder that could and would build on the plot so we stuck with the same builder and amended plans only slightly.

DA - Section 96 submitted March 2010

DA - Approval received September 2010!!! The original DA only took 3 months to process and our section 96 took 5.5 months!! This was due to council being seriously under-resourced. Annoying - yes a little!!
Contract signed and deposit paid 11 November 2010

Build commenced......yet to get a date for this!

Ok ok, I appreciate we got caught up in the backlog due to the bad weather before Christmas and then the Christmas period close-down. We met our site supervisor for the first time this morning and he confirms that works will commence at the end of this week. YIPEEEE!!! They will be excavating the driveway so that the vehicles have an access path to the site. At the moment the driveway is grassed over and has a few level step-downs - so they need to smooth this over and bring in some crushed road base.

here is the site

Rock that house will sit on
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Approximate view from house (and hubby admiring cutting down trees handy-work!)
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Build timeline

Site start: 11 Nov '11
Slab: 2 Dec '
Drainage
Frames: 31 Jan '12
Bricks: 22 Feb '12
Roof: 13 Mar '12
Electricals & a/c ducting 15 Mar '12
Render:

aawww your pic didnt work

I read your blog today... sorry it took sooo long....
Cute bub though.... keep plugging guys you will get there!

I feel your pain. Our actual house took seven months from when they laid our slab to handover.
Before that, we had to wait for our land to title as well and the developer of our estate was being difficult.

Hang in there, once you have action on your block, the time will fly by and you'll be packing before you know it

Hey guys! Thanks for posts already! Yes, I had trouble inserting my pic and I typed a load of words too but somehow lost that! Not going so well on here either!

We met our site supervisor on site this morning though and he said that excavation on our driveway will start at the end of this week - yippee!!

Now I'll try and start this thread again!

Hello - long time no speak! Hope all is good with you!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement!! (And love your signature!!!)

Hi Nina,
Great to hear they will be starting soon after such a long wait. I drive past your place everyday when I go to work and have noticed a bit of work happening to the build in front of your place. I have thought to myself they haven't left much room between their fence and the boundary and how you were going to get trucks down to your block. Good luck with the excavation of the driveway.

Thanks Mick! Looks like we might be coming to an agreement with our neighbour's builder over the fencing - they are working it out between them.

I'm going back to the blog - I've lost too many updates on this and don't have the energy or time to keep re-doing them!

Hey Nina,

Just saw your pics, very exciting indeed!

We too just started piering last Friday, but wonder one thing....when Beechwood built

our existing house 20yrs ago, the first thing they did was install a Porta-loo as a sign that work

was commencing...They have worked for 2 days so far & no Porta-Loo in sight, just

worries me, isn't that a workcover & council requirement, or is it a sign they're

going to take their sweet time?

Hi Nina! Just came across your thread (from the Westminster thread). I recall you had a different thread. Was it you that was wanting to build a white house and were due for a baby recently??? Sorry if I have you mixed up with someone else. T

Hey Sunshine - that's me!!

oh how bizarre!! I can't remember which thread we were chatting on... I am building not far from you I recall. How did the birth go?????????? I remember it was your first and your were very nervous (understandably, as is everyone).

And how is your build going? (Did you have another thread that has disappeared?). Nice to find you again! (ps: We are looking to build with Westminster too now, so I am very interested to hear how you have found the process...).

Cheers, T

It's been a very long time and I will update you soon on the saga....but for now, where should we have our kitchen sink - under the window or on the main bench top? Main bench top balances the kitchen better I think, (and leaves more space to plug things in near the window) but where do you keep your washing up liquid, cloths, brushes etc?!

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Hey Nina,

I reckon under the window, it looks more tidier. Also , it gives you more bench space by having the sink under the window. In my current house, my sink is under the window, so when preparing or cutting food, you have all that bench space to use.
That's my opinion anyway .

Thanks Springtime - that's our original choice before we started thinking about it again!! Will be nice to have the whole bench clear so people can sit up there.

I agree - under the window. Can't the brushes, liquids etc. go in the cupboard beneath the sink to the left?

So - have you decided on H yet?

I would put the sink under the window so the main bench can be free to use as a breakfast bar.
What's happening with your build?

Thanks guys - decision made, under the window!