Thanx Srichz!

I didn't have to pay the $17500 on the spot, but it needs to be paid before construction starts, so got a bit of time to rustle the cash up. As for the painting, well it seems like a good price (will put variations up sometime soon!) but I am confident in assuming they have professionals doing it so would like to think they would keep the carpet clean. Otherwise that'll be getting picked up sometime before I sign off on it anyway!

Also, hopefully we have a contingency plan figured out regarding all the paperwork muddle ups. It will all work out in the end. Just gotta keep smiling!

nice job and the shower is a great idea. esp if you are ever in a wheelchair..or nan is etc, she can use a shower

very excited for you, you have done well.

keep it up!!!

congrats Sir Snagger. I also agree with you that having at least one hobless shower is a great idea. I was in a similar situation a while back ( broken legs) and will be in again so we've done the same for our ensuite.

Don;t forget to share pics of your water tap, and when they break ground..

Will do!!!

Grrrr banks and paperwork. There are a lot of stories on here about the stress caused by bank delays, mistakes, etc. Don't envy you all that driving but wouldn't trust someone else to deliver it either. Jealous of your rain head - used one in a hotel once and it was heaven. Very sensible about not having the hob - we don't have hobs here in SA. Good luck with your paperwork and keep breathing deeply - in ...... out ..... in ..... out ......

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have a very high tolerance level so will take a little bit more yet for me to lost my cool with anyone. Can't get to me that easy

As for not having hobs in your showers, is that a building standard in SA or just a choice you made?

It's just the way it's done over here now. We lived in a house built in the 80's that had a hob and when we renovated we got rid of it - looked so much nicer. It also means there are less nooks and crannies to clean! Here's the before and after ....

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Wow! Thats one hell of a revamp. Doesn't even look like the same shaped room. Nice work there!

Thanks - it was pretty sad wasn't it? Took 10 weeks to complete but so worth it!

Gotta wonder what dellusions the builders were having when they decided those colours were trendy. Similar throughout the whole 70's 80's 90's I reckon. Horrible bright colours (Oranges especially!!!). Would love to do a reno one day. Reckon it'd be great fun.

Yes we had great fun with the reno, started with the kitchen, then took up 50 square metres of brown slate (yuk), then the bathroom, toilet and finally the laundry. We organised the tradies (who were excellent) and saved a bomb. Building a new house seems a breeze after that! Well only just started so we'll see how it goes!!

Oh my that isnt very good paperwork checking by broker. Are you sure you didnt yell at him?? You should get it done in time.

We used a different builder and finance - but we paid the gap between contract amount and finance after the slab went down, and then our few prestart changes we paid at handover but we had to give them a bank statement to show we had the funds.

Hey Sir Snagger,

Just found your thread and looking forward to keeping an eye on it:)

Like your plans and changes so far. One advice, if your pedantic like me, make your you go over your plans, addenda, additions a few times. im not kidding!

even now thats were in bricking phase i find myself wishing we had done things or included items in contract!

when do you expect slabbage? :p

Yeah - I'm not a yeller. Simple mistake anyone could have made (as a witness that is). It will work out - the power of positive thought and line skimming


Thanks wrexter. I will definitely be going over the final set of plans VERY thoroughly after discovering a couple of things I thought were included that weren't (as discussed previously). Don't want anymore little surprises.
Slabbage is still an unknown factor, but before mid May would be nice! Depends I suppose on if we end up having to delay settlement (touchwood that we don't!!!!!).

Pre-Start Inclusions/Variations

Floor Coverings Allowance ………………………….. -$6,176.00
Window Treatments Allowance ………………………….. -$2,689.00
Bathroom and Ensuite Mirrors removed ………………………….. -$584.00
Provide Rheem Solar Loline electric booster hot water unit in lieu of Gas Boosted system, booster switch to be positioned in Dining. ………………………….. -$403.00
Credit standard phone point as not fibre optic compatible ………………………….. -$53.00
Delete Caroma Cosmo Single Towel Rail in Ensuite to be done after Handover by Owner. ………………………….. -$55.00

Tiles & Laminates Upgraded ………………………….. $200.00
Jollied Tiling ………………………….. $371.00
Laminex Silk Finish Cupboards in Kitchen, Bathroom & Ensuite ………………………….. $450.00
Reposition Pantry & Kitchen ………………………….. $0.00
Provide 300mm Overhand to Kitchen Island ………………………….. $0.00
Provide Comination Mirror/Vinyl Robe Doors to Beds 3 & 4 ………………………….. $156.00
Increase Robe in Bed 2 & Provide Comination Mirror/Vinyl Robe Doors ………………………….. $398.00
Provide F.H.O. in Bed 1 WIR in lieu of Soffit ………………………….. $0.00
Provide a full length shower recess to Ensuite with pivot door. Reposition shower taps to E1 wall. Delete Shower Hob and recess shower floor. Provide reflux valve. Provide Nikles Quatre 250 shower head Code: 9500519 and position in shower ceiling as per plan. Provide (1) additional set of taps to E3 wall (std). ………………………….. $3,432.00
Provide Home System No 1: (1) TV Point, (1) Broadband Point, (1) Telephone Point ………………………….. $1,282.00
Provide (1) TV Point in Theatre ………………………….. $229.00
Provide (1) TV Point to Bed 1 ………………………….. $229.00
Provide (1) Broadband to Theatre ………………………….. $229.00
Provide (1) Fan Base to Alfresco Ceiling ………………………….. $106.00
Provide (1) Weatherproof Double Power Point to Alfresco ………………………….. $116.00
Provide (1) Double Power Point to Garage ………………………….. $96.00
Upgrade Double Power Point in Theatre to Quad ………………………….. $18.00
Provide (1) Double Power Point to Entry Wall ………………………….. $96.00
Provide (1) Double Power Point to Kitchen Return Wall ………………………….. $96.00
Provide (1) 2 Way switch to Kitchen Light ………………………….. $86.00
Upgrade Single Power Point in Family to Double ………………………….. $15.00
Upgrade Double Power Point in Family to Quad ………………………….. $18.00
Reposition Double Power Point in Dining to 1400AFL for future Phone use ………………………….. $0.00
Reposition Double Power Point in Beds 3 & 4 at 300AFL ………………………….. $0.00
Upgrade Double Power Point in Bed 1 to Quad ………………………….. $18.00
Provide (1) 2 Way switch to Rear Passage ………………………….. $86.00
Reposition Manhole to Garage in lieu of Rear Passage ………………………….. $0.00
Provide (1) Unflumed Exhaust fam to WC. Reposition Flumed Vent from Laundry to above, to be switched separately to Light. ………………………….. $142.00
Reposition Booster Switch to Dining Room ………………………….. $0.00
Provide (1) Fan Base to Home Theatre Ceiling ………………………….. $106.00
Provide (1) 20mm Conduit, Draw Wire & Blank Plate to Theatre ………………………….. $50.00
Shower Roses to be positioned at 2000AFL in Ensuite & Bathroom. Provide (1) additional row of Tiling & increase Glass Screen height to suit. ………………………….. $316.00
Provide (1) Gainsborough Angular Trilock 8901 Leverset to Entrance Door in lieu of standard deadlock ………………………….. $200.00
Provide Chrome plated Floor Wastes to all wet areas in lieu of PVC white. ………………………….. $99.00
Provide Stylus Conrad AD shower rose to Bathroom Shower in lieu of Irwell Invigra AD ………………………….. $0.00
Provide (1) Nikles Stahl Rail Shower Code 2202652 to Ensuite Shower in lieu of Irwell Invigra E3 wall. ………………………….. $477.00
Provide Internal Wall Painting throughout home (1 colour only) ………………………….. $5,335.00
Provide Floor Coverings as per Carpet Choice - Vinyl: Authentic 150 Biscay 11/Alu Brown for Entry, Theatre, Kitchen, Family, Dining & Rear Passage. Carpet: Coventry Spartan 8218 for Beds 1, 2 , 3 & 4 including Robes. ………………………….. $5,850.00
Provide window treatments as per Bunbury Blind Gallery - Roller Plaza Blinds Malt to Theatre, Dining, Family, Laundry. Roller Blinds Plaza Express to Beds 1, 2, 3 & 4. ………………………….. $4,230.00
Provide Caroma Cosmo Double 900mm Shower Rail for Bathroom in lieu of 600 Single ………………………….. $24.00
Provide 700mm hugh Painted Glass Splashback to Kitchen including Returns: Colour - Exquisite Elura Metallic in lieu of builders standard tiling. ………………………….. $1,892.00
Provide a Radiant R129 Stainless Steel sink in lieu of R127 Stainless Steel Sink in Kitchen ………………………….. $61.00
Provide Semi Frameless Clear Glazed Pivot Door to Bathroom Shower Recess ………………………….. $620.00
Provide Clarke Eureka #8011 45L Stainless Steel Cabinet colour White to Laundry in lieu of Acrylic Milena Trough ………………………….. $111.00

Total Variations Budget = $17,280


According to my Prestart lady, this is considerably more than most 1st Home Buyers do in their Pre-Start. I'm lucky to be in a position to do it thankfully.

And here are my Tile Selections;

MAIN BATHROOM

Wall Tiles ………………………….. 200(H) x 400(W) ………………………….. Impress Navy White
Skirting Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 400 ………………………….. Impress Navy White
Hob Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint
Bath Riser & Hob ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint
Border Tiles ………………………….. 50 x 200 ………………………….. 8219 DHT 10Black Pearl Mix (15x15) Border
Border Position - 1 row vertical in Shower B4 Elevation, laid off centre 1 tile in from RHS corner
Border Position - 1 row vertical in Bath hob, laid 1 tile from LHS
Floor Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint
Vanity Top ………………………….. Wilsonart ………………………….. Feldspar Shimmer XM054-07 Squareform profile
Vanity Facing ………………………….. Laminex ………………………….. Polar White - Silk Finish

ENSUITE

Wall Tiles ………………………….. 200(H) x 400(W) ………………………….. Impress Navy White
Skirting Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 400 ………………………….. Impress Navy White
Border Tiles ………………………….. 50 x 200 ………………………….. 8219 DHT 10Black Pearl Mix (15x15) Border
Border Position - 1 row vertical in Shower E2 Elevation, laid off centre 2 tile in from LHS corner
Border Position - 2 borders laid veritcal between 200h x 400w tile centered over vanity sink
Floor Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint
Vanity Top ………………………….. Wilsonart ………………………….. Feldspar Shimmer XM054-07 Squareform profile
Vanity Facing ………………………….. Laminex ………………………….. Polar White - Silk Finish

KITCHEN

Glass Splashback ………………………….. Exquisite Elura Metallic
Cupboard Tops ………………………….. Wilsonart ………………………….. Pearl Silver LS D487-07
Cupboard Facings ………………………….. Wilsonart ………………………….. Polar White - Silk Finish

LAUNDRY/LINEN

Wall Tiles (above trough) ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Phuket White
Skirting Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint
Floor Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint

WC

Skirting Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint
Floor Tiles ………………………….. 200 x 200 ………………………….. Enviro Flint


Will get some pic's of the sample tiles, etc when I'm back home showing the different combinations.

Hi Sir Snagger,

Just wondering, did they allow you to do Silk finishes on the cupboards in the kitchen, bathroom and ensuite?
We're doing an ultimate series as well, but when I receive my pre-start kit, it was specified that no gloss finishes are allowed.
I don't know if ours is different or you can just upgrade with this restriction.

How about your?

Thanks.
Srichz

Hi Srichz! I'm not sure what the inital plans etc said about whether the Silk finishes were allowed, but I didn't have any problems with Upgrading it to the Slik Gloss finish. Just asked and they said ok. I dunno if the rules have changed since I signed up cos I know that changes were afoot (e.g. the vanity's no longer have wide sides but just the part with the basin in it). I don't see why they wouldn't let you upgrade at PreStart as it's more money for them. Good luck though! Let us know how it goes!

So I went in today and got a cppl of photo's of samples for my Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry.

This is the Kitchen sample;

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The Glass Splashback is Exquisite Elura Metallic with a Pearl Silver (Squareform) Benchtops and Polar White - Silk Finish Cupboards

Vinyl sample for the open plan living area's;

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Bathroom & Ensuite tile sample;

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The 200 x 400 wall tiles are Impress Wavy White with The Squareform Benchtops (but wrong sample colour...meant to be Feldspar Shimmer which is shiny black colour) and Polar White - Silk Finish Cupboards again with Enviro Flint floor tiles and DHT Black Pearl Mix border tiles.

The pics don't do them justice. The border tiles especially are a lot nicer looking in the flesh (or glass as it is!)

Colours look great - can't wait to see it all "in the flesh"!