Posts by The_Matriarch • Home Renovation & Building Forum

Two pergolas and a deck...Outdoor Living

18 February 2012

Feb 18, 2012 10:47 am

I know there have been quite a number of posts regarding decking and pergolas, but I've noticed there's a common trend in all - most prices quoted are DIY builders/handymen who supply their own materials and labour, and end up paying just for the materials. It's harder to find other posts, where tra...

I know there have been quite a number of posts regarding decking and pergolas, but I've noticed there's a common trend i...

Shade blinds cost?Outdoor Living

21 January 2012

Jan 21, 2012 2:17 pm

Hi All, We're interested in getting some outdoor shade blinds to close off a pergola area, keep UV out and increase privacy. We've been quoted approx. $1,400 per shade blind, which includes fix and installation. The product appears to be of very high quality and I'm fairly confident, based on the sa...

Hi All, We're interested in getting some outdoor shade blinds to close off a pergola area, keep UV out and increase priv...

Re: Stormwater sleeve issueGeneral Discussion

27 August 2011

Aug 27, 2011 11:13 am

It has been found! Although not where the plumbers said it is. They had to come out and dig it up, so they could expose it for us. Tried to get the construction manager to do something about it, but it appears after a final payment and handover, builders want nothing to do with you anymore! So the s...

It has been found! Although not where the plumbers said it is. They had to come out and dig it up, so they could expose ...

Stormwater sleeve issueGeneral Discussion

21 August 2011

Aug 21, 2011 5:45 pm

Having recently had our final inspection and handover, we're now in the process of finishing off the bits and pieces in and around the house. We'll be doing all the stormwater works ourselves, but we can't seem to find the sleeve that's meant to be under the slab of the house. We build right on the ...

Having recently had our final inspection and handover, we're now in the process of finishing off the bits and pieces in ...

Points to raise during inspectionGeneral Discussion

30 July 2011

Jul 30, 2011 5:57 pm

After 18 months of headaches, stress, grey hairs, sleep deprivation, arguments with the builder and the neighbours from hell, I'm happy to report we're at handover stage and should be getting our keys within the next 2-3 weeks. We're also due for an inspection prior to the final payment, and I'm jus...

After 18 months of headaches, stress, grey hairs, sleep deprivation, arguments with the builder and the neighbours from ...

Re: "Notice to erect a fence"General Discussion

16 May 2011

May 16, 2011 9:59 pm

It's a new fence replacing an existing one.

"Notice to erect a fence"General Discussion

16 May 2011

May 16, 2011 8:55 pm

A question for those with more experience - Does a "Notice to erect a fence" need to be accompanied by a letter outlining why the notice is being sent? Previously, there was a verbal agreement that the other side won't be contributing to the cost for the new fence, but things have now chan...

A question for those with more experience - Does a Notice to erect a fence need to be accompanied by a letter outlining ...

Re: Error with slab!Building A New House

3 April 2011

Apr 03, 2011 10:01 pm

SA. Things were supposedly going well... until this! And we're only just starting.

Re: Error with slab!Building A New House

3 April 2011

Apr 03, 2011 9:33 pm

Seeing as this is the contractor's stuff up, this shouldn't be costing us anything extra, right?

Re: Error with slab!Building A New House

3 April 2011

Apr 03, 2011 9:22 pm

Yes, Eve, that's obviously the most logical solution, but it's become a more difficult thing to do now, as the frame is already up on the slab. I'm mostly worried about the quality of the fix.

Yes, Eve, that's obviously the most logical solution, but it's become a more difficult thing to do now, as the frame is ...

Error with slab!Building A New House

3 April 2011

Apr 03, 2011 9:07 pm

We recently had our slab done. Looked OK, neat, as it should be. Up to frame stage now, and this is where it gets interesting... have just noticed that the frames are done according to measurements, which expose an error in the slab. One of the corners has been cut short, so we're missing a sizeable...

We recently had our slab done. Looked OK, neat, as it should be. Up to frame stage now, and this is where it gets intere...

29 March 2011

Mar 29, 2011 7:15 pm

vlt, I'll be taking the advice of fellow builders here from this forum and will be doing this the legal way - covering all my bases, should things go pear shaped. The old fence was a disgrace and had almost fallen over. It could've been partially destroyed by anything and the neighbour still wouldn'...

vlt, I'll be taking the advice of fellow builders here from this forum and will be doing this the legal way - covering a...

25 March 2011

Mar 25, 2011 8:32 pm

She didn't "reluctantly" agree. The fence was very old, rusty, had almost fallen over (was no longer doing its proper fencing job), and she was informed that, due to the new construction on the site, it had to go. She agreed to it (not reluctantly, although she didn't care if the old fence...

She didn't reluctantly agree. The fence was very old, rusty, had almost fallen over (was no longer doing its proper fenc...

25 March 2011

Mar 25, 2011 8:13 pm

The fence was removed because it had to be removed. She was informed of it (why it had to be done, when, etc.) and verbally agreed to it.

The fence was removed because it had to be removed. She was informed of it (why it had to be done, when, etc.) and verba...

25 March 2011

Mar 25, 2011 8:02 pm

It's a brand new fence. The old one had to be removed - was very old, rusty and useless. Her reasons for not wanting to contribute are because: a) she just doesn't want to pay and b) her logic is that because we're building, we should be paying for any costs associated with fences, too. I'm in SA.

It's a brand new fence. The old one had to be removed - was very old, rusty and useless. Her reasons for not wanting to ...

25 March 2011

Mar 25, 2011 7:50 pm

She's from the T-Rex era, so I'm afraid she'll have a coronary if we ask her for half the costs. I don't think she'll pay, anyway, so I don't know how helpful and useful the process will be. I have a feeling it'll be a waste of our time and efforts and it'll only put more of a strain on our relation...

She's from the T-Rex era, so I'm afraid she'll have a coronary if we ask her for half the costs. I don't think she'll pa...

Fence costs and neighboursGeneral Discussion

25 March 2011

Mar 25, 2011 7:14 pm

Hi All, A question regarding fence costs and neighbours - Our neighbour has matter-of-factly informed us that she won't be paying any costs associated with the erection of a new fence (we're building next door to her). Once the fence goes up, however, ownership will be 50/50 and if one day we decide...

Hi All, A question regarding fence costs and neighbours - Our neighbour has matter-of-factly informed us that she won't ...

Neighbour's rights?General Discussion

14 March 2011

Mar 14, 2011 12:10 pm

Our builder's sub-contractors appear to have dumped some building debris onto our neighbour's property and taken little care in doing what is right by them. They're now jumping up and down insisting the builder comes out there and fixes up their problems and clean up the mess left by the sub-contrac...

Our builder's sub-contractors appear to have dumped some building debris onto our neighbour's property and taken little ...

Re: Demolition of boundary wall - neighbours object (perth)General Discussion

12 March 2011

Mar 11, 2011 11:59 pm

I would suggest going to council first regarding this. Seeing as it's your property you're willing to demolish (regardless of the fact it's partially in the neighbour's boundary) and you can do as you please with it (provided you have the necessary approvals, etc.) your neighbours should be the last...

I would suggest going to council first regarding this. Seeing as it's your property you're willing to demolish (regardle...