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Well the bank has issued the Authority to Commence, so it is finally time to start my own thread to keep track of the build process and for anyone interested in following our build
We had originally planned to build with one of the ‘big’ builders (I don’t think I am allowed to name them, so here is a never-to-be-answered game of Hangman: P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ _), but after we paid our $1,500 deposit to get the Authorised Tender our original sales quote jumped up $50K, including $25K of unnecessary retaining walls, so we decided to look elsewhere. After chatting with several of our new neighbours, it turns out at least four of them had the exact same issue with excessive retaining wall requirements with that builder, and all went with other builders!
Here’s the standard Bayside 30 plan:
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/Bayside30-StandardPlan_zps04d70967.jpgand here is our modified version [kept the basic footprint, flipped the whole house and then edited a few rooms – SM were very accommodating, really happy with their service so far!]... Thought I would post the flooring plan, so you can see the format of our chosen floor coverings as well:
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/ModifiedBayside30_zps16ef82ba.jpgWe decided on a neutral, contemporary colour scheme of whites and greys, so these are our selections:
EXTERIOR
Render – Taubmans ‘Gemini Silver’ (also used on downpipes etc)
Front Piers – Boral Nuvo Aspire ‘Slate’ (we plan to cover these with stacked stone after handover)
Roof Tile – Bristile Classic Shingle ‘Gun Metal’
Fascia/Gutter – Colorbond ‘Basalt’
Garage Door – Colorbond ‘Shale Grey’
Aluminium Door/Window Frames – Trend ‘Anodic Natural Matt’
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/ExternalColourSelections_zps8c1218e4.jpghttp://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/BoralNuvoAspireSlatewithNaturalMortar_zps4ef59d87.pngINTERIOR
Walls – Taubmans ‘Winter Ice’
Cabinetry – Polytec ‘Classic White’ Sheen
Benchtops – Caesarstone ‘Snow’ (upgraded to 40mm Arris Edge in kitchen, bathroom & ensuite)
Flooring – Parador Trendtime 6 ‘Oak Castell Smoked’ timber look laminate + Medusa ‘Merle’ carpet (dark charcoal)
Tiles to Bathroom, WC & Laundry – ‘Belga Grey Semi-Gloss’ 450x450 to floors & walls, with ‘Magellan Grey’ grout
Tiles to Ensuite – ‘Belga Charcoal Semi-Gloss’ 450x450 to floors and walls, with ‘Charred Ash’ grout
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/InternalColourSelections_zps70f4faa2.jpghttp://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/Parador%20Trendtime%206%20Oak%20Castell%20Smoked_zps9ng0iyzp.jpghttp://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/Carpet-MedusainMerle_zps6f27170a.jpghttp://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/BelgaGreySemi-Gloss450x450_zps1cd38448.pnghttp://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/BelgaCharcoal450x450_zps5cc428cd.pngThat’s all the fun stuff out of the way… now to wait and hear when our site works are going to start!
What an interesting floorplan! I haven't seen many like this, it's good to see something different. Love your flooring and I'm a white kitchen fan of course. Can't wait to see it all come together.
What an interesting floorplan! I haven't seen many like this, it's good to see something different. Love your flooring and I'm a white kitchen fan of course. Can't wait to see it all come together.
Thanks StephyD, I have been following your beautiful build as well
... Our block is 25m wide with around 32m of flat section before dropping off on a downward slope, and we are at the top of a hill with great views, so we decided to go for a wide and short design to allow for a huge outdoor entertaining area with pool etc in the future... We wanted the master bedroom and all the living at the back to make the most of our views
... There was no display home for the original design, so it will definitely be interesting to see how it all comes together!
Had an introduction phone call from our Site Supervisor last week... Site cut scheduled for this Thursday & slab should be around 5th Dec! Unfortunately that will be all until January with the Christmas break coming up, but YAY for finally getting started!!
Just came to read your thread, how exciting things are finally happening for you! Felt like a lifetime before ours started but it has gone very quickly!!! I hope you are happy with them, we've been pretty happy with how everything has gone. We have chosen similar colour schemes haven't we! I like neutral colours you can do a lot with the furniture & art & stuff then
Where on the gold coast are you? Whos your site supervisor? Did you go into the city to the design studio??? That was my favourite part that place is awesome. We have chosen the same oven too.... I have a crappy little oven in my current place so very excited about my massive oven!!! haha
Looking forward to following your build!!!!
Jess
Just came to read your thread, how exciting things are finally happening for you! Felt like a lifetime before ours started but it has gone very quickly!!! I hope you are happy with them, we've been pretty happy with how everything has gone. We have chosen similar colour schemes haven't we! I like neutral colours you can do a lot with the furniture & art & stuff then
Where on the gold coast are you? Whos your site supervisor? Did you go into the city to the design studio??? That was my favourite part that place is awesome. We have chosen the same oven too.... I have a crappy little oven in my current place so very excited about my massive oven!!! haha
Looking forward to following your build!!!!
Jess
Hey Jess
Thanks for checking out my thread, and great to see an update on yours as well! I couldn't find many SM builds on here, so I'm glad you're back!! Totally agree with the neutral scheme & adding colour with accessories - so easy to update then as well
We're Northern Gold Coast... Not sure if we're allowed to name people on these sites, but our site supervisor is M _ _ _. S. - is he yours as well? Yes, loved the design studio! The oven is going to be AWESOME - such a good range of appliances compared to some of the other builders!
Jen
Yes I was pretty happy with the standard appliances too, seems they don't just put in cheap crap like some others
No our site supervisor is kel, he's been pretty good but like I said we haven't had many dramas so not much of a need to talk to him a lot!! But he's been really accommodating with meeting up when we want to etc
just waiting on our pci & handover date now. It's very exciting I think I will totally build again I have enjoyed it! Lots of things I would do differently next time. I'm looking forward to seeing ur experience with them, I read a lot of reviews before we decided on a builder and SM had a lot of good.ones so hopefully urs is good too
Yes I was pretty happy with the standard appliances too, seems they don't just put in cheap crap like some others
No our site supervisor is kel, he's been pretty good but like I said we haven't had many dramas so not much of a need to talk to him a lot!! But he's been really accommodating with meeting up when we want to etc
just waiting on our pci & handover date now. It's very exciting I think I will totally build again I have enjoyed it! Lots of things I would do differently next time. I'm looking forward to seeing ur experience with them, I read a lot of reviews before we decided on a builder and SM had a lot of good.ones so hopefully urs is good too
So glad to hear you have had a good build with them, and so exciting that handover isn't far away for you! Can't wait to see more of your pics!! Yes, fingers crossed our build goes smoothly too, thanks
Awesome!!! So exciting to see something happening. Looks like ur backyard is going to have an awesome view!!!!
Awesome!!! So exciting to see something happening. Looks like ur backyard is going to have an awesome view!!!!
We love the view... already picturing the wine in hand on the back deck
Makeshift driveway and pipework done today... Piers were done last week, but you can't see them anymore under all the dirt... Slab prep scheduled for this Friday
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/Pipes01_zpseb9da510.jpg
I love the bathroom and ensuite tiles! I've been looking at the same tiles so I'm very interested to see how yours turn out
I love the bathroom and ensuite tiles! I've been looking at the same tiles so I'm very interested to see how yours turn out
Thanks! Unfortunately we will have to wait a while to see them in action, but I can't wait to see the finished product
Our slab was poured today!!!
(we also have a new moat, thanks to the stormy GC weather today)...
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/SLAB_zps9db81ec4.jpgAlso got our 2014 coin in the slab, thanks to our wonderful neighbours in collaboration with the concreter... it's at the front door for good luck
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/CoininSlab_zpscb66dd33.jpg... and here was a little visitor in our backyard when we were checking the slab out this afternoon
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/Wallaby_zps99303c1b.jpg
So, at our initial site visit we discussed with the SS that they wouldn't be able to get the roof on before the Christmas break and that they wouldn't put the frames up to battle the elements over the break because of this. The frames had been ordered for delivery first thing when everyone starts back January, and we received our weekly update email on Friday advising we were at "Stage 2 - slab poured. Framing works to begin in 2015"... Lo and behold, what did we find on site two days later??
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/FramesDelivered_zps654024a2.jpgWe asked the SS yesterday if plans had changed, and he said he has trades working over Christmas and also that the frame supplier needed to get them out of their yard due to lack of room. He said he's getting a head start on next year and they would only be sitting at the yard otherwise, so better to have them and get them up... Watch this space I guess!
We also have power
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah242/cox_jl/PowerBox_zps887c1244.jpg
Yay always good to see stuff happening when ur not expecting it!! Congrats on ur slab! Hope it's nice and sunny for u so there r no more delays!
Yay always good to see stuff happening when ur not expecting it!! Congrats on ur slab! Hope it's nice and sunny for u so there r no more delays!
Thanks Jess
We're hoping things keep moving along, so the frames don't get too battered!!