Thomas Archer Evoke (Modified) Kingston Build - 2020/2021/20

How is your build progressing?

We are also looking to convert our WIL (under the stairs) to a wine cellar as well, but it looks to be much smaller than yours (probably 1.8m x 1.8m). How many bottles are you planning to store and what kind of cost did you budget for? We actually don't drink a lot of wine but like the look of cellar with a glass panel door. Are there any provisions you recommend we look into?

Initially we had a similar size (1.5m x 1.8m). Depending on the configuration, we were looking at 650 - 800 bottles. The budget was approx $9-10k plus $3k for the custom made steel door (double glazed argon filled) with lock and handle.

We've asked for a wine cellar/cupboard as an option, if it makes sense in the floorplan. Thanks for the lead on the Vine company, we'll reach out to them if we decide to do that. Same as above, not huge wine drinkers, but looking to build value into the home for future sale

I wanted to change the door location so that the glass door was seen through the hallway on the way to the kitchen - more of a statement location. My partner did not want this. So it's now somewhat hidden next to the laundry!

How are you going with Darbecca as your inspector? they have TA as one of the builders they seem to have concerns about:

https://www.darbecca.com.au/which-builder-.html

Hmm interesting. I can’t imagine TA would be happy being on that list, and it will be interesting to have a conversation with TA about it sooner than later (tender still a couple of months away for us).
I wonder if there’s other building inspectors they don’t mind and it’s just Darbecca that have annoyed TA along the way, or if they refuse to deal with any inspectors. It actually doesn’t specify what they don’t like about TA, it lists a heap of things and then a heap of builders so it’s probably not all of the issues, could be just one, but which one?
Also the way it’s written it sounds like Darbecca are trying to scare people into using their services, or at least trying to create distrust between builders and their clients, so you could also see why TA and some other builders don’t want to deal with them.
It will be good to hear from people with experience in this, mostly what I have heard until now has been pretty good.
Plus I’ve never heard anything bad in this forum about TA, only ever minor issues that seemed to be resolved, everyone seems extremely happy with the finished product.

hey Wellbuild

Drove past your site this morning. Looking amazing despite this current "construction glitch" in Melbourne. Has TA communicated with you what they can/can't do, and when progress will continue? Geez your site costs really did blow out in the end hey!

Love Love Love the C4 facade!

Hi blacktea2sugars - things are progressing nicely thanks! We're on the home run to settlement and I had my first walkthrough in AGES just this morning (will upload photos).

I still can't get over the site costs - especially when I think they actually used traffic management only once or twice in the end (and are charging us $18k for it) - but seeing a soon to be finished house definitely helps ease some of the pent up frustration. Our SS has been good and we get along well - that also helps.

Floors went in yesterday - to be finished on Monday - carpet and shower screens next week. A couple of minor issues here and there - but things are looking good.

Nice!

You have the same double shower heads in your master as we do I think. Robes are the same too, great choices!

Is it worth asking for a rebate on site costs, or at least the traffic management portion? Just a thought.

Your pics look great wellbuild! Almost reaching the finishing line now can I pls ask if your wardrobes are the standard inclusions or did you add extra to it?

Wardrobes are standard. We only have those drawers (one set) in our main WIR. All the other bedrooms just have the hangers.

This was a mistake. We should've done two sets of drawers in our main WIR and at least one set in each other bedroom. We were guided by TA and budget but in hindsight this was a poor choice.

We'll need to address this post handover.

How's your build going?

^^?

^^?

Wellbuild also keen to know how it's all going!
Would love to see any progress pics to see how it is turning out / turned out