Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building in SA! 3003Jun 23, 2010 9:02 pm 2011 Home Sweet Home Handover 03 September 2010 PCI 27August 2010 Plumber 20August 2010 Electrician 19August 2010 Painting 04 August 2010 Cabinets 13Jul2010 Lockup 23June Frame 20April slab 1Mar10 Re: Building in SA! 3006Jun 23, 2010 9:47 pm Hi there everyione, sorry I've been offline fort a few weeks. Limited internet access plus gthe whole moving in thing (which I am well over by the way). We are all settled in now and felt like home immediately. Curtains the best money can buy (not), mud all round but it is warm n cosy. As predicted * scratched floor * marks on walls and doors * kids did fight * chip in door and the list goes on. You know, the biggest stress point was cleaning the rental and doing final inspection. This weekend is our first weekend with that bleedin cold rental. Short video of house n floor (boral Brushbox) http://gallery.me.com/danny.lee7#100129 Tpin, Jessie, Freddyflop, somewoman, hoffdog, robinred and others, hope all is well and keep the humor coming. Re: Building in SA! 3007Jun 23, 2010 10:04 pm Oh Wombat, it's looking really good and you'll be so happy to not have rental inspections etc. Keep us updated. Handover February 2011 Happy with our home Re: Building in SA! 3008Jun 23, 2010 11:41 pm topaz Wow thats an attractive solution.. we had considered something like this, but were worried about the potential need for a box gutter.. Did you add bigger downpipes or wider gutter? Or does it handle the extra rain-loan ok without any improvements? Also, big fan of the timber side gate! Going to try to attempt making one like that ourselves too Sorry topaz, I hadn't been on for a while so just saw your question. We didn't do anything to our gutters and seems to be fine. The only problem we have had is when there have been torential downpours we get abit of rain coming in the gap because with the angle it is not actually attached at one end. It is the end away from the normal direction the weather comes from so not too much drama. My hubby built the gate himself. He was pretty proud of himself as it was his 1st real DIY job (he is an old hand now after all the work that we did around here!). He used a kit that you can buy (got it from Softwoods also) that forms the frame of the gate and is adjustable to suit the size you need and then you just put the slats onto it. Our custom build with Rossdale http://hazehome.blogspot.com/ https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=17630 Re: Building in SA! 3009Jun 25, 2010 5:08 pm Hi all, It's been a bit quiet lately on this thread. I'm just wondering how everyone is going? I'm aware that Jessie is on tenterhooks waiting for a response to the bricking problem and SW is happy with the tiler. Nothing much is happening here. Apparently all our estimates have come through now and we'd be really interested in seeing them (wait, wait, have more patience). Our loan papers have to be redone because there were mistakes on the first one and our consultant has gone on long service leave and the other consultant has struggled to figure out what the first consultant was thinking. Also, we've had the discussions with the builders over the placement of Solar HWS panels as we want to put a 1.5kw system on the roof also. Also discussions regarding provisions for downpipes on our future pergola. You know your getting close when you're dealing with the really boring stuff. Blessings to all. Handover February 2011 Happy with our home Re: Building in SA! 3010Jun 25, 2010 10:53 pm hoffdog Hoffdog is being insulated, mmmm cosy! OH How exciting! But I am oh sooooo jealous Re: Building in SA! 3011Jun 25, 2010 11:22 pm robinred55 Hi all, It's been a bit quiet lately on this thread. I'm just wondering how everyone is going? I'm aware that Jessie is on tenterhooks waiting for a response to the bricking problem and SW is happy with the tiler. Nothing much is happening here. Apparently all our estimates have come through now and we'd be really interested in seeing them (wait, wait, have more patience). Our loan papers have to be redone because there were mistakes on the first one and our consultant has gone on long service leave and the other consultant has struggled to figure out what the first consultant was thinking. Also, we've had the discussions with the builders over the placement of Solar HWS panels as we want to put a 1.5kw system on the roof also. Also discussions regarding provisions for downpipes on our future pergola. You know your getting close when you're dealing with the really boring stuff. Blessings to all. Robin - I think that the only thing that tops the incompetence shown by our wonderfully lovely and adorable person who may or may not be involved with scheduling and supply of workers and materials at our house would be the utter incompetence shown by banks. I feel your frustration. We have funded this build ourselves, although we have borrowed for the extras - meaning anything post-handover. We put in our application really early to ensure that the money is available when we want it - over a year ago to be precise. It was fully approved the same day (amazing what a little equity will do and we said that we didn't want to draw down on the funds for a while, but when we do we'll just chuck it in an offset account until such a time as we're ready to use it - went through all required paperwork, accounts were set up and apparently ready to go when we were. About 6 months later we decided we should draw down to avoid having to go through it all again. Oooops, the guy who set it up has left the company and nobody knows anything about it. We have to put through a whole new application. Again - approved. Paperwork completed. We'll fund it next week. Next week, no funds. Oh sorry, next week! Still no. Ooops, it's a really busy time for home settlements - everyone wants to buy in Spring. We'll fund in three weeks on this date. Oh, oooops!!! You said you're in no hurry, can we add you in with the december settlements? Oh wait, everyone wants settlement in december so that they can live in their new home for christmas, is january ok? It was funded in April. We applied for it last April. Having said that, the build has been much, much, MUCH more stressful that the comedy act that has been dealing with the banks. Re: Building in SA! 3012Jun 26, 2010 5:31 pm Just spent two hours sweeping my new house, dirty dirty tradies, lol, i know they can't help it. The house felt like it was about a million squares can't wait till i get to vacuum it, that will probably take 2 hours as well. Re: Building in SA! 3013Jun 26, 2010 7:50 pm Hi Somewoman, I wasn't aware you had bank difficulties also. Sounds worse than ours. Our very first consultant promised us no application fee and lower variable rate and what happened? He left work. Second consultant worked hard to figure it out and then he went on long service leave. Third time lucky? On the bright side we went to the block today and we have a water meter and survey pegs so I guess we might be getting closer to something happening. Today I went to our display home and worked out the arrangement of furniture for the family room. I was so thrilled that it was much bigger than I remembered. Hoff, If you build such a big house I guess you can't complain about vacuuming So it's just as well you're looking forward to it. I hope you're having a ducted system. I'd love one but I must be really grateful for all the other goodies we're getting. I would so love a Vergola or the likes but everyone says they cost a fortune. After our visit to the block hubby said how excited he was getting. It's nice to see him so upbeat about it after this long process. Blessings to you all Handover February 2011 Happy with our home Re: Building in SA! 3014Jun 26, 2010 8:00 pm Hoffdog has been wired for velocity, whatever that means, I have read everything I can find on Telstra Velocity and still dont get it, but we have it in our house so there ya go. Gyprock should be going in this week, was meant to go in friday but had issues getting the velocity wiring in. Purchased a wood heater today capable of heating our whole house, gonna be toasty warm up in the hills in winter, cant wait for it. Sending all of you hoffdog love, you dont get that everyday do ya! Re: Building in SA! 3015Jun 26, 2010 8:09 pm Good for you Hoff. You'll need that heater in the hills. We're having ducted gas heating put in our home. I hate winter and suffer through it miserably so I keep comforting myself by saying next year central heating (and a DISHWASHER and a DISPLAY NICHE). I always wanted a display niche. Handover February 2011 Happy with our home Re: Building in SA! 3016Jun 26, 2010 11:23 pm Hi Guys, haven't been on for a while mainly because have been a bit demotivated. We had our final builders interview in March and it took nearly two months for the bank to approve our construction loan!!! and we had it preapproved when we bought the land last year. Buuuttt I can't say much because I'm working for them now (started in May) Also had an email dialogue with Hickinbotham over a huge pile of dirt they had left on our block from their display homes. I think they thought they could get away with it because they didn't charge for the fence across the back. So starting at the end of March I asked them quite politely to remove it, they said they would then disclaimed responsibility by saying there was other building debris in it (I checked it, it was half a brick from next door) Soooo anyhoo this went on until the week before last where they basically said I need to provide proof. I didn't have any photos of them in the act so thought all was lost until a new neighbour I met said they had eyewitnessed the landscapers push it down. Jackpot, I politely emailed them again and the next day they said they'd remove it for "goodwill" Yippee So the excavators finally started on the block last week, but two days later we've been told they've hit rock! D'oh. I said why wasn't on soil report, Fairmont says it was. I go over report and rock outcrops etc are ticked no but on one of the borelogs at 1.9 to 3m depth says weathered shale which I am now informed means rock. Wow I really wish I had studied more geology at school. So now we're thinking we will try to shave some money off our driveway and carpet budgets except we've been told that they form part of the security of the loan so I'm not sure how that will work out but fingers crossed, nice to see everyone else is progressing : ) Re: Building in SA! 3017Jun 27, 2010 5:29 am Jesstibb So now we're thinking we will try to shave some money off our driveway and carpet budgets except we've been told that they form part of the security of the loan so I'm not sure how that will work out but fingers crossed, nice to see everyone else is progressing : ) Hi Jessica They will all try and get away with stuff and no builders etc have any respect for other peoples land. Hope it picks up soon. Regarding driveway, carpets etc., I went with homestart and had flooring, driveway and paving in at full prices. As things progress, you can chop and change as you see fit. For example, I had driveway in for concrete at $80/m2. I'll be going DIY paving to save some $. The bank are not fussed. Same for perimeter paving. Down the sides will be Boral Promenade seconds at $19m2 rather than full priced in high 20's. We reduced our ducted RC by $1000 to what we had in the loan etc. For the soil, I actually too time off to watch them remove it since I was being charged for it and literally counted tghe multitude of truck loads disappearing with my $$. Hope this helps a little. Re: Building in SA! 3018Jun 28, 2010 9:19 am Hey guys, got back from NZ about 3 weeks ago and was shocked to see the house in lockup, the tiling almost completed, and entire cuboards all in their entirety!! since then...absolutely NOTHING has happened! all we need is painting done and appliances put in (along with A/C) but no movement at the house since then! Ughhhhh! Hoff, Velocity is basically Telstra and Foxetel tryin to get their finger in all the Hoffdog goodiness, its a high speed connection, which you get your phone, internet and foxtel through. Unfortunately, when you go to get your phone/internet etc, you HAVE to sign up with Telstra, if you have more of a hunt online (i suggest Whirlpool.net.au) there are lots of people discussing it there. Just had our tradie put up fencing the other week, and have quote for paving for everything now! got some nice pavers for the driveway and around the house, and some REALLY nice 400x400x50 pavers for the outdoor entertaining area there goes our paving budget! Building Modified Boston Mk11 with Fairmont Homes Seaford Meadows Contracts signed Sept '09 Slab Poured 8/2/10 Frame Started 15/3/10 ----Frame Finished 22/3/10 Brickwork started 23/3/10 ----FINISHED 25/3/10! Insulation/Wiring/Gyprock started 8/4/10 ---- 10/4/10 Kitchen completed 21/6/10 Storm-water Completed 21/6/10 Painting Started 3/7/10 FINISHED HANDOVER 5/8/10!!!!! Re: Building in SA! 3019Jun 28, 2010 11:48 am Tesltra Velocity is their FTTH offerings .. I.e. you get all the FTA and Access to Foxtel (via set to boxes) along with Broadband and telphone over a Fibre Optic Cable... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Building in SA! 3020Jun 28, 2010 12:04 pm wombat Hang in there somewoman and nice ending on the happy note, these are the the things that cannot be recreated. Thanks for the support - you have been wonderful =) No idea about the driveway question, but your price for a house that size including landscaping seems very good! 1 24844 No, not yet. It’s currently being assessed by our building surveyor 4 21565 With that sort of soil type if you ask for a design to include piers then I would also include void formers. That way you should reduce the chances of settlement and heave. 7 22349 |