We've finally started

mek · Feb 01, 2007 3:21 pm

Our slab is on!!
For the regulars here, you know I've been yapping away for a while now but now we're off and going! If all goes well, it should take around 250 days.
We're building a single storey in the western suburbs of Melbourne, custom designed (our block is very narrow but long).
The exterior is going to be very grey (thanks Michelle :lol:

), with half a flat roof and half curved, to get lots of light in through the middle, south-north orientation, not terribly flash, extras are hydronic heating and double glazed windows. Oh and we've got both solar hot water and water tank.
Very happy with the whole process so far, professionally done, nice contact person, etc.
Will keep you updated.

Amber · Feb 01, 2007 3:40 pm

Congrats mek.

It's such an exciting time. Our slab gets laid tomorrow.

Make sure you give us some photos to enjoy the process with you.

Michelle · Feb 01, 2007 6:13 pm

Good luck Mek & Amber......

Enjoy!!!!

perthgirl · Feb 01, 2007 9:25 pm

Congratulations Mek & Amber - it's always a great feeling when it starts!

We are probably a couple of months of slab down and I can't wait...though I really do have to get my behind into gear and start making selections as we have pre-start in a few weeks and so much to decide still- other than the exterior which is decided (thanks to Michelle's help) nothing else has been chosen...I'm finding the whole selection process daunting (esp. the bathrom tiles!!) not to mention very frustarting with a 2 year toddler in tow....toddlers and tile places do not mix!!!

Good luck to you both

Nat

Adrian B · Feb 02, 2007 8:36 am

Congats!!

Now the important stuff

Get a camera and take photos, lots of them.

This is silly, I hear you say?? But 3 years down the track when you need to know where you plumbing or gas line goes, or where a wall stud is, you can go "Oh, I have these photos some weird person on a forum told me to take"!!. :roll:

If you are gettng or have a wall mounted dryer, have a chat to the chippy and get them to put an extra noggin in at a predetermined height so you can screw the bracket to it. I got noggins for the dryer, some framed photos and my wedding photos, all of which were well over 30kgs each. :shock:

Enjoy this part get to know your supervisor, and more importantly what beer he drinks..trust me on the second, it does make a difference....

Good luck and enjoy

Adrian B

mek · Feb 02, 2007 4:50 pm

Thanks everyone! I will be taking photos, AdrianB, thanks for your tips, you are of course right. And we are thinking of getting a dryer...
Perthgirl - I completely understand your despair - I took 3 visits to do my selections and I am not finished. Did not like any tiles at all so I'm waiting for new stock to arrive. Did not like any door knobs, kitchen benchtops, drawer handles, toilets, etc. etc. I am the world's fussiest person and yet the builder (or their S+M manager) is very patient.
fingers crossed...

perthgirl · Feb 03, 2007 2:13 pm

Mek - I am the same...fussy as! I can go to the largest tile shop in Perth with hundreds of chocies and not see a thing that I like! And when I do find something that I like my husband is amazed that I always manage to find the most expensive thing!!!

mek · Feb 03, 2007 4:13 pm

That would be me, perthgirl... I want 600 x 600 mm tiles, not too dark, not too light grey, could not find anything in the shop. I did manage to find some via the internet though, at $175 a square metre... Our allowance is $50.

Casa · Feb 04, 2007 8:56 pm

Mek,

I'm interested, with the hydronic heating, is it solar heated?

Regards,
Casa

mek · Feb 05, 2007 9:40 am

Casa, hydronic heating has its own boiler. I am assuming we could have asked for heating to be supplied with hot water from the main water supply (but at what cost) and as about 70% of hot water (not counting hot water needed for hydronic) should come from the sun in favourable conditions (ie. sun, of which there isn't much in winter when we need the heating on) I couldn't see much point. I might be wrong though.

nc6000 · Feb 05, 2007 9:57 am

I wonder if Site admin would put a section into the site where people can upload their pics/info on their build so we all can follow the process of building a house.

We have found some info in our journey so far that would have been good to know before hand.

mek · May 08, 2007 11:15 am

Inspired by others' building blogs, I've started my own today and have just put a couple of pictures up, hopefully I can find some time to be a bit more detailed.

www.renc-stuff.blogspot.com

ladyice · May 08, 2007 1:01 pm

Congratulations Mek...slowly but surely hey? Would love to hear and see your progress too..I assumed you got a custom builder as well....how far are you with your selections?

mek · May 08, 2007 9:26 pm

ladyice, I haven't done the tiles (don't like any), carpet (haven't looked yet), window furnishings (haven't looked yet), I've done kitchen bench/cupboard colours but not the layout, haven't done kitchen drawer handles (will probably have to have them custom made), the rest I've done I think, incl. appliances. Haven't made up my mind re. fridge (want integrated, don't want to spend $4k on a new one). Gone overboard with the kitchen sink :lol:

, about $2k :oops:

retail.

mattwalker · May 08, 2007 9:33 pm

$2K on a sink??? Are you nuts?????

Its a sink... you still have to do the dishes and it doesn't even offer to help!!!

Matt

Casa2 · May 08, 2007 9:41 pm

mek,

Good on you. If you like the sink and it's $2000 retail go for it. When you're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, $2000 on something special that you use everyday is a great indulgence. I'm putting together my specification list for a custom designed house. Can you tell me what you selected so I can go and have a look at one. I may be similarly inspired.

Cheers,
Casa

ladyice · May 08, 2007 9:44 pm

Wow..I would like to know what sink you got too...I was already guilty choosing a $900 sink from Franke...its a black fragranite double sink...no more visible scratches!!!

mek · May 09, 2007 8:14 am

Feeling very guilty... Although our builder is getting it for us and won't be paying retail of course, he gets lots of stuff from Smeg which is what the sink is: LQ862

http://www.homesite.com.au/indoors/kitc ... -bowl-sink

Sallyho · May 09, 2007 8:20 am

Love it Mek!!

mattwalker · May 09, 2007 9:09 am

Wow!!

Its a nice looking sink.....but 2 grand???

Matt