Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 22, 2009 3:32 pm I decided to finally create a building thread on here because things are finally happening!!!
Although we've lived together for what feels like forever, my partner and I finally succumbed to the idea of owning our own home early this year. After looking at some uninspiring established homes that didn't suit our (quite specific) needs I had an epiphany - what about building? So we nervously entertained the idea and it very quickly became clear that building would be right up our alley. We found our land in Aubin Grove pretty quickly and pounced on it. It's not huge (436m2) but it directly overlooks a landscaped park which our golden retriever, River absolutely loves already. Of course we do too! It's in the area we wanted to live too, bonus Finding a builder that understood what we wanted to do in making the most of the park views and the unique site proved to be a bigger challenge than we anticipated. First of all it’s a cottage block which limited us. We wanted a large alfresco area (which we will deck) to be at the front of the house overlooking the park. Directly inside we wanted the main living area with kitchen and dining, followed by the rest of the house which includes our theatre room (my man's pride and joy to be), and spare rooms to be used for his music studio, my study/photography studio and a guest room so we can finally have somewhere comfortable for people to stay. We went through the experience of wading through the builders that wouldn’t listen, those that pretended they understood but then proved they didn’t to those that just couldn’t do what we wanted, until we finally found our brilliant sales guy at Goodlife Homes. From the first time we spoke with him he really ‘got’ what we were after. He worked with us to make some modifications to one of their plans and even sent through some sketches on the same day. From there we’ve been through the rollercoaster ride that seems to take forever. Yesterday our land settled and we had our pre-start appointment!! Wooohoo!!!! We’re so excited and can’t wait to start building, bring it on!! Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 2Jul 22, 2009 4:16 pm Hello gurlistar We will be building in Aubin Grove too.. just waiting for the building licence to come back, still another coupleo weeks away. Good to know someone else on here will be in the same area. Hope everything runs smoothly for you. Candace Built with New Generation (Summit Homes) We own land!... with a slab on it! Plus a shell of a house with stuff inside ! Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 3Jul 22, 2009 4:50 pm Pre-start was great fun!!! (and the savings account is a little less bruised than we were bracing ourselves for YAYY!) I thought I'd put up some pics of our selections because I know how much I've loved looking at everyone else's for months now Nearly the entire front of our house is going to be glass with floor to ceiling windows, a sliding door and our front door. Later I'll put up an image of the 3d model my man has created of the house (which isn't fully complete yet!) but it will give you a better idea of what I'm trying to explain. So given that, we've gone for a very simple look for the house, so it doesn't look too busy. It will be fully rendered, aside from one side of the garage which is right up against the house border and won't be seen at at all. The render colour we've selected is good 'ol trusty colorbond Dune, which converts to Solver birch. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We love our roof tiles, they will be the Monier Horizon flat profile tiles in Barramundi. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The gutters will be a dark charcoal colour (can't remember the name oops!!) and the fascia will be 1/4 strength dune/birch. All door and window frames will be charcoal. Our front door is going to be this one, its a solid timber door and will be stained darker than shown here. The glass will be translucent. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Leading in from the deck outside we decided to continue the 'natural' effect with a timber laminate flooring. It's Tarkett Burma Teak and we love the depth in colour without it being too busy. One day I'll get my solid timber floors, one day Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This flooring will actually be throughout most of the house, including our bedroom and my study as I get allergies and with two very furry animals carpet is the enemy. The only carpet we're having is in the theatre and my man's music studio (can't mess with the acoustics!!) and that is a dark charcoal colour. Now to my favourites - the bathroom & ensuite!!! We'll be having the same tiles in both but using the feature differently. The ******* photos don't do them justice but here you go Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ In the ensuite the charcoal tiles will be laid all over the floor and shower hob. The white tiles are a glossy 200 x 300 tile that will be laid horizontally. We'll have the glass feature tiles which I absolutely adore as a large strip running centrally down the shower wall. They come in a sheet that is 306 x 306. In the bathroom we'll be using the charcoal tiles all over the floor but also running up the bath to create a flowy sort of effect. The glossy whites will be horizontal but we're using the glass feature above the sink in place of the shower. The benchtops will be laminate greystone in the dimensions finish, with polar white cupboards. (please excuse the extra laminate samples, these pics were taken while we were deciding!) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Now for the kitchen... After much agonising over various products for the kitchen bench and finding that none of them were an option for one reason or another, we went with good 'ol laminate. One day when we're fully settled and recovered financially (wishful thinking!!!!) we may consider changing these. The benchtop will be cocoa nougat and will have a waterfall end, the pantry along with the overhead and other cupboards are white and underneath the breakfast bar will be stipple seal. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ What I love most about our kitchen is my super large super glossy spashback tiles. And this is coming from someone who was set on getting a glass spashback - until I saw these - it was quite the moment! They're a very neutral colour and hopefully they look good when they're finally up. Here's another pic Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ All the door frames will be painted designer white. Here's a list of some of the other pre-start things we included (this is a very slight edit from my blog) * Increased the shower height to the ceiling in the ensuite * Overhead kitchen cupboards which go right to the ceiling, pantry to the ceiling too * Upgraded the oven and hotplates (hot, literally) * Added doors to the ensuite, laundry and an extra one to the garage * Switched the walk in robe with the linen cupboard (which we removed). We've found some gorgeous wardrobes that we want to use instead * Got the fancier toilets * Moved some walls to open up the hallway * Changed all the door handles to some satin lever handles in place of the round nobs * Electrical bits and pieces, including pretty light switches - stainless steel with the black buttons I think that's most of it! Ahhhhh I can't say how much of a relief it is to have completed the prestart process, I'd be happy to never again see another laminate sample, or to ever set foot into the tile shop again!! Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 4Jul 22, 2009 4:54 pm Hey Candylea, that's so exciting! We were starting to think we were the only ones, which seems near impossible given all the development going on there. We're still waiting on our licence too, how long ago did you apply? Which estate are you in (if you dont mind) ? Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 5Jul 22, 2009 5:05 pm Good luck with it all Gurlistar Now you know what I am going to say next ,dont you Please can we have a floor plan of your house,couldn't see one on your blog, I enjoy following building threads but telling us things like "we moved walls" doesnt help much without the plan to go by Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 6Jul 22, 2009 5:06 pm gurlistar Hey Candylea, that's so exciting! We were starting to think we were the only ones, which seems near impossible given all the development going on there. We're still waiting on our licence too, how long ago did you apply? Which estate are you in (if you dont mind) ? Hello again We are in Aubin Parklands... next to the freeway. Our application went in 6 weeks ago... but they have about an 8 week wait atm before assessed Built with New Generation (Summit Homes) We own land!... with a slab on it! Plus a shell of a house with stuff inside ! Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 7Jul 22, 2009 5:20 pm Yah your own thread. Your colours are great. I am sure is all going to look fantastic. I read some of your blog where you said you were having a deck out the front. That should look fabulous. Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 8Jul 22, 2009 5:27 pm Heya Helyn, great to see you're a crows supporter, you must be alright Sorry I should have mentioned that we will put the plans up in the next few weeks when we get them. We've changed the ones I have a fair bit which makes them quite useless. Candylea - that's awesome, we're *almost* neighbours! We're down the road in The Walk. That sucks about the council, we've only had ours in for a month ugh!! More waiting! Chedasha - thank you!! it feels quite exciting (yes I'm a bit sad!!) to have my own thread! Yep we are having a deck out the front, it will go right around the side of the house, and extend right out to the front limestone and wrought iron fence. My poor man won't know what hits him when it comes to building it!! I'm sure it will be an experience Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 9Jul 22, 2009 6:49 pm Quote: Heya Helyn, great to see you're a crows supporter, you must be alright Are you an ex South Australian, Gurlistar? Look forward to seeing your plans when you get them finalised Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 10Jul 22, 2009 8:37 pm Close, my dad's family is from South Australia Helyn Dad's always been really into his footy (and all other sport) and I grew up wearing the colours of "The Mighty Redlegs" so I guess I was born into it! Love my footy Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 11Jul 22, 2009 8:51 pm Oh, Another Norwood fan from way back, all my family barracked for them before the Crows were formed to join the AFL sorry, I am really taking your building thread off topic here Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 12Jul 22, 2009 9:11 pm haha no worries anytime!! that's awesome!!!! champ family My dad and I went over to adelaide last year to watch the crows beat the eagles. That was so much fun actually being part of the crowd rather than being the minority getting bullied over here!! soooo good Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 13Jul 23, 2009 1:10 am How exciting!! I love all of your colour selections. I looked at buying in Aubin Grove but their convenants scared me off. Did you them them ok to build with? I guess overlooking a park is probably worth a few tight rules. It sounds like a really nice block. Goodlife do nice homes too. I ended up picking something in Success. *Built with Gemmill Homes in WA* Slab - 1st June 2009 Plate Height - 17th June 2009 Lock Up - 18th August 2009 PCI - 5th October 2009 Hand Over - 15th Oct 2009 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20844 Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 14Jul 23, 2009 11:45 pm Thank you!! Yeah the rules there are pretty full on. We're on what they call an 'interactive living site' which has even more rules. A lot of it is about how the house looks eg. render, colour choices, verandahs etc but it was all within what we'd have anyway. There are some funny rules though, I like this one... The carrying out of any construction or mechanical repairs or restoration of any motor vehicle, boat, trailer, aircraft or any other vehicle is prohibited on the Property, unless screened from the public view How am I ever going to service my jumbo jet now!!? they are pretty rediculous and I've seen the rules broken all over the estate already I see you're building with Gemmill, they're great - my bf's parents built with them, which is another reason why we went with goodlife being part of the same group. Success is a great location, I can't believe how much this area has grown in the last couple of years!! Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 15Jul 24, 2009 12:26 am How long ago did they build? I heard that Gemmill used to be really good. Most reviews I read or people I talk to have problems in the beginning stages/paperwork (I did as well). I think Goodlife will be a lot better with the paperwork as they probably have a lot more young first home buyers... sometimes I think Gemmill were confused by our very natural responses to building for the first time. Having said that I think they are doing a great job with the actual building. Everything looks great and care has been taken with every step. The site is always clean and tidy as is the house - nice and safe when we visit it on the weekends. (I'm sure Goodlife use the same tradies) I remember reading thedetails for the interactive blocks! I didn't know what I wanted at the time I was buying so I crossed the freeway to "power line land" (luckily we snapped up a block far away from the actual powerlines) It is great that the rules matched what you wanted to achieve for your block. It is going to be exciting to watch your house go up.. I am keen to see the decking. I am forcing the other half to build a deck for me as well - i think it is a great idea! *Built with Gemmill Homes in WA* Slab - 1st June 2009 Plate Height - 17th June 2009 Lock Up - 18th August 2009 PCI - 5th October 2009 Hand Over - 15th Oct 2009 https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20844 Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 16Jul 24, 2009 7:22 pm I think they finished around a year ago? Of course they had problems here and there but when it came to it, they were very happy with the way Gemmill fixed their problems. We got to our prestart appointment and goodlife didn't have a copy of our previous variation (worth a significant amount) or our latest set of plans to work from on file. Somehow I don't think paperwork is their strong point either! I've actually sent them copies of everything just so I can be sure it all gets put together! Haha power line land, I love it!!! We're actually just north of you now, follow the power lines up one stop on the freeway! so I can totally relate to that, but at least you have a gorgeous new area there - I really it. I call our current house the castle, we're just down from the power lines and have the goods train behind. Location, location haha. Looking forward to moving that's for sure Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 17Aug 20, 2009 9:10 am Hi Manda and Gurlistar, I'm have just built my house with goodlife homes in Meve estate Beeliar which is not far from you guys! Just got our keys a couple of weeks ago and is now waiting for the fencing, landscaping and paving to be done. Now that our painting and security grills are completed, my hubby and i will be moving into the house next week! Let me know if you guys need any recommendations for tradies. Building in Beeliar, moving in on 28th August One of those unlucky few who missed FHOG 21k grant by less than 24hrs...grrrrhhhh Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 18Aug 20, 2009 12:47 pm Hi Beeliaroo! That's so exciting, I bet you can't wait to get in!!!! Meve is gorgeous, are you by any chance in that goodlife / gemmill development area? We've been 'stalking' that area a bit over the last 5 months or so watching the build time and progress it's been quite inspiring! I can't wait until we start, let alone finish!! Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 19Aug 20, 2009 4:13 pm Hi gurlistar, Yea, my house is actually on one of the gemmill/goodlife homes cottage blocks just facing the lake behind the shopping centre currently in construction..though I am blocked by other houses so i don't exactly have a lake view We were staying in geraldton for time this house was built so we pretty much missed out on most of the building process...good thing everything turned out alright. http://s630.photobucket.com/albums/uu21/kwokt01/ Just some photos of the house before we painted the interior. Now the house is painted in hog bristle full strength and we've got dulux self destruct for our feature walls in the master bedroom and the theatre. We are still in gero now so we haven't seen the paint job until we move in next week! Very exciting but it's been a long journey!! All the best with your house! How far away is your house from completion? Building in Beeliar, moving in on 28th August One of those unlucky few who missed FHOG 21k grant by less than 24hrs...grrrrhhhh Re: gurlistar's building thread - creating park lane!! 20Aug 22, 2009 2:00 am Your place looks great!!!! Thank you for sharing your pics that's the area I was thinking of! I'm guessing the countdown is on now... We are still waiting to start, feels like it's been such a long process.. We should be starting in 4-5 weeks if the shire can sort themselves out! What flooring did u go with ?? We are doing the hard floors throughout too Yes, I have. But, I haven't paid yet. They know they did not do proper jobs and I sent the email re: final payment, I cannot pay. They said, we will do 2nd PCI. Since… 2 3434 We hired Darbecca to do every stage inspection, and I strongly recommend them to anyone that asks me. They were amazing. Thorough reports with photos at every stage,… 6 5335 i would not be signing anything on the day read your contract about when builder submits final invoice generally, have to meet builder within 7 days of receiving final… 1 2573 |